Queen of the Ravaged

“I’ll be okay,” I whispered, looking at everyone as though I’d been sentenced to death.

My father’s eyes were filled with sadness as he reached for my hands and squeezed them tightly.

“If only there was another way,” he murmured.

I shook my head. “If there’s a chance I can become queen and turn Theris into one of the territories of Eldis, I’ll do whatever it takes.”

He fell silent, watching as I carefully folded the letter bearing the official seal of the King of Eldis. It was an invitation. In two weeks, the world would mark a hundred years since the virus that decimated humanity began its spread. At the same time, the King—now of marrying age—planned to crown his queen during the centennial celebration.

Every small kingdom, city, and settlement had been ordered to send one eligible woman to Eldis, each with the faint hope of being chosen by the King. My father believed these women served another purpose: as hostages. They would be in Eldis during the centennial celebration, and if their territories rebelled, they wouldn’t dare make a move with their daughters in the capital.

The envoy had given us the option to choose who we would send. If we refused, they would choose for us. From the moment I read the letter, I knew it had to be me. I was one of the few women who met the age requirement.

Our lands were fertile and good for farming, spared from the worst of the nuclear blasts. But around thirty years ago, the birth rate began to plummet. Since then, I could count on my fingers and toes the number of children born in our kingdom.

The whirring of the helicopter coming to life filled me with a sense of urgency.

To flaunt Eldis’ vast wealth, the letter had been delivered by a messenger accompanied by a heavily armed guard. Their small retinue was outfitted with state-of-the-art armor and weapons—technology that I could only dream of for our kingdom.

“We could send someone else,” my father suggested quietly.

I reached for his hand. “Father, you and I both know I’m our best chance for Theris.” He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

“But you’ve never been out there. You don’t know the dangers beyond these walls,” he pointed out.

“Father, they sent an escort, remember?” I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. Leaving the safety—and monotony—of these walls for the unknown was daunting, but necessary.

“I wish I had taught you how to fight, so I wouldn’t worry so much,” he said. It was true; I had never been beyond these walls. Sheltered since birth, I had spent my entire life inside our underground bunker.

I was never allowed to go to the surface for hunts, clearing, or reconnaissance.

My father leaned in closer. “Ava, maybe it’s better not to be queen. You know what they say about the King. Don’t worry about Theris. We’ll survive. We’ll make do with what we have,” he whispered.

They say the King is a monster worse than the ones lurking outside. They say he’s cruel, without mercy. They also say he’s subjected himself to experiments to become immune to the virus and extend his life.

“We need to leave. It’s a long flight ahead,” the envoy shouted over the roar of the helicopter. I turned, wrapping my arms tightly around my father. I touched the outstretched hands of my people, squeezing them firmly.

“I’ll be back, everyone. See you soon!” I shouted.

I was doing this for them. My people. This year, several storms had decimated our vast fields outside the bunker. From those fields we harvested various fruits, vegetables, and medicinal which we used to trade with Eldis and other kingdoms for supplies. Now, we had almost nothing to trade. We had smaller fields inside the bunker for food, but even those would only last two more months.

My heart pounded in my chest as I approached the waiting helicopter. The sun would be setting soon, but before it did, I’d finally get my first glimpse of the world outside our bunker. A heavy feeling settled in my gut. I was venturing into the unknown, with no idea how things would turn out.

“We’ll be okay, Princess,” a familiar voice spoke. I craned my neck and saw Reginald’s smiling face. He was my father’s right-hand man in Theris and a formidable general in our small army. But before that, he was like an uncle to me. Ever since my mother died, he and my father had done their best to raise me into the woman I am today.

He placed a hand on my back as we both ducked to board the waiting helicopter. Regi had a harder time getting in with his huge frame. My father always said he was built like a bear. Remembering that and seeing Reginald with me brought me some comfort.

“Regi, I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered softly. There was no other person I’d rather have on this journey, apart from my father. But Theris needed him, and I knew there was a chance I might not make it back.

Regi rolled his eyes. “Did you think for one second your father and I would just let you go just like that?” he quipped. I gave him a warm smile.

As the helicopter lifted off, a barrage of questions filled my mind.

What awaits me in Eldis? Is Eldis as secure and rich as they say it is? Will we arrive safely? How can I compete with hundreds of other women to become queen? Is there another way to save Theris, even if I don’t become queen? Is the King truly as monstrous in appearance as they say? Is it true that the King is without mercy and a slight offense might get us killed? Is it true that Eldis has a cure for the virus?

Only one thing was certain: I would do everything I could to become Eldis’ next queen.