Stolen by colour

Together

The morning sun filtered through the curtains and landed softly on Johann's face. He stirred lightly before opening his eyes gently as he slowly adapted to the light. His hands searched the place where Anna had lain the previous night, but found it empty.

"Bella?" Anna called anxiously as she tried to understand why her heart beat so fast whenever she thought of Johann. "Prepare my bath, please."

"Of course, my queen." Minutes later, Anna entered the bath as Bella and a few other maids helped her scrub her body. Bella noticed a faint black marks on part of her back. Bella smiled to herself, knowing what caused these marks.

After some time, she was fully dressed in her queen-like gown.

"My queen, your Ladies in waiting are here to see you." One of the younger maids spoke.

"I am coming." Anna stepped into the room. All of them stood up and bowed their heads, acknowledging her presence. However, Anna was used to Lady Mia's presence and felt more comfortable with her, which led to her barely acknowledging the other ladies' greetings.

"What brings you all here today?" Anna asked.

"Well, my queen, your honeymoon is over, and you need to start doing your duties as a queen, like attending balls, knowing most dignitaries' backgrounds, especially those you will meet often, being up to date with new protocols the parliament makes to avoid troubles." Lady Emma spoke.

Anna cleaned her ear as if something was in there. "Your voice, reduce it when you speak to me," Anna said boldly. Lady Emma's eyes darted to the floor, and she sat down quietly.

"So what ball am I attending?" Anna asked. Lady Kate looked at the other ladies as she saw they had no ball party list that was worth the queen going, so she took her opportunity. "I am hosting a ball for this season. It is a Venetian Masquerade Goddess ball." Kate smiled, waiting for an answer

"Okay. My maid will get the neccesery colthes need. " After some time, the Ladies got up to leave, "Lady Mia. All the ladies turned their heads, "Lay Mia, stay behind." The other left the room one by one, being led away by the guard who stood still in front of the door for a long time.

"My queen,-"

"Shhh," Anna cut her short, "No formalities when we are alone, have you forgotten?"

Mia chukled, "No, my--" she paused, her mouth open, then closed with a smile before speaking again. "No, Anna. What do you want to discuss today? Or how was last night for--"

"No, no. I don't know if I felt pain or pleasure; it was mixed. He was so good, and I never knew he was so hot and, what is that word, se-- se--"

"Sexy?"

"Yes, sexy." Her face flushed red as the word escaped her lips.

"Well, that is good. It would even be much better if you spoke to him more often."

Anna's eyes widen. "More often? My eyes can not even meet his from afar, let alone be close and talk to him for a small amount of time."

"Why not?"

"Because... because my heart it... it... It beats too fast, and my head does not think straight when I think about him." Anna looked away from Mia's eyes, putting all her focus on the clock on the wall. "You should leave now, it is getting late." Anna started clearly.

Mia stood up, ready to depart, but a question crossed her mind: "Are you ready to be a mother?"

Anna's head snapped up at the sudden question. "No, why?" Anna gave Mia no room to answer her question before bombarding her with other questions, her voice rising high at each question thrown to Mia, "Do I also have to give birth at a certain time? My life can not keep being dictated; I am not a child. I have a right. Is it because I am black that I have no right?"

Mia got angry, not at Anna, but at the mention of 'black'. "Your life is not being dictated because you are black, but it is because you are a woman. Black or white, women do not have much say in our society; you are lucky to an extent; at least you are a queen, you have more privilege because of the power vested in you. But what about the normal class or the classless women? What about us?" Mia lost control of her tone and did not realize she was shouting.

"You think being a queen is easy? You think having power is easy? Or do you think that because I am a queen, therefore, I am free from the judgmental glares? No! I am worse than you. Even worse than the classless women in this society. And being white reduces some stress, but I am black and a woman, and I am proud of that, but in this society, I will be crucified. They are waiting for ME, for a flaw or a mistake that comes out of me when I think no one is watching. So do not compare yourself to me." Anna walked out of the room in anger and told Bella to escort Mia out of the palace.

Late at night, Mia could not sleep, so she spoke to her husband, Lord Evan, about her argument and disagreement with the queen.

After hearing what transpired between both parties, he spoke softly but firmly. "You should apologise. Why? Because firstly, she is the queen, Your queen. Secondly, she is your friend. And thirdly, she is right. Being a queen is hard. And a black queen at that. Think about it." Lord Evan spoke wisely. "Try to get some rest. Good night."