My father has been in the ground nearly a month now. The halls are much more solemn without his yelling. Over the past month I have been briefed on the way things would be going today, but I still wasn't ready. I wasn't told what to wear, but that was all. I was told what to say, how to act. My mind couldn't wrap around all the information I was given in only a month. But it had to. I had no choices as I stood at my mirror, watching the servants do my hair and some light makeup before putting me in a beautiful blue dress they chose for me. I huffed and looked at the servant that pulled it out of the closet. "I was told I would get to at least choose my dress." She shook her head, "You did. When it was made. It will look nice." I rolled my eyes but shut up. I couldn't waste my energy on a battle I was clearly not going to win.
I walked down the steps and was led by four members of the royal guard, including Zeno at my right who put his arm out for me to take and I gladly accepted, having someone by my side that truly cared about me made this a tiny bit easier for me, through the palace and into the chapel. Zeno gave me a pointed look and I retracted my arm sadly, sending him a smile none the less, as it wasn't allowed for the staff to have relationships with the royalty. Stupid rule really, Zeno was more of a father than Rupert to me and yet I wasn't allowed to be seen by the public fraternizing with him. I returned to my stoic expression as we entered the chapel full of the elite from around the world. I walked up to the altar, almost feeling as if I was being sent off to marriage. Although I'm sure that isn't far away, knowing the duke and duchess, I was only getting coronated.
I stood in front of the priest and turned to face the crowd. I said the oath I had recited a million times by now, and the crown was placed on my head. I curtseyed and the crowd stood up, bowing and then clapping as I walked back down the aisle, being led out by the same guards and to the ballroom for the food and dancing. My brother and I were forced to dance together, before anyone else was allowed to dance. I leaned down while we were dancing and said quietly "Why isn't your shirt tucked in? You know this means a lot to me." He looked at me offended and pulled away from me as the music came to a close. "I don't care what it means to you. It doesn't mean anything to me. You will never be a real queen and I'm only here because I was forced to be. You act like my mother but you're not! You will fail as queen just like you failed as my sister."
He left me, walking out of the ballroom as I was left speechless, almost in tears, and honestly if I hadn't been surrounded by royalty I probably would have broken down to my knees right there. I composed myself as the duchess approached me with a prince from some other kingdom, hoping to become a king by marrying me. I would have to approve of my own suitor though, and in 2194, I could even avoid marrying at all. I danced with him anyway, and a few others before sitting off to the side with my heels off, for a few hours before the guests were leaving for the night, only to come back for the next few days. They finally left after a week and a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now to deal with actual politics. And my brother.
I sat at my mother's old desk with 46 pieces of paper, 3 ink wells, a dip pen, and a list of the occupants of Ville De L'ail, the only slum close enough for the invitations to make it within the week. I began writing individualized invitations myself in a process that took me 3 hours as I figured out what to write and then writing it 46 times.