Tamporlea (Tamporlea Trilogy, Book 1)

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Tamporlea (Tamporlea Trilogy, Book 1) Page 6

by Tiffany Lovering


  “So wait a second, the Queen couldn’t even choose who she wants to be with?”

  “No, she can’t. She has to be with someone from the real world so when she has her daughter, the father can take her into the real world to raise her.”

  “What?!”

  “The Queen marries someone who has lived in the real world. That way when the daughter reaches a year old, the man can bring her to the real world and he would adapt perfectly there.”

  “So the King is just a sperm donor?”

  “First off, the Queen’s husband is never referred to as King. Second, yes, he is basically just a sperm donor but he goes into the arrangement willingly. When he leaves the palace, he is given everything he would ever need. Money, a house, a car and an annulment so he can remarry.”

  “What about the Queen? She loses her daughter and her husband in one day and she’s just supposed to be okay with that?”

  “Well the marriage was never out of love to begin with and often times the Queen is happy to be rid of him. The daughter however, that’s always hard for the entire kingdom, but it is what’s best for everyone. Terrible things can happen when a child is raised knowing there’s a possibility she will take the crown someday.”

  “What about love? The Queen never gets to experience that?”

  “Love can easily interfere with her duties as a Queen.”

  “That’s ridiculous!” I argued.

  “Not really. The Queen is to do what’s best for the kingdom and to be able to do that, she can’t have someone here that she would die for. It’s a conflict of interest.”

  “Why isn’t it best for Tamporlea to continue this way of life?”

  “Because it is all under duress. Over the last decade or so, there have been many people who have refused to get married and procreate with someone they don’t love. Then, they were banished. Or if they got married to stay in the kingdom, they refused to procreate.”

  “What else is going on here?”

  “The Commoners are starting to feel like slaves in a way. They have little to do with the politics of the kingdom and are often only let in on information if completely necessary.”

  “Oh, well that’s ridiculous!” I said.

  “Yes, it is. I know that Orion made the kingdom seem like a place of equality, but it’s really not.”

  “And you think I could make it a place of equality?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “Why?”

  “Jasmine, you lived in the real world. You lived in a country where they made huge strides in equality. When you stay here for awhile, you will really see what should be changed in this society. I know that you are strong enough to at least start the process of some much needed change. I can feel it, everyone can.”

  “That’s a lot of pressure. I mean if I am a failure as Queen, it would affect so many people. I don’t know if I could handle that.”

  “Jasmine, I’m so sorry I was the one to tell you this. The thing is, I know that if I were in the same position as you, I would want to know exactly what I am getting myself into. I would want all the facts so I could make the right decision.”

  “No, you’re right, don’t be sorry. I do want to know all of this, but it’s still overwhelming. I don’t know if I’m the right person for the job.”

  “Jasmine, would you come for a walk with me?”

  “Where to?”

  “It’s kind of hard to explain, but I think you’d be happy you came.”

  “Alright.”

  When we left my quarters, there was no one wandering the palace. It must have been pretty late because all the sconces were lit up to the top of the palace. I followed closely behind Cali thinking about everything she had just told me. Everyone had seemed happy within Tamporlea’s walls, but was it really just an act? It was possible that Cali was just embellishing the realities. I’m sure there were some changes to be made, but were people really that unhappy here?

  Cali led me down a set of stairs that brought us to a tunnel. We walked down the tunnel taking several turns that eventually ended at a door with a sign that said “Sacred Space” engraved in it.

  “Jasmine, what I’m about to show you, is probably going to be a bit overwhelming. You really aren’t even supposed to know about this place until after you’re crowned. I’m hoping you will keep this between us, but I am prepared to accept the consequences if it leads to that.”

  “Cali, I don’t want you to do something that’s going to get you into trouble. Maybe we should just go back.”

  “No, I really think you should see this. I just hope you’ll keep it between us.”

  “I won’t say anything, but what would happen if someone found out?”

  “I’d be banished,” she said quietly as she opened the door.

  We walked into a small room that was packed full of what just appeared to be clutter. I couldn’t tell what was so sacred about it. Maybe the room had changed purposes over the years and they just never changed the engraving on the door. There was a bookcase crammed full with beautiful spines and covers. It was so dimly lit in the room, I couldn’t see what the titles were.

  “What is this place?”

  “This is the history of Tamporlea. The history of our past Queens and heirs, before and after they arrived at Tamporlea.”

  “So my mom?” I asked barely able to speak the words.

  “Yes, she’s here,” Cali said pointing to the volume. “I can’t exactly let you read that right now. If you decide to become Queen this room is yours so you can really study your family history if you’d like. What I really wanted you to see is this one,” she said pulling down a different black book. The cover was embossed in gold with the words “Jasmine Rae Taylor” in beautiful script. “This is your volume, it’s obviously not filled, but I wanted to read just a few things to you.”

  “Okay,” I said, not too sure what to think.

  “Here we are, this is when you were six and in first grade,” she said before reading from the book. “November 3rd, 2000. Miss Jasmine’s teacher instructed the class to write a few sentences on what they wanted to be when they grew up. Miss Jasmine wrote, ‘When I get older I’m going to be Queen of my own world. I will wear pretty dresses and all the people will be happy. We will have lots of parties and everyone will love me.’ When everyone presented their papers, Miss Jasmine was so proud to have been the only one to choose to be a Queen while the others chose doctors, teachers and police officers, but when it was her turn to read her paper to the class, everyone laughed at her. She stomped her foot and said, ‘I don’t care what you all say. I will be Queen someday and I’ll be the one laughing!’ She is a very confident little girl.”

  “Oh my goodness. I don’t even remember that!”

  “I’m not surprised, you were only six. Here’s something else, ‘September 27th, 2006, Miss Jasmine was elected president of her 7th grade class. During her 2 week campaign, she did not promise anything she didn’t think she could accomplish. While the other candidates said they would bring soda machines and video games during study hall, Miss Jasmine said she would get salad or fresh fruit as an everyday option in the cafeteria and that she promised that she would take all of their concerns seriously if they voted for her. This shows honesty and integrity which is more important than anything when it comes to politics.’”

  “This is so weird. Someone’s been watching me my entire life and I’ve had no idea.” I felt strangely exposed.

  “That’s not exactly true. The Seers just knew when it was going to be a big day for you.”

  “Seers?”

  “I guess Orion hasn’t told you about that yet. Well, long story short, every descendant to the Queen is assigned a Seer. They’re usually a Guard and their main responsibility it to keep track of the heir.”

  “So, who’s my Seer?” I asked curiously.

  “I’m sorry, I can’t say,” she said.

  “It’s ok. You’ve already told me so much more than anyone else.” />
  “I’m telling you what I would want to know in order to make an informed decision. Anyway, about the Seers, the days that are recorded in this book were thee only times when someone was actually there. No one really invaded your privacy Jasmine, these are all things that happened with other people around, no one was hiding in your closet or outside in the bushes. Anyway, this is pretty interesting and it does show how when you were quite young you were already developing qualities that we could only hope for in an heir. However, this isn’t exactly why I brought you here,” she said as she closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. She went through the drawers of the desk and pulled out a black box. “This is what I really wanted you to see.”

  I took the box and inside was a small mirror. “I don’t understand.”

  “Take it out of the box and look at it.”

  As I did as instructed, I saw that it wasn’t a reflection of me that was shown. I saw a bed with a purple comforter and a dresser off to the left. “Hey, wait a minute. Is this my mother’s room?”

  “Yes, and it’s just about time for your mom to come home from work. She decided to go back today since you’re here.”

  “She working second shift? She hates second shift because it was the shift that we saw each other the least, but the nurses have to rotate shifts once a month. When her rotation was finally over, we spent an entire weekend catching up on everything we missed in each other’s lives over the month. How is this working? I don’t understand.” I said.

  “When Orion came to talk with your mom on your seventeenth birthday, she gave permission for him to put a mirror in her room so we could check into see how she’s coping.”

  “Can she see me?”

  “No. It’s one way and to be honest I don’t think she even remembers it being there.”

  “Look!” I said pointing to the mirror. My mother just entered her room and went over to the dresser to take off her ID badge and earrings. She picked up a picture off her dresser and sat down on the bed. “That’s my graduation picture of her and me.”

  “Oh Jazzy,” my mother said. “God I miss you. I know you will make the right choice for you. Only you know what that is, I wouldn’t even be able to tell you to follow your heart. I know I’d be selfish and tell you to come home.” She was starting to cry and it was pulling on my heartstrings tremendously. “I’ve always known you are destined to do something big with your life. I can’t imagine anything bigger than being Queen. I love you so much. I am being so selfish for wanting you here with me. After losing your sister, your beautiful twin,” she was sobbing now but continued. “I never thought I could feel pain like that. And then your daddy. Now I’m losing you too. I should be happy for you, this is a good thing. I’m just going to miss you so much.” She wiped her eyes and put the picture back on the dresser before grabbing her robe and leaving the room for her nightly shower.

  I started to cry thinking about my mother all alone in the house with pictures and all of my belongings as constant reminders that I’m not there. She rarely talked about my sister, Lilliana. I always knew I had a twin but she was so tiny when we were born, she passed away on her second day of life. Sometimes it was hard knowing I had a twin who died. When I had a birthday or reached certain milestones in my life, I knew my mom had to be thinking about Lilliana. She didn’t ever make it obvious, but I knew that it was in the back of her mind because there would always be a certain amount of pain in her eyes.

  Cali didn’t say anything as she took the mirror and put it back into the box and back into the dresser drawer. I wondered if what I saw could possibly be real. Orion told me about the different types of magical abilities they had in Tamporlea, but I wondered if this mirror could be used just to manipulate me. How coincidental is it that we just happened to be looking while my mom was talking to herself about me?

  “Jasmine, are you ok?” Cali asked as she sat next to me.

  “Yeah. Just thinking.”

  “You know, she talks to your picture every night when she comes home from work. She says basically the same thing every time. That’s why I wanted to bring you here to show you this.”

  “Thank you Cali. I feel better just seeing her. Do you have any idea how she’s going to cope if I were to stay here?”

  “I honestly don’t know exactly. I know she’s incredibly strong. Look at what she’s gone through and how well she’s doing now. She has created quite a life for the two of you. I can only tell you what has happened in the past and the mothers have always done quite well. There’s a little bit more that you don’t know. There is a spell on every descendant of the High Priestess. In order for us to protect the existence of Tamporlea, when you were brought here, your mother’s memories of you immediately begin to fade. She’ll never completely forget you but it’s almost as though you are away and she’s moving on with her life. The process completes when you are officially crowned and this mirror will no longer work. Or if you should decide to return home, it will be as though nothing ever happened. You too will forget all about Tamporlea.”

  “What? You can’t be serious.”

  “I am very serious. Can you imagine if you decided to stay and her memories of you were fresh and she had to go through the pain of missing you and not being able to see you?”

  “Why can’t I see my mom?”

  “It’s very difficult to merge the two worlds. It would be too distracting for you as Queen as well as for your mother who can’t know exactly what you are up to. Also, because your mother rejected Tamporlea when she was your age, she wouldn’t be allowed here.”

  “Maybe that’s something that would have to change once I am crowned.”

  “Jasmine, would you be changing that law for your own selfish reasons or do you think it would benefit all of Tamporlea in some way? When you are crowned, you will see that the main priority is the good for everyone, not just for you.”

  I didn’t say anything to that, but I knew she was right. It wouldn’t be beneficial at all for my mom to come here. It would just be confusing to her and to everyone in Tamporlea. I don’t know if seeing my mom helped me at all in making my decision, but it was really nice to see her.

  On our way back to my room, I saw that Tyran was waiting for me at my door, looking irritated with his arms crossed, and leaning against my door.

  “Uh-oh,” Cali whispered when she saw him.

  “Welcome back,” Tyran said. “Gone exploring have you?”

  “Just showing Jasmine around a bit.”

  “Right. Well, if you don’t mind Calalilly, I need to speak with Miss Jasmine alone.”

  “Sure. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Why don’t we go to a meeting room?” he suggested to me.

  “Actually, Casper needs to go for a walk.”

  “Alright. I’ll wait here while you get him.”

  As soon as I opened the door, Casper bound out of the room and circled around me. We walked in silence to the clearing where Casper and I played fetch the night before.

  “What’s wrong Tyran?” I asked cautiously.

  “Nothing, just irritated.”

  “Why?”

  “I had a lovely two hour meeting with Orion. Then he sent me, like I’m his gopher, to find you to discuss some things. Only when I got to your quarters, you were out. So I got the pleasure of waiting at your door for an hour.”

  “You could have left a note, I would have gone to find you.”

  “I couldn’t be sure if you would think it was too late, so I waited,” he said irritated.

  “Tyran, you cannot seriously be mad at me for not staying in my room when I had no idea you were coming by!”

  He took a deep breath in and sat down in the grass. I sat with him and pet Casper who was begging for some attention.

  “Miss Jasmine, I am so sorry. You must think I am the biggest jerk. It’s just, he annoys me so much.”

  “Why?”

  “Long story.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” I said.<
br />
  “Maybe some other time. I guess I should pass along his message. He says he’ll be by at six tomorrow morning.”

  “Six?! For what?”

  “Meetings of course.”

  “At six in the morning? What could possibly be so important at six in the morning?”

  “I take it you’re not a morning person.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. And with no coffee? I am completely in awe at how any of you function,” I said sarcastically.

  “Should I request a later time for you?”

  “No, I’ll be up and ready, but I won’t be happy about it.”

  “Good, make sure Orion knows you’re unhappy about it,” he joked. “You have meetings literally all day until dinner with only a two hour break for lunch.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am, and it’s going to be like this until you make your decision.”

  “Great. Maybe it would be safer just to run home now.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as you’re thinking.”

  “Well, feel free to join me,” I joked.

  He laughed and said, “Actually, one of the meetings is with me.”

  “Really?” I asked with too much enthusiasm. I wondered if it was obvious that I was developing a small crush on him.

  “Yes, but not for a couple days.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “Why aren’t you happy here?”

  “A number of reasons,” he said vaguely.

  “Then why do you stay?”

  “Because there’s nothing out in the real world for me. My mother and sister need me. I do feel a sense of loyalty to Tamporlea. It’s just, my life isn’t exactly as I thought it would be.”

  “Nobody’s life is exactly what they expected. No matter how planned out you try to make it, life always throws you some curveballs. That‘s something I know for sure.”

 

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