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thehighscribe · 6 years ago

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The High Queen

Chapter 2

-Gods-

There once was a time when Lylitheans and Earthians lived in peace. Until one man made a grave mistake…

I fear my idiotic brother has made a terrible mistake. He has been spending more and more time on earth, neglecting his duties and his people. Father has had to, on several occasions, step in for Xander and fulfill the duties as High King. He’s been speaking with the council members trying to find a way to talk some sense into him, but half of them are on his side. Saying he is a god and should be treated as such. The Earthians believe this wholeheartedly, I however see him for what he really is. Weak. Poor mother is beside herself with worry. Father fears he will destroy the peace between our planets, with all the stories we’ve been hearing, I fear he may be right. We have lived peacefully beside the Earthians since the beginning of their time, and he is carelessly throwing this peace out the window. Changing his name to Zeus and having multiple earth and Lylithean partners. I’ve even heard rumors he has an earth child now! It’s shameful. And to top it off, he’s dragged his queen into this as well. Taking her to earth giving her a new name, and what can she do? Nothing. Simply because he is king and must be obeyed.

The more I write the clearer this becomes. Something must be done.

We became known as gods to them. It is known that our ancestors on earth ran amok and created chaos…

Xander has been living on earth now permanently for a year. He has completely left us in the dark. Half of the high council members have now left as well. Mother’s heart couldn’t take the worry, she passed away 6 months ago. Father is hitting his 1,500th year and simply can’t keep up with his duties so the responsibility has fallen to me. something needs to be done, and I have made a decision. I’m not sure how this will end, or if this is even the right decision, but my people are in danger.

Hopefully father can forgive me.

To create peace, I cut off their access to Lylithea to eliminate the recklessness in their genetics and making our planet “pure”. A society where women rule and are the superiors…

It has been done. I have banished Xander and his council members and cut off all communication to earth. Traveling between planets has now become illegal and impossible. My new council has destroyed all transportation doors. From now on, women will rule this planet. The high council has already begun preparing my coronation. We’ve also decided to prevent this from ever happening again, the males in our society will be raised separately. The council and I also believe we should start arraigned marriages for the queens of the future. A male from the general population is to wed the future queen instead of her marrying a male from the council. I will be the first to be wed this way soon after my coronation. The transition has been relatively easy, the hardest part of all of this was losing my brother.

I must keep telling myself I did what had to be done.

Our history is now just myths to them. The Earthians have lost all ability to know of our existence…

Agueda

It was Saturday morning and Collette was studying Lylithean history by reading the diaries of the past queens, starting with Queen Agueda. Collette sat down Queen Agueda’s diary. She had so many questions. What exactly did Xander do to get banished? Why did he leave Lylithea in the first place? ‘You know why he left. You know what earth is like compared to here, especially for a royal.’ She quickly pushed this thought from her mind. “Archer, what does Agueda mean when she says they ran amok? How did Xander and his council create chaos?” Collette asked.

Archer looked from Collette to the book sitting on the table in front of him and searched for an answer. “I’m not entirely sure, to tell you the truth, no one is. All we’ve heard are the stories from these diaries.” He stopped and thought for a moment. “Your mother said she studied Greek mythology in her time on earth, but of course these are just myths. We may never know exactly what Xander did while on Earth.”

This only brought more questions to Collette’s uneasy mind. “I see.”

Archer closed his book. “That is all for today’s lesson, but I’d like you to write a small essay on how you would have handled Xander. If you thought Queen Agueda handled it in the best possible way.”

“How am I to write an essay without fully knowing what Xander did?” Collette said, grinning at Archer.

“You have a point. Fine instead re-read the diary and tell me if you can find anymore clues to what happened.” Archer picked the diary off the table and handed it to Collette. “In the meantime, I will also search for what happened. Jade and Sapphire will be here soon I believe. Those two have a knack for showing up just as we finish our lessons.” Just then the doorbell rang. “Like clockwork those girls” Collette gathered her books and jumped out of her seat. “Oh, Collette you received a letter from Zachariah this morning. Its on your desk in your bedroom.”

“Thank you, Archer.” Collette ran down the stairs and swung the door open to greet her best friends. The three of them had been inseparable for as long as Collette could remember. Jade was tall and skinny, dark brown hair to her waist beautiful blue eyes and a face full of freckles. She was the quiet, hopeless romantic of the group. Sapphire was named so for her ice blue eyes. She was short and curvy, and attitude radiated from her. Her hair was cut short and was always styled a different way anytime Collette saw her. Today’s hair-do was a short bob with bangs. There was a burst of screams, and the girls all hugged. Even though they spent every weekend with Collette, the week they were apart was torture for the friends. They all ran up the stairs to Collette’s bedroom and shut the door. This was Collette’s favorite part of the weekend, telling Jade and Sapphire everything that had happened on Earth. She told them about her classes and her homework, but the part the girls were most interested in was what happened with Michael.

“He kissed you?!” Jade said looking like she might burst.

“Does Archer know?” Sapphire said while looking at herself in Collette’s mirror.

“No but guess what!”

“What!?” The girls said in unison

“He asked me to homecoming!” Collette said practically jumping on the bed.

“What’s homecoming?” Jade said turning her head to the side making Collette think she looked just like Cat with her turned like that.

“Oh, it’s a dance”

“Like the balls we have for the council?” Sapphire said. “Those are awful, and we always sneak out halfway through.” She was now helping herself to Collette’s jewelry box, trying on different necklaces and earrings.

“No, it’s just kids! No adults! And not as formal as a ball.” Collette said, still jumping out of her skin with excitement.

“And Archer is letting you go?” Sapphire said. Collette’s excitement started to dull now.

“Yes”

“With a boy?” Sapphire’s hands were on her hips like ‘Yea I know that isn’t gonna happen.’

“Well, not necessarily.” Collette said, all excitement now gone.

Jade and Sapphire looked at each other and back to Collette “And what about Zachariah?” Jade said, eyes looking deep into Collette’s.

“How do you know about him?” Jade’s gaze was making Collette uncomfortable.

“Archer told us” Jade said.

“We’re planning your engagement party.” Sapphire said, finally taking her hands off her hips only to cross her arms.

“Oh” Collette had the new feeling in her stomach. The one she couldn’t put a finger on what it was. Her throat was getting tighter and tighter, her chest was tightening as well.

Jade put her hand on Collette’s leg. “Are you ok Collette?”

“Yea, I’m fine” Collette

“I don’t believe that for one second, what’s going on?” Sapphire came and sat on the bed. “Michael is just some guy on Earth, Zachariah is to be your husband, your king.”

“What if I don’t want a husband?” the girls could tell Collette was hurt, and sad. Even if they didn’t know how this felt themselves, they knew just what to do to make Collette feel better. Jade and Sapphire put their arms around Collette and hugged her tight. “I’m sorry I shouldn’t have said that, but ever since I’ve been going to Earth, I just feel different. Like everything is just moving too fast like I need more time.”

“We get it girl, but what choice do we have? Life moves fast. It sucks, but its life.” Sapphire said. Collette realized she was still wearing her jewelry and laughed.

“Yea I know, but it helps to complain.”

“Duh, that’s what we’re for! What good is a friend if you can’t unload with them?” Jade said.

“I love you guys.” Collette said pulling in her friends again.

________________________________________________________

Collette watched from her window as her friends walked down the drive. She remembered her father had told her Zachariah wrote and she went to her desk to read it, she took the letter back to the window seat and Cat curled up beside her as she began to read.

My dearest Collette,

I hope its ok to call you that, seeing as were to be married I thought it was fitting. However, we haven’t met yet. Let’s start again.

Dear Collette,

How are you? It was unfortunate that I didn’t get to meet you yesterday, but King Archer assured me you were on official business and it couldn’t be avoided. You are already proving yourself to be a great queen, so devoted to your duties. Its very admirable. My mother tells me I’m to start taking lessons on being King, I was never very suited for schoolwork, but I will work my hardest to make you proud. I wish for nothing more then to make my queen happy. I am looking forward to getting to know you. Please write quickly!

Yours,

Zachariah

Collette sat the letter down and rubbed Cat’s head right between his ears and he began to purr. She knew she needed to reply to his letter, but she wasn’t sure what to say. ‘Where do I even start? The whole letter is basically him saying he wants to please me.’ She sat for a while in the window petting Cat and thinking. About everything. About Earth, and Michael, and Zachariah. About her lessons this morning, and how she needed to know what happened with Xander. Collette got up from the window and walked to her desk. She pulled out a piece of parchment and a pen and started writing.

Dear Zachariah,

It was nice to hear from you, thank you for your letter. I am terribly sorry I missed you, but I look forward to meeting you at our engagement party. thank you also for saying I will make a great queen. It is a heavy burden, but I hope I carry it well. I’ve also started my lessons, today I got to read High Queen Agueda’s diary and learned why she cut communication off from earth. Did you know she had a brother? Apparently, he is the reason we no longer live among the Earthians. You must let me know about your lessons! If you enjoy them, what your favorite parts are. Tell me everything! I must be going now, I have homework. So much fun right? Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours,

Collette

She sat the letter on the desk to give to archer in the morning during her lessons. Then she picked up Agueda’s diary again. She read and re-read the diary until she couldn’t take anymore. There were no clues to what Xander did other then create chaos. Then she remembered what archer said about her mother studying Greek mythology. ‘I bet ill find some answers in the myths. They can’t be completely fictional if I have proof that Zeus actually existed.’

#aspiring writer #first novel #love #writer #fantasy #science fiction #royalty #aliens

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thehighscribe · 6 years ago

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The High Queen

Chapter 1

-Collette-

Collette woke to the sun shining in her face, the warmth was nice. Her curtains had opened, and she realized it must have been the Earth cat she had brought home. 'Why must I go through this?' she thought as she laid and stared at the ceiling that she had painted to look like the Earth's skies. 'Why must I choose? Why can't I just do both?' As she rolls out of bed, she walks to the window and pulls the curtain open. "Hello Cat, have you been exploring?" Collette says when she noticed the Earth cat sitting in the window seat. His Black and white fur shined in the sunlight as he rolled onto his back, "It's a beautiful day. Perhaps we can picnic once I return from school." He looked at Collette, his green eyes opened lazily, sat up and cocked his head curiously, he meowed. Collette rubbed his head right between his ears. "Oh, it's when a person packs a lunch in a basket, and they go outdoors and lay on a blanket and eat! Yes, they eat outside!" Collette picked up the cat and cradled him in her arms while she rubbed his belly. He meowed again, then started purring and closed his eyes as Collette carried him back into her bedroom. "I know it's fascinating!"

"Why must you speak to that thing as if it understands?" Collette turned to see her father in the doorway of her bedroom. "I'm not sure how you even got the mangy thing back here from Earth anyway." Collette sat Cat down on her bed.

"Archer, I couldn't just leave him there! He practically begged me to bring him home, he needed me." She remembered how she had found the poor thing behind her Earth High School starving and filthy. His fur matted, and he was so skinny Collette could see his spine and ribs. She had spent an hour just trying to lure him to her. Archer shook his head, then turned and left. Collette's father had long dark hair that was pin straight. He would gather the hair behind his ear's and tie the top half into a braid and tied it off with one of the wild flowers from the garden. His eyes were the brightest and clearest blue Collette had ever seen, true Lylithean features. The majority of Lylithean people look this way, and then there's Collette. She looked in the tall mirror that stood next to her closet. She has the long dark hair, but where most of her people have straight hair, she has wild, curly hair that was full of volume. Her eyes were the most intense color of green, as striking as emeralds. The people closest to her weren't sure if they should be intimidated or consumed by them. Even though they hardly felt emotions, she swore she felt a tinge of what Earthians call jealousy. She wanted the same straight hair and blue eyes. Then maybe she wouldn't feel so out of place.

She looked through her earth wardrobe and found a pair of ripped jeans. She pulled them up over her hips and looked in the mirror, then rummaged through her wardrobe until she found her favorite top. The white flowy tank top fit her well, then she pulled her light pink hooded jacket on. She found her transport bracelet, latched it on while she slipped into her classic black converse, and walked out of the room. She had just turned 17 and was granted what all royal children on Lylithea are, a chance to go to earth and learn from the Earthians. She didn't want to go but her father, the High King of the planet, told her very sternly that she was going and had no choice.

She could hear his steady, gruff voice "If you are to take the throne and become High Queen, you need to know their ways to continue keeping peace in the universe." 'How are we to keep peace if the Earthians are so oblivious to our existence? They haven't a clue we even exist.' She thought as she descended the stairs and passed the dining hall. It was 7:15, she had 15 minutes to get to the shed and transport. She grabbed her school bag and ran out the door and through her family's large grounds to the far east corner where a small Green Gardening shed sat. The teleporter must be hidden so no Lylithean finds it and transports themselves to Earth. She approaches the shed and hears the transport bracelet chime on. She opens the yellow door and makes sure it is closed securely behind her back. She can already hear the voices as she turns and walks to the closet in the back of the shed. Slowly she opens the red doors and sees her Earth High School. She takes a deep breath and steps through.

_______________________________________________________

'Why must transporting make my hair so much curlier?' Collette thought as she ran towards the school just as first bell was ringing. Collette felt dizzy as she tried to smooth her curls down. After a few moments her head stopped spinning, and she walked to the front doors. She'd only been attending the earth classes for two weeks, but she still felt overwhelmed every time she walked through the front doors of the High School. It was so loud and crowded, it made Collette feel small. She quickly walked to her first class and sat down in the back like always. As she pulled out her notebook the second bell rang, and Professor Carmichael came into the History class.

"Good morning class" Professor Carmichael said as he walked into the room. "Please pull out your reports on World War I" Professor Carmichael was a short man with wild white hair that was thinning on top. He wore thick glasses and always wore a bow tie. Today's tie was purple and looked wonderful with his lavender button up shirt and tan slacks. "So, who can tell me why August 4, 1914 is an important date?"

Someone answered but Collette wasn't listening. She found herself thinking how she had to make such a big decision in such little time, and how much her decision would affect everything. 'You have a year Collette. It's only been two weeks. You have time.' She thought as she watched a cardinal flying around the school's front lawn. Collette had realized she had become distracted looking out the class window and hadn't heard a thing Professor Carmichael had said the whole class. The bell rang and she laid her report on his desk as she passed. Down the hall she heard Michael and Findley with their group of friends rough housing. 'Earth males are so different from the males on Lylithea.' She thought to herself as she passed them in the halls. Michael nudged Findley and pointed at Collette. She could feel her face becoming hot, but she was unsure what this feeling was called. She looked towards the ground and gripped her backpack straps tightly. She quickly entered her class and sat in her seat. As she was pulling out her English notebook, Findley entered the room. He smiled and sat next to Collette

"Hey Collette, how was your weekend?"

"It was fine." She said as she thought about the lessons, she had this weekend. She had to study Lylithean history during her Earth weekends. "I mainly read."

"I think that's all you do." He laughed, "Read anything interesting?"

'No' "Oh yes." She smiled, she looked out the window and again was lost in her thoughts. The rest of the day dragged on, she felt there would be no ending. Finally, the last bell rang, she gathered her school bag and headed for the front doors.

As she left the school, she heard Michael calling her name. "Collette!" She stopped to see Findley and Michael heading her way. There was a girl as well, but Collette hadn't met her yet.

Collette smiled, "Hello, Findley, hello, Michael."

"Hey Collette, we're heading to the mall, you wanna come?" Michael said grinning.

"Oh, I couldn't, I need to get home to Cat." Her face was becoming hot again.

"You still haven't given that poor animal a name?" said Findley, "You've had him since you started school here."

"Cat suits him. Why over complicate it by giving him a name that he won't be comfortable with."

"It's just a cat Collette." Michael chimed in. "They haven't gotten any feelings"

"All creatures have feelings. We can learn so many things from each and every one of them." Collette replied. She didn't like the way Michael talked about Cat. After all that was her pet.

"You are so weird." Michael said laughing.

"She's not weird" the girl had spoken. Her voice was quiet, "I think she's got a point, if we could learn from animals maybe we wouldn't be destroying our planet."

Michael scoffed, "No one asked for your input, hippie"

"I'm not a hippie." She looked irritated, then turned to Collette, "My name is Riley by the way. I'm Findley's cousin."

"Nice to meet you Riley, I'm Collette." She smiled, then looked to the ground "I really must be going. Archer doesn't like when I'm gone from home longer then I need to be for school."

"It's a shame, it's going to be a great time." Said Findley, smiling ear to ear.

'His smile is nice' thought Collette.

"Come on Collette, you're always saying you want to learn as much as you can. Think of this as a way to learn more about Camden." Said Michael as he put his arm around Collette's shoulders.

'He does have a point. I haven't learned much about this town yet' She thought. Her face was becoming hotter by the second. "Maybe just one hour."

"Yes!" yelled Michael, "Let's go!"

As they rode down the road Collette could smell Michael's hair gel. It was nice, but strong. Almost like he had lathered his entire head in it. His hair was blonde, short on the sides but longer on top, and he always styled it. Collette couldn't remember a time when it wasn't perfectly sculpted on top of his head. His clothes were just like his hair, perfect. He always looked stylish and clean cut. Findley, however, was the complete opposite. Findley's hair was longer and 'swooshy', brown and always a mess. He wore jeans every day, and one of the hundreds of band t-shirts he had collected. His eyes were as dark as his hair, maybe even darker, almost black. Findley seemed more care free then Michael, like he didn't need to prove himself.

Once they had arrived at the mall, they all got out of the car and headed to the diner. The mall wasn't really a mall, it was more like a couple of run-down shops, abandoned stores, and the diner. The diner was the only place that got any real business in the mall. The bell above the door dinged as they entered the diner. The smell of grease filled the air, they go to a booth close to the kitchen. Riley and Findley run, and both try to get the seat by the wall, Riley dives in and claims the spot and victory. Findley audibly groans and flails his arms in defeat. He sits next to Riley leaving only two seats left which meant Collette would have to sit next to Michael. Again, her face became hot.

"After you, mi 'lady" He said gesturing towards the booth. She smiled timidly and slid into the booth. They ordered a basket of fries for the table and four chocolate milkshakes. The waitress brought the milk shakes first. Collette's arms and chest had started to feel tingly. As Findley and Riley spoke about the most recent comic book they were debating over, Collette's face felt so hot she thought it might melt off before another minute would pass. "So," Michael began. Putting an arm around Collette "It's about time you hung out with the gang."

"Yes, it is nice." She said trying not to sound winded. She knew this feeling, she had felt it most intensely her whole life, much more then any other emotion. It was panicky, and made Collette lose her breath and then forget how to breathe. She did not like being nervous. It made her feel as if she weren't in control of her actions. He scooted closer to her.

"How are you liking school?" Michael asked. His arm around Collette's shoulders made her heart race. She thought it might jump out of her chest.

"I like it, Especially history class." She feared he would hear her pounding heart. The waitress brought the basket of fries and Collette grabbed a few. She looked at the table and told herself 'Get a grip, take a deep breathe.' She popped a fry into her mouth, 'In and out' she thought, 'Just remember to breathe.'

"Oh, history is so boring. What's the point in learning about a bunch of shit that has already happened?" Michael said while rolling his eyes. This caught Collette off guard, brought her out of her own head. "and that crack pot Carmichael needs to just retire already. I mean the dude has to be one-hundred and fifty."

"I just find it interesting. Learning the stories of our past." Said Collette. Suddenly she felt very uncomfortable. She couldn't put her finger on what made her feel this way. She looked at her watch, it had only been twenty minutes since they'd left the school. 'Ten more minutes and I'll leave. Archer is going to be pissed'

"Enough talk about school!" said Michael "We have to suffer six hours a day five days a week, let's enjoy our freedom!"

"I wouldn't call it suffering." Findley chimed in, "just slightly inconvenient." he threw a french-fry at Michael. "After all, if it wasn't for school we never would have met!"

"Yea, yea" Michael said laughing. He threw the fry back at Findley.

Collette ate some fries and drank her milkshake while the boys and Riley talked about Homecoming. She didn't quite understand it, but it did sound fun. Getting to wear a dress, and dancing to music. She imagined the earth girls wearing gowns like the ones she had to wear for high council gatherings, long and elegant, metallic looking dresses.

"Hello, earth to Collette!" Michael said nudging her, "Were you going to come watch us play?"

She was still thinking of the dresses, "Play? Are we playing a game?"

"Yea kind of," Findley laughed "the homecoming game?"

"Oh! Football! Right, sorry I wasn't paying any attention." Collette said, "I'll ask Archer." She looked down at the table for a moment, "Will you be there Riley? I'd hate to have to sit alone. I don't really know anyone besides Michael and Findley." She said looking up at Riley.

Riley looked surprised, "Me? I don't know. Football games aren't really my thing."

"Oh come on Riley! Come cheer on your cousin while my girl cheers me on" Michael said pulling Collette in with the arm around her shoulder.

Collette almost choked on her milkshake, "Your girl?" her face became hot again and she looked from Michael to Findley and Riley looking, and feeling, like a deer caught in headlights.

"Well I mean yea." Michael said looking into Collette's eyes. "I was hoping we could go to homecoming together." He smiled and pulled her in even closer.

"Oh." Collette said heart pounding like a hammer, "Um. Well, I mean I'm not sure if Archer would let me." She tried to even her breathing. "He's very protective and doesn't like me being away from home unless it's absolutely necessary." 'When did I become 'his girl'? does this mean we're dating? Am I even allowed to date an earth boy?' Collette's head was reeling, and her face was becoming hotter and hotter by the second.

"Wow dude, way to blow it." Findley said, "You can't ask a girl out by calling her 'your girl'!" Collette noticed he talked with hands, a lot.

"I did not blow it!" Michael said, he turned his head to Collette. "Please Collette, if you don't say yes, I'll never hear the end of it from this one."

"And now you're begging!?" Findley said throwing his hands to his face. He was now laughing so hard he almost fell out of the booth.

Collette's head was still spinning when she heard herself say "Yes. I'll go to homecoming with you." She looked down at her watch and realized they had been out for an hour and a half "Oh no I need to get home!"

"Let us drive you" Findley said pulling his car keys out of his pocket.

"No that's alright, I can walk." The mall was only about a mile from the school, "I'll see you all tomorrow! Thank you for the milkshake." She headed to the car to grab her things, when she got to the door, she heard Michael.

"Hey Collette! Wait up!" he caught up with her and put his hand in hers. "I can walk you. So you don't have to be alone. Also, I hope I didn't embarrass myself in there, you know calling you my girl."

Her heart skipped a beat. "Oh, no its ok. I don't mind." She looked at their hands intertwined and lost her breathe. "Look," she said while taking her hand back, "I really don't think Archer is going to let me go to the dance. I'm not even sure how he'd feel about me dating." Suddenly Michael kissed her, and she forgot all about Archer and rules. All she cared about was Michael and how his lips pressed against hers made her whole body feel like an electric shock went through her head all the way to her toes. Michael pulled away, and Collette felt like the world was spinning around her and Michael. Slowly everything stopped moving and she felt tingly all over, "I'll talk to him."

"That's my girl"

_______________________________________________________

The walk home was a blur, she told Michael she lived in a house a block away from the school and waited on the porch until he was out of sight. As soon as he was out of sight, she leaned against the front door grinning ear to ear. 'I better leave before whoever lives here finds me on their porch.' She walked off the porch and back to the school. There was an abandoned house across the street with a little green shed in the back. She looked around one more time and made sure no one was around, turned on her bracelet and walked through the portal.

Collette walked through the closet closing the door tightly behind her, shutting off the portal. She was walking out the door when she noticed her father standing with his arms crossed against his chest. She had never seen Archer look this way, his face angry, body tense.

"Where have you been?" His voice sounded as tense as his body looked.

"I'm so sorry. My friends asked me to hang out, I didn't think I would be out this long."

"You should have been home two hours ago." Archer said, his arms still crossed, his feet planted firm.

"I know. I'm sorry" Collette said looking at her feet.

"Do not let it happen again."

"Yes, sir" She looked up and saw he had uncrossed his arms. He still looked angry but now not so tense.

Archer turned and started walking through the grounds back to their home. Collette took a deep breath and followed. They walked in silence until Archer opened the door for Collette. "Dinner will be ready soon. Please change out of your earth clothes and come down. We have much to discuss."

She nodded and headed up the stairs. She sat her things on her bed and threw her jacket by the closet. She did the same with her top and jeans. She walked to her bed and started pulling her schoolbooks out to make sure she didn't have any homework. She wondered what Michael was doing. If he was thinking about her too, and how much she liked being called his girl. Her heart raced as she thought of his smile, the way he looked at her. Though she couldn't tell what, but something was off. Collette walked to her closet and pulled out a simple dinner dress. It was floor length, red, off shoulders and cinched at her waist with a belt. She ran a brush through her hair, checked her reflection in the floor length mirror and headed downstairs.

Archer sat at the head of the table, her mothers chair at the opposite end, and Collette sat in the middle on the left side. Collette looked at her mother's empty chair. She missed her very much. It had been four years since she passed but it still hurt. Not a day went by when she didn't think of her.

"How were your Earth classes today?" Archer said, helping himself to the food on the table.

"Good. We are learning about World War I in my history class." Collette said as her father started eating.

"This is good." Said Archer, "These lessons will help you learn how not to handle wars, or better yet how to avoid wars altogether."

Collette tried to remember if she had ever heard of a war on Lylithea. "When was the last Lylithean war?" She looked at her father.

"Hundreds of thousands of years ago. Wars are last resorts for our people." Archer said, "We find them wasteful, and honestly why let all those good men and women die because someone can't get along with someone else."

"I couldn't agree more. I think the loss of life isn't worth it when there are so many other ways to come to an agreement."

"Yes, but men have the weakness of pride. They can't put it aside and make sacrifices for the better good, this is why the High Queen Agueda made it so women ruled Lylithea. She saw the weakness in men."

"When will I learn more about her Archer?" Collette said, she still hadn't touched the food on her plate.

"Queen Agueda? I'm not sure. I'm sure she will be in your lessons soon enough. Did you know she is also the one who brought in the arranged marriages for royal children? To help keep peace in our world royals must marry their children to a Lylithean from the general population. This way when input is needed the royals and the people have a say."

Collette saw her chance to ask about homecoming. "Interesting you bring this up. I was wondering, since I'm not betrothed yet, what does the council say about interplanetary relationships?"

"Well my dear, as of today, you are betrothed." He said without even looking up from his plate.

It felt like Collette's heart had stopped "I am? To whom?"

"His name is Zachariah Xavian. You will meet him next month at your engagement party."

"Oh" She looked down at her plate. Her stomach became upset, her throat tight.

"Oh?" Archer had finally finished eating and put his utensils down to look at his daughter.

"Well, I was asked to Homecoming today. It's an earth tradition and I thought I could go. To learn the customs." Collette said, feeling unsure "I already told him yes."

"So, this is why you asked about interplanetary relationships." Archer's eyebrows furrowed, "You may go, alone. You are betrothed and you must not do anything to put this union in danger. Your mother wanted this marriage and has been working to make it happen since you were four."

"Why was I never aware? I knew I would have an arraigned marriage, but if this has been happening since I was four why have I never known?"

"Your mother wanted you to grow up without feeling trapped." His eyes looked sad.

"I see." Collette was sure what she was feeling now was anger. 'How could they do this? Make me feel like I might have a say in whom I marry just to tell me it has been known all along.'

"If its any consolation, he really is a great boy. He's a year older then yourself, grew up as a farmer." Archer had started to drink a glass of wine.

"Does he know he is to be king one day?" she said looking at her father, hoping he could feel the anger and hurt coming from her eyes.

"He does now. He came this morning while you were in classes. If you had been on time you could have met him today, but you were off doing who knows what." He sat down his glass, "He was very disappointed that he didn't get to meet his future bride. He said he would write to you though. To help the month pass and to get to know each other."

Collette sat quietly for a moment, 'There's no point in being angry.' She thought. "I'm sorry I missed him. I won't be late again." She said looking at her father again and seeing his shoulders relax.

"I understand you're a teenager, you want to go and have fun with your friends. But as the future High Queen you have responsibilities here. Your responsibilities to your planet will always come first."

"I know" she looked down feeling defeated. She had never felt trapped until she started going to earth. Seeing how carefree the Earthians were, how little they had to worry about. It made her feel jealous. Jealous because she had to grow up so much faster then her few earth friends. Jealous because while the biggest worry they had was what dress to wear to homecoming, she had to worry about how to rule an entire planet. "May I be excused?"

"Of course, dear." Archer looked at his glass then back to his daughter. "If it were up to me, you could choose your own husband. I know how hard it is to be forced into a marriage you're not sure you want. However, if you're half as lucky as your mother and I, it will be a perfect match."

Collette stood, curtsied, and headed for the stairwell. Once she got to her room, she shut the door behind her. She was starting to have a new feeling. Her throat was tight. She slipped out of her dress, grabbed an earth t-shirt and shorts and walked to window seat. She found Cat and pulled him into her lap when she sat down. She told cat about her kiss, and how Michael made her feel.

'Will I be able to feel like this with Zachariah?' she thought, 'Or is this a feeling you only get for one person?' She looked at the sky, at all the stars above. The new feeling creeping into her heart, 'Why do I have to go through this?'

#aspiring writer #first novel #love #writer #fantasy #science fiction #royalty

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