The Remnants of Tomorrow: A Mandalorian Story

The Beginning of the End

Anguish...sadness...anger...fear.

These are feelings that I never thought I could feel all at once until today.

After my father called me into the throne room to give me the news that my brother had died. I could feel myself drifting away. This was not how today was supposed to go. Correction. this was not how anything was supposed to go. My brother Zander had just been crowned the king of the Oranian people. But he had to show off. He had to go fight with The New Republic. It's not like we liked the empire but truly, is the New republic any better. well, that was what my brother always thought. In the end, they took his life. All because of the thought of being free.

I learned long ago that politics and galactic troubles were never my strong suit. I always found refuge in my drawings and reading books. Since I was the second born everyone always saw me as the spare, or the unimportant one. I never thought I would rule, let alone with my brother on the forefront. He was gifted in getting people to follow him. His very presence could either strike fear or admiration into the hearts of his subjects and enemies. He was treated like a king since the day he was born, and he was good at it. As my tears ran down my face I could feel myself think the impossible, what's gonna happen now. Who is the ruler, who will be the king? will my father continue? he was too old to keep our planet safe.

The Funeral happened the following day. It was elaborate. The way a king's funeral should be. my brother's body was not seen. it was covered by a precious stone that shined in the light. my father said that his body was unrecognizable. Not even my mother could see him. As the songs of melancholy rang out and the cries of the people could be heard for miles, I could still feel myself drift off into a dreamlike state. Was this real? I'm just gonna wake up like I always do. But I never did. All I could hear were my mother's cries.

I cautiously went over to my father and whispered in his ear.

"What are we going to do now father?"

He looked at me, his eyes were dull, you could see the sadness that lied within them. I didn't expect him to say a word, but he whispered back.

"We will morn today, but the path shall be revealed tomorrow..."

After the Funeral and the hundreds of "my condolences", I decided to take a stroll in the garden by myself. I just wanted to be alone for a few moments. But I was met with my father who was speaking to his closest friend and ally, General Marcus Ran. They were probably talking about what had happened, but to my surprise, they were talking about me.

" Gregory , your daughter is not ready to be Queen. she does not have the instincts, the personality, the charm, the wit. any of it. She will be killed in no time!"

My father stood like a statue, deep in thought.

"You may be right, she did not have the same education as Zander, nor does she have his strength or stature, but she will be successful where Zander was not."

General Ran scoffed.

"And why do you think that sir? "

" Varina is kind and generous, she's not arrogant or intimidating. The people will love her and we will enter an era of peace."

The General laughed.

"You can't be serious. Varina will never hold her own in meetings with the New Republic, or even know what politics are! She's aloof I tell you. I beg you to reconsider."

My father cut him off.

"I have made up my mind Marcus, Varina will be the Queen."

And with that, my father left general Ran in the garden alone as he went in the direction of my bedroom.

"oh no, " I said to myself.

I quickly took my secret passage, beating my father there as he knocked on the door.

"Varina?"

"yes, father."

"May I come in"

" Of course."

As my father came in all I could feel was dread. The General was right. I was not ready to be Queen. I didn't want to rule. the people will never listen to me. They would probably laugh.

My father  sat on my bed.

"How are you feeling?" my father asks me

"I'm okay, I think I'm still in denial. I can't believe he's gone."

"I still can hear your brother's voice in the halls," My father says as he holds my hand.

"What are we going to do father? Once the republic finds out that Zander is gone, what will become of us?"

"That is why I am here Varina." My heart sank, I knew he was going to tell me, I will be the Queen.

"Father I don't want to be the Queen. I can't, I'm not good enough, or strong enough, hell, I can't even go to a ball without falling over."

"Varina, you must, our people will be looking up to you now, they need a leader."

"why can't you do it?" I asked my father in an angry tone.

"Because I am too old. It is time that Orania had a leader to take them into the future. Someone who will bring them peace. After the fall of the empire and the rise of the new republic, I think our people deserve some tranquility."

"Father... I can't, I'm not Zander... I can't, be him."

"That is why you will be better."

I look at my father.

"What do you mean?"

"I failed Zander. Yes, he was educated, and he had the look of a king. But his arrogance and harshness were his downfalls. You Varina, are the opposite. You will be the ruler our people need."

"But father."

My father stopped me.

"Varina, you will be Queen, and you will do well. Tomorrow will be your coronation, and you will make me proud."

And just like that my father left.

and I was to be the Queen.