Any royal child of Berghausen could inherit the throne regardless of gender. So everyone had expected Tierra as the firstborn child, to inherit. But-
'Father! Why?!'
In Tierra's sixteenth year, a year after her social debut, the heir to the Berghausen throne was decided by the committee. (Zuben: they realized she was cray-cray)
They decided on Ernest, who was twelve at the time.
'Why is it not me?! Why?' She screeched. Her high pitched voice echoed in her father's office. She had expected to be appointed; she had never envisioned a future where she wasn't Queen.
She rushed up to her father and asked, her voice high and shrieking in anger, 'Who? Who were the fools who have a problem with me?'
A parliament committee of high ranking peers, including the King, decided on the successor to the throne.
'Which stupid peer decided that I was not fit for the throne? Was it Duke Foster? Duchess Schneider? Unlikely. Was it Fairfax?'
They were a few of the peers that were sitting on the committee.
'Tell me, father!'
But her father solemnly shook his head before he replied, 'Everyone.'
'What?'
'Ernest was decided unanimously.' He replied coolly and calmly. Tierra blinked in shock for a moment, like she could not believe it.
Then, her face flushed with anger and she rushed at Ernest, who had been summoned as well.
'How the hell did you plan this?'
'I don't understand what you-'
'You? Heir to the throne over me?! You must be mad!' She screeched.
'It is my right as the firstborn. I'll be damned if I let someone as stupid as you inherit!'
She grabbed him by the collar, and shook him, heedless of her father trying to stop her.
'The throne is mine! Give it back, you thief!'
With her anger, hatred, and envy, she slapped Ernest, scratching his cheek as she went. The sound echoed in the office. And the scratches bled. (Zuben: Aiyo! Not very princess-like is it)
But Ernest remained stoical staring at her.
It could not be helped; the decision of the committee was absolute, no matter how much Tierra threw a tantrum.
Even the king could not overturn it.
Still, did she not understand why she wasn't chosen?
Maybe she could not see it.
Except for Rosemary, who was still a baby, Tierra was the most intelligent amongst the girls. But she did not surpass Ernest. But Tierra was not refused the throne in terms of her intellect.
Nor was it about her appearance; like Ernest, she had silver hair and golden eyes, a strong trait in the royal family. She was also the eldest, in truth, a few years ago the throne was certain.
But why hadn't she been chosen now?
Simple: It was her character.
Tierra was arrogant and forceful, giving the vassals a deep sense of crisis. They did not want to have a ruler who lacked kindness and compassion for others; they feared she would become a tyrant.
They wanted to avoid that possibility.
And thus, they concluded that Ernest, who surpassed Tierra in intellect and character, (Zuben: She added 'appearance' as well, but what does that matter?), was the most suitable person to be the next king even though, he was only twelve years old.
Though as parents, they felt remorse and pity for their daughter, as King and Queen they had to think for the sake of their country. The decision was final.
They hadn't waited for Rosemary to grow up before they appointed Ernest, and they were already thinking of marrying off Tierra and Lucia.
Realizing that nothing could be done, Tierra began to oppress Ernest even more than before, from that day.
Like Tierra, the other sisters who had not been nominated also began to use their envy and anger against Ernest.
The harassment lasted a few years; until it was only Rosemary left. Rosemary grew up relatively obediently. (Zuben: I feel sorry for the various husbands and vassals)