《Map to Hope》Chapter 6: My Name is Lucia
Advertisement
I was the last daughter of the Gremory family. All of my other siblings were male. Additionally, all of them were knights. My father treated me differently since I was born as a girl, and my mother despises me for being different from other noble ladies. Most of my brothers paid little attention to me, except for my strict, eldest brother. According to him, I was too weak, so I should learn to defend myself. He always visited me and checked up on me. One day, all of a sudden, we started sword training. My father disagreed with the concept of me learning sword-fighting under the banner that "Girls should just gossip and let the men fight." Similarly, my mother forced me to practice etiquette for ladies and dragged me to boring tea parties.
The only person who paid any decent attention to me was a maid, who had raised me since my childhood. She gave me treats when Mother was against it, and she let me cry on her shoulder when Father scolded me. I knew that she was my one true supporter, and I loved her immensely. She told me countless stories about the adventures she had before she became a maid. She laughed at how she had spent all of her inheritance on traveling and how she was eventually forced to work to survive. I envied her freedom and her ability to smile without a care. One day, she rushed into my room while I sat there, reading a book.
[Anna]: Your mother is calling! Come quickly, before she gets angry again.
[Lucia]: What does she wish for now?
I summoned the strength to stand up, then proceeded to exit the room. My maid led me outside, where I followed a path surrounded by tall grass. A large garden surrounded our mansion, giving our mansion the look of a palace. A beautiful garden laid on the northern side of the mansion. I approached the lonesome tea house at the center of the garden. There, my mother sat, together with a golden-haired lady whom I recognized. She was the queen.
Advertisement
I wonder what business she has with us.
[Lucia]: Glory to the Empire. I am honored to meet you.
[Elena]: It’s nice to meet you, as well. I never knew you had such a beautiful daughter, Irene.
[Irene]: You flatter me, Your Majesty.
Bowing to the queen, I sat down beside Mother, sending her a puzzled glance in an attempt to figure out why the queen came to visit our house. In response, my mother’s eyes sharpened, conveying to me that my attempts were futile. I turned my gaze towards the Queen, who pleasantly sipped her tea.
[Elena]: Your tea tastes highly exquisite. Where did you obtain the tea leaves?
[Irene]: It was imported from the Western Regions, Your Majesty.
[Elena]: Please send at least one crate to the castle. I enjoy the taste and aroma.
As they continued to politely flatter each other, I knew that something was amiss. In my last social meeting, I heard rumors that the king announced a battle between the two princes for the crown. Was my mother planning to sell me off to the Queen’s son in order to gain her favor, or was it the other way around? As I sat there thinking, I didn’t realize that their gazes had shifted focus onto me.
[Irene]: My daughter, is something the matter?
[Lucia]: I just wonder: how could I be of help to the Queen?
The Queen’s gaze wavered for a bit, but she quickly sharpened her focus back onto me again. I was right. They planned to use each other in their plots, with me as their pawn. Lowering my face, I stared at the ground, then raised my gaze back up to my mother. For a long time, I have struggled to break free from my family’s grasp. Maybe this was my opportunity. If I played my cards right, I may be able to leave this house peacefully. Then, I will take Anna with me.
Advertisement
[Elena]: Soon, we will hold a ball at the palace. I invite you to attend.
[Irene]: Thank you, Your Majesty. We won’t disappoint you.
[Elena]: Thank you for accepting my invitation. I will see you soon, Lucia. Take care. Now then, I should be leaving.
[Irene]: Travel safely, Your Majesty.
She stood up and left the area, her body quickly disappearing into the garden. As soon as we lost sight of her, my mother faced me, and the mood suddenly turned solemn. She grabbed my hand forcefully.
[Irene]: You will be a good daughter and you will get engaged to The Crown Prince Cesar!! Do you understand?!
[Lucia]: Of course, Mother. Anything for you.
I forced my hand out of her grip, stood up, and left.
[Lucia]: I will never do your bidding.
I muttered under my breath while leaving. Inside the mansion, Anna was waiting for me. She silently followed behind me as I entered my room. I sat down on the chair and began to think. I have little knowledge of the second prince. All I knew is that he came from the north.
[Lucia]: Tell me more about The Crown Prince Edmond.
[Anna]: He is a very mysterious man. All we know is that he is dangerous and that he has killed many people. People from the north call him, "The Devil of the North." Miss, please stay away from him.
[Lucia]: No, even if he is a psychopath, I’d rather marry him than marry that arrogant, playboy prince, according to my mother’s desire.
[Anna]: Please, rethink this idea.
[Lucia]: To judge him, I must first meet him.
The ball was scheduled to be held in one week. I must look special to catch his attention. The days leading up to the ball passed like usual until, soon, a full week has gone by, bringing forth the day of the ball. With Anna’s help, I prepared myself. I wore a yellow dress, on which a flower trim ran from the top of my left shoulder, and cut across my chest above my right breast. Around my neck, I wore a dark blue gem, which was given to me by my late grandmother. I let most of my silver hair fall to my shoulders, but I plated my fringe around the crown of my head and held it in place with a silver hairpin. Overwhelmed by happiness, Anna teared up.
[Anna]: You look so beautiful.
[Lucia]: I have you to thank for all of this.
I boarded the carriage and rode it to the palace. As we approached the palace, we could see that it was beautifully lit. Many carriages queued in line to drop off passengers, but, due to my family’s status, they quickly allowed my carriage to bypass the queue. As I stepped down from the carriage, everyone’s eyes turned towards me in shock.
[Lucia]: Destiny will kneel before me.
Advertisement
Dive Deep
In the not-so-distant future, the Pacific Northwest of America Secedes from the United States and founds the first true democracy named Cascadia. This democracy is founded on technology and has proven itself to be a stable and successful model of government. Its citizens enjoy higher technological levels and happiness than anywhere else in the world, and that has led to the explosive takeoff of professional gaming. This is where our heroes step in. Jose, Laurel, and Nathan are determined to break into professional gaming but had no success until a mysterious backer offered them the ability to join the most anticipated game of all time, a full immersion VR game called Infinita. This is their story.
8 351WriTE Halloween Contest
Hi Everyone! Writers to the End, the largest group on Royal Road Legends is happy to announce the start of the WriTE Halloween Contest! Write a short story, submit it, and try to win! Everyone can take part and anyone can win so go, check the rules and write… To The End. Submitted stories will be displayed on the 30th of October from noon GMT. Note: Please submit the stories to WriTE, not RRl, to ensure everyone begins voting at the same time. Readers can rate the stories from October 30 to November 6. Some stories may contain mature content so we advise the readers to read the author notes before every story.
8 51Twin Worlds: Warriors and Mages
[What if two different worlds—practicing two different disciplines: one, magic arts; the other magic circuits—one day become one? Gaia and Aether were once two separate worlds that has now become one.]Arthur Crane is a police officer who once worked as a secret agent. He may have a mere level 4 activation power but he has some tricks up his sleeve.As it turns out, the girl he falls in love with is actually a princess of an aetherean kingdom and a tier-SS mage engaged to the hero of his country for the sake of stregnthening ties (it seems she only dated him out of some mistake!)To win her back, he must reveal the truth: that he is the true hero of his country. People may laugh, considering he's weak, but it's the truth.Find out more in this sci-fi/fantasy/action/romance novel Signed: Secret Memories Update will be within 1 to 4 days.
8 57The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
It is about a London lawyer named Gabriel John Utterson who investigates strange occurrences between his old friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the evil Edward Hyde. The novella's impact is such that it has become a part of the language, with the very phrase "Jekyll and Hyde" coming to mean a person who is vastly different in moral character from one situation to the next.------------I do not own or did not write this story. It is a copy of Original Book that I have uploded to help spread the book to wider audiences. Hope you enjoy.
8 186Gloryland
**for Quravin** It's the summer of 2010, and Evan Barker's older brother Jason has just committed suicide. His devastated parents are reeling from the Recession, his friends are shiftless drunks, and his younger sister has been committed after discovering Jason's body. In an attempt to assuage the trauma his family has experienced and break away from his own shitty existence, Evan decides to grab his portion of the modern American Dream by trying out for that year's American Idol auditions in Nashville. Never mind that Evan's a 21-year-old virgin with a self-image as poor as his social skills. Never mind that he's never even attempted to sing before. In 21st century America, anything is possible, or so Evan's been told by a cultural upbringing of "Follow your dreams" and "Everyone is special" and "True love awaits". Speaking of true love, Evan asks Lily Trent to accompany him on the journey. Lily is a childhood acquaintance with whom he's recently reconnected and developed a crush on. Lately Lily's been working as a stripper, a cynical and jaded young woman who may or may not have her own motivations for joining Evan on the trip. Evan hopes the time alone will spark reciprocal affections in Lily, and an improbable come-from-nowhere triumph on national TV will not only free his family from their blue collar burdens, but win him the respect and love he craves-- not just from others, but from himself. Together, Evan and Lily discover why learning how to fail may be their generation's greatest lesson. Cover art by Gerry Siorek
8 206Once a Hero
Welcome to Scott Smiths world. Retired Marine, living in the suburbs, has the hots for the local Beauty, regular neighbors, a very very boring life so to say. But what if life throws you a curve ball and resets you back a few years? What if your life became a game? What if you were not allowed to die in this game? Come venture with Scott as he ventures forth in Once A Hero.
8 65