{"id":7841,"date":"2023-03-31T12:43:30","date_gmt":"2023-03-31T16:43:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/?p=7841"},"modified":"2023-03-31T12:43:32","modified_gmt":"2023-03-31T16:43:32","slug":"a-royal-quest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whitefire-publishing.com\/read\/a-royal-quest\/","title":{"rendered":"A Royal Quest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Melody Carlson<\/a> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two princesses\u2026one crown. The royal twins have battled it out for almost eighteen years, but Princess Heather is firstborn and her ailing father\u2019s first choice to inherit his throne. Princess Rose is not a bit pleased, and the Kingdom of Raspen is not in good shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before Heather takes on the kingdom responsibilities, she is determined to venture beyond the palace gates to see how her people really live. To do this, she chooses to disguise herself as one of them and, accompanied by her royal instructor and his son, sets out, hoping for a memorable adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her well planned excursion quickly unravels when she is separated from her traveling party by bandits. \u2018Aided\u2019 by a handsome but mysterious young man, her journey grows even more perilous. By the time Heather makes it back to the kingdom, everything has been turned upside down by her sister\u2019s rivalry and Princess Heather\u2019s biggest battle has just begun.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Chapter 1<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t

Heather found her father, the highly respected King of Raspen, in his tattered dressing robe, seated in his shabby easy chair, on the terrace outside of his Royal Chambers. With his chin tilted upward, his face lit by the morning sunshine, he appeared healthy and confident\u2014the way he\u2019d looked before his health had deteriorated in the past few months. For a moment, she could almost imagine that he was well and whole, ready to rule his empire for another twenty years or more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat a lovely morning.\u201d Heather planted a kiss on his creased brow. \u201cAnd it looks as if you\u2019ve eaten most of your breakfast, Father. Good for you.\u201d She plucked a leftover strawberry from a crystal bowl and popped it into her mouth. \u201cAre you feeling better today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am trying to be well.\u201d He frowned as he patted his chest. \u201cI have heeded the Royal Physician\u2019s advice, taken his herbs and treatments. My primary goal is to last long enough to see my daughters\u2019 eighteenth birthday. And then, when the time is right, to place the crown upon your fair head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOh, Father.\u201d She tried to keep her voice light. \u201cDon\u2019t worry. You\u2019ll be here to celebrate out birthday. You\u2019re going to get well soon. I just know it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He looked out at the rolling fields, green with spring grass and wildflowers, but Heather could see his gaze was farther away. \u201cI hope you are right, dear daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course I\u2019m right.\u201d She patted his shoulder, wishing he didn\u2019t feel so frail beneath his robe. \u201cKeep following the physician\u2019s directions and getting good food and sunshine, and by midsummer you will be your old self again.\u201d She was aware her father had been discussing his future with Sir Edward and the rest of the council, planning for when he was gone. But she never liked to hear of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know you don\u2019t want me to speak of this, Heather. But there is the chance you will be ruling as queen before you are twenty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwenty is a long way off, Father. We have plenty of time to discuss this later.\u201d She knew, based on her lessons with Sir Edward, that her father was doing all in his power to prepare her for leadership. And that would happen\u2026someday. But today, she wanted to be free. Still, he needed reassurance. \u201cBut just so you know, I will do my best when the time does come. You have taught me well, Father. And, hopefully, years from now, I will make you proud.\u201d She picked up another strawberry, examining it in the sunlight before biting into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A faint smile played on her father\u2019s lips. \u201cI know you will make a fine queen, Heather. I can feel it in my tired old bones.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She sat down on the footstool beside him and, taking his pale, wrinkled hand in her own, she attempted to rub warmth and life back into it. Apparently, she was not going to get away without having this talk. Again. No one besides Heather and the Royal Physician\u2014not even Rose\u2014knew of the king\u2019s real condition or that his illness might be serious. Still, she refused to give up hope. She wasn\u2019t ready to be queen. She wanted Father to get better. She wanted to go riding with him again, to visit the archery range, to go on a hunt next fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI want to believe you are right, Father\u2014that I will make a good queen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCertainly you will. Sir Edward always brags about you, my child. You are his most promising pupil.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather controlled the urge to roll her eyes. Sir Edward had only three pupils, and one of them was Rose. The other was Sir Edward\u2019s son, twelve-year-old Luther. \u201cSir Edward is a good teacher and a wise advisor, but I still feel uncertain, Father. I\u2019m not sure I\u2019m ready to take your place\u2014to rule Raspen the way it should be ruled.\u201d She wanted to add that she wasn\u2019t ready to stand up against the Royal Council. Sometimes she wondered if her father stood up to them enough. Especially when he was ill. But she wasn\u2019t about to mention that now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy worst fear, my daughter\u201d\u2014he let out a long, sad sigh\u2014 \u201cis that I have not left you an easy kingdom to rule.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She tilted her head to one side as she gazed out beyond the terrace, out over the wall and toward the village where most of the residents seemed happy and peaceful. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI fear I\u2019ve been neglectful. It began when your mother passed away and grew worse when my health began to falter. I fear that I left too many of my duties to others.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut that is why you have your Royal Council, Father. Certainly they have cared for your concerns. After all, they are wise and learned men.\u201d She knew this was only partially true. Most of them had the kingdom\u2019s best interests at heart. Especially Sir Edward. But she didn\u2019t trust all the councilors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not so sure I should tell you this.\u201d He lowered his voice. \u201cI don\u2019t like to say it, Heather, but I am not convinced we can continue to trust the Royal Council.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat are you saying?\u201d She stared at him, curious if he were about to declare what she\u2019d suspected for the past several months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am saying that I\u2019ve decided to remove two councilmen. I plan to see to it today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTwo councilmen? Really?\u201d Heather had a good hunch which two Father meant, but she wanted to hear him say it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy Council Head and the Royal Treasurer.\u201d He stared out the window, but his empty gaze wasn\u2019t taking in any of the view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSir Rupert and Sir Barnaby.\u201d She grimaced. \u201cThat will not be easy, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI know\u2026but it must be done\u2014and before you become queen. I wish I\u2019d done it sooner, my dear.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDo you want me to remain here, Father? To stand by you when you make these announcements?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNo!\u201d He shook his head. \u201cIt will be better if you are not part of this, Heather. Best if you are far away. If Rupert and Barnaby wish to protest, and I fear they will, let their actions fall on my head.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAre you certain?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He nodded. \u201cIt strengthens my heart to know I will see to this nasty piece of business before you are crowned.\u201d He patted her hand. \u201cI only hope that it is enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnough?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure. It\u2019s possible that Rupert and Barnaby have poisoned others.\u201d He sighed. \u201cI believe you can fully trust Sir Benjamin and Sir Gordon. They are both good men. And, of course, Sir Edward can be trusted implicitly. But as for the others, time will tell.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She was relieved that Father was this aware. And perhaps cleaning out some bad councilors would prove to be good medicine. Maybe this meant he was ready to rule with the authority of the throne.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat I can say for certain, Heather, is that you must see with your own eyes, you must hear with your own ears, and you must think with your own mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat else would I use, Father?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He smiled sadly. \u201cYes, exactly. Although you have good council in Sir Edward. That is a reassurance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPerhaps Sir Edward would agree to become head of the Royal Council.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s an excellent idea.\u201d His smile brightened. \u201cAnd that is why I feel the monarchy will be in good hands\u2026when I am gone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She squeezed his hand and looked into his eyes. \u201cFather, you must<\/em> hold on. And follow the physician\u2019s directions. I will need you to guide me, to prepare me for the day when I take the crown. In the meantime, I hope I can be of help to you\u2026to rule our people together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He just nodded, but his pale blue eyes looked doubtful and tired and worried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMaybe I should forget this trip,\u201d she said. \u201cI won\u2019t go after all. The timing is all wrong, and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He shook his head again. \u201cYour plan to explore our regions is a wise one, Heather. I will admit, I didn\u2019t think so at first. But I do want you out among our people. I want you to see and hear what is happening with the farmers and the tradesmen. In the villages and the towns.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I hope to do, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He gazed out over the landscape. \u201cI regret I did not do this myself. You have my blessing, dear child. Go on your journey.\u201d He placed his hand on her head. \u201cThis is my present for your eighteenth birthday. I hope you\u2019ll enjoy it. I pray it will help prepare you for the day you accept your royal responsibilities. Have a grand adventure.\u201d His eyes lit up, making him appear younger and healthier. Perhaps he was improving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather grinned. \u201cThank you, Father. It will be the grand adventure I\u2019ve looked forward to for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat did your sister say about it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her smile faded. \u201cWhat do you think she said?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNever mind that. We knew she wouldn\u2019t approve.\u201d He rubbed his whiskered chin with a thoughtful expression as he looked out over the gardens. \u201cI still remember the day you two girls were born. Almost eighteen years ago, on a day much like today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpringtime was unseasonably warm,\u201d she filled in for him. How many times had she heard this story? \u201cBoth the heather and the roses were in bloom at the same time that year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right. I named you, my firstborn, for my favorite plant. The hardy and resilient heather that so bravely springs forth\u2014sometimes even while the snow is still on the ground. You are my strong child, my Heather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heather nodded. \u201cAnd Mother named Rose for her favorite flower.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The king gave a rueful smile. \u201cA lovely bloom, the rose. But it has its thorns. And, as you know, your dear sister can be prickly too. I\u2019m afraid she has never gotten over being the second born.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDon\u2019t I know it.\u201d Heather grimaced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou understand that she envies you, don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnvies me? She hates the way I live, Father. She thinks I\u2019m unfashionable and unprincessly, and she\u2019s certain I will make a terrible queen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He let out a quiet chuckle. \u201cThat\u2019s because Rose doesn\u2019t understand what\u2019s important in a ruler. She never has. That is why I\u2019m so thankful you were the firstborn, Heather. You were born to rule Raspen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will do my best, Father. In the meantime, I should go.\u201d She looked out to where the sun was moving higher in the eastern sky. \u201cI hate to leave you, but I did promise Sir Edward that I\u2019d meet him at the outer stables by midmorning, and it\u2019s getting late.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, yes, do not let me detain you with my old reminiscences.\u201d He reached into a pocket of his dressing gown and removed a golden ring with a large sapphire stone circled by diamonds. For as long as Heather could remember, Father had worn this ring. It was the Royal Ring of the Kingdom of Raspen. \u201cThis is for you, dear daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s your ring, Father.\u201d She stared at the gleaming stone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He removed a gold chain from his pocket, carefully threading it through the ring. \u201cThis will be your<\/em> ring from this day forward\u2014for as long as you live and rule. Keep it with you at all times, my child. It is the sign of the kingdom and of my\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut, Father\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI insist. I do not want you to go on this journey without it, Heather. Do you understand me?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded. \u201cYes, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTip your head toward me, Daughter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She leaned forward, waiting as he slipped the sturdy chain around her head, feeling the heavy thud of the ring against her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you, Father.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He lifted a trembling hand and pressed his finger against her forehead. \u201cBless you, Princess Heather. Take the authority of Raspen with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will.\u201d There was a long silence as they both sat there in the sunshine. Heather looked away and blinked back her tears. She wanted to appear as strong as her father believed her to be, but at the same time, she felt like a little girl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBe careful out there,\u201d he said. \u201cHeed the advice and warnings of Sir Edward. He has your best interest at heart. And I do recommend you appoint him Head of the Royal Council. He may be unwilling at first. The good man prefers his books to politics. But I\u2019m sure you can convince him. Whatever his role, Sir Edward is to be depended upon. He\u2019s my dearest and oldest friend, and I entrust him with your life, my child.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She nodded. \u201cPlease, don\u2019t worry. I have great respect for Sir Edward. I\u2019ll heed his counsel as if it comes from your own lips.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her father\u2019s eyes brightened. \u201cI am glad to hear that young Luther is going on this expedition with you. For a boy of twelve, he has a fine head on his shoulders. Someday he will make a wise advisor on your Royal Council.\u201d His expression turned grim again. \u201cEven in his youth, Luther would be far preferable to Rupert and Barnaby.\u201d He waved his hand. \u201cBut never you mind about all that. I will see to these changes before the sun goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cSpeaking of the sun.\u201d She peered at the sky again. The sun was already over the treetops. \u201cI should be on my way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cGod go with you, Princess Heather.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She reached out to embrace him as she kissed him goodbye. And then, sensing he was as close to tears as she, Heather stood and turned away. Without looking back, she walked from the terrace and exited his chambers. She was barely down the hall when she was assaulted by waves of guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Was she wrong to leave her father like this? His health was fragile, but perhaps dealing with those crooked councilors would make him feel stronger. More in control of his kingdom. Besides, Heather wanted to prove her sister wrong. This trip was not<\/em> selfish. It was part of her education and an important preparation for the day she would rule Raspen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, this escapade was as much for Father\u2014and for the kingdom\u2014as for herself. And, really, what would be the harm in having a bit of fun along the way? Chances were, it would be her last time for such adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n