Page 37 of Learning to Rule

I smile back at the woman in front of me. It warms my heart that her main concern is for the children. It shows how much she cares about them.

“I couldn’t agree more. I do want this to become a regular thing for the children. I can only think of the benefits yoga will bring to them. It will teach them how to relax and cope with all the emotions they are experiencing. But as you say, I will have a busy calendar. In fact, it already is, so I won’t be able to come here every week. That’s why I’ve asked Mr. Hinchbottom to start searching for a yoga teacher to permanently take on a class here atmyexpense, and I will join the teacher when I can. I hope I’ll be able to expand this endeavor to other centers like yours in the capital and eventually across the country. For now, though, I want to concentrate on the children here, if you think that will be all right?”

“It will be. I’ve wanted this for the children for a while. I regularly attend a yoga class, and I find it beneficial. I just needed to be certain you weren’t going to give the children hope and then leave them disappointed. It happens a lot to the children, and I don’t want to fail them.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t do that.”

“Children,” Mrs. Harris calls out and several of them come over to me.

“Miss Nash has come here today to do a yoga lesson with anyone who would like to have a go.”

“Yes please!” a few of the children shout, jumping up and down excitedly.

“I really want to join in,” another one calls out.

Within a few minutes, tables are being cleared away, and I’m handing out the yoga mats.

“Do you have space to store these mats?” I ask Mrs. Harris as she also passes them around.

“I do, are they for us?” She looks surprised.

“Of course, I’m not sure the members of the palace court are ready for regular yoga sessions just yet, although Dalton is enjoying his.” I laugh.

Mrs. Harris bites her lip to stop herself from joining in. “I’ve had to fight for everything I want for these children. To be given something freely from you is amazing.”

“I can’t promise miracles immediately, but the king and I are working on changing the way the monarchy works and supports the people of Janastria. These children will not have to suffer any longer. Can you make sure a list is sent over to me of everything you need?”

“I will. Thank you, Miss Nash. When I met you the first time you came here, I knew you’d make a fantastic queen for our country. I’m so glad you’ve got the opportunity. I don’t like to say it, but maybe the old king’s death has been a good thing for Janastria.” Mrs. Harris lowers her head.

I know her sentiment is shared by a lot of people in the country. The man who murdered him escaped on that fateful day. The police are still searching for him, but I happen to think they’re not searching as hard as they could. Dalton’s father was hated by everyone, except for the ruling classes who prospered beyond belief during his reign. I would not voice this opinion, but he was a walking advertisement for why America has a president and not a king.

Mrs. Harris claps her hands to get the children into order. Standing in front of them, I show them how to unfold their mats and sit down on them. I begin my lesson with gentle stretching and breathing exercises. There’s no silliness from the teenagers, only a desire to learn and improve. All of the children follow along with every ounce of their concentration directed at me.

“Where did yoga come from, Miss Nash?” Freddie questions as I show the group how to do Prasarita Padottanasana, a wide-legged forward bend. It’s one of the most relaxing poses, allowing the upper body to swing freely.

I bring everyone out of the pose, and we all sit cross-legged on the mats.

“There are reports of yoga as far back as five thousand BC. It’s written about in several ancient texts in India, which is yoga’s spiritual home. The practice has changed a lot over the centuries, but the core aims of mindfulness have remained.” I give the children a quick history lesson.

“How long have you been doing it?” Heidi asks.

“A long time now. I started practicing with my mother when I was young, and I fell in love with it, so I decided to devote my career to studying yoga and teaching it to others.”

The children are really inquisitive, but I don’t mind. I like being with them. It reminds me of being with my class back in Florida. It’s definitely the thing I’ve missed the most since coming to live here in Janastria. The palace is still very formal, and I like the relaxed nature of the youth center, even if I know I’ve got no hope of them ever calling me Elodie. The big ring on my left hand tells them I’ll be their future queen, and they all want to show me respect. I guess I need to get used to that.

“What do your parents think about you marrying our king? Will they come to the wedding?” Another one of the students asks, and my breath hitches.

My daddy won’t be at the wedding. He won’t be able to walk me down the aisle, and my mom won’t be able to fuss over me and don the big hat she always dreamed of wearing.

I shake my head slightly. Emotion welling up inside me.

“I wish they could. I would give almost anything for my parents to be at the wedding, but unfortunately they’re both dead. They died in a car crash.”

Freddie cocks his head at me.

“So you’re like us? Our merry band of misfits. You’ve got issues too.”

I gulp a little. “Yes, I guess you could say that. I was quite young when my parents died—old enough to support myself but still young. It was hard, not having them around, but I have gotten used to it, and I’ve lots of pictures of my family, ones of us smiling and having fun. They remind me of the good moments. Dalton…er, the king, he’s going to create a room at the palace for all my pictures, and we’re going to add to it with our own happy memories.

---