My adored queen

6

Confusion and Shock

Annie Wilson POV

"By this decree, I name the third in line to the throne, Her Grace Marchioness Annie Wilson of Alvina, my sole and principal heir, Her Highness Crown Princess Annie, and I command my subjects to accept her as their queen. I believe that only she can safeguard Lantonia and continue the path I have set. This is my will, and no one is permitted to dispute it." The cardinal's stern voice echoed in my memory, morphing into a cacophony of incomprehensible sounds, until certain words stood out, spoken with particular emphasis, a clarity I had never witnessed before, at least not directed at me: "The signature and seal of His Majesty, and I witnessed this decree being written by King Leonard on the day he learned he had little time left. Therefore, subjects of Lantonia, hail our young future queen, Her Highness Crown Princess Annie!" And then, the echo returned: Crown Princess Annie, Crown Princess Annie, Crown Princess Annie...

I sat in the palace chambers where I had spent half my life, desperately hugging my knees, my forehead resting on the black hem of my mourning dress.

I remembered dreaming of being a princess ten years ago, and my mother trying to explain that there was nothing good in it. And now my dreams had come true, but I couldn't find any solace. My uncle loved me... deeply. More than his only son. Even knowing he was dying, he gave me everything that belonged to him. And that was fabulous wealth, the power of the crown. It was authority. It was the entire kingdom. But it felt less like a gift and more like a punishment, a calamity upon my head.

"Why me?" I whispered into the silence, not expecting an answer. But one came...

"Who else, if not you?" My mother smiled gently, carefully sitting on the edge of the bed beside my legs and tenderly stroking my hair. "First in line is Robert, and his record is filled with atrocities: r****g Her Majesty's lady-in-waiting, dishonoring noble daughters and maids, not to mention his drunkenness and neglect of state affairs... My brother saw all this; he couldn't allow such a son to take the throne. Second in line is me, as the elder sister of the late king, but I'm far removed from such matters; I would have refused in any case. And then there's you, my eldest daughter. Remember, your uncle always said that of all the dynasty, only you resembled him? And it's true..."

"Mother, what do I know about governing a kingdom?" I whispered, not lifting my head from my knees, as if wanting to curl up like a snail and crawl out of this palace. The shocked expressions of the advisors, the dynasty members, my family, and especially Robert and the queen dowager wouldn't leave my mind. Their shock was shared by all of us, but their subsequent wave of indignation, discontent, and resentment wounded me. I didn't ask my uncle to give me the throne and banish the crown prince from the capital, yet that's how my royal relatives saw it. Where they were now, and where my father had disappeared to, I couldn't even imagine.

"Do you think Leonard came to power knowing everything? Yes, you'll say he prepared for it for years, and you'd be right, but, Annie, my brother never burdened people with a load they couldn't carry. He could have chosen anyone, but he chose you. Darling, we won't abandon you. Father and I, Aunt Palmira and Uncle Henry, and the cardinal and all the loyal advisors will support you, we won't leave you. You'll learn, and gradually, you'll be able to fully assume power, but the coronation... It must be done without delay, so no one doubts who is now in charge," Mother was an excellent diplomat, and I wanted to jump up and applaud, but I was too lethargic.

"And who is in charge?" I whispered, barely aware of my current role. Queen... I'm a queen. Just like that, I was a carefree marchioness, and now, poof, I'm a queen. Though no, only a crown princess for now. It's enough to drive one mad. I had a feeling I shouldn't have gone to that gathering after the funeral. But it wouldn't have changed anything.

Two shadows fell on the ornate, rich carpet, and then figures in black – my younger brother and cousin – silently and stealthily crossed the threshold. They stopped, looking at me with strange, frightened, and distant eyes, as if I wasn't their sister, whom they had nearly suffocated with tickles just the day before yesterday.

"Why are you stopping there? Come here," Mother commanded, also glancing at these... partisans with surprise. And they bowed low, only then approaching timidly, exchanging glances.

"Annie," Nicole whispered, immediately receiving an elbow jab from Orian. She hurried to correct herself, "Your Highness Crown Princess..."

"Milady, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your upcoming coronation," my brother added, finally pushing me to the brink of hysteria. My nerves wouldn't withstand such relatives.

"Stop, please," my thin voice squeaked so miserably that I felt sorry for myself. I opened my arms, hoping to embrace my family, to find support in them, not the reverence due to a queen I wasn't yet. They understood. They wiped those respectful masks off their faces, revealing their true feelings – confusion, but they came from both sides, embracing me tightly. I sobbed on Orian's shoulder, with Nicole pressed against my back. They embraced me, warming not just my body but my heart. And so the minutes passed: they suppressed their desire to interrogate me immediately, and I hoped for a reprieve, as I had no answers to their numerous questions.

"Annie, tell me, will you be our queen?" Stepping back to look into my green eyes, my brother asked quietly. And I... smiled and shrugged.

"Can I refuse?"

Mother hesitated, but then our guest came to her aid, the last person I wanted to see – Queen Dowager Clarissa. A tall, statuesque woman with an ideal hourglass figure in a luxurious black dress with a deep décolletage was still strikingly beautiful. Her voice dripped with honey, and her full, crimson lips stretched into a kind smile.

"Of course, you can, my dear," she chirped. "Forgive me, Your Highness, I overheard your last phrase. Annie, let me be frank with you," she asked in a friendly tone, but... her gaze... her blue eyes were condescending, and where I hadn't noticed it before, I now felt indignant. It's strange how power changes people so quickly and gives them confidence! And I wasn't even crowned yet! "Robert made many mistakes, and our king never forgave him. He loved you dearly. But think for yourself: Robert prepared to rule, and you know nothing about governing a kingdom. You'll be helped, of course, but at what cost? Your youth will be lost among papers. Your beauty will wither amidst problems and worries. You owe no one anything..."

She spoke so sweetly, but what was the topic of conversation? And I didn't believe she "accidentally overheard" my last phrase: the queen knew what we were talking about. I might not be an experienced politician, but I wasn't a fool.

"And what do you suggest?" I asked, realizing that a plan, quickly hatched against me, was about to be revealed.

"Abdicate in favor of the rightful heir, Annie," the queen sang melodiously. So, I could refuse after all... That was useful information.

"Not Annie, but Your Highness. You're addressing the crown princess," my mother attacked the guest, leaping off the bed like a predatory panther, ready to defend her children from intruders. It seemed like that was happening now. It seemed my mother was indeed offended by the widow's insolence. I was even afraid she might pounce on Clarissa. I had never seen aggression in the Duchess of Alvina's character, but now it was so impulsive and immediate. "Don't confuse my child – that's two. And keep your advice to yourself – that's three," she spat out, threateningly approaching the lady. I must have been a fool, because I understood nothing, and judging by the bewildered expressions of Orian and Nicole, I wasn't alone. Still, I was grateful to Mother for standing by me, as always.

"Ileria, be careful, you're still speaking to the queen," the woman replied, unfazed, stepping closer to her opponent, her blue eyes flashing with a menacing fire. And I, naively, had always thought Mother and Her Majesty were friends...