At The Queen's Command

-Salt In the Wounds-

             It was a beautiful morning in the kingdom of Androsia, I woke up in my silk drenched bed.   Stretching, I sat up in bed and yawned. It was the day after the queen declared hybrids a threat to the kingdom. It was unnatural for a human and hybrid to make love. We had a set of rules to follow, no matter what, Queen Redwing's kingdom always followed orders. When she needed an army, they were at her command. Everything at her fingertips, that must be nice. I got up and put on my best dress and got down the stairs to the outer corridor of Redwing castle. I saw everyone gathered near the throne, as Queen Redwing talked, everyone, hung to her every word. She was a busty woman, short with a long blond mop of hair, and a chubby face. I, however, am quite chubby near the middle and I look more like a witch than a princess. I never wanted to be one in the first place, my mother Alice Redwing put me in this horrid position. I walked up as gracefully as I could on bare feet and bowed to her. She greeted me with a full teeth smile and left me to my devices. 

         I walked outside to the outer moss gardens of the castle. I sat on a wooden bench and looked up into the great beyond. I've always been a dreamer. My mother told me dreams are a curse, I think of it more as a blessing. Dreams allow us to get away into a land we cannot reach while fully sane and awake. I looked up at the sky for quite a long time until a quick tap on the shoulder woke me from my daydreaming. I looked over to see who it was, lo and behold, Androsia's very own jester. Luke Millson, a tall skinny fellow with a long ponytail hidden under a jester's hat. He smiled at me and gave me a wave. 

"Why hello princess," He said with an overenthusiastic squeaky voice. 

"Hello, Luke, how are you?" I asked semi-apathetic and monotone.

"Just fine, today's the day we go into the forest and look for those dirty hybrids," His tone suddenly shifted to a more serious one and I immediately felt a shiver go up my spine. 

"Oh, is it the hunting day, I didn't realize," I said quickly looking towards the ground uncomfortable with the sudden tone shift. I scooted away slowly from the boy and got up. I sprinted towards the castle and got to my room fully out of breath. I breathed deeply and let out a long sigh. 

"Hunting day! Why does this even exist, the hybrids are not hurting a damn thing!" I screamed at empty walls until my voice was horse. 

I sat back up and let myself breath for a second. I began to tear up, wishing that this kingdom was more kind and accepting than it is currently. When I become queen, if I become queen, then I will change all of this. No more hunting day, no more hatred, no more fear. I will be what this kingdom needs. I began to tear up but quickly wiped them away. A queen is strong in the face of conflict, I must remain strong. I get up and open my door slowly, hoping no one heard me yelling. I look out relieved to see not a soul. I walk down the corridor slowly and hear a conversation in the throne room.