Taking Place

 

      I couldn’t look away.  I didn’t want to look anymore, but I just couldn’t force myself to look away. The cobalt eyes were drawing me in and looking straight into my soul. So many thoughts run through my head as I stand in front of the old magnificent fireplace. The yellow flames are the only source of light in the dark gloomy room.  In the other rooms of the palace everything is sophisticated, bright, and elegant. Everyone is scattered around bustling to get things done for my induction ball. The smell of this room is an old musky scent for it hasn’t been touched in months. Ever since he died the room was off limits to everyone, even the maids. I needed to come in here. I need to hear his wise voice. I need to hear his encouraging words that would put me at ease. I wish I could just curl up in his lap like I once did and cry until I had no more tears left.

The kingdom hasn’t been under a ruler since he died. My father, the King of Ard’era, died six months ago in battle fighting side by side with the people of our great country. They were fighting for the protection of our people after the people of Urnoard decided they wanted to take over our land. We won the fight, but took a great loss. My father was in that loss. With daddy dead and me being the only child it was my responsibility to rule over the people. I don’t feel prepared for this though. I feel as if I would be a failure. My cousin Claudia, who my parents raised since birth, deserved to be in the position that I am in now. She followed daddy and mommy in all of their footsteps taking notes in the different roles they played in the kingdom. I, on other hand, did nothing for the kingdom or for the palace. I wanted nothing to do with it. I never really thought I would ever have to step up and take charge. Daddy was invincible; he was supposed to live forever. Reality never really feels like reality.

I stare into those eyes once more.  I look for my answers in those dark cobalt eyes, but deep down I knew I wouldn’t find them there. I have to stand on my own two feet and figure things out myself.  Would he be proud of me? Would he be proud of the person that I am? It is not my place to run this kingdom, but I’m going to have to face the truth and realize that I am going to have to learn. I need to be strong for my people. My daddy was a strong ruler and now I need to step up and take over in his place.  I need to provide a future for the people of Ard’era.

 “Alana! Alana! Alana” my mother screamed from the bottom of the stairs “Alana, it’s time for you to get ready for your induction!”

“Coming mom” I screamed back while blowing a kiss to the portrait of my father. I rushed out of the room and down the stairs and crashed right into my mother.

“Honey, you are royalty and you shouldn’t be running and crashing into people like that.  You should be setting an example of a lady.” She continued on and on.

“Okay mom, is Felix ready for me?” I asked

“Yes, he has been for ages! We need to get you cleaned up for the ceremony.” She said while pulling me along to the powder room that had my team of stylist in it. Felix, being the main one in charge, handpicked this team thoughtfully.

“Sit down, princess future queen” Felix said with a wink as I walked into the room.

As soon as I sat in the chair the team went straight to work. Each of them had their own jobs and they each did them well. In no time I looked like royalty. Well, maybe that’s because I am royalty after all.

“Okay honey, you need to go the meeting room with Sarah so she can run over your speech with you.” She suddenly got very quiet and looked upon me with teary eyes, “My little girl is growing up on me so fast. You shouldn’t have to deal with all of this pressure at this age. You’ll do great baby, you will make all the wise decisions. “

“Thanks mom” I mumbled, at least she has faith in me.

I was sitting in the office chair reading over the paper Sarah had prepared for my speech when all of a sudden Jarrod from security appeared in the doorway.

“It’s almost time your majesty” He announced with a small nod of the head.

“Thanks Jarrod” I said as I stood up gracefully, dressed in my silk pure white gown and crystal shoes.  They told me that this was the attire for a queen, but even though it was gorgeous, I found it kind of boring.

I wrapped my arm around Jarrod’s as he escorted me out of the room and to the grand stairs. As the doors to the huge balcony was being opened light burst through enveloping me in a sunny warmth.  I had to resist the urge to squint my eyes as I walked across the threshold and towards the noise of the cheering crowd.  The light breeze swirled around me as I took the place next to my mother. I heard her pronounce my name with pride and with other words to follow and then the next thing I know I’m standing at the microphone looking down at all the faces that I have to protect now.

I am flooded with different emotions as I look upon the crowd and I can feel my throat closing up.  All of these people look and depend on me for protection and guidance. I’m not prepared for this. I’m not prepared for these people to depend on me. How am I supposed to do this? Claudia should be the one standing up here, not me. That’s not in the rules though. As the only child of my father I have to take over the kingdom, not my cousin.  I am broken out of my thoughts as the crowd starts to cheer and the crown of the queen is placed on top of my head.  It’s mine turn to speak now; it is mine turn to promise the best for them.

“As the new queen of Ard’era it is my job to protect and guide my people in the path of success. As queen it is my duty to make the right decisions for my people” I paused and instead of continuing my practiced speech I went in another direction.

“My first decision as queen is to step down from this position” As I spoke this sentences gasps from all around me could be heard. People immediately started whispering with each other.

“Before I officially step down I would like to appoint Princess Claudia as your Queen.” Everyone was quiet at first because they didn’t know what to do or say. I motioned for the shocked Claudia to come up to the center of the balcony.  Everyone then broke into applause as she took center stage. I removed the Queen’s crown from my head and turned towards her. Slowly but surely I placed the crown upon her head. I performed an excellent curtsey as I blended myself to the sidelines to watch my cousin shine. She deserved this. She was born for this.  My mother stood beside me, but I refused to look at her and see the disappointment in her eyes. I suddenly found her small warm hand circling around my waist as she leaned closer and whispered “Your father would be proud”