With an obvious disdain for the question, she said, "Can it wait? Can it wait? Sure, she's been kept in the dark for 23 years, what's one more day. You idiot! She should have been told this when she was a kid. How else would she know anything about anything? But, no your wife decided to give her something that was imaginary. She has this sense of unimportant when most of the people in this nation will depend on her to be the next queen! She is the crown princess who will inherit unless you forgot that we are royalty."
"Of course, I haven't forgotten, but have you forgot that it's the most dangerous nation in this world? Have your son inherit the throne!"
"My son died because he stupidly tried to save his wife in vain. They both died with their unborn child. I don't have any more children, and this boy here is a son from my late husband's first marriage, so he can't inherit since it was my bloodline that inherits." She turned her head towards her stepson. "I wouldn't mind you inheriting, but the laws won't allow for someone outside the bloodline to inherit."
I turned to look at the guy sitting on the couch with pleading eyes. He took pity on me. "The three of you are the royal family. It is my honor to know you. It is not my place to take the burden of the crown. That is Miss Hana's duty now, or she could choose to be the monarch with a proxy who rules in her stead." He said humbly.
I stared at them all. The silence was awkward.... very awkward. I mean an awkward turtle was less awkward the this, but I mean turtles are pretty awkward. Anyway, I just kept staring at them until my new aunt broke the silence.
"You are the only inheritor left in our bloodline. If you don't inherit the throne, then that Kasai family will inherit. Their sons have done nothing except cause trouble. The youngest son isn't terrible, but the most dangerous. Although he doesn't cause trouble, his whereabouts are unknown. He also is their first heir, and next in line after you, since their father has no confidence in his other sons. He was born on the same day as you. Their oldest daughter is no better. She was caught having sex with multiple men where she forced their girlfriends watch them as she has sex. Their youngest daughter was a nightmare. She's seven years old and already knows how to twist everyone into doing her bidding for her. She will be just like her sister when she grows up. A boy was found bowing at her feet when she was in school. No one could do anything to stop her because her father was agitated with the teachers who weren't catering to her every move! I can't do anything from stopping the line of succession, except by placing you on the throne. A monarch who has given up power cannot remain on the throne for more than two years except when they are a regent for the successor for the throne. As the mother of the previous king, daughter of a king, and a citizen, become the Queen for the sake of our nation." Her hopefully teary eyes pleaded. She started nodding her head silently.
A pin dropping was louder than anything in the room. I didn't want to be a queen, but I found myself sympathizing with her. Before I knew it, I was nodding in agreement.
She grabbed my hand and knelt at my feet. "My princess." Her smile was larger and more radiant than any model's best.
My step-cousin knelt on the ground and repeated, "My princess."
My father's face burned red. "No! I forbid it! She cannot rule a country when she still is in schooling."
My aunt and step-cousin rose from the floor.
Rashly, I said, "Father, I don't want to attend school anymore. You're forgetting that this is my life. I have no desire to go into medicine anymore. I want to create change and peace for the future. By going into another program, I am inviting misery to the other students through us being royalty, which as it so happens that you conveniently forgot for 23 years!"
I turned to my aunt, and step-cousin, "Where are we going tonight?"
"We're going to the embassy first to sign the succession paperwork, and then we will head to the Presidential House for a dinner congratulating you on your succession, and acceptance of the throne. They will most likely honor your visit with a press release of the situation, which I have crafted a speech for you on your behalf." My step-cousin said as he looked at his phone. He looked towards my aunt's purse.
"Oh, yes. I have the speeches." She opened her clutch, pulled out 3x5 notecards, and handed them to me as we started walking towards the door. "Here, you will have to read them in the car, but we need to leave now or we will be late. Are you coming, my dear brother?"
I looked back to see tears falling down his face.