Anastasia couldn’t help but feel drawn towards the young Prince, though she regularly reminded herself that she was there to find her sister a future King, not find a match for herself. It didn’t help that she had caught the suave Prince admiring her gown, or her in her gown more to the point, several times throughout the evening.
‘Who can blame him though, I look sinfully splendid in this gown. I have been waiting for the perfect opportunity to show off this gown. I must admit, it is nice to be feeling more myself again. This past month has been hard without mother around, but I must learn to stand on my own feet and help Annie as best as I can. I am no help to her if I am a mess myself, so day by day, I will keep pushing through my anxiety. I will hold my head high and be the strong warrior Princess that the Goddess intended for me to be.’
“Prince Liquire,” Annie spoke, pulling Anastasia from her thoughts. “Could you please tell us a bit about yourself and your beautiful Kingdom? I’m afraid we were practically neighbors for most of my life and yet I know very little of the Isle of Treseme.”
“It would be my pleasure Princess,” Prince Liquire Ocea responded. “The Isle of Treseme, as you say, is very close to Quillencia, just a short boat ride from the Quillencian south east shores. The Isle is a relatively small Kingdom in comparison to the expansive Alearian Kingdom. Most of our people are wind whisperers or water mages. I have been blessed to inherit my mother Queen Amphirite Gallayous Ocea’s, Goddess given water mage gifting. Whilst we are a small Kingdom, our Treseme Sea Legion is incomparable to other fleets. We know the water and the wind as well as we know our family. Our people cannot survive without either. We need the water and wind just as we need air to breathe. The ocean surrounding our Kingdom protects us and gives us strength; it is the lifeblood of our ancient people. I am blessed by the Goddess to be a Prince of the Isle of Treseme,” Prince Liquire concluded graciously.
“Your Kingdom and people sound beautiful, Prince Liquire, I hope to see your wonderful Kingdom one day soon,” Annie responded, catching herself blushing towards the handsome blond and blue-eyed, prince.
“It would be our honor Princess Annalyse,” Liquire honestly replied to the Heir.
“Your Grace,” Sir Igneous interrupted, his accent as thick as his facial hair — his flaming red hair a reflection of his fiery personality. “I am Sir Igneous Margach of the mighty Kingdom of Stanthorpe. Our people are a proud and passionate people. Our land Legionnaires are seasoned warriors. As General of the Stanthorpe land Legion, I take loyalty and respect very seriously. I’d stake my late wife’s life on it that my fire-wielding gift equals the strength of the Brandistone bloodline, had she not passed away from the last plague, Goddess rest her soul,” Sir Igneous boasted.
“Ahh… very good,” Princess Annie replied awkwardly. “My condolences on your late wife’s passing. Thank you for enlightening us Sir Igneous about your Kingdom’s Legion. Perhaps another time you could share with us more about your Kingdom itself,” Annie requested diplomatically, clearly a little unsure of how to respond to such a well-seasoned gentleman as he.
“My pleasure, Your Majesty, I must write myself a note to remember to do that. My memory isn’t what is used to be,” Igneous grunted, respectfully nodding his head.
“Sir Jack,” Anastasia interjected, attempting to divert the attention away from Sir Igneous and save the conversation. “How is your family coping after the recent loss of your cousin Sir Riley Thornley? We offer our condolences; his passing was a loss felt by all who knew him here in Alearia.”
“Thank you, Princess Anastasia,” Sir Jack Thornley of Alearia responded. “The House of Thornley has been loyal to the House of Brandistone for many generations, and though our Kingdom is transitioning through difficult times now, we remain strong and loyal to the Crown. My cousin will be missed. Thank you for your condolences, Princess.”
Anastasia and Annie nodded graciously.
“Mmm... Thank the Goddess dessert has arrived and chocolate cake — my favourite!” Anastasia exclaimed giddily as the servants served the final course of the night.
“More wine please,” Alecia requested of the staff before launching into a conversation with Lord Andrew about the latest trade agreements between their two Kingdoms. The conversation then progressed to debates across the table regarding favourite training techniques and comparing their various Goddess given giftings. Alecia was a born entertainer and her confidence shined at events such as this.
~ ◊ ~
28
Princess Annalyse – Heir of Alearia
Snuggled up, with blankets in front of the cosy fireplace in Annie’s suite, the three royal sisters gossiped merrily about the evening’s dinner party. Lady Margarette, surprised the siblings with a platter of sweet treats for supper and pot after pot of herbal tea. A knock sounded at the door, drawing the young ladies from their conversation. Lady Margarette walked over to the door to welcome their guest.
“Queen Annalyse, welcome,” Lady Margarette curtsied for their guest before gesturing for the matriarch of Quillencia to enter.
The mature Queen had the same eyes as her daughter and the detail always surprised Annie whenever she saw her, making her heart long for her mother once more. Having the Quillencian Queen stay with them since their mother’s passing had been a great comfort for the Alearian Princesses and the support and sage wisdom she offered was invaluable. The three royal Princesses stood from their chairs in front of the hearth and curtsied for the matriarch.
“Welcome Queen Annalyse, what a lovely surprise,” Annie greeted their Grandmother.
“I wanted to see how you were after tonight’s dinner party and to see how you are feeling about the ceremony tomorrow morning?” The Quillencian Monarch offered sincerely.
“Thank you, Grandmother. That is very kind of you, I am a little nervous as is to be expected,” Annie stated.
The Quillencian Royal sat upon the chaise beside Anastasia, her granddaughter offering her quilted blanket for the elderly women to share.
“It is perfectly normal to be anxious; I assure you my dear. But you will make a remarkable Queen. There is nothing you cannot handle,” Queen Annalyse responded warmly before turning her attention to the lady’s maid. “Lady Margarette, how are you? It has been a long time since we have been able to talk. Thank you for serving my daughter so loyally. Amealiana thought very highly of you. I’m sure my granddaughter also greatly appreciates your support and assistance,” Queen Annalyse praised the lady’s maid.
The lady’s maid curtsied again for the foreign Queen, “you are too kind Queen Annalyse. It was my greatest honor to serve Queen Amealiana. I miss her dearly. Sadly, I am beginning to feel my age and regret that I will need to hand over the honor of serving our Heir to a new lady’s maid shortly.”
“I am very sorry to hear that,” Queen Annalyse replied, “but age is a plight that sadly none of us are immune to, myself included. Though, how extremely blessed by the Goddess we are to have lived such long, fortunate lives.”
The lady’s maid nodded solemnly in agreement. “May I get you anything, Your Majesty? A glass of wine or a cup of tea perhaps?”
“A glass of wine sounds divine, thank you Margarette.”
“My pleasure, Queen Annalyse,” Margarette curtsied as she poured the Monarch a glass of red wine; former Queen Amealiana’s preferred drop. The Quillencian Queen offered the lady’s maid a small sincere smile as she accepted the glass and raised it in a toast. “To Annie, may the Goddess bless her as tomorrow she is crowned Queen of Alearia. For family and Kingdom,” Queen Annalyse toasted.
“For family and Kingdom,” the three Princesses toasted in return, raising their cups of tea.
‘Goodness gracious me,’ Annie reflected to herself. ‘The Queen of all Alearia... A healer’s apprentice turned Queen... Who would have thought it? Please Goddess, help me make my mother and Lily proud.”
“Now...” Queen Annalyse continued, drawing Annie from her thoughts, “tell me all the gossi
p about these suitors, and leave out no details. This old lady needs to live vicariously through you all,” Queen Annalyse joked, resulting in laughter all round.
~ ◊ ~
29
Princess Annalyse – Heir of Alearia
The young Heir tossed and turned in her four-poster bed. Eventually abandoning the idea of sleep all together, Annie dragged herself out of bed. She knew she should call for Lady Margarette to assist her but after keeping her lady’s maid up late while she gossiped until the early hours of the morning with her grandmother and sisters, Annie wanted to give her lady’s maid a well-deserved rest.
Besides, Annie enjoyed her solitude and sometimes it was nice just to pretend for a few short moments that she was just an ordinary country girl getting herself ready for the day.
‘Though I doubt any normal country girl could fathom the idea of grooming herself to be crowned Queen. A bath and tea, that is exactly what I need to calm my nerves.’
Annie prepared herself some chamomile and lavender tea with the teapot she kept hidden near the hearth. Then she ran herself a nice hot bath, pouring various natural oils into the water; the blissful floral scents filling the entire bathing chamber. The hot water helped to ease the tension in her body, the tea helping to calm her nerves.
After the water turned cold and her fingers were shrivelled, Annie reluctantly pulled herself out of the bath and wrapped herself in a silk night coat. Catching a glimpse of herself in the bathing chamber mirror, Annie was once more surprised by the reflection that stared back at her. Whilst Annie very much still felt like a teenager, she was still surprised by her aged appearance from healing her sister. A young woman now stared back at her, rather than the country girl Annie still felt like at heart.
‘After today there will be no going back. My path will be set in stone and I will not be able to hide behind my healer’s apprentice title any longer. As of today, all decisions, all responsibility, will officially weigh on my shoulders. As of today, I will be judged even more critically for every decision and move I make. From today, I will be Queen of Alearia. Goddess help me, I don’t think I’ll ever feel ready for this. How am I to lead my people? How am I to reassure them, to calm the civil unrest? How am I to choose a husband, a King, a father for my future Heirs? How am I to be a mother?’
Annie’s legs felt unsteady beneath her. She felt herself leaning against the bathing chamber wall, and suddenly feeling overwhelmed, Annie slid down the wall and wrapped her arms around her knees. Crouched on the floor, Annie allowed herself a moment of vulnerability whilst she was alone and allowed the tears of anxiety to pour out of her.
*
Anastasia knocked on the bathing chamber door, waking Annie from where she had accidently fallen asleep on the floor.
“Come in,” Annie yawned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
Anastasia entered the chamber, followed by Lady Margarette.
“Annie?” Anastasia spoke softly as she lowered herself down to the floor to sit beside her sister. “Are you ok? Did you spend the night in here?”
Annie yawned into her fist, “excuse me. I was having trouble sleeping so I decided to have some tea and a bath. I must have fallen asleep in here afterwards. I’m fine, no need to worry.”
Anastasia crinkled her brow, “very well… If you are sure?”
Anastasia pulled herself up from the floor and both Margarette and Anastasia offered Annie a hand each, lifting her into a standing position.
“Princess Annalyse,” Lady Margarette spoke in a gentle tone. “How about a nice cup of tea in front of the fire whilst I style your hair for today’s ceremony?”
“That sounds lovely, thank you Margarette. Sorry if I worried you both,” Annie responded sincerely.
“There is nothing to apologize for,” Anastasia responded. “Now sit down, relax, and enjoy your pampering. I have a surprise for you.”
Annie sat in one of the chairs by the hearth, tea and a platter of fruit and pastries already laid out for her upon the side table. Margarette began to brush out Annie’s hair as Anastasia sat opposite her sister and then handed Annie a small box she pulled out of her coat pocket.
“Thank you, Tash,” Annie smiled warmly, accepting the gift and opening it gently. “Oh, my goodness Anastasia, they are beautiful! Thank you,” Annie exclaimed.
“They were a gift from our mother,” Anastasia simply replied. “On our thirteenth birthday, Queen Amealiana gifted me with two pairs of identical sapphire earrings. I always thought it was peculiar that she would give me two pairs of the same earrings. At the time, she told me that they were so gorgeous, she wanted to buy me two pairs in case I ever misplaced a pair. Though truth be told, I never believed her as I would never misplace something so special. I think she secretly hoped that when we were one day reunited, that I would give the second pair to you. Twin earrings for her twin daughters,” Anastasia spoke warmly.
Annie lifted her eyes from examining the heart-shaped, sapphire earrings of the deepest blue she had ever seen.
“Thank you, Anastasia, they are the most stunning earrings I have ever seen. They remind me of her blue eyes,” she replied warmly.
“You’re welcome Annie. I think our mother would have wanted you to wear them today, so you could remember her as you ascend the throne.”
Annie pulled away from Margarette’s grooming to embrace her sister, “thank you, Anastasia. This means so much to me. I will treasure our mother’s gift, always.”
“I know you will Annie. Now sit back down and let Margarette work her magic on your frightfully messy head of hair. We have a coronation ceremony to prepare for,” Anastasia chuckled.
~ ◊ ~
30
Princess Annalyse – Heir of Alearia
Floating along the aisle leading towards the alter of the castle temple, hundreds of candles were lit to guide Annie’s way towards the throne positioned center stage. Senior Priestess Lavinia stood proudly beside the throne, dressed in her ceremonial crisp white gown with gold shawl. To crown a new King or Queen was a great honor for a Priestess. As High Priestess Elizabeth continued to lead the protests against the Monarchy, a replacement Priestess was chosen to conduct the coronation. As Priestess Lavinia, was the most senior Priestess still loyal to the Alearian Monarchy, the humble, middle aged woman was granted the honor.
The crowd of witnesses had been kept to a minimum for security purposes. The guest list was limited to Queen Annalyse of Quillencia, Princesses Anastasia and Alecia, Sir Tomlin, Lord Ashcott, and the five suitors. Each of the suitors were briefed by Lord Ashcott and Sir Tomlin on the coronation ceremony following the prior evening’s dinner party. Each suitor had eagerly accepted their invitation to the private coronation ceremony and offered to attend as official delegates of their respective Kingdoms.
Princess Annalyse, Heir of Alearia, was dressed in her mother’s former coronation dress; a cream ball gown with a red and gold sash, the colors of the house of Brandistone. A simple gold circlet sat atop her head, and Queen Amealiana’s emerald encrusted crown rested atop a pillow upon the alter behind the throne.
The coronation attendees, led by Princess Anastasia, sung the anthem of Alearia, as Annie gracefully made her way up the aisle, head held high. Reaching the alter, she knelt before the throne upon a silk pillow embroidered with the house crest. Annie bowed her head low in respect for the Goddess; the creator. As the song finished, Princess Anastasia resumed her place beside Alecia and the guests took their seats in the pews.
Senior Priestess Lavinia walked down the two steps to the bottom of the alter stage to stand beside Princess Annalyse. “Thank you, to all who have come today to bear witness to this important moment in our Kingdom’s history,” Lavinia began in a sing-song rhythm.
“It is my greatest honor to act on behalf of our almighty Goddess to crown Princess Annalyse as Queen of Alearia.” Lavinia stood directly in front of the Heir and placed a hand upon each of her shoulders.
“Holy Goddess,” the Prie
stess recited, “we are gathered here to witness our Goddess chosen Heir to be anointed as Queen. We ask for your continual blessing upon her reign, that you will guide her through all her decision making and hold her accountable for her choices. We pray that you fill our Royal Highness with your wisdom and grace. May she always strive to be a strong, just leader with the courage of a Legion. Let your light shine through her. May the giftings she has been bestowed, continue to be a blessing upon her and her people. May our Queen always demonstrate kindness and compassion. May she always put the people’s needs above her own. We pray that she bears children to carry on her legacy. May her reign be long and prosperous. For family and Kingdom, praise be the Goddess,” Lavinia declared.
“For family and Kingdom, praise be the Goddess,” the room echoed.
“Princess Annalyse,” Priestess Lavinia continued, “I now invite you to stand before your Goddess and your people to make your solemn vows.”
Annie rose from her position and walked the two steps up to the alter Dias. Standing in front of the throne, Annie turned to face her guests as the Senior Priestess handed her the Goddess’s sacred text for her to recite from.
The age-old text was a comforting weight in Annie’s hands. “Holy Goddess, my people, witnesses and honored guests, to you I make these vows,” Princess Annalyse began. “I, Princess Annalyse Brandistone of Alearia, vow to always put the Goddess, my family and my Kingdom’s needs above all others. I vow to serve my people in accordance with the Goddess’s teachings. I vow to lead my people with integrity, to act justly and to seek the Goddess’s counsel. I vow to only use my giftings bestowed upon me by the Goddess, to serve my people. I vow to always put my people’s needs first. I vow to produce potential Heirs that will one day participate in the Crowning Ceremonies and thus continue my legacy. I vow to always strive for peace and prosperity. I vow to be the ruler that the people need. I make these formal declarations, as the Goddess is my witness,” Princess Annalyse concluded, bowing deeply before her witnesses as a sign of devotion and service to her people.
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