Dangerous Aaliyah

Aaliyah’s Point of View Sussex is a great kingdom—no one denies that. My father, King Merlin, is greatly respected and well-loved. His seers intercede for him regularly, foreseeing any doom the kingdom might face, and actions are taken swiftly with strategic precision. When I was twelve, I lost my mother to breast cancer—a tragedy that changed my father drastically. He cried for weeks, locked himself away for months, and the kingdom was thrown into jeopardy by her loss. I tried my best to comfort him, but I too was suffering. My mental health was in ruins, and my eyes were tired from crying endlessly. But what could a young princess like me do? I was a child who’d never learned how to navigate life without my mother. Her death was the greatest tragedy in the history of Sussex. Kings, presidents of nations, influential figures, and countless others sent their condolences and visited in person. Gifts poured in—gold, silver, purple linen, bronze, animals, and other precious items were offered as tributes to honor my mother’s memory. But none of it could fill the void she left behind. I never had anyone to call a friend. My only companions were my mother and father. I had no siblings, and losing my mother struck me like a thunderstorm, shattering my heart into irreparable pieces. I withdrew into myself, spending days in her chambers, inhaling the lingering scent of her perfume as I clung to her belongings like a lifeline. Eventually, after much counseling and therapy, my father regained his composure. Although he grieved privately, he resumed his duties in public, attending meetings and hosting events for the influential figures who came to Sussex. He found solace in his work, and the kingdom gradually healed. Months passed, and Sussex returned to its former glory. Domestic trade flourished, making Sussex a center of commerce with a booming economy. Its prosperity became the talk of neighboring nations, drawing admirers and rivals alike. But even though everything had returned to normal, I hadn’t healed. I became more withdrawn than ever, pretending to be happy only when I was with my father to spare him further pain. I carried my grief like a secret burden, never letting anyone see how much I was struggling. Now, I’m twenty-three—eleven years since my mother passed. The bond between my father and me is unmatched. He is my greatest confidant, the only person who truly understands me. He often tells me stories about his friendships with kings, rulers of nations, and other influential figures, as well as tales from his childhood and the kingdom’s struggles before I was born. Were it not for my mother’s death, I might never have known how soft-hearted my father truly is. Whenever I laugh at his jokes, he reminds me how much I resemble my mother. He always says he sees her younger self in me and believes her death happened for a reason. I smile at his words, though they bring a bittersweet ache to my heart. I have grown into the desired heartthrob of every suitor. Soon, my father’s palace became flooded with all kinds of men—princes, wealthy merchants’ sons, and world leaders. Name them, and they were at my fingertips. But their attention meant nothing to me. That was not what I wanted. I wanted to be seen, heard, and understood by the people of Sussex. I wanted them to regard me as they had my mother. Instead, they saw me as weak, feminine, and timid—a princess spoiled by her father’s indulgence. Whenever I stepped out with the royal entourage, I was treated like a mere commoner. It pained me deeply to see how little regard my people had for me. Their whispers, the dismissive looks in their eyes—it all cut deeper than I cared to admit. On several occasions, I tried to make my father see things from my perspective, but he always diverted the topic, assuring me that, with time, the people would love and respect me. But I knew that wasn’t true. In fact, it was far from possible. If something wasn’t done, my name would fade into oblivion, erased from the history of Sussex. Then it happened. Two days after my father’s birthday, and a week before the anniversary of my mother’s death, he fell gravely ill. Despite all efforts to revive him, his health continued to deteriorate beyond human comprehension. The doctors tried their best, the seers brought no good news, and the herbalists’ remedies failed. He grew weaker by the day, his once-commanding presence reduced to a frail shadow of itself. My fear soon turned to anger and frustration as I watched my father shrink in his sickbed daily. Death hovered near, and he lost all signs of life. The members of the ruling council called for a meeting and summoned me. I knew what they wanted to say. “A woman cannot rule the kingdom of Sussex. A woman must marry and present a man fit to be king. A woman cannot speak for the kingdom.” I was ready for every word. This was the moment I had been waiting for. With my father in a deteriorating state, I knew they would not hold back. I stood before the mirror, wearing my late mother’s most precious jewelry. My red and gold gown was neatly tailored, elegant in every way. My golden hair was styled in a sleek ponytail, and my gold earrings shimmered as they clung to my ears. I sprayed the rose and lavender perfume my father had brought back from his last trip to China, admiring my recently done red almond-shaped nails. With poise, I left my chambers for the meeting hall. The moment I entered, their expressions changed from calm to disgust. They didn’t even bother to hide it. I smiled at them, petty to the end, and waved, causing puzzled looks to spread across their faces. “Good afternoon, ruling council,” I greeted as I took my seat beside my father’s empty throne. “Good afternoon, Princess Aaliyah,” they replied reluctantly, their voices cold and unwelcoming. I took a deep breath and nodded. “To what do I owe this meeting? I must admit, this is quite strange for me.” Murmurs erupted, then gradually subsided as Anthony, my father’s right-hand man, spoke. “We all know the king is gravely ill, and our worst fears are unfolding. As we all know, should the unthinkable happen…” He hesitated, “a woman cannot rule Sussex.” Once again, murmurs filled the hall, voices rising in approval of his statement. Anthony continued, “Princess Aaliyah, it’s either your male cousin takes the throne, or you must marry and present a man fit to be king.” His words hit me like a thunderstorm, but I maintained my composure. I sat upright, crossing my legs, and raised my chin. “And who says a woman can’t rule Sussex?” I asked, my voice dripping with sarcasm and venom. Their eyes widened in disbelief. They had never expected me to challenge them so boldly. “Well, for your information, I will ascend my father’s throne if he dies,” I declared, fury lacing my words. “I don’t need to prove myself to anyone, and I won’t marry to secure the throne. My cousin will not take my place, and I won’t stand by to watch that happen.” Anthony stammered, “But, my princess, it’s a taboo—” “Then let it be taboo!” I shouted, losing control. “I don’t care. If you’ll excuse me.” I stood, gathering my gown, ready to leave. Their eyes, filled with shock and disgust, followed me as I walked out. “This is just the beginning,” I murmured softly, laughing as I headed back to my chambers.