Chapter One

Maria's Choice

It was once said that after the reigning blood monarch dies, whomever they chose will ascend to the throne. It wouldn't matter of age or gender, or if the late monarch's spouse was still alive, they would go on to rule the Kingdom of Eaqitus. What wasn't said, however, what to do if no one was chosen.

I suppose that that lays on my shoulders, now since my late husband, King Ulric, had passed without a plan of succession. Now I have to choose one out of my eight children that will go on to rule us all. I know that they all want this position and no matter who I choose, there will be a wedge driven between them all and that I should be cautious of schemes to criminalize the others because from what I had come to learn with being married to Ulric just before his accession to the throne, being on top matters more than anything and even the closest sibling bonds can be broken over it. The only reason why Ulric became King was because his brother that was chosen was assassinated by order of Ulric's sister, which then resulted in the rest of Ulric's siblings going at each other, leaving Ulric, aged 18, to be the only one remaining.

I would hate for this to be the fate of my children, so as soon as the doctors confirmed the passing of my beloved, I decided that I would give my children a week to prove themselves to me and hopefully, they will all behave themselves and not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors.

Right after Ulric's passing, I ordered for word to be delivered to those of my children that have married and went on to govern Eaqitus' provinces, to arrive at once. That day has come, and as the sun rises upon my kingdom, I know I must make the right decision, or many will pay the price.

As I stand by my window, adorned in black attire, my minds drifted off to the place in which I tried to stay away from, but memories of woefully crying over my husband's body always come flooding back. There is nothing left that I could do but leave my chambers and go to the throne room to address my princes and princesses that await me.

I am Queen Maria of Eaqitus, Queen of Queens. My job in this world is to help give Eaqitus a stable and confident monarch that will make the kingdom thrive. I repeat these words over and over in my head as I attempt to limit my stagger on my way to the throne room. If all that I focus on is the future, then I will be able to create the best future possible.

So, I keep walking.

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"Her Majesty, Queen Maria of Eaqitus!"

The throne room's doors open with a grand swing followed by all in the room bowing in respect. The room is so silent that all I can hear is my own shoes hitting against the polished floor as I walk to the front of the room.

My steps become muffled as I walk up the carpeted steps of the elevated platforms where the throne stands. As I reach the top of the stairs I see that upon the red cushioning on the golden throne, sits my husband's crown.

I remember in the mornings, I was the one that would always have the honour of placing it on his head. Every day I would do this. No one was allowed to touch the monarch's crown, but it was our little secret that no one but us knew.

I start to tear up at the memory, and I let the tears fall down my face. It's not like anyone is going to see, I thought ahead and made sure that I left my room wearing a dark veil.

I take a breath and turn around, facing the crowd in front of me. I look to the left and in the front row, I see my eight children looking as beautiful as ever. In the row behind them, their spouses and children. I can see my eldest, Teldric, try to discreetly look up.

Whilst lifting my veil above my face, I wipe my eyes and look back at my children and give a comforting smile to Teldric. I make a motion with my hand that signals for them to rise. They do so and I take a breath.

"As some of you may know and not know, my husband and our king, King Ulric II, passed away three weeks ago. I have waited this long to share as I was wanting the heirs to the throne to be here, and they all have come ever so swiftly from their individual provinces. Finally, I can now share with you all what I have decided."

I move my hands behind my back to hide their shaking.

"Since King Ulric passed without much of a plan of succession, it is left to me to decide. I have thought long and hard to what would be the most appropriate course of action, and since I have not seen my children in months, it is safe to say that I have not yet witnessed any large character changes, whether it be good or bad. Instead of making a decision based on past memories of how they behaved with a king and someone to correct their mistakes and stop harm from coming to them, I shall let them all prove themselves to me. They have two weeks to do so, starting from this moment forth."