Queen Maleeka

Chapter 1

Maleeka’s eyes ran through all the members of the council. She looked at them with disgust as they considered what her uncle, Godric, had just said.

“So, you all want me to get married? My father has just been laid to rest, and all you can think of is getting me married!” she screamed at the top of her voice, fuming with anger.

“Your Highness, forgive us, but this must be done. The Kingdom of Sarmatia has never had a female ruler.” An elder stated with concerned eyes as the council murmured in agreement.

The late king Erimos had made arrangements for his daughter to succeed him. He knew her capability but the council still felt she may not be able to rule alone without a Male companion.

All the murmuring seized as Elder Maximus stood from his seat, being the oldest, he is given respect second after the royal family.

“If the Queen gets married now, it will show to other nations that we are not weak, and it will assert your authority.”

She scoffed at his words, now understanding what they mean. The word weak must mean female; a woman as a ruler seems to break their ego, she thought. A smile graced her face as she stood from her throne.

“It is not my authority you are worried about but me”, she said, not willing to back down without a fight.

She had been preparing all her life to be Queen, only she did not expect it to be this soon. Now her father was gone, she felt helpless, but that did not deter her from fulfilling her duty.

Her floor-length dress flowed around her as she walked down the stairs of the dais where the throne sat. She stood in elegance, with her head raised high. The council members were seated in three rows on both sides of the throne watching her. She is indeed a beauty.

“I am the problem, right?” she questioned; they all looked down as if their lips had been sealed. They didn’t know how to voice out their fears.

“A woman as a Leader would make the Kingdom look weak before other nations,” she aired their thoughts, her gaze falling on her uncle, who sat in his chair with a silly smirk on his face. She never understood why her father never liked him but after his death, she could see his thirst for power and looking at him made her scowl.

Her mind drifted to her father’s mysterious death, it was enough to make her suspicious of everyone around her. The royal physicians could not find anything wrong with him. He suddenly became sick and unable to speak before his death. Instead of mourning, Godric was more concerned about the throne being empty.

Maleeka’s coronation was rushed as the throne could not be left empty, though still mourning her father, she had to do what needed to be done to move forward. She felt betrayed by her uncle; he was the one to suggest marriage as the next most important thing to do.

Your enemy is truly in your household, she thought.

She signed bitterly, the crown came with a price that she must pay. Sarmatia comes first before what she wants, that is what it takes to be Queen, which she knew.

“You are right anyway; who then do you suggest?” she questioned, looking from one elder to the other, awaiting their response.

“A man from the royal family is the most ideal choice”, Maximus responded, settling back in his seat.

“Yes, one of your kindred my Queen, to preserve the royal blood,” another said,

Maleeka nodded, “And who…will that be?” she had a feeling that this would not go too well. She wondered what male was in the royal family around her age. The men in the royal family were distant relatives who were old and married or too young. Some of them were part of the council and present.

Turning back to the dais, she froze at her uncle’s voice.

“That will be me, Maleeka dear.”

Her eyes widened, and shock was evident on her face.

Did I just hear right, or was this a joke?

“What did you say?” she asked facing the council. Godric held a smug look on his face. How can he be thinking of marrying his niece, a little girl who he watched grow? He is old enough to be her father; he must be power crazy and not care.

“I am the only unmarried male at the moment, others are too young.” He clarified dryly, adjusting in his seat.

“Godric, she is your niece!” Elder Andras yelled, standing up angrily almost falling down his chair. He was a close companion to the late king and could see through Godric’s fake concern for the kingdom of Sarmatia.

“But what other eligible suitor is there than Godric?” One said

“He is old enough to be her father.” Another explained

“That is not the problem, the Kingdom comes first.”

Soon, the room erupted with arguments; some were more concerned about the Kingdom than the Queen. Only a handful of them saw it absurd that Godric cared about Sarmatia; it was more about the throne for him. While Godric is amused by what is happening, he rests on his chair with his right fingers grazing the beard on his chin.

Maleeka narrowed her eyes at him.

Could this be what he wants?

She questioned, it felt like the world was crashing down on her. She swallowed the lump in her throat, the noise was getting annoying and it made her feel dizzy.

“Silence!” she hollered, her voice boomed with authority. The place fell quiet as silent as a graveyard. She grits her teeth; her hands balled into fists by her sides, and her nails dug into her skin. She was irked by this argument.

“That will never happen”, she spat out and walked out of the throne room.

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Pacing to and fro, her floral pattern dress glides over the golden marble floors of her room. Her jet-black hair joins in the abrupt turning of her body. She had been in this endless circle of coming up with an idea and countering it with another.

Maleeka heaved a sign as she slumped on her Queen-sized bed.

She thought of what to do but nothing was coming to her head. Weary of thinking she drags herself out of her bed.

“Dalia?” she calls out to her handmaiden, a woman who was like a sister to her. Considering they have been together since her childhood, the relationship was more like that of a family than master to servant.

“Yes, my Queen”, Dalia responds as soon as she enters the room. Maleeka looked dishevelled and Dalia understood the situation, opened her hands for a hug

“Come here dear.” She rubs her back giving comfort to the poor girl.

“Now don’t think too much about it. It is going to wear you down.” She whispered in her ear. Losing both parents is not an easy fit, but Godric was making matters worse.

Maleeka held her tightly, and tears began to well up her eyes. Her sobs and sniffing reached Dalia’s ears while she continued to utter words of comfort.

“I don’t know what to do, I don’t want to marry Godric.” She said breaking the hug and wiping off her tears.

“I know that. Well, I already looked through the laws and discovered you can request suitors from other kingdoms,” she replied, causing a smile to light up Maleeka’s face, her eyes brightening.

“Only direct royal family.” She added

“Only Kings? What king will be willing to marry a Queen? You do know I can’t leave Sarmatia right?” she quizzed, a frown replacing the previous smile on her face.

Slapping Maleeka on her back, she wondered if she had hearing issues

“I said direct royal family, the king could have a brother or a son, Maleeka!” she astutely said

“But, this must be done discreetly, no one must know before the invitations reach the other kingdoms. As it is, you have more enemies who would like Godric as king. Once they know of this, our plans will be ruined.” Dalia explained further, whispering as though people would hear it all once if she spoke in her normal tone.

Maleeka nodded in agreement; it felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Now she can dream of all positive outcomes and rest. Her eyes glitter with joy, what she could do without Dalia, she could not fathom.

She was a mixture of it all: a mother, a sister, a friend and a loyal servant. Although, she did not like the latter. For she holds high respect for her to see her merely as a servant of hers. Dalia, however, has been more kinned to be a trusted servant.

“Well, it's time to get to bed my Queen, tomorrow we begin."