Word Count: 1031
“I don't see why I have to learn about this,”
Princess Re'ana said. “The wall was made centuries ago and it's
still standing. It keeps the bad things out and keeps us safe. Why
do I need to know any more than that?”
“Because if you want to be a wise ruler, you must
learn from the mistakes of those that came before you,” the old
tutor said with an exasperated tone. “It's important that you know
this. With a lack dependable commerce, due to the dangers outside
the wall and the continuous war with the Heagan Empire, Tel’mara is
forced to fend for itself. You need to understand why your ancestors
made the decisions they did so that you can continue to make
decisions that will strengthen your people.”
“It's boring is what it is. Let's go on to something
else.” Re'ana said looking at her reflection in the mirror that
covered the entire wall to her left. She returned one of her
rebellious locks of her raven black hair back to its proper place
behind her ear before turning her irritated gaze back on the tutor.
“Very well, Princess. What topic would you like to
study?”
“Truth be told, I find them all to be horribly dull.
Let's end this lecture so that I can get back to much more important
matters.”
“Their majesties have ordered me to tutor you until
you are ready to begin studies of your own with them. In a few short
years you will be in your prime, married, and leading this country.
The people outside the wall expect you to make good, well-informed
decisions that will benefit the entire kingdom.” The old tutor
sighed as he noted that Re’ana had not listened to a single word he
had said. “As the other subjects seem to be even duller to you, we
will continue with history.” The tutor continued with his lesson
about why the fifty foot high wall was built to protect the first
settlers of the country from the creatures that populated the world
and the armies of the Heagan Empire nearly a millennium passed.
Re'ana rested her chin in her hand as she quickly grew
bored with the lecture and began to daydream about a gallant knight,
like the ones from her story books, coming and whisking her away on a
life of adventure and romance. When the elegant arms of the
grandfather clock struck two, releasing the resounding toll of the
bell, Re'ana was quickly on her feet and heading out the doors as the
tutor was still trying to tell her about the lesson. “How were
your lessons, princess?” a young servant quietly asked attempting
to catch up to Re'ana's quick pace.
“A complete waste of my time, Leena,” Re'ana snapped
as she hurried to her room within the luxurious castle. Halls of
ornate tapestries and paintings lined the halls with marbles floors
and high ceilings that were kept lit by the large windows that let in
the sunlight. “Learning about things that happened ages ago and
don't affect me in the present. It's completely ridiculous.”
Throwing open the doors of her room, she strode across the polished
stone to the soft carpet that lay in front of the currently lit
fireplace and two ornate chairs faced at an angle toward the hearth.
A large bed with flowing drapes sat across from the small sitting
area and a large wardrobe, filled with elegant dresses, rested
against the wall. “I just want some gallant knight to come riding
in and take me on a wonderful adventure. He'd adore me and slay
horrible beasts, and I would live in the riches of his exploits.”
“And no doubt make him penniless with all the spending
that you would do,” a woman said standing at the door, dressed in
an elegant sapphire gown that skirted the floor. Leena bowed quickly
as the queen entered the room. She almost seemed to hover with the
graceful and even steps that she took to cross the room. An older
servant behind the queen hurried to keep pace with her should the
need for her arise. “I hear from William that you are being
difficult with your studies.”
“I just fail to see what learning about a wall has to
do with being queen,” Re'ana responded.
The queen let out a frustrated sigh and looked to the
servants, who understood the silent command and quickly left, before
returning her gaze onto the princess. “You are my daughter, and as
such you must conduct yourself with elegance and humility. Learning
about 'a wall' is just as important as learning how to lead a
country. One day your father and I will not be here and you will be
responsible for making decisions that best benefit the country, not
just yourself.” Her irritation evident from, once again, repeating
the importance of Re’ana’s studies. “The Heagan Empire is at
our door waiting for a chance to take this land back from us and if
you continue to ignore your responsibilities they will take it.”
“That still doesn't explain the boring lectures.”
“Knowing the reasons for why our ancestors built the
wall gives you insight as to what kind of queen you want to be. One
that does what is best for her people and not necessarily for her own
desires. One day, you may have to make a decision that affects the
entire nation, or to forgo your duty for your own desires.”
“When I am queen, I will make sure to let my advisers
make the important decisions. That's what they’re there for.”
Re'ana perched herself on the window seat that overlooked the city
below with her book.
“Not all advisers base their advice in the best
interest of royalty. Some will take the opportunity of the power you
would give them to line their pockets with coin, all the while
blaming you for the current state of the kingdom as it crumbles into
ruin.”
“Then I'll marry a man that can take care of all that
himself and doesn't need me for menial decisions.”
https://www.youngwriterssociety.com/work/XxXTheSwordsmanXxX/Moonlight-Saga-Lost-Throne--Chapter-12--First-Meetings-128069
https://www.youngwriterssociety.com/work/XxXTheSwordsmanXxX/Moonlight-Saga-Lost-Throne--Chapter-13--First-Meetings-128076
https://www.youngwriterssociety.com/work/XxXTheSwordsmanXxX/Moonlight-Saga-Lost-Throne--Chapter-14--First-Meetings-128085
https://www.youngwriterssociety.com/work/XxXTheSwordsmanXxX/Moonlight-Saga-Lost-Throne--Chapter-15-Final--First-Meetings-128118
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