Song of Crowns

Episode 6: Hopeful

I rush through the crowd and run towards the gate-like structure that separates the dome from the open water. As soon as it opened, a cluster of people - majority are males - came in.

I drop to my knees when I recognize the faces of my people.

These are farmers and aristocrats mixed together in one group. My eyes are tearing up at the sight of safe citizens of Sarkis. A boy and I assume his mother rushed to me and help me stand.

"Oh dear, your Highness!" The lady yelped. "You're alive!" She says as she hugs me, dropping the non-existent formalities. "I'm so happy to see you alive and well! There is hope after all!"

I wailed at the gesture and hugged her back. She kept rubbing my back and saying that everything will be alright now that they are here.

---

Adrian wrapped me with a blanket to warm up. The lady that hugged me introduced herself as Maimie. She lived in the poor sectors of the main city of Sarkis but was so delighted to see me alive that all her grudges of the Royal family washed away.

All of them were wet because of the raging storms above water. The pilot struggled to get them to HiveBerg because of the never-ending movement of the surface water. It seems so because of the rugged appearance of the pilot when he came to me to give me a hug.

I am happy that some of my people were brought here to safety. At least, I have some strength to live on after my family's death. "These people are brought here for a reason, your Highness." Adrian says as he handed me a mug of hot chocolate. I'm surprised they had chocolates here. Probably a stockpile for the scientists back then.

"Let us keep political matters for later, Sir Adrian." I told him, waving him away. He gives me a bow. "Of course." He mutters, and then heads away.

"What was that about?" Evos asked, approaching me while carrying a refugee boy. I smiled at the sight of a healthy and safe boy. "He's trying to talk me into being Queen just because my people are here."

Evos sits beside me and lets the boy run off to play with the settler children. "So will you do it?"

I press my free-palm on the hems of the blanket. "You too? You'll talk me into becoming Queen?"

"It's not too bad of a deal. Besides, these Sarkis people see you as their leader. Might as well do the same for the others. What's holding you back?" I purse my lips. He is right. Now that I have liability over my people who survived, I can never escape the title. But a thought came to me as to why I am still holding back.

"I want to marry for love." I told him. Honestly speaking, it was my dream to have a marriage full of love. My parents were a product of a marriage full of love. "Every time I am asked to marry nowadays, my mind drifts to what could be. You know, I'm still a girl. I still want to have a fruitful marriage that is not only bound in paper."

"I understand." Evos says, nodding. "But don't you think sacrifices are to be made in our circumstances?" I look at the boy that fled Evos' arms to play ball with other kids. He seemed happy to play again after a dreadful time trying to get here to safety. And with a lawless place like this, chaos is bound to occur. There would be countless crimes committed if not regulated by laws by a governing body.

I have to step up if I want a better place for this boy to live in.

---

The next day, I asked to be in the presence of Senator Alfonzo. I asked Evos of his whereabouts only to be told that Alfonzo is lounging by the fully-furnished hall room at the basement of the house. When I asked why he would be there, he shyly explained: “He liked frequenting that place because it makes him feel like a King.”

I didn’t understand that not until I came to the said hall room. One of Alfonzo’s lackeys offered to escort me there but I told him not to enter with me. That is why when we reached the doorstep, he bowed and left me on my own devices.

I gulped as I tensed. I knew this will not be easy. I’m going to talk to my captor, for goodness’ sake. I have to be prepared. But was I ever prepared for this? I ask myself. My brother, Prince Kyle, would always be better in negotiating with politicians. He also once told me that the key to winning an argument with them is always leaving them without something to hold on. I did not understand at all and I’m sure the plan I was forming in my head won’t suffice to that advice I got from him.

I pushed open the doors of the hall room and was taken aback by the vastness of the whole room. The walls are draped with dark blue cloth, resembling the color of the darkness of the sea. The roof is lined with intricate details that I do not know how they are able to create. I’m guessing this room was made years ago when scientists occupied the place. But my mind keeps going back to the question, Why make all of this?

At the end of the room are three chairs lined up in uniform with the taller one in the middle. The middle chair has a familiar shadow sitting on it that I muster up my confidence to walk up to that figure whom I didn’t want to associate myself with.

“How may I help you, your Highness?” Alfonzo asked, hinting a sarcastic tone underneath his tongue. “Here to ask me the hand of my son?”

I try to give him a sarcastic smile back. No, I will not falter by this. “No. Rather, I am here to say that I accept the marriage offer.”

“Delightful!” He exclaims, giving both of his palms a clap. “So when will you want to marry my son?”

“Before that,” I trailed on. I’m not going to be a pushover. I have to take lead of this conversation. “I want to set some conditions before I marry your son.”

His eyes grew larger but not too large that it would seem like he was surprised. I feel like somewhere down there in his little head, he expected I won’t be going down without a fight. “Alright. I’ll be listening.”

“I will marry your son and will be Queen.” I start. His eyes half rolled as if showing his boredom with my words. “…but Sir Adrian becomes the Prince Consort.”

His eyes grew larger and I see tremendous creases on his forehead. I take delight in this sight. “What?!”

“You heard me, Sir.”

“You plan on changing the system? What, you want to lead alone?” He asks, stating the obvious in my words. “So you want to be Queen.” His eyes fall and his hand reaches his chin. I see his moustache fall to the tips of his fingers.

“I will be leading HiveBerg on my own accords. I expect that the people here knows you more than they do to me but I have my own people too. That’s why I think it will be in our best interests if we work together. This will be a win for you, as well. Sir Adrian will become my husband; therefore, the Alfonzo line will merge with the Sarkis bloodline and he is going to work for me.” I say, emphasizing my last line. I want to reiterate that I hold the reins here. I trump men in my own game.

He heaves a frustrated sigh but that does not linger any further when he sits straight and gives me a determined smile. “Fine. I will agree to that.” I nod in excitement. So this is what my brother said about leaving them not able to hold on to anything. I’m sure he feels like he has no choice now. “I have my own conditions, too, if you’d like to hear them.” He adds. I nod. Maybe he’ll have something to counter mine. “I’ll be the one to choose half of your advisers.”

Well, that’s a good one. I think to myself. “Is that all?”

He keeps his grin plastered on his face. Something tells me that this expression alone tells me that he has several things planned even with a setback like what I proposed to happen. “I will be Chief Advisor.”

Now, this is going to be a frustrating term. I think to myself. He will be making my life hard as a Chief Advisor. Well, it is rather plausible that he takes on that role. Everyone here seems to trust him and if they want me to be their leader because of his good graces, I’m sure they’ll want him in the office too.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.” I say, turning away and walking towards the door. This is a great moment for me. I will not have minor setbacks like those to hinder me being Queen.

“Wait,” He halts me. I turn to him before I could reach the door.

“Yes?”

“I have another condition.” He says, leaning back with a smirk on his face. I slit my eyes, focusing on him.

“I’ll listen.” I say. What more can he counter with something so grand like me being Queen? Surely, he can’t place more pawns under me to have me on my toes.

The ends of his lips twitched upwards. “Once you marry my son, you are to bear his child immediately.”

- End –