“Really? Well, that’s just perfect!”
“Hmm…I don’t think the others will think so. When you announce it, there’s going to be some people not very happy with your choice.”
“We’ll see. I’m going to announce it tonight.”
“Um…what about Tyran? You should probably tell him first. He’s going to be mad.”
“I guess I should tell him first. Ugh. That’s not going to be easy.”
When we went back in, I said I’d see Cali later on and went to find Tyran. I was excited that Cali had agreed to be my assistant but she was right, Tyran was going to be mad. Part of me wanted to take the coward’s way out and just let him find out at dinner. However, that wouldn’t be the nice thing to do and I knew this was the first of many things I wasn’t going to like doing. This wasn’t going to be the first time I would disappoint someone in my kingdom, I may as well get used to it.
I saw Tyran coming out of the tunnels where Cali had taken me to see my mom and rushed to meet up with him.
“Need more coffee so soon?” he asked.
“No, but I’d like to talk with you if you don’t mind.”
“Sure. I was just about to get cleaned up you can join me in my room if you’d like.”
“Oh!” I didn’t even notice that he was covered in dirt and scrapes. “What happened to you?”
“Nothing, I was just helping some of the Runners with the transport tunnels. Some of the unused tunnels are getting weak in spots.”
I followed him to his room, aware that he was keeping something from me but I didn’t push for information. I wasn’t sure he would tell me if I were to ask anyway. I waited on his couch as he went to the bathroom to clean up and change clothes. When he came back he sat next to me, looking absolutely flawless except for the scrape on his forehead.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” I asked pointing to the scrape.
“I’m fine. What’s up?”
“Tyran, I have thought about this whole assistant thing and…”
“You’ve decided on someone else.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Who?”
“Well, I’ll be making that announcement at dinner tonight. I just thought I should tell you that I can’t have you as my assistant before the announcement.”
“Well, I appreciate that,” he said. It was obvious that he was trying to hold in his disappointment.
“I’m really sorry Tyran.”
“Can you at least tell me why?”
“I uh…well, it’s confusing. I know you’d be perfect at the job, you can protect me and I know your loyalty to the kingdom would be an asset. I just…”
“You don’t trust me.”
“That’s not it at all,” I sighed. “To be perfectly honest, I don’t trust myself around you.” That was the best way I could put it without giving away my feelings for him, but the redness I felt flooding my face would surely give that away anyhow.
“Jasmine,” he whispered. He reached up and touched my cheek. I closed my eyes and felt him leaning toward me. I was almost in a trance, this is exactly what I wanted but Cali’s voice sounded inside my Head, ‘you could never be together anyway.’ I pushed away from him and stood up from the couch.
“I’m sorry,” I said and I ran toward the door.
“Jasmine, wait!” he yelled.
I could feel the tears stinging my eyes as I left his room and ran to my quarters. I didn’t care who saw me, I just had to get to my room as fast as possible where I could let myself truly feel the pain.
I collapsed on my bed and cried. Tyran was going to kiss me and I had no choice to push him away. Even though I could change the restrictions when I became Queen, I couldn’t do everything all at once, and it would be seen as a selfish move if I were to make this change too soon. It wasn’t fair but then again, I knew when my dad died, life isn’t fair sometimes. As much as I wanted to, I wasn’t going to be able to skip tonight’s dinner. Orion and I had to make the announcement. I realized I hadn’t even told Orion about Cali and suddenly felt worse.
I went to the bathroom to splash some water on my face and tried to compose myself before going to find Orion in his room.
“I take it you’ve chosen your assistant?”
“How did you know?”
“Tyran told me, but he didn’t say who you chose.”
“Because I didn’t tell him.” I was suddenly very nervous. Orion made it quite clear that he didn’t think Cali would be right as an assistant. “Orion, I know you don’t agree with this, but I’ve asked Calalilly and she’s accepted.”
He sighed and said, “That’s a very controversial choice.”
“Cali has helped me so much since arriving. I really can’t imagine anyone else by my side.”
“Can I ask why you decided against Tyran?”
“I think Tyran and I would have too many conflicts.”
“He can be very stubborn,” Orion said. I let him think that was what I was thinking instead of the fact that I was falling in love with Tyran. “Okay, if you are sure about your choice, we’ll make the announcement tonight.”
I sat nervously at dinner, knowing that at any moment Orion was going to make the announcement that I was going to be Queen. I could barely eat and Cali’s whispers for me to calm down weren’t helping matters. I could tell she was nervous too but she was already taking her assistant job seriously and was more worried about me than herself.
When our dinner plates were taken away, the Commoners returned right away with a special cocktail for everyone. I looked at Orion surprised that they were serving alcohol, when he explained, “Sparkling white grape juice with fresh raspberries.” When everyone was served their drink, Orion stood and cleared his throat. “I have some excellent news for everyone. Miss Jasmine has consented to take her rightful place as our Queen here in Tamporlea.” Everyone clapped and I smiled proudly looking around until my eyes met with Tyran’s. He had a look of disappointment on his face, his expression didn’t match the rest of everyone’s smiles and cheers.
Orion continued, “I am sure Miss Jasmine will make an excellent Queen and she will bring some welcomed changes to Tamporlea. From what I understand, she would like to say a few words herself.”
“Thank you Orion,” I said as I stood up. “I would like to say that I am very excited about taking over as Queen. I hope that I will serve you well and I want you all to know that I am here for you both as individuals as well as a society. Also, I would like to let you all know that I have chosen my assistant. After some consideration, Miss Calalilly has accepted the position.” There was applause but also some looks of confusion and surprise. Cali and I both knew this would happen. “There is no doubt that she is up for the challenge and will serve me and you quite well. Thank you all so much for welcoming me into Tamporlea and I look forward to working with all of you to strengthen our society.”
There was applause as I took my seat and Orion raised his glass and said, “I’d like to make a toast. To Miss Jasmine and Miss Calalilly, may you strengthen Tamporlea and leave your mark on our society.” He drank from his glass and everyone followed suit and clapped for the news once again.
As expected, some questioning started, but I could barely focus on anything but Tyran’s expression. I knew that I was going to have to pull him aside and ask him what was going through his mind, although I was afraid of what his answer may be. I tried to answer everyone’s questions over dessert but it would be impossible. Everyone was respectful leaving the questions pretty simple like what made me decide to take over as Queen. There were a lot of questions for Cali as well and she did an excellent job of answering to their satisfaction. I think she had convinced some people that she was the right choice for my assistant. That was until Tyran decided to speak up.
“So, Calalilly,” he started with a nasty attitude. “Let’s say that our kingdom is under attack. What would you do to protect the Queen? Are there any special abilities you have that we are unaware of, Re
ader?” His question was for Cali but he glared at me as he spoke.
“Tyran,” Orion spoke. “Now is not the time for such a question.”
“If you don’t mind Orion, I’d like to answer,” Cali said. “Tyran, I don’t have any special abilities. However, I can assure all of you that there is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do to keep our Queen safe. Even if it meant my life, I wouldn’t hesitate in the slightest. I know enough about the history of the three kingdoms to have a good idea as to what approach the other kingdoms would take if they were to attack. It would give us enough time to put protective measures in place to protect the Queen and the kingdom.”
I felt the need to speak up as well. Not just to Tyran, but to everyone. “I can tell you all that some of you may question my decisions and you may even criticize them. I want you all to know right now, that I think out everything that I do. I’ve always looked at things from every point of view before I make an important decision and I don’t let what I want get in the way of what’s right. I know you don’t know me well just yet, but I want you to know that there is no doubt in my mind that Calalilly is the right choice to be my assistant.”
There was a bit of awkwardness in the air before Orion announced that we should end the dinner. As we were leaving, many people congratulated Cali and I with hugs and handshakes. Overall, I thought most people were very receptive of the news. After the last few people cleared out, I saw Tyran waiting for me. Orion took Cali to the Gold Room for a meeting to discuss some things about being the assistant to the Queen. Orion assured me that I didn’t need to be present which left me free to talk with Tyran.
“Escort me to my room?” I asked.
“You think that’s a good idea Queen Jasmine?”
“I’m not Queen yet, and I need to speak with you.”
“I think the meeting rooms are free.”
“Fine,” I said curtly and turned to head to the bronze meeting room. I locked the door behind us and neither of us was calm enough to sit. “Listen Tyran, what you did out there was totally uncalled for.”
“I think people have a right to know. They were all thinking the same thing, I was just the only one not afraid to ask.”
“I have no objection to the question. I have a problem with the time and manner in which it was presented. Don’t ever do that to me or my assistant again. Do you understand?”
“Yes Your Highness.”
“I’m not your Queen yet. If I were, you’d have a bit more to deal with than a tongue lashing right now.”
“Wow, you really have a problem with your decisions being challenged.”
“No, Guard. I have a problem with disrespect. You know just as well as I do, the only reason you questioned my decision to have Calalilly as my assistant is because you wanted the chance at it.”
“And the only reason you are so emotional right now is because of your feelings for me.”
I’ll admit, his comment took me by surprise but I kept my composure and said, “I have no feelings for you that you are alluding to.”
“Really?” he asked with a smirk on his face as he moved closer to me, invading my personal space. “I don’t make you nervous in that way at all? You feel nothing when I touch you?” he asked as he put his strong hand gently on my cheek.
“No, I don’t,” I said in a stubborn lie.
“Then you won’t feel anything when I do this.” He pulled me close to him and kissed me so deeply I could feel it in my toes. I didn’t resist. I don’t think I could if I wanted to, which I didn’t. It was at that moment that I knew for sure that I had never felt this way for anyone before. If we were in another place under different circumstances I would give in completely. I allowed myself to enjoy the moment, but I knew that was selfish and wrong. My hand that was tangled in his hair released and slapped him across the face.
“I hope you feel better now that you’ve gotten that out of your system,” I said angrily.
He looked at me stunned and said, “I can’t say that I’m sorry for kissing you. I love you and I had to let you know how I felt. I’m just sorry you don’t feel the same way.”
“Obviously you took our friendship to mean more, but it doesn’t. Not to me.” I was afraid the shaking in my voice would reveal the lies I was telling, but I think he translated the shaking as anger.
“I understand. It wouldn’t work anyway would it?”
“No, it wouldn’t,” I paused and continued. “You should have allowed Queen Holly to marry you off. Obviously you set your standards too high. You could have had anyone in this kingdom and you set your sights on the Queen? It will never happen.” I turned on my heel and left him in the Bronze Room.
It was an awful thing to say but I had no choice. It was the only thing I could think of to make him believe that I wasn’t interested in him. It was cruel and heartless and it tore my heart apart to have to do it. As much as I loved him, Tamporlea was more important, it had to be. Cali was right, emotions would too easily interfere with my duties as Queen.
Chapter 9
Platinum, Jade & Emerald
The following day was Sunday and the atmosphere in the kingdom was a lot different. Everyone was relaxed and having fun. When Cali and I took Casper out to the field, it wasn’t empty as it usually was. There was a large group of people playing kickball and not all of them were kids. Orion was standing by the waterfall, painting and Tyran was sat under a tree just reading a book. It was really strange how different everyone was and I couldn’t help but wonder why everything was so official Monday through Saturday. It didn’t seem right.
“What would you be doing right now?” I asked Cali.
“I don’t know, probably writing in my journal.”
“Really? I can’t do the whole journal thing. I always stop after day two. You really like it?”
“Yeah, I mean I don’t have much time during the week to do it, so I catch up on everything on Sunday.”
“Well, you do have a lot to write about this week,” I said with a laugh.
“Very true, but I can do that later. What do you want to do?”
I wanted to do everything so Cali and I first joined the game of kickball. I’ve always been horrible at the game but it was fun. One of the younger girls threw the ball at me to get me “out” and it hit me in the back of the legs. She apologized profusely and kept saying she couldn’t believe she threw something at her future Queen. This made me laugh so hard and she finally felt better.
Next, we went to Orion and looked at his painting of the waterfall and spoke for a few minutes before finding our way to the Commoners playing chess in the grass.
“Tyran is going to notice if you don’t go over there you know,” Cali pointed out. I sighed and made my way toward him. “What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing. He just makes me angry sometimes.”
She laughed and said, “He makes everyone angry.”
My heart started pounding as we got closer to Tyran and all I really wanted to do was run away.
“Hello Tyran,” Cali said. “What are you reading today?”
“Romeo & Juliet.”
“Shakespeare?” I asked surprised.
“Yes, not usually my thing but I thought a story of forbidden love would be good for today,” he said pointedly.
“Well, have fun with that,” Cali said as she pulled me away.
Everyone had a picnic with their family on the grass and I sat with Cali and her parents. It was the first time I had officially met them. They were incredibly sweet and they told me how proud they were of Cali to be chosen as my assistant. They shared stories of when she was little and wanted to be a ballerina which caused Cali to turn several different shades of red, much to my amusement.
When everyone finally made their way back inside, Cali and I went to my room with a very exhausted Casper. He curled up on floor and started snoring not five minutes after walking through the door.
“What are you thinking?” Cali asked.
“Th
at was really great,” I said.
“But…”
“But I don’t understand why this is just a weekly occurrence. Why does everything have to be so official every other day of the week?”
“We all work ten hour days. Then we have our nightly dinners with the kingdom. Sunday is our day to relax.”
“I don’t know, this was the first day that I really saw everyone as Orion had first described. Peaceful, happy and carefree.”
“You are already thinking of changes to make aren’t you?”
“Is that a bad thing?” I asked.
“No, it means you care, and not just about how much money we make. You care about our happiness as well.”
“Yeah, I really do.”
Cali stayed with me through dinner, which she made. She made us some scrambled eggs with cheese, toast and vanilla yogurt with fresh fruit. She said that she loved breakfast for dinner, especially since more often than not, she would skip that most important meal of the day.
We spent the rest of the evening talking about me. She knew everything that was written in my book but wanted to know different stories from my point of view. So I told her about getting Casper and about hikes with my dad. I don’t think I’ve ever talked that much about myself, but Cali seemed to be enjoying the stories so I didn’t mind. We kept talking until she finally couldn’t hold back her yawn and I gave her a hug goodnight.
The next day, Cali met me first thing in the morning in the gold room. We had to go over the history of the other kingdoms since the King and Queen would be arriving to Tamporlea in just a few days. She didn’t go into great detail but I first learned about Pyrencia. She said that the founder of Pyrencia, Pearl, was angry at the Queen of Tamporlea while she lived here, so she went to find an empty piece of land to build her own kingdom. They actually started a war with Tamporlea once Pearl had enough followers but it ended with a peace treaty that was still in effect today. I also learned that Pyrencia had people who possessed magical powers, but they weren’t nearly as strong as anyone who lived in Tamporlea. They also had three times as many people living in Pyrencia compared to Tamporlea.
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