Chapter 4
That evening Father told his guards to bring me to his chambers. He had heard about the way I treated Beatrice and I knew I was going to be punished. I didn't hate my sister. But I couldn't stand the things she was saying. I just can't hear a person speak ill of fairy tales.
I walked into his chambers and saw him lying on his bed. I walked up to the side of his bed when he said, "Celestria. Why did you hurt your sister?"
"I hurt her because of her disrespect to me and Mother."
"Did she cause any violence to you?"
"Only with her sharp tongue and ancient logic."
"Be very cautious about your actions. I have the appropriate punishment." He coughed a little.
"What is the punishment?"
"My dear daughter, Celestria, Your punishment is . . ." and he didn't say anything else.
"Father please speak to me." But he didn't say another word. He died just before punishing me. He left me in charge of his entire kingdom. I didn't get to say good-bye to him and it would be harder then ever to break the betrothal. Why did he have to die?
I sat down next to Father's body and held his hand. I was praying that he would come back but he didn't. In a few hours his body was taken down to the Mausoleum. I watched them take him out of his room and was reluctant to go any further. I couldn't stay behind though because I was to take his place.
Upon returning from the Mausoleum, I went up to father's room to just see what it was like to be in the king's quarters. When I got in his room all of my things were sitting in there waiting for me. As I passed every servant they said, "Good evenin' your Highness."
I got into the bed and started reading a letter left on the side table. It was a letter from my father. It read,
"My dear Daughters,
I regret leaving you alone in this world. But do not fear. You
can take care of this kingdom. You are great women and I know no person
can run it better than you. Do not be afraid of what is to come.
No one knows what the future holds except that one must die.
Do not be afraid of death. For in death you will join me and we
will live together. Remember always that the you may not always
get along or agree. Treat your sisters like the little
flowers they are. Remember that they are precious and that they have
minds of there own.
Love,
King John."
I read the letter realizing that I could take the throne. Some of the words in the
letter seemed directed toward me specifically. I was now ready to take responsibility for the kingdom and rule it justly and fairly. I would never hurt any one again.
