Page 96 of Downfall of a Princess

Without her crown, in the soft light from her candle, she looked more like just a woman and a mother and less like a mighty queen.

“What is it, dearest?”

I sighed, disarmed by the warmth in her eyes.

Mother had not supported my last initiative in the council. The queen believed the current laws on slavery worked as intended, with no reform needed. But she didn’t impede my efforts either, allowing me to do what I felt was right.

“Will I make a good queen, Mother?”

She smiled, cupping the side of my face. “Why would you ever doubt that?”

“You know I question things. Sometimes, I still feel like an outsider. I wonder if that makes me see things differently than you. What if I can’t follow in your footsteps the way I should?”

“As proud as we all are of Rorrim, no establishment is perfect. A part of the queen’s duties is finding and fixing its flaws. There is no harm in questioning and improving, my dear.” She hugged my shoulders, leading me away from the mirror. “I’m proud of the woman you have become, Ari. I can’t wait to see the queen you will be one day. You have been handling every task I’ve passed on to you well. I have no doubt you will handlethe crown with dignity and skill whenever I decide to pass it on to you.”

“Thank you, Mother.” As always, her words alleviated my worries, making it easier to breathe.

“It’s the anticipation of all the upcoming nuptials that must be rattling your nerves lately. A marriage is a big event in everyone’s life, but the wedding of the future queen has a state-level importance. It carries a lot of weight, and you’re undoubtedly feeling the pressure. The unknown is always rife with anxiety, but it will pass soon.”

“I hope you’re right,” I said, wishing for some of her optimism.

“Trust me on this, darling. The moment you choose your future husband, the anxiety will settle. A man’s attention is always sweet, and a woman’s desire often grows with age. A marriage is to be enjoyed. There is no need to worry.”

I longed to believe her with all my heart, pushing away the doubt. I wished to be the queen now more than ever. I believed I could make Rorrim a better place for everyone, but I needed more to succeed. More knowledge, more experience, and more power to stand up to the council. Getting married, giving birth to an heiress, and eventually acquiring the queen’s crown would make my position that much stronger.

And for that, choosing my husband should be my next step.

Chapter 19

Ari

“You look magnificent, my child.” Mother stepped back, admiring me from a distance while the ladies of the court straightened the long train of my dress.

The archway of the entrance to the Games’ Arena protected us from the eyes of the crowd for now, but there was no escaping its noise. The entire city appeared to have come here this morning to greet the three princes who have traveled far and wide for a chance to become the future King Consort of Rorrim Queendom and my husband.

“Are you ready, Ari?” Mother came closer and placed a kiss on my forehead.

Behind her, Father smiled at me encouragingly.

I squinted at the bright light at the end of the walkway that led to the arena where the crowd waited for me. With the enormous number of people wishing to attend the official introduction of the three princes, the Games’ Arena had been chosen as the most suitable venue for today’s event.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” I gave the queen an easy smile.

My nerves were under control. I might not have been born into this, but fate had brought me here for a reason. I’d studied and worked for years to be worthy of my place. Regardless of what I felt in my heart, in my mind I knew I could do it.

I’d earned my crown. I was the crown princess.

The queen took the hand of her king before going ahead of me down the walkway. Heralds announced the arrival of the royal couple. The crowd erupted in cheers. Music exploded,signaling the beginning of the festivities and my cue to head out too.

I straightened my back against the ribbed seams of the stiff bodice of my formal gown, rolled back my shoulders topped with a standing collar of golden lace, and walked toward the exit from the archway.

The sun blinded me as I left the shadows of the archway and stepped onto the crimson rug laid over the pristine white sand of the arena. The wave of cheers surged higher, and I lifted my face toward it, basking in sunshine and people’s admiration.

These were my people. My destiny was to lead them. It was that simple and that complex at the same time.

Holding my head up high, I walked along the rug across the arena toward the stairs on the other side. Stopping halfway, right in the middle of the sand-covered oval of the arena framed by the queen’s soldiers and royal gladiators, I raised my hand in a wave and slowly turned around to greet the crowd. From the left to the right, I twisted mostly only at the torso so as not to displace the carefully arranged train of silk and precious stones laid out behind me that stretched all the way back to the archway.

People shouted and clapped, waving back. From this distance, I couldn’t make out individual faces, but I was taking them all in, all the rows upon rows of people cheering and waving at me.

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