I got back with about an hour to spare until dinner. My mom knocked on my door. "Hey, whatcha doing?" She asked. "I was about to take a quick shower and get ready for dinner." I said. "You look happy, did something happen today?" I blushed.

       "You know this whole time here, I thought I wasn't going to make a very good queen, I just couldn't see the value that I would bring." I said. "And now?" She took a seat on the edge of my bed. "Now, I see all the amazing and wonderful things I can do. If only it's just a start." "What brought that on?" "A boy, and before you say anything I take this job very serious. I know that I'm supposed to marry a royal. I didn't go out looking for a boy, he was just sort of there. He showed me around the town and he's amazing." I said.

       "You like him?" My mother questioned with a knowing smile. "A lot, and it made me sad to think if had to marry one of the guys from the ball that I wouldn't really get love. I mean I know one day I'll probably make peace with it. But what if it's just a guy who wants the crown and we fight and we're bad for the country?" "That's not going to happen because you are smart, you are going to make the right choice." My mother said. "I hope so, but I was thinking. Do you trust me?" I asked. "Absolutely. Why?"

       "Well, I was thinking I could petition the courts and see if I could have the option to marry anybody I want. It's not so much about THIS boy as all boys. He may say 'you're a queen to be and you want me to be a king? heck no!'" My mom laughed quietly. "There is no way that is possible. You are amazing and any guy would be lucky to have you. You do what you think is best." She said. "So I have your support?" I asked. "Honey, you're gonna have to start making decisions for yourself. This is why they want you to be married so bad. They want you to have a built in support system. Don't back out of this, if I say I'm not sure it's a good idea. Do it because YOU think it's a good idea." She said. I nodded. "You're right." "Okay go shower, I'll see you at dinner soon." She said.

       I took a quick shower and put a dress on. I had asked Cathryn if I would have to dress this way when I'm queen. She giggled and said no that this was just how my grandmother was. Stuck in her ways. Sweat pants for the win. I didn't have time to let my curls air dry so I had to use the dryer with the diffuser. I put on some makeup and walked out. Twenty minutes till dinner now. I took a look at myself in the floor length mirror. 

       I cleared my throat. "Good afternoon. I am here for a very important matter. I would like it if you would consider making marriages between royals and non royals...a thing?"  Oh how that sounded stupid. I mean I work with Cathryn every day on my speech, you'd think I'd be better at this. "Royal Courts. We are gathered here today to join together the union of well...that's why were here isn't it? Of course you don't know that. Because I haven't told you what I wanted." Why is this so hard!?

       I tried a few more ways and realized it wasn't going to go any better so that I'd just wing it. This will most likely blow up in my face but at this point I had nothing to lose. I straightened my dress and headed down to dinner. I knew when the next meeting was. Friday. Which was good because if I needed to ask Daniel to marry me then it would give me time.

       The week was the same as normal. Meetings with Cathryn to learn things. A dress fitting. Although I did really like the idea of getting a new dress every week.  It felt very royal. Which I suppose I was and I needed to start getting used to it. If I walked in there very unsure of myself it might make people doubt that I would be a good ruler. And I was going to boss this thing.

       Friday morning I was dressed and standing outside of the room. The door was opened and only my grandmother was sitting. A few of the other members trickled in from the back doors. I stepped in hesitantly. "Come forward your highness." Said one of the members. "Thank you Lady Guinevere." I bowed to the Queen, she gave me a curt nod. This wasn't going to be easy. I mean especially since she didn't exactly like me. I'm sure she thought I was a screw up. But I really was trying. And I know what my dad said but maybe he was just trying to calm my nerves. And if she thought my idea was lunacy she'd never like me. I cleared my throat.

       "Hello, I would like to speak with you today about my upcoming crowning as queen. One of the requirements is that I marry. I am happy to do this as it is what is best for my country. But I would like to propose an option to marry someone who isn't a Royal." "Young lady, that just isn't the way." Said Lord Reginal. "I understand that sir, but when I got here I didn't know what I was doing and I was able to learn." I pointed out.

       "Yes, I suppose that is true, but with this rule you would be marrying someone we don't know and we don't know if he will have this countries best interest in mind." Said Duchess Alexandria. My grandmother put her hand up to stop all rebuttals. 

       "Dear Mackenzie. I know this hasn't been easy on you and you have learned a great deal. Much more than I thought you would. It has nothing to do with you, what we have asked you to do would be a lot for anyone. I am very proud of how far you've come but you just said so yourself. You had a lot to learn. And there is no way you can learn everything you'd need to know. I'll deny it if you tell anyone but I'm still learning things. You need to find someone who knows what they are doing so that you never miss a step. If you run into trouble he will be able to help you every step of the way. I do need you to know that I am very proud of you and you are exceeding all of my expectations in the best way. But my final answer is no. I hope you can respect that. I do so want you to find love and happiness but I feel this is the best choice for our kingdom." 

     I gave her a genuine grin. "Thank you, you are correct I don't like what it means, but I do trust you." I curtsied and left the room. I had a lot of thinking to do for the ball tomorrow. I could go back to the skate park and try to clear my head but was that the best idea? After what almost happened I wasn't so sure. I had wanted to kiss Andy badly but I knew deep down that was wrong. But I knew I needed to clear my head. So I went downstairs and took a walk in the garden. Rhett was watering a row of flowers.

       He turned around when he heard footsteps. "Hollo your highness, are you back for another kiss?" He winked. "Definitely not." I frowned. "Sorry, I was kidding. I was totally kidding." I sat down at the edge of the fountain and he joined me. "Tell me what's got that pretty face of yours all in a mess." He said. I sighed. "So you know how I have to marry a royal?" I asked. "Unfortunately I do. Is that a problem?" He asked. "Well yes and no." "Okay, you'll have to explain that to me." He squinted at me.

       "Well, I met a guy I really like. He'd be perfect as a husband and ruler. I petitioned the courts to see if they'd consider letting me marry him." "Oh that's big!" He said. "Right, but they said no." "Does this guy know how you feel?" He asked. "No, and I can't tell him. Not now. He might say ew. Or I like you too. And it can't happen ever so..." "So then what's the problem? If you can't be with him then it sounds like you have a decision to make. If you aren't going to ditch the throne for him then you let him go. You make the best of the situation." 

       I nodded. "Maybe you're right. And my dad left. I know he left for love. And I admire him for it so. Leaving would be so easy. I'd go home and go to college and marry a guy I go to school with and I could be happy. But that makes me feel like a huge coward. And the girl that's supposed to take over doesn't seem very nice. Could I go and let her take over? I mean on the one hand I know I deserve to be happy. And the guy that I'm going to ask, is nice. He is. And I think we could be happy together." "Then maybe that's what you need to do. What's best for your country. Look I know you didn't grow up here and to you most of us, we're strangers. But I believe that you would be a really good Queen and I would be honored to have you rule." He said.

       "Really? Thanks it's nice having your vote of confidence I'm definitely nervous. But you know what? When I got here I was NOT fit to be Queen. Now? I've almost got it. And I feel more sure of myself." "That's great. So we've heard rumors that the King and Queen are stepping down. But everybody is saying that someone else is taking over. Are you going to announce that it's going to be you?" He asked. "I mean I think the cat is out of the bag on that one. I did a few outings in town but Yes eventually we will do a press conference to make it office but what scares me is. I've been so worried about weather I could do this job or not. I never stopped to think if the people would even want me to do it."

       "Of course they would. We Believe in the code of honor. You are the rightful heir. I think the people will accept it. And besides I think were all ready for fresh blood anyways." "Are you trying to say my grandparents are stiff?" I asked He laughed hard grabbing his sides. "No, I'm saying that they are stuck in there ways and it 's not a bad thing. But I think they knew they were leaving. And so the need to do a whole bunch of new things didn't seem as important? I guess. I don't know. Sorry if it sounds like I'm dissing your family. I wasn't trying to." I giggled. "No, it's okay I understand. And thanks for listening and giving me something to think on." I said. "Hey, I told you anytime." I got up, thanked him again and then went to my room. I was mentally exhausted.

       But I think I knew I had to take over and be queen. So that meant giving up on Andy and marrying Daniel. And honestly it wouldn't be so bad. Daniel was nice and he was sweet. I could totally see my self falling in love with him one day. But it was the kind of love you have when you mutually respect someone. And we could give the people babies. An heir what have you. And we would rule happily. I would make sure of it. And I knew one day I'd forget about Andy.  It might take a bit but I would. We had already eaten dinner and it would getting late. I'd shower and try to get a good nights sleep.