CHAPTER SIXTEEN
700 Words
The Kingdom Of Agrippa… A Month Before The Start Of The Selection.
Breaking News on AWN Today
Today marks the 19th birthday of Crown Prince William Christopher Veronese and the entire country is abuzz with activity.
The people of Agrippa is not only reported to be happy about their Prince celebrating another year, but also they are celebrating the upcoming competition for a Crown Princess.
Like every reigning King of the country since the 16th century, after the 19th birthday of the Crown Prince, a selection is held for two months with 20 potential girls -from the ages 16 to 19- competing for the hand of the Prince.
Young girls of all classes and even Princesses from different Kingdoms are invited to participate as long as they meet the requirement.
This practice has been a long-standing tradition an adult Prince must pass through to create good relations with the citizens, countries allies, and even enemies.
On the last competition held, the current King, Alexander Gopher Veronese had picked the former Royal Princess of Tao.
This union opened up many business ventures and relations for both countries and to this day, the star couple is reported to still be in marital bliss.
Now onto more serious news, despite the seizing of the Tahan Kingdom by King Jaffa of the Klan Kingdom 10 years ago, sources report that the people still serve the former royal family of Tahan and show no means to hide it.
They are openly opposing the Klan’s sovereignty and many believe the rebel refugees of the Tahan people have something to do with the recent seizing of the nearby borders.
I switch off the TV in the tiny kitchen when I hear the sound of knocking and yell at the top of my lungs, calling out my little sister who’s hiding out in her room in hopes to avoid the people on the other side of the door.
“Get the door, Chloe!”
As expected of the bratty 15-year-old, she groans lazily and stomps out of her room across the hall to jerk open the door.
I bent to check the small turkey I’d put into the oven 5 hours ago and sighed in relief, it’s coming out nicely.
The table is already set and the food is prepared for thanksgiving dinner, now we just need them to appear.
Their voice fills the house as I hear footsteps walk in through the front door, pulling off my apron I step out of the kitchen to greet my aunt and uncle with a tight smile on my face.
When they called to inform us they’ll be arriving for thanksgiving it had been more than a surprise. I know I should be nicer, they’ve after all been kind enough to pay off our debtors, get us this apartment and pay for our schooling... but I just can’t help grit my teeth in annoyance at hearing them rant about how much we should be indebted to them.
Despite my dislike though, I am not ungrateful for what they’ve done. But the constant reminder, snide insults, and the ordering around as if we’re their slaves is starting to test my limits.
Ever since our parents died in a car accident a year ago, Chloe and I had to learn to depend on ourselves.
Though Chloe should have been taken in by child services, I turned 18 on the day of our parents funeral and was granted custody by the judge through the help of our Uncle’s lawyer.
“Good evening aunt, uncle. It's lovely to see you two again.” I greeted the both of them with a smile and collected their coats, handing them to an annoyed Chloe to slip them into the closet.
- Writer
