After a few hours of thinking it over, you decide it would be best if the former queen announced it to the people. It would be more like a public passing of the torch to add validity and authority to your new reign. You quickly make your way to her chambers.
Once you reach your mothers room you find the door open and your mother having dinner with your older sister Laura. They both stand and curtsy as you enter the room. "Your majesty." Your mother says as she straightens, your sister giving an unsure look to the both of you.
"I have decided on my queen and that you are to make the announcement to the people." You say with authority.
"As you command." The former queen says with another short bow. "Who might be so lucky? Anyone I know?"
"Your niece Crystal." As you make your declaration you see a smile grow on your mothers face. Laura, on the other hand, slowly turns her gaze to the floor away from you, her eyes give away her displeasure.
"Oh my son! I am so happy! I have always thought she would be perfect for you!' You mother says as she wraps her arms around your neck and embraces you warmly.
Slightly confused you ask "You have?"
"Yes. Of course. Why do you think she has had a room her all these years instead of living with my brother in his duchy?" Your mother says. "I have always known you would be king one day and that you would need a beautiful and virtuous queen at your side."
"Am I not virtuous mother?" Your sister Laura quips, still pretending to inspect the walls of the queens chambers.
"While we must keep the royal bloodline as pure as possible, we can't keep marring our own siblings." She scolds. You get the idea they have had this conversation before. Returning her attention to you your mother asks. "Do you need any assistance with preparations? Or shall I just make the announcement?"
"I'm sure Crystal could better answer that question. You should go to her and see if you can be of any further assistance." You answer. With a smile and another curtsy your mother quickly exits the room. You turn your attention to Laura who has taken her seat again still pouting. "Now what is wrong with you? You don't seam the happy princes you usually are. What has you feeling down?"
"YOU! Or mother! I don't know!" She says with frustration.
"You want to be queen that bad do you?" You joke.
"It's not that. I mean I wouldn't mind being queen, but it's just... If I'm not, what is to become of me? Am I to be married off now? Some prize to a fat lord to secure his loyalty? Banished from you never to return?" Laura says almost crying.
"Banished from me?" You inquire.
Laura almost jumps out of her seat, her gaze bolting to you then back to the walls of the palace. "No! Not from you.. I mean... from here..."
"Laura?" You press the subject.
"Ok. Maybe I do like you a little." She admits. "What woman wouldn't? You are the finest man in all the kingdom." She begins to slightly blush. "And Crystal... She isn't as virtuous as mother thinks."
"And you are?" You smirk.
Laura's eyes widen in surprise. "What?! What do you know about my virtue?" She laughs.
"I know you are the kind of girl who uses her beauty to get what she wants from men. I know you have brought men into your own chambers late at night behind our parents backs." You smirk at your sister as her secret is laid out in the open.
"You have known about that?!" She bows her head looking at the floor, turning her eyes away from you. "To be honest, I slept with them because mother always denied me you. Like she did again today."
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