Chapter 1

1

S eated in my father's chair, I swing my legs back and forth. His desk is large compared to my thirteen-year-old self. But my mother needs help to run the Kingdom of Arcelia . My father disappeared years ago, so he’s no longer around to help. I am the only heir, much to the disappointment of my mother’s advisors. They believe a king should sit on the throne instead of a queen.

That means my luxurious life as a Lady of the Court will never be. My lessons became focused on the nuances needed to rule. Finance , the art of arbitration, the state of the kingdom and its surrounding nations; these are now a permanent part of my life. The advisors wanted me kept in the dark, to turn me into their puppet with a crown who dances on their strings, but Mother wouldn't allow it. If I am to be Queen of Arcelia , it is important for me to learn these things.

However , tensions with the neighboring Kingdom of Wylan lead me to believe that there may not be anything left for me to rule over. I have never met the King of Wylan , but I have heard many stories. A despicable man filled with nothing but greed and death. He lays waste to any who oppose him.

We have only been able to keep them at bay because the number of soldiers we have far surpasses theirs. I am not sure how long that will last, though.

He sounds like one of the villains I used to read about in my stories when I was younger. But this is not a fairy tale. My father’s words about doing what is right are ingrained in my brain. But I wonder if there is a difference between doing what is right and doing what is necessary. Is doing what is necessary always right? Is doing what is right always necessary?

My mother often said that I was still a child, and it would take time for me to understand adult concepts. Is it wrong of me to question things? Why don’t adults question things more often? Would a villainous dictator be ruling over Wylan if the adults had questioned things more?

Huffing out a sigh, I focus back on a map of the four kingdoms. We have solidified alliances with Islwyn , but their neighboring Kingdom of Cybele is another story. Arcelia has no issues with Cybele at the moment, but they are currently being bombarded by those trying to flee Wylan . Which will put a strain on their resources.

It will also give Wylan the perfect opportunity to invade. Which means we need to help fortify Cybele’s borders to prevent Wylan from taking control of their kingdom. Hum … What should we do?

I jump when I hear a knock on the door. Looking up from the map, I see my lady-in-waiting smiling in the doorway. “ You have lessons, Princess .”

I nod and push away from the desk. Jumping up from the chair, I smooth out my dress to ensure I’m wrinkle free. It won’t do for the future queen to arrive at her lessons wearing a wrinkled dress. I need to think like the prince my parents never had, while also looking like the presentable princess they do have. Somehow , I need to fill both roles.

Giving myself one last look, I say, “ Let us be off, Charlotte .”

She follows behind me as we make our way down the hallway. “ Do you have any notes for me to take to the queen, Princess ?”

I sigh. “ I have ideas, but the advisors won’t go for them. I’m starting to think that because I do not have a dangly thing between my legs, my words fall on deaf ears.”

“ Princess ,” Charlotte hisses.

“ What ?” I huff. “ Is it not true?” She opens her mouth to repeat the same words she always does. I interrupt her before she can say any more. “ Do not say it is because I am young. My age would not matter if I were male.”

Her eyes soften as she says, “ They will regret not listening to you one day.”

“ Let us hope it is before my people are killed. Apparently , when the King of Wylan kills, it matters not if they have a penis or a vagina.”

Taking one last look at Charlotte , I give her a nod before entering the room where several teachers are waiting. My mother believes I deserve the best education. Which meant a different teacher for each subject.

Taking a seat at my desk, I ask, “ What will I be learning today?”

One of the silver-haired women steps up, giving me a bow. “ We will be learning a few dances today.”

Arching a brow, I ask, “ Dancing ?”

Her eyes meet mine as she replies, “ Yes , Princess . The queen’s advisors believe it is important due to your age.”

My eyes narrow. “ The advisors requested I learn to dance?”

Her eyes lower to the floor as she nods. “ Yes , Princess .”

I look around the room at the other teachers before asking, “ And if I wish to learn something else today?”

“ It would be inadvisable to do so, Princess ,” she answers quietly.

“ What would a prince be learning, I wonder?”

A gentleman in the corner replies, “ It is unimportant to know what a prince would be learning, Princess .”

I rise from the desk, standing as tall as my thirteen-year-old frame allows. “ Do not dismiss me because I do not have a penis, sir. I am just as capable as a prince.”

His eyes immediately fall to the floor as he nods. “ Yes , Princess . I did not mean to imply…”

“ There seems to be a lot of that going around,” I interrupt. “ Now , I will be continuing with the lesson plans from the original schedule. I will no longer be underestimated.”

“ Yes , Princess ,” the room replies in unison.

I am tired of the kingdom’s advisors trying to push me out of the role I was always meant to hold. I am the Princess of Arcelia , and it is about time people started treating me like the future queen I will be. That was what my father wanted for me, and I won’t stop until I fill that role.