Chapter 1: News
The drawing was almost finished. After hours of sketching, I finally was able to put down the color pencils and stretch out my arms. A fish. I drew a freaking fish! The body of it seemed dull and no matter how many times I tried shading it in, the drawing never came to life. Crumpling the page and throwing it next to all the other mess-ups, I began again, pushing my pencil fiercely against the paper.
The room's big doors opened slightly and out of pure instinct I shut the notebook and threw it under the desk. "Yes?"
A head peaked into the room revealing a plump woman with large round glasses.
"His Majesty told me to collect you. He expects everyone in the dining room right now." Her voice came out urgent—as always—but also not as a demand. She sounded like a woman who would give out cookies and milk to children. The thought made my lips twitch.
I rose from my desk and flattened the wrinkles out of my dress as I made my way to the door, shutting it quietly behind me.
"Thank you, Abigail. You are dismissed." I gave her a genuine smile and tried not to wince as I said it. I hated these formalities but being a princess, I had to uphold them.
"Send my best to the children!" I made a mental note to sneak them some cookies tomorrow.
The halls were wide; every inch of them splashed with warm tones in multiple shades. The paintings hung on the wall looked snobbish but somehow witty. Everything in the castle was big, but the way everything was placed, set up even, it just felt warm. A place I loved being in despite still getting lost after years of growing up in the very location.
I waved to the servants, the guards all doing their job with a smile. We all knew everyone by name so it was much easier to greet them. Though, it still bothers me to this day when my 'Good morning!' was responded with a bow. They did smile and I do hope it's real, not just a form of obligation.
I had finally arrived in the obnoxiously big dining room. It was decorated with gold and diamonds. A shimmering chandelier sat right above a long marble table that could fit up to thirty people. It was quiet odd really, the size of it stood out because there were only a few chairs placed in the center, leaving an peculiar amount of room on the side.
"Clarissa, how kind of you to grace us with your presence."
I sat down next to my brother and saw my Father smirking from across the table.
"I got lost!" I shrugged, trying my best not to smile.
"Our daughter tells lies." He chuckled. I stuck my tongue out in the least lady-like way possible and he rolled his eyes.
Jonathan turned to me and I could see that he was already cutting into his steak.
"You've lived here for sixteen years and you still can't find your way around?" He said as he was about to take another bite. I shoved his arm playfully, and snorted when the meat sauce smeared his face.
"Clarissa!" I heard my Mother scold. Across the table, she was calling the servants frantically asking for another cloth while Father was pursing his lips looking quite amused.
After Jon cleaned up we got back to eating our food. The steak was absolutely delicious, thanks to our amazing chiefs. I wised I could find away to thank them properly.
"Oh, and I'm not sixteen yet, Jon." I said knowingly.
Mom and Dad shared a look and I was just about to ask them what they were doing when Jon spoke up.
"It's a month away! You're practically sixteen already."
"Most people don't even bring up their birthday until it's a week away much less a month!" I scoffed.
He shrugged.
"Actually, Clary, we do have something we need to discuss regarding your sixteenth birthday." Mom led on as she rubbed her palms together, something she always did when she was nervous.
"Mother, if this is about what I want for my birthday there is no way in—"
"It's not about that." Dad interrupted. He placed his hands on Moms, as if giving each other support.
I looked to Jon for any sign of realization but he looked just as confused as I was.
"As you know Clarissa, you're brother is one of the best generals I have ever seen!" Jon beamed at the compliment.
I smiled at that, proud of my brother. "You also know that he decided that he doesn't want the crown. The older sibling is usually supposed to inherit it, especially a male one." He added that part gently, trying not to offend me. I wasn't, of course. I knew that father thought I was perfectly capable of anything, even more so than any man.
"But Jon knows he's better off as a general, someone who can command all of our armies. It's a hard job but none of us are worried about him not being able to succeed." Dad looked to Jon.
"Yeah, well, you know I've never wanted to be a king, Clary. I focus on my training and battle strategy, not all the other stuff. That's more your forte." Jon went on. I nodded at this, it wasn't new news. "But, we belong to the ruling family of the biggest and most powerful place in the Shadow World. Some might say we do rule the Shadow World itself." I also nodded at this. I knew my parents were considered the most powerful Shadowhunters. I've known it since birth. The Kings and Queens of all the other cities could even be considered second class to them. Even they served my parents.
Jon looked backed at Father, not knowing what they were leading on to.
"Anyways, you won't be crowned until your seventeenth birthday, and having made the announcement public makes it easier. They've responded well. They love you Clarissa and are ready to accept you as their ruler." Dad said with a hint of pride. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest. There was so much previous pressure. The people could've hated the idea. It was so new and it involved a women ruling too. But now that I know that they're willing to put faith in me, it might not be as bad.
"But they also want a King."
I blinked. Jon as well.
"What?"
Hoped you enjoyed that haha. I'm having fun with this…
Yes, there are very many fanfics like this but trust me, it will be quite different once we start off.
I'm very new to this so I have no idea what reviews and all that stuff is, so if anyone could help me out, that'd me great!
xo,
H
