Song of Crowns

Episode 5: Strawberry

Dinner was done in the dining hall of the house. Seated in very end is Alfonzo with his two sons on each side. I was seated beside Adrian while the girl he was with sits beside Evos. Evos gives me a look that screams 'don't make me laugh'. I shot him a look replying to that.

There are other men who I don't recognize that joined the dinner. I was told I should show my face more to the people who survived the apocalypse. This way, they will slowly realize my presence as a royalty and make way into their heads without being forceful when I am enthroned as Queen.

I knew how to behave during mealtimes as royalty. However, due to the lack of utensils that I was used to, I have to adjust with how I eat the humble meal before me.

"So, your Highness. You have been in our home for almost 2 weeks now. How are you liking your stay?" Alfonzo asked, biting his piece of fish. In this new world, pescatarian diet is the only diet we could afford. Poultry is out of question.

I gave a fake smile. "It's wonderful. I was asked to come here and suddenly I wake up with-" Evos shot me a warning look. I gave him a reassuring smile. "- a warm welcome."

Adrian shifted in his seat and ducked his head towards me. "Your Highness, I would like to know when you are free?" I gave him a slitted look but I forced my smile as to hold my composure.

"I have nowhere to go anyway. Just come to my room and I'll come be your company." I felt my gut twisting as I said those.

"Excellent." He went back to focusing on his fish. He wore a puppy smile that irritated me more.

"Your Highness," A man from the row across me called out. He wore a greasy shirt with a clean coat. His hair was fixed up with gel and he has freshly shaven chin. I recognize a scar lining his eyebrows when he turned to me. "Will you be leading us? We heard you are the only surviving royalty. The people from my section want to know if you will be leading us."

I was taken aback. I didn't expect to be cornered early like this. I glance to Alfonzo's direction and saw a smug look on his face. He planned this to pressure me. "I'm sorry Mister..."

"Cronos, your Highness." He said, dipping his head as if to mock a bow.

"Mister Cronos. I cannot promise that. I am but an amateur in leading people. I think you can see the obvious that I am the only one left of my Kingdom." I tell him, softly.

"The senator told us that you were outstanding as princess when you two met at an event. We were assured of your credentials. I think this is the perfect time to step up and lead this people who feel lost now more than ever." Mister Cronos says with determination in his eyes.

I shrug in my chair. I have already lost my appetite after hearing this. The senator has been going on rounds around the place and campaigning for me to lead without my knowing. This way, I will be forced to heed to the people's plea. If I were to lead, I have to be Queen. But If I were to be Queen, I need to be bound to marriage. Before I could leave my chair, a hand stops me from doing so. I see Adrian's hand over mine, gripping it gently. He gives me a soft look and begs to stay with those green glimmering eyes.

As if my heart has been pulled, I sit back quietly. "Mister Cronos." I started. "I am sorry to say this but you have to let me think about it. I have lost my people and my family quite recently. My urge to lead is withering together with their loss. I am no longer capable of doing things like that because my judgment is as clouded as our fate underwater. I don't know if I have it in me to even work for you even if you believe in my capabilities." I heaved a sigh.

I remember the last time I talked to a commoner back in Sarkis. He begged for us to give back their land. There was tension back then in the provinces of Sarkis. Those who lived in the valleys were being stripped off their lands because they weren't able to pay their debts to their contractors. In the end, we negotiated with their contractors to give them time to pay. The commoner that came to me and specifically gave me a basket of strawberries, the fruit they were growing in the valley, and thanked me for helping them. This time, I wished for that time where I had the drive to help people. Now, I am all drained and in pain. I wish to help them, but I need the help more than them.

The grip on my hand didn't leave. Adrian is still holding me. My mind wanders back to the sight in his room. The girl in front of me is as cheeky as I wish her to be. She's probably taunting me.

"Mister Cronos," Adrian says. "The princess will always have her heart to the people. But you must understand that she lost so much as well in this disaster. She needs time." He turns to me and gives me a reassuring smile.

Mister Cronos gives me a small bow. He went back to his food, dejected. I hate to see that I haven't helped people. It's not in my heart to reject others. However, Adrian is right. I am too much of a downer right now. I can't even escape the grips of Alfonzo even if I wanted to. I feel like I have decided to give up now that I lost everything.

---

Dinner was peaceful but the tension and pressure is all on me. I am standing at the middle of my room, pacing everywhere to think about my decision. It is true. I am most capable of leading everyone here as I am a royalty and I have experience. However, my older brother Prince Kyle is the one to be the next King of Sarkis. He had training and much more experience than I had. I was merely shadowing him since I was the second child. If I was to be Queen here, the bloodline starts with me and if Adrian is to be king, I will take up his name instead. The royal bloodline will start with the Alfonzos. I am merely a pawn in their agenda. If I have to be Queen, I must do it in my own merit. I don't need a King. I just need myself to work on this.

Before I could gather a pen and paper to jot down my thoughts, the door flung open with Adrian and Evos by the door. Adrian rushed to me and held my hand to his chest.

"I have a good news for you." He says with hope. His face is too close for my comfort but I do not shy away.

"What?"

"Another submarine came to the entrance of HiveBerg. They said it was from Sarkis." Evos says from his back.

"Your people are still alive." Adrian says, making my heart ring of life with just his words alone.

- End -