Coal Crown (Forging Royalty)

by Maggie Lee

  This time I laugh and our comradery feels good. For how drastically my life has changed in this last week, it's nice to have someone on my side again.

  "Thanks.”

  “You don’t want to marry me either, but I am a step up from your last boyfriend. I hear he’s a real dick sometimes.”

  I laugh, but Arden was never a dick to me. He was right in being upset with me when he was, and even then he didn’t say things that were mean.

  “So, we’re going to a parade?" My hands move to the air vents and fiddle with them for something to do. I don't actually care where they face.

  "No, we are going to be in a parade. You and I will be on an education float, and they will be on a float for health." I glance up to see him give me a gleaming smile. He’s actually excited to be on these parade trailers. Something about Kraus is infectious, his smile makes me want to smile.

  Kraus’s blond hair is sticking up in a messy just rolled out of bed look, and he looks almost boyish. If I hadn’t seen him in a uniform so many times, I would assume he was some carefree twenty something year old kid.

  Kraus has a pale blonde hair and bright blue eyes, just like my sister. Almost the exact same shade if I didn't know any better. Seeing him in this comfortable outfit, I can see that he has a similarly strong build like my brother, bulkier than Arden. He could quickly pass for a member of my family if he tried, I’m the one who doesn’t look like them. My hair is dark and my skin is pale. I’ve always been a little bit of a black sheep.

  "Can I ask you a question?" My voice comes out meeker than I wanted it to.

  "Sure, anything." I hold back my instinctual cringe at how easily he says that. It makes me feel bad for what I’m about to ask.

  "Where were you on the social standing? I'm just curious." He gives me an easy smile, it clearly doesn’t bother him that I want to know.

  "Mesial. My mother was actually a teacher at the school you apprentice at."

  I'm a little surprised, "You know where I teach?"

  "Of course, your sister use to talk about you all of the time. Even if she hadn't, I would have done some research before suggesting a fake courtship with you." He laughs me off.

  "What about..." I don't finish my sentence because I feel stupid for asking. I shouldn't care.

  "Arden was one of the shamed when he was younger. He has moved up quickly though, with his ability to design and use weapons," he tells me with a sympathetic smile.

  Arden was one of the shamed? That’s so hard to imagine, yet something that would make sense. The Thanksgiving and his family all having trade jobs. They’ve all worked up into higher rankings, because the shamed are laborers with nothing to show for it. Life in that caste is scary. Eating isn’t an everyday occurrence for them, and they usually work themselves into early deaths from exhaustion. It’s well known that a shamed will work from sunup to sundown only to eat the small amount of food that they can afford, then sleep a very few hours before starting all over again the next day.

  Just the thought of Arden and his family living like that breaks my heart a little further. How can we let people live like that at all. It’s something that should have been changed a long time ago. If that's the reason behind Arden working so hard to be king, then it would at least make sense.

  "Thank you."

  "Can I ask you something?"

  "Sure, anything." I return his earlier statement. I have no reason not to be open with him.

  "What changed between you and Arden? You were livid at the idea of marrying him, then it seemed like you actually liked him?”

  We sit in silence for a minute, while I think of how to reply. He didn't have to elaborate, I knew what he meant. When I finally know how to answer him, I don't have to because the car comes to a stop outside of one of our capital buildings.

  Chapter 15.

  We both understand that the conversation isn't over, but on pause as we remove ourselves from the vehicle. Kraus takes my hand and puts it on his arm as he leads me into the old building we’re parked in front of. We tour the large museum-like room, idly looking at the patriotic art on the walls and reading the plaques that tell you about them.

  On one of the walls is a metal display that represents fireworks. We read the plaque that tells us about an independence holiday they once had, where they used fireworks through the night to celebrate their freedom.

  Schreille has a date sort of like this in the middle of winter. That's why we host our December Solstice. I can't help but wonder how different the world was back then. Leadership of that one large country is so different than the monarchy that we now know. They rebelled against this monarchy, how could we have somehow went back to that though, it clearly didn’t work for them when the country went into such a high debt. That was before the war had even started, it’s no wonder their country failed.

  "Here they come. We have to take pictures with a few of the local leaders. I'm sorry I didn't mention that earlier. You look lovely though, so no worries." His voice is almost placating, like we've had this argument before. I can understand his worry though, my sister isn't a fan of surprise photos, I remember her first week at college, she had paparazzi wanting pictures and that almost drove her to come back home.

  "No worries, I don't mind. I'm happy to do this, whatever strings are attached to my grand adventure of freedom."

  "Is that the name you've elected the day?"

  "Yes, I believe it is. We should have had shirts made," I reply with snark. June and Arden approach us, looking regal and unified. It annoys me on a cellular level.

  As they get closer, Kraus pulls me a little closer and we both plaster on fake smiles together. They frown at us, but it surprisingly doesn’t curb my brightening mood.

  Sassily, I give them a welcoming curtsy, "Hello, future king and queen. Welcome to the capitol. We have lovely art for you to see on this lovely tour. Oh! And, pictures of baby kissing to be done at your earliest convenience." I put out a voice I imagine an announcer would have, but my joke falls flat on their grumpy attitudes. Kraus laughs with me and then directs us all to the photo op.

  "Good morning. How is everyone today?" an older man with a mustache that curls around his mouth asks us.

  "We are well today, ready to take our pictures and find our floats," Arden answers politely before shaking his hand.

  "Alright then, let's get everyone over here and get started." He calls over some other elders that I don't recognize, but I just stay quiet and smile as we take about a dozen photos.

  Once we’re all finished with that, the mayor asks to speak to Arden for a moment and we all step away to give him some privacy. Feeling the weird tension from the bad mood Arden had earlier, I move away and walk to look out of the window. You can see what seems like a mile long parade line up. I hear June being called by another of the elders and move myself a little further down the window, hoping they leave me alone. I may be feeling a little better, but that doesn’t mean I want to play politics. After all, I’m not the future queen anymore, everyone will know soon enough. Father will make me abdicate sometime soon.

  Shutting down my ranting mind, I train my eyes on a young family playing together in the grass. The little guy keeps stripping off articles of clothing as his parents chase him around, trying to wrangle him back into his parade attire.

  “You need to pick a safe place on the float, you’ll have a guard with you, but there isn’t much I can do when I’m not on the float with you.” Arden interrupts my peaceful people watching.

  “I’ll be fine, I have Kraus.” I get a grunt for that answer and he walks away. Leaving me to my own devices. I snort in aggravation at his gall. Telling me where I should be on the float.

  June returns a few moments late and we start our search for our floats. Luckily, the mayor accompanies us to where we should be. When we find June and Arden’s health ‘float’, I can’t help but laugh at the fact that they will be walking to promote a healthy lifestyle.

  The mayor stays back to spe
ak with them both some more, but Kraus and I adventure further on to find our own ride. To my happiness, we don't have to do anything to crazy, just sit in some classroom style desks and ride along while looking through books and waving.

  "Do you think they would be mad if I stole the book off of this desk? It's pretty interesting so far," Kraus asks me rather seriously. I lean over and peak at what's in his hand and let out a laugh.

  "I see, a page turner you have there." He holds up a story book in a foreign language.

  "Do you know what any of this says?" he asks, trading our books.

  "Will you believe me if I said yes? I’ve taken many years of foreign language classes with a tutor.” I tell him as I search through for a passage to read him.

  "I didn't know you took studies like that," he answers honestly.

  "I took as many different studies as I could, I loved history and foreign languages the most though. Something about them always captured me.”

  "That must be the plus side for you to be in education," he says before redirecting his attention. Others of all ages begin to board the float we are riding on. Once a little girl spots me, I'm noticed by everyone.

  "Princess Mackenzie!" My name is called and the children around come closer. I smile and wave, trying to speak to each individual little one.

  I notice an expecting mom climbs on with four little ones of her own and they all disperse except for one pulling her along towards Kraus and me.

  "Hello," is all she says before giving me a huge toothy smile. I giggle at how happy she is, it’s infectious and her smile missing a tooth makes it just that much cuter.

  "Hello, how are you today?" I ask her, returning her excitement back.

  Awe-thome! You?” I give her a big smile, to hold myself back from giggling at her sweet little lisp.

  "I am wonderful, excited to be here. Are you riding on this float with us today?"

  "Yy-yethh ma'am." Her words are quiet, but she gives me a big nod.

  "Why don't you ride up here with me? If you would like?" She gives me a huge smile and runs at me, climbing up in my lap. I look up to her mother, who looks overheated and tired already this morning. "Is this alright?"

  "Oh, of course. I'll be right behind you if you need me." She tells me as she has a seat behind Kraus in a desk that she barely fits in. She must be nearing the end of her pregnancy. I watch her squish into the seat uncomfortably and notice our guard climb on behind her just before we start moving.

  The parade is a fun reprieve from life, we wave and smile so much that my cheeks and arms hurt by the end. The little one never leaves my lap the entire ride, and by the end I feel a small attachment to this tiny human.

  When we finally come to a stop, she gives me a big hug before running off to play with the other children. Kraus helps her mother off of the float, and the color in her cheeks has calmed. Thankfully we had a nice breeze during the ride.

  "How old is she?" I ask her.

  "Four, starting first year in January.”

  "If she is going to school in this district, ask for Ms. Buss. She is moving to first year after December classes end and she is seriously the best teacher you could get.” I make a mental note to try to find and send some supplies to that family when school starts back.

  Kraus leads me away and we say goodbye to the group we’ve spent our last hour with. The parade was actually a rather fun time, I’m glad Kraus suggested it. We walk a few blocks together, finally getting to a sort of comfortable silence and only breaking it to point out things as we pass. This city has a lot of art structures around town, so we find many things to talk about on our way.

  The park is full and there are tents all over with different booths covering the span of grass around the play area for kids. I let Kraus lead us around and we browse at different shops getting to know each other, but I keep an eye out for Arden and June our whole walk around. Hoping to spot them and see that maybe they aren’t having that great of time.

  Does that make me a bad person? To hope that maybe they don’t absolutely love each other’s company?

  I reprimand myself for being a horrible sister and then shake it off and refocus in on what Kraus is showing me. Some beautiful handmade jewelry, all with a similar symbol or design. A logo of a sun seems to be their consistent theme. After looking at a few different pieces I pick out a braided bracelet with a silver sun pendant in the center. The yellow color of the rope makes my heart happy.

  “You don’t need to pay for that, Princess. Thank you for shopping with us!” The young girl behind the booth tells me as I start pulling out cash from my purse.

  “No, I’ll pay, they’re adorable. I would also like a second one for my sister, to match.” I wait for her to bag the second bracelet and give her more than double for both before making my way to the next booth.

  “You do know your math was off.” I shrug as Kraus takes the little bag from me and carries it around the next few booths until we find June. Seated with her and Arden’s armed guard, she looks hot and aggravated.

  “Hey, where’s Arden?” Kraus asks her as we approach.

  “Getting us all food, I’m starving.”

  “Where are we eating?” I ask, looking around and finding that we seem to be in food central. Tables are all around and blankets are spread out with families picnicking together.

  “Right here, I guess,” June answers.

  Arden arrives at the table with six brown paper bags, each filled with a full sack lunch. He quickly passes out the lunches and then gives the last two to our guards. Taking a look around at all of the families seated on blankets, I grab my bag and venture off. Looking for a family with enough space on their blanket to fit me.

  “What are you doing?” Arden asks me.

  Thinking about it, I guess I’m adventuring off. It is my grand adventure of freedom! That's what I’ve elected to call this day, and since it’s my own personal holiday, I will do as I please!

  I spot my place and start my path weaving through the blankets, “Where are you going, Kenz?”

  This time I answer Arden’s question, “To eat, picnic style.” I get to the blanket with only a father and three little ones. “Can I join you?”

  I get a silent nod from the dad with wide eyes, but the kids all let out excited yes’s. I assume they don’t get to eat with princesses every day. If only they knew how unexciting I am.

  I unpack my lunch and eat bites in between answering what has to be around one thousand questions. I don’t mind a single question though, most make me laugh. They want to know silly things like if I brush my own teeth or if I have a maiden who does it.

  Chapter 16.

  When I have finished most of my meal, Arden and Kraus move to sit with us. I look around waiting for June, but she stays at the picnic table with the two guards we’ve had following us all day. As the next queen of our country, she should at least be socializing with someone.

  I lean over and whisper to the littlest one of our group and send her to retrieve my sister. Her nods get more enthusiastic as I tell her the plan. Before I even finish, she is off and running for my sister. Throwing my whole plan out of the water, she grabs June’s hand and drags her to sit with us.

  “Welcome to the Carroll family’s blanket, you are welcome to have a seat. These little ones tell me that the afternoon shows are about to start!” She tries to fight it, but I get a smile from her as she plops down on the blanket beside me.

  Just like the little ones told me, shows begin on a stage that was previously covered with people eating, in the corner of the common area. We watch for a while and late afternoon comes as the sun sets behind the trees. The last skit ends and the mayor takes center of the stage.

  “That concludes our activities in the park, the night time festival is starting up over in the clearing! Make sure to enjoy the carnival rides and funnel cakes, I’m going to.” The mayor gives a big wave before retreating to a small family waiting for him off to the side. A little one grabs his hand a
nd pulls him along, and the crowd begins to pack up and follow.

  We help the family we’ve been sitting with pack up and say our goodbyes as they take off towards the carnival clearing. The rides sound fun, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve participated in something like this. Mother had a carnival come to the palace for June and my eighth birthday, so almost eight years.

  “Time to go,” June announces and turns on her heel to go where I assume our cars are parked.

  “Wait!” I call out and everyone stops in their tracks. “I want to ride a few rides, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, it’s time to go. Come on.” Her tone is so final and it snaps something in me.

  Before I can answer her, Kraus speaks up, “I’ll stay with her. June if you want to go, Arden and you can take your car and go.”

  I hear his words and I’m not sure if they are defending me or him, like he doesn’t like her attitude and is willing to stay just to punish her.

  “Of course you will,” June spits back, and I see the hurt on her face. She can’t blame us for being friends when we’ve clearly been left behind on her and Arden’s ascension to the throne.

  “What do you want me to do, June?” Kraus spouts back and I take a step back out of their fight.

  “I don’t fucking know, not this obviously. Stay, whatever, I don’t give a shit, I’m leaving.”

  In typical June fashion she flips her hair over her shoulder and makes an exit.

  “Damn it. Arden, stay with Mackenzie. I’ll go calm her down.” He takes a deep breath and lets out a long sigh.

  As Kraus goes to follow June, Arden lands a hand on his shoulder, holding him back from leaving. “You know I can’t let you do that. I have to go with her. I’ll fix the mess you’ve gotten us into.”

  “I. Did. Not. Cause. This,” Kraus grits his teeth.

  “Well you sure as hell didn’t make it better,” Arden returns.

  They continue to bicker and I take that as my opportunity to back out and go. I don’t want to listen to everyone fight over my sister. She’s great and that's wonderful, but I’m done with it. Even if Arden and I only had a spark, and Kraus and I are completely fake... Being treated as the left over burden isn’t my M.O.