Prologue
July 17th, 2018
Garealia royal palace
Hafreosil, Qathinia
Grand ballroom
“Announcing her Royal Highness Princess Wilhelmina Rhiannon Eleanora Beatrix Wostrionova.” I heard the Marshal of the Court declare to all of our esteemed guests informing them that their future queen had arrived and that they should stop whatever they were doing and start preparing their royal pleasantries
More like ass kissing if you ask me…
Horns sounded as the doors to the grand ballroom opened, light speckled from the ostentatious crystal chandeliers that hung throughout the ballroom, reflecting off me setting my red gown a glow. The diamond tiara that sat atop my head felt particularly heavy at the moment as I strode through the double doors
All eyes were in me… and I hated it.
It felt as if they were all judging me, just waiting for me to mess up. Like it was inevitable. As I descended down these never steps I was meticulous of how I treaded, wouldn’t want to prove them right.
Once at the bottom I breathed a sigh of relief but it was short lived as I was swarmed by on comers, looking to suck up- I mean greet me. They couldn’t get very close though because the royal guards blocked them.
“Happy birthday your highness.”
“Best wishes your highness.”
“You look beautiful your majesty.”
I saw through their smiles and kind words they were all kiss ups just looking to get in the good graces of the future queen, none of them cared about the fact that it was my birthday or me personally for that matter, only my title. That’s all they saw when they saw me, a title and the riches and rewards that came with it, I could almost see the hunger for powers in their eyes, that and the dollar signs.
“Alright you leeches, no blood for you today.” with the exception of one person
Said person turned around once the crowd had dispersed and pulled me into a bone shattering hug.
“Happy birthday Wila!” they exclaimed hugging me irrationally tighter.
“Aunt Lilianna…I…can’t…breathe…”
“Oh shit, I forgot can’t damage the royal goods.” she said before releasing me abruptly, giggling.
We both looked at each other at each other for a few seconds before we burst out laughing.
My aunt Lilianna was the closest thing I had to a friend here in Qathinia but she is my aunt, so that’s kind of pathetic. It’s true though I’ve never had any friends- well let me rephrase that I’ve never had any genuine friends, all the ‘friends’ I’ve had in the past just befriended me because they thought it wold be beneficial to them, well more like their families did. They just wanted to enjoy the perks that came with being associated with royalty, therefore it was safe to say I have never had a real friend. Nonetheless I desperately craved some form of sincere companionship.
Aunt Lilianna was nice but she travelled a lot and was still in university, as a result she wasn’t around much, hence that only left Humphrey and there was only so much bonding I could do with him, as he was a dog.
“Lilianna compose yourself. There are many noble and important dignitaries here, have some decorum.”
“Aunt Lili (still facing me) rolled her eyes “yes father” she said in an excessively polite way.
The destroyer of our moment in question narrowed his eyes at Aunt Lili “Lilianna we would like to speak with Wilhelmina for a moment.” Aunt Lilianna gave me one final hug and a wink before for walking away, leaving me for the lions.
Bernard Theodore Desmond Arthur Wostrionova, the former king of Qathinia or as I call him grandfather, stepped forward with his wife and the former queen of Qathinia Augustina Wostrionova and my grandmother.
“Happy birthday Wilhelmina” my grandmother stepped forward and gave me a hesitant hug and an awkward pat on the back.
“Yes, happy birthday” my grandfather spoke barely acknowledging his granddaughter. Not that he ever accepted me as such.
It was no secret that Bernard Wostrionova was ‘surprised’ with his son’s choice in brides. You see my mother was American… and black.
hmmm I wonder which one he was more upset with.
‘A conflict of interest’ he called it. I believe for that reason along with mine and my mother race caused him to not be very warm towards me. As for my grandmother I always got this atmosphere of indifference from her but she probably wasn’t too keen on the idea of her son marrying a black American woman and having a mixed raced grandchild but its whatever, it wasn’t like I was there only grandchild, right?
“You should go and socialize with our guests, this may be your party but it is still expected of you as the princess and future queen.”
Was that disdain in his voice or did I imagine it.
“Yes grandfather.” I said and stepped away from my grandparents and into the heart of the ballroom to socialize with our most honored kiss-ups.
For the next hour I danced with dukes, barons and marquees from all across Europe. I was currently dancing with a 53 year old duke from Denmark who was babbling on about his affiliation with the Danish royal family and how he was 25th in line for the throne. Convinced I was somehow impressed by his declarations or to captivated by this conversation to notice, I don’t know how, he started to venture his hand lower down my back.
“Duke Lustenburg, may I so kindly cut in?” we interrupted halting me from kicking the duke in his semi-precious family jewels.
“Of course.” he said walking away to probably look for another victim, I turned to see the saviour of lord grabington’s balls and a smile broke out on my face.
“Uncle Ali!” I engulfed him in a hug.
“I hate it when you call me that you know.” the smile on his face and cheerful hint to his voice told me he wasn’t serious.
Alistair Wostrionova is my father’s older brother, for some reason my grandfather bypassed him for the title of king and opted for his second son instead, my father. Which was pretty unorthodox since the eldest child traditionally took the throne after their parents. He was currently ruling in my stead until I came of age, then I could officially take the throne and become queen. It could have been aunt Liliana in his position but if the country was left in her hands it would be burnt to the ground in less than a week and since he never officially abdicated the throne he is still eligible, even though I’m the next heir plus no one wants Lilianna to rule, she’s a bit of a wild child and by bit I mean riding a carriage into this very ballroom bit, horses and all bit.
“May I have this dance your highness?” he said bow in an overly dramatic manner.
“Yes, you may kind sir.” I said curtsying in the same manner.
Uncle Ali was someone else who I considered a friend in Qathinia but he was my uncle so again, that was kind of sad moreover I didn’t see him much since he was so preoccupied with running the country.
“It’s your 18th birthday today, only 3 more years until you can become queen”
“Oh I bet you’re counting the days, then I can finally relieve you of your royal duties” I smiled.
“Like you can’t believe, ruling is way harder than it looks.” he said exasperated twirling me around.
I giggled but stopped “honestly I don’t know, I feel like I should since I’ve been preparing for it my whole life, but…I honestly…I don’t know.” dejection in clear in voice.
“Hey, hey that’s okay if you don’t know you still have time to figure it out. Don’t stress out about it too much, it’s your day enjoy it.”
“Thanks Uncle Ali.” I smiled up at him and he smiled back down at me.
A hand placed itself on his shoulder, I followed said hand and met the eyes of Lord Richard Thiylor.
“Excuse me sir, but your father requests your presence with Prince Harold.”
Uncle Ali sighed “duty calls” he have me a kiss on the forehead, his beard ticking me “happy birthday kiddo.” and he walked away leaving me with Lord Thiylor.
“May I have this dance, Princess?”
“Sure” I said reluctantly
Lord Thiylor always gave me a funny vibe but I overlooked it as paranoia since he was the Wostrionova royal family’s most trusted advisor despite being so young.
“I assume you must not be enjoying you night very much.”
“And why is that?” I asked with a slight edge in my voice knowing exactly what he was hinting at but hoping he wouldn’t say it.
“Well with today being the anniversary of King Clifford and Queen Calista’s deaths and all.”
He said it “yes…so it is…”
“I mean there was a memorial service earlier today but to still have ball afterwards seems a little insensitive, don’t you think?” he continued.
“I’m sorry but if you’ll excuse me Lord Thiylor”
“Of course your highness.” I gave him a weak smiled and walked away.
The rest of the night was a blur of dances, fake smile and outrageously expensive birthday cake that tasted like cardboard in my mouth.
I ran through the hall of the palace only the sounds of my little feet echoing through the empty halls. I burst through the door to my parent’s bedroom bubbling over with excitement at the fact that today was my birthday, I was 8 years old today.
“Mama, Papa!”
I jumped into their bed, “Mama, Papa! Wake up” I shook them.
“Come on, wake up. It’s my birthday”
I shook them again this time harder, desperate to wake them up so we could start celebrating. I wanted chocolate pancakes with whipped cream and sprinkles. Mama made the most delicious chocolate pancakes. When I saw that they still weren’t waking up I shook them again.
“Mama…Papa…why aren’t you waking up, it’s my birthday”
I continued shaking them casing my father’s arm to fall out of the bed and hang limp at his side.
“Mama, Papa” I was beginning to get frantic as I continued shaking them. When they still wouldn’t wake up I screamed so hard it reverberated through the castle.
“MAMA, PAPA!”
I jolted awake covered in my own sweat, trembling with watery eyes. sitting up on the edge of my bed I put my face in my hands, I’ve been having that dream on an off for 10 years, yes it’s been 10 years since my parents died when I was 8, on my birthday no less and as you can see I have yet to get over it.
Apparently they were poisoned, the poison they were given so elegantly name ‘the sleeper’ works by slowly shutting down the victim’s organs resulting in a slow, silent death that makes it appear as though they are asleep.
At least they didn’t suffer I guess.
Many suspects were brought in but a culprit was eventually identified and apprehended. His name was Rupert Rascington, a page of the royal family, he was imprisoned in the dungeons, where he sits to this day. I haven’t been back into my parents’ bedroom since that day.
I got out of bed and went into my adjoining bathroom, turning on the lights I walked over to the sink, turning the tap on I splashed my face with cold water in an attempt to cool myself down.
I looked up into the mirror gaging my reflection, my curly dark brown hair a wild mess and my skin slightly pale and clammy. I sighed, shutting off the sink and lights I slunk back to my bed. I tired getting comfortable enough to go back to sleep but it was impossible, I grabbed the only thing that brought me serenity during these countless sleepless nights.
My mother’s pillow
This was the same pillow she slept on when she died and yes I know it’s a little morbid to sleep on the pillow your mother died on but it still smells like her, maybe because it hasn’t been washed since, kind of gross, again I know but it’s the only thing I have left of her, besides my memories.
The feeling of something soft and wet running across my face pulled me from the lulls of sleeps. I scrunched up my face and tried to push said assaulter away but it just came back anyway, eventually I opened my eyes to be blessed with the sight of my most trusted friend.
“Humphrey, you just couldn’t resist could you?” there was a jovial hint to my voice, Humphrey could always brighten up my day and after the night I had, I could use some cheerfulness. I barely got any sleep last night, I feel asleep sometime around 5 and it was currently, I looked to the gold grandfather clock in the corner…
6:57 am
Any minute now my lady in waiting Amelia who was actually my mother’s lady in waiting when she was queen, she would come through those doors followed by my two lady’s maids Selene and Charlotte, to bring me my breakfast and read me my schedule for the day.
“In 3…2....1…” and like clockwork there was a knock on the door, I told them to come in and the doors opened and in came Amelia followed by Selene and Charlotte.
“Good morning your highness.” said all three of them, at the same time, while curtsying in like animated bots.
“Good morning.” Selene and charlotte rushed over, Selene bringing me my breakfast and Charlotte going to prepare my bath.
“Ok your highness we have a very busy schedule today” when do we not…
I focused my attention on my breakfast, as Amelia read off a list of all my activities for the day. It was just more of the same.
I fed Humphrey some bacon, it was so much food I couldn’t eat it all by myself anyway. Amelia was still going on but I was paying attention, I stopped listening to her years ago.
I mentally groaned. This was going to be a long day…as usual
An entire day later and I was finally back in my room. I collapsed on my bed with a huff and exasperated sigh.
“Tired huh?” Aunt Lili chuckled.
“Tired is a royal understatement” I rolled over onto my back “you know sometimes I wish I could just stop being a princess.”
Aunt Lilianna came closer and sat beside me. I sat up and rested my head on her shoulder.
I continued “no royal duties or responsibilities, no uptight and snooty lady in waiting and no worry about who’s my real friend and who’s just using me for my title. I could be a normal teenager and do normal teenage things… like go to high school.”
An idea popped up in my mind and I sat up abruptly.
“You already went to high school remember?” Aunt Lilianna added.
“I went to a posh all girls finishing school in France, all immaculate little uniforms, dedicated to raising proper young ladies.”
“Hey I went to the same school” she defended.
“So you know what I’m talking about”
“…yeah.”
“No what I mean is the real high school experiences”
“What like the ones you watch in all those corny American teen movies you’re obsessed with? I keep telling you those movies will deteriorate your brain cells” she said chuckling
“You watch them with me.” I deadpanned.
“Touché. But what are you exactly suggesting, leaving Qathinia, going to America, enrolling in a high school under a fake name and living as a commoner” her sarcastic statement followed by light laughter but said laughter died when she saw the sparkle in my eyes and big grin on my face.
“No Wila, no.”
“Why not Aunt Lili, you said it yourself I’d use a fake name and it’s not like anyone would recognize me, Qathinia isn’t a very well know place.” I was trying to persuade her to go along with the idea because I was going to need her help to make it happen.
“Wila this is crazy and coming from me that’s saying something,”
“Just think about it Aunt Lili, I could finally live a normal teenager’s life. Make friends, go to parties…talk about boys…”
“You can do all those things with me”
’I mean with people my own age, your fun to be around Aunt Lili but you aren’t exactly a teenager anymore”
“Hey! I was a teenager no too long ago and some people say I still act like I’m 16. I can relate to teenage stuff like boys.”
“But you’re not, you’re 23 and hearing you talk about teenage boys would just be weird…and creepy.” I shuddered at the thought.
“So you’re just going to abandon Qathinia, you’re the future queen”
“not for 3 years and no I wouldn’t leave forever, I’ll enroll as a senior I’d only be gone for a year and besides…I might not even accept the title…” I mumbled the last part.
"Oh no you don’t, if you abdicate the throne then that put me next in line for the throne and nobody wants that’s. I mean I’m only thinking of the people here.”
I rolled my eyes, shaking my head.
“So you’re really serious about this, aren’t you?”
“This is my last chance…I have to do this.”
