Queen of Jericho

Chapter One

Chapter One 

I can't keep this up. This thought that maybe it's normal for me to have this strange-

Nothing. It's nothing and yet everything.

Father used to say, riddles could cure a man's mind, or destroy it.

I like to think they sound funny when you're trying to talk to someone who is illiterate. They never see past the words they call odd, or weird.

I'm that odd girl that Caroline always teased my brothers about.

That girl who keeps books stacked by her bed, reading old books filled with facts for fun. That spilled riddles out of her mouth as if it were her mother tongue.

It's a type of normal that is frowned upon. Yet, it is still normal. It's nothing new, I promise.

"Addie, come." I am forced to go, a frown sliding onto my face. I'm no dog.

Mother's ears are small. They hold rich, bloated, earrings that are from the north of Altherway. Mother always loved the way they sparkled.

"You are not in your Father's crest?" She holds her hands at her sides, while the tailor marks her dress complete. It held bold red colors, solid and yet not.

That's not a riddle, but it's confusing. All the same.

There is a gold color, strict and firm at the top, pointing inwards. Holding her voice captive.

"He is not my Father," I do not let my lips smear their blood-red color, not letting them smear my choice of resistance.

Mother glances at me, annoyed. "He is the Emperor now, child. We are all his children."

I point to my wrist, my charms dangling down from my dainty bones. "Right here, Mother."

She looks at my wrist. "You couldn't have worn your sash? Go put it on. I will not have a daughter that doesn't wear her pride as a decoration." She practically shoves me to the right side of the room. "And your crown is all messed around, Addie. Here," She snaps her fingers and a maid comes up. She fixes the mistakes that I put there, and backed away.

I reach for the sash, and a maid takes it from my hands. She places it right side up, with metals that I've gathered from my years of being entitled. I've known nothing less.

It is how it should be.

"There! Wonderful," Mother prances back to where she originally sat, and set down her wedding ring, and exchanged it for her coronation ring. It matched her crown that sat heavily on her shoulders.

"Now," She turns her head to me. "Let's go see what if your brothers are ready."

"Is your dress wrinkled?" Asked Caroline Claymoore, who wore her favorite tiara. As a princess, she wore it more than required.

"Leave it, Carol." My eldest brother snaps. Alexander never snaps unless it's with Caroline.

And only Alexander is allowed to call Caroline that, too.

Cassian steps up to the two, smirking. "You look beautiful as ever, Addie." I smile, and bow my head a bit to the side. "Cassian, you are stunning in that crown, however do you have no queen yet?" I giggle, as Cassian's smirk turns into a smile.

"You know I've not found one, little Queen," He purrs, winking at my smile.

Alexander rolls his eyes. "Addie knows better than anyone that you've not found a wife, brother."