Chapter 5
The next morning I awoke with Rotrude shaking my shoulder. I sat up and Rotrude pulled me to my vanity. She let me sort of relax and sleep as she braided my hair to be completely up. They picked out a dark purple dress for me to wear. I couldn't believe my father was dead. I was to be crowned this evening. Advisors would help me rule until I could handle it on my own.
I was wearing purple for the first time. I was going to talk to the kingdom for the first time to make my first royal announcement. Rotrude helped me down the hall and to the balcony where all royal announcements are made that are not formal enough for a banquet or a ball.
I was nervous getting up and speaking to the people. Shaking slightly I began to say, "My dear people, I have dreadful news for us all. The king passed on last night. Tonight will be the coronation of your new queen, which would be myself. This morning I wish to decree as a morning or mourning." As I walked off the platform silence followed me out.
The halls of the castle seemed dimmer as I walked through them. I soon reached the throne room. I entered the room quietly. When I arrived there were ten advisors waiting for me. But they weren't supposed to be there.
I turned to them and asked, "Why are you here?" They shuffled their weight but none of them spoke. They appeared to be in shock at my question as though they were supposed to be there and I was being a total imbecile.
Finally on spoke up and said, "We are supposed to be here to start your training to be a fair and just ruler."
With tears welling up in my eyes I said, "Can you not mourn the dead for a morning and then come and teach me in the ways of being a ruler or does this teaching process require my attention now and every second until I take the throne."
They bowed and left except one stayed back for a second to say, "We apologize for the intrusion. Contact us when you want us to come teach you."
The room grew cold and drafty. I looked about the spacious room. On the floor about three feet away from me was a small scroll. I walked toward it and picked it up being very careful not to rip the scroll. I opened the scroll gently and it read about the legend of my parents. It was practically a fairy tale. But I didn't have time to read it then so I slipped it into my pocket and left the throne room.
