Victoria

Chapter 1

I'm so proud. Everything is perfect. The society my ancestors created is beautiful...

Yet, it doesn't seem... real. Nothing is real. 

A knock at my bedroom door startles me. I quickly slip back into my room from where I was sitting, perched in a niche in the ivy-covered wall by the window, close the drapes so no one will see, and cross the large stone floor to the source of the knock. My father, King Alistair Hamilton, enters, as imposing and grand as ever, and says in his deep, booming voice, "Victoria."

I curtsy, careful to keep my back straight and my face blank like I've been taught by countless governesses, and say, "Hello, Father. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I have something to discuss with you relating to our future. Your coronation is in a few months; you must spend every moment preparing."

And every moment after that ruling our country, I think, but say nothing. It was implied, anyway, and sass, especially towards the kind, is unacceptable. I could be executed for saying something like that; it's not like they couldn't postpone the coronation to instruct my younger sister, Madeleine, to rule. So I hold my tongue.

My father has just begun to speak when another knock sounds at my door. He strides over to open it, and a young page, no older than eleven, perhaps, enters. "I was hoping to- to have a m-m-moment alone with the Princess. We have important private matters to discuss."

My father appears to have no intention of leaving, so he continues, "We received a letter from a special friend of hers and I believe she would prefer to read it in private."

Finally, he sweeps out of the room. "You got his letter?" I ask quietly, unsure if I really want to know what my fiance said. I don't love him, at least as far as I know, although he dotes on me. It doesn't matter. We converse through letters, since he lives a far away and doesn't have the time nor resources to come to the castle every day. But since his family is of a particularly noble and respectable descent, we'd been paired together practically since we were born. I understand it's necessary, but I wish for the type of freedom that came many, many years ago, the freedom to love whomever I wish,which only existed in a time so different from ours it seems to be a completely different universe. No one's sure exactly how long it's been, since we created a new calendar after this country called America destroyed everything. Most children learn only about the history of Somnium, our country, but since I've been training since birth to run this nation, I had to learn everything our historians know. It's exhausting, but with the responsibility comes the power to make a difference for my people, who adore the crown and respect the government's love. I've met a few citizens, and they always gush about my beauty, the generosity and benevolence of the crown, and especially about my father and what an amazing king he is. 

Somnium spans the ruins of a place once called Europe. There were many small countries here, but when America destroyed everything, they were completely flattened, and all the people slaughtered. There was almost nothing left after the terrible fateful war, which, judging by the fossils we've found and the the occasional remaining bit of construction my father's scouts will find, it was almost a thousand years ago. No one knows how there were still any people after the war, but some must have survived. How else would we be here now?

Jonathan, my fiance, is of course handsome, but I don't feel any attraction. He has brown, cold eyes, dark brown, almost black hair, and dark skin. He's very rich, naturally, but he doesn't have much consideration for other people. I once saw him fire a servant because she spilled some tea. But that doesn't change the fact that we will be married, exactly three months after my coronation so I have time to settle into my new role and adjust to the power. However, since Jonathan wasn't born into the throne, he will not have power to rule, at least not as much as I will. This is how Somnium keeps everything fair. Unless I die before producing an heir, Jonathan will be more of an assistant and counselor than a ruler, and until we are married and for a year after that, it would be my sister who takes over. There have never been any assassinations because that's not what our people are about. We don't have war, we don't have poverty, we don't even have violent games. My ancestors wanted to have our people never suffer the wrongs that the last age did when everything was destroyed, when America tried to take over. And I agree completely.

The page, whose name I don't know, passes me the envelope. I take it and gesture for him to leave, trusting that he will stay outside and send for my father when I'm finished. Our servants are excellent that way. They have enough sense to understand that we were speaking and will need to finish our conversation, and since both my father and I are so busy, him with ruling Somnium and me with preparing for my coronation and learning every bit of information I'll need to be queen, we need help that knows what to do.

I stare at the swirling lines of ink on what I recognize as  vellum. Beautiful paper, but very expensive. I wonder how much money my future husband must have to be able to spend so much on letters, rather than all for important documents and such. Victoria is written across the envelope in beautiful, swirling letters. I wonder how fine a calligrapher Jonathan must have to make something so gorgeous. I open the letter to find more vellum and swirling letters. I begin reading.

My Darling Victoria,

In a fortnight I shall be travelling to the castle to join you before your coronation. I have something important to discuss with you, as well as a gift for you, my love. For now, though, I'd just like you to know that I'm awaiting your next letter and shall count the hours before my arrival.

With love,

Jonathan

I sigh and try to assess my emotions, like my psychiatrist taught me. Of course, I'd like to see my fiance. Who would refuse to spend time with the person they will be spending their entire lives with? Yet I have a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that tells me this isn't really me. That I don't want to see him. But I don't not want to see him, so I carefully write a reply in my neatest handwriting: Jonathan, I'll look forward to seeing you. Victoria. I don't have to elaborate much. He'll just believe I'm pressed for time and didn't have an opportunity to write a lengthy response. 

I step outside my room, ignoring the immediate flood of anxiety that hits me when I'm out of my safe space. I send the letter with the page and tell him to fetch my father. When he arrives, I'm studying, and we discuss several important topics for my coronation in a few months. Once he leaves, I just go to sleep, partially hoping the future will never come and partially hoping I never wake up.