Dragon's Sorceress Queen

1. My Kingdom

Rosabella-

I have to try again. I need to try again and make my father understand. I need to persuade him to keep his faith in me rather than that so-called wise man I am forced to call Uncle. Fortunately, it is not often; it is never, to be honest. I've never met Winston Agassi other than at the courthouse and on any significant Kingdom occasions. He is a good friend of my mother and I don’t really know how my sweet mother can be friends with someone like him. He is always training my cousin, Richmond Boneflare. He is always teaching him strategies and tactics to form treaties with other kingdoms and trains him about all the political issues. Now, I understand why though. It is all because he never saw me as a leader.

I learned it all myself. I read it all myself and I practised it all myself in the library. It was fruitless to ask my cousin anything because he was always so busy. I cannot joke around him in public and he is never free to spend any time with me. I don’t even know if he likes me or not. He doesn’t seem interested. Since he came under Winston’s care after his parents' death, he has learned a lot. After all, Agassi is a learned man, and I cannot deny that truth.

What I'm raging about is, I don’t like how he has filled my parents’ ears about my disability to rule the Kingdom and now they are adamant about marrying me off. I’m not accepting it though. Not yet, anyway. Father has already made himself clear but I think I need to talk to him again and that too alone, where there are no administrators and chiefs to judge my opinion, I need to talk where I’m not pressurized to keep my lips sealed because of the fear of blurting something wrong and bringing shame to my father. I need to talk as his daughter, where I can call him, ‘Father’ and not ‘Alpha’.

"Princess, Alpha has a company." One of the two combatants outside my parents' chamber makes me know when I try to walk inside. They both have their heads bowed in respect to me with one hand holding an iron shield and the other dropped by the side holding their sharp swords. I remember as a child, I used to be afraid of all the combatants around the castle because they looked too intimidating to me as a child. With their shields and sharp swords, their armour, and their battle helmets, they can intimidate anyone.

"Shall I expect the respected advisor, Winston Agassi?" I ask making myself clear that I'm going to go inside anyway.

"Yes, Princess, and forgive me, but the Alpha's order doesn't allow us to let you pass." The same combatant on my right says with his head bowed.

"Tell him that it's important," I say lifting my chin to show my determination.

"As you say, Princess." He nods before turning as he has been trained and leaves to go inside. I play with the light stone neck wear swinging down my neck. It is long enough to reach my belly button and my hand draped with a piece of my clothing is placed right there in an elegant manner. I keep my stance straight waiting for the combatant to come with the news I expect.

When I see him coming, I lock my gaze with him before he bows submitting to me.

"He wants to see you, Princess." He says and I walk at a normal pace until I take a turn and barge inside. I wanted to talk to him alone but again we have a company.

"Alpha," I bow to him before turning to my mother.

"Luna." I bow again before finally turning to the man I dislike.

"Respected Advisor, Winston Agassi," I say while bowing to him as well and at last turn to my brother.

"Commander-in-chief," I say greeting him.

"Princess Rosabella." He bows down. Since all others in the chamber are of higher rank, they don't need to greet me or bow to me. A single nod is enough.

"Greetings accepted, Rose. You may let the formalities go." My father says and I finally look him in the eyes.

"I want you to reconsider your decision, Father," I say holding my head high.

He heaves a sigh and I know his answer would be the same as what he had given in the court.

"You don't understand, Rose. You cannot rule—" He starts and I dare cut him off. But I'm not talking to the Alpha of Mighty Moon Kingdom right now. I'm talking to my father. The one who would play with his little girl despite anyone's judging stares.

"Why, Father? What is wrong with me ruling the Kingdom? We have had many women ruling their Kingdoms on their own. Then why not me?" I ask with desperation and without minding the presence of my cousin or any other male.

"There are some reasons. They cannot be disclosed." He says with soft eyes while taking slow steps towards me.

"They can be. You can disclose them, only you won't." I say taking a step back.

"Rose, I know how much you want this. I know you want to take care of the Kingdom like your father has been doing for years, but you must understand that this is important." My mother says cupping my left cheek with her palm.

"What can be more important than seeing your daughter leading your Kingdom? Do you think I'm not ready? I'll work for it, I'll be better! But don't marry me off to anyone." I say pleading to her.

"It's not anyone my child. It's the Alpha King. He'll protect you, take care of you. I and your father will be relieved knowing that you are safe under his care." She says.

"Why can't I stay safe here? I've grown up here, in this environment, among these people... what could happen to me now?" I ask her, but she retrieves her palm and turns her back at me.

"Rose, I know you don't understand now, and forgive us for not telling you the reason now but I really hope you won't ever know it. It's better hidden." He says.

"I don't want to marry..." I say.

"You'll be happy." He says.

"Please Rose. Grant your father's last wish. After this, I swear upon the moon itself, I won't ever ask you anything as long as I shall live." He says and I gasp hearing him. He is really serious, to the point where he doesn't want to be persuaded by me. He is afraid he'll give in.

So, I don't really have a chance, huh?

"I agree, but I need the answer to my question and I expect the truth," I say holding my tears back. I won't cry. Not in front of him.

"Sure, Rose. Except for the reason of your marriage, I'll truthfully answer you anything, my child." My father says now holding my mother by her waist.

"Are you doing all this because your advisor advised you?" I ask him looking him in the eyes. His eyes become soft before he finally utters the words.

"Yes. Rose—" He tries to continue but I turn my back to him and for the second time since I have come into this room, I look at the great advisor.

"It's fine. I'll leave the Kingdom." I say the words looking him in the eyes. I know this is what he wants. I'm not getting married off. I'm being forced to leave.

"Don't say that Rose—" My mother starts but I cut her off and look over my shoulder.

"Mother, please," I say and leave without listening to my mother any further.

I know it is disrespectful but I can't take it.

***

Back in my chamber, I think through everything that has happened. They might not want to tell me the reason but I know it's just some absurd thing about keeping me safe. What could possibly happen to me here, among my own people?

I still remember his first actual birthday present to me. He had given me an hourglass that doesn't even work. The sand stays on one side. It was useless but I still have it with me because I was taught to respect presents, even when they are useless. That was when I was eleven years old. Before that, it was always a flower alike any other member of the kingdom.

When I turned eleven he started sending what I suppose I can consider presents. I'm twenty now and since then he has given me ten weird gifts already.

I don't know what he wants from me or what did I ever do to him. What I know is that no matter what, I won't leave this Kingdom in his hands to do whatever he wants.

I will not let that happen.

I will prove to him that I'm well capable to handle this Kingdom, my Kingdom.