Queen’s trial

The sun is shining from a cloudless sky. There is a light breeze coming in from the ocean. If we lived further inland we wouldn’t have that luxury. This has been an extremely hot summer and I feel bad for those who have had to spend it in a standing heat. Overall, the weather is perfect and I am very pleased with my decision to let Vaeda have a day off.

I make my way through the forest. This part of the woods is quite challenging. But not for me. Before my parents died and I used to be nothing but a useless princess I had a habit of coming here to watch the ocean. That hobby is long gone given that my days now are spent in countless meetings. I let my muscles do their job as I avoid the roots and branches of the trees and let my mind wonder off.

I haven’t properly slept in weeks. I still have nightmares and waking up doesn’t really give me a break. The state of our country is uncertain. We still have no set leader. Before too long the other countries are going to start insisting we make our mind on that. It does give a weak image if you have no one sitting on the throne. If I could have my way we wouldn’t have that problem. It is my aunt that refuses to allow me to lead.

I arrive to the cliff that is my favorite spot and start looking for Vaeda. I soon catch a glimpse of her red bun and start walking towards her. She stands at the edge of the cliff, looking calm as ever.

“Don’t jump”, I say jokingly once I am within hearing distance from her.

She turns to smile at me. The sight of her being happy, standing in the sun light, makes me smile too.

I go stand next to her and fold my arms behind my back. “Enjoying your day off?”

“Honestly Sera, I don’t know.” She turns to look at me. “I have been on duty since I was born. I don’t know what I am supposed to do on a day off or even if I’m doing it right.”

I look at the sea and take a deep breath. I can smell the salt and fresh air. The sun feels warm on my skin. A flock of sea gulls scream in a distance and the waves hit the rocks below our feet. “I’d say you are doing a decent job.”

“You look tired.” It’s not a direct question but the implication is in there. Through all her years as a maid, Vaeda has perfected a very convincing neutral face but I can see she is worried.

“I am.” There is no reason for me to lie to her. “Who knew becoming a queen would be this tiring.”

“You should take a break.”

I laugh openly. Something I used to never do. “One could think that someone in my position would have that luxury, but the reality is a different story.”

A slight furrow appears between her brows. “How is the meeting going?”

I am supposed to be attending a meeting where my aunt and a group of my father’s old advisors discuss my future. The discussion has been going on for a while since no one seems to budge. My aunt wants to keep some old traditions alive and despises me for wanting to make my own mind.

“It’s not.” I move in discomfort. “I was feeling lightheaded so I excused myself.” I give a laugh and Vaeda rolls her eyes at my lies. “They won’t make any decisions anyway, so I’ll just have a talk with my aunt when I go back.”

“What do they want from you now?”

I have a feeling Vaeda knows what the answer will be but she still flinches when I say: “Marriage.”

“That is a ridiculous thing to do right now”, I try to comfort her. “It doesn’t make any sense. Everything is up in the air so there is no reason to try and tie things down before actually fixing anything.” That doesn’t seem to ease Vaeda at all so I continue. “I am my father’s daughter. I don’t think even my aunt wants to just give the throne away to a foreign king.”

Vaeda lets out a deep sigh. I wait as she decides what to say. “Is there actually anything you can do?” she asks finally.

I let the smile spread on my face before turning to watch the ocean. “I can see my power is trusted.”

“I trust you”, she says straight away. “I don’t trust the throne.”

I lean towards her, almost brushing her arm with mine. “I plan on changing that”, I whisper.