We ride the car in silence, my thoughts wander to what awaits me in the communities, twiddling my fingers as I assess all sorts of possibilities running vividly in my mind. And what I am to say before the press and the people of my kingdoms land. Dark green trees whipping past the car, along with the earthy green of the grass, each passing figure only further pushes my anticipation.

Time creeping in closer, ensuring the inevitable, but the weight of every faith is rested in my hands -- I glanced down to look at my palms. -- I could not, and I will not fail the innocent, for if I did. My vision began tunneling as I was overtaken by a sudden tremble, and I become nauseated glancing down to my trembling fingers, watching a crimson liquid coat my palm. Oozing down my hand, trailing down my wrist. I lifted my hands higher, watching the crimson liquid trail down to my forearms.

I deeply gulped as I inhaled, knowing this illusion of blood was all in my head, yet the sensation it brings felt so real, justifying the burden I would be carrying If I slip, a burden caused by my so-called husband. And the false accusations that will follow, surely leading everyone to point fingers at me.

I could not win; I never was given the chance, ever since my birth I have been marked and thrown into an abyss where everyone pretends to throw me a ladder. My nose stung as my eyes brimmed with light tears, the path I walk is always bumpy, and everyone around me seeks for my downfall; despite knowing they need me.

"Is everything alright?"

I jolted, dropping my arms, hovering my glossed eyes up to the rearview reflection where his eyes were already on mine exhaling cooly as I muster up my nerves.

"I -I am ok, Thank you. Just a little bit nervous is all." I managed, telling no lies. But under his eyes enhanced the skittish demeanor.

"Shall I park the car for you?"

I lowly giggle, charmed by his consideration, but the sooner I can make it to town, then this hellish moment I am enduring can diminish. "No, thank you." My voice is shying away, a mere whisper against his resonant one.

I shrink in my seat as his eyes still linger on me, moments ago I was worried about how I will appear before the people of the land, and now I am cowering from the glares of my handsome driver.

"Something still troubles you, my queen."

A statement more than a question.

"No, really I am ok."

His hard eyes relax, as if he was amused by my skittish behavior, was he aware? or was I just not hiding it well enough. Then from the distance I avert my eyes to what looks like a crowd of people, gathered in one, after driving for what felt like hours, I have arrived in a community of thousands. Flashes of white light snapping pictures by men in suits, women with sunhats and sundresses mingle amongst each other, and the men with fresh attire and haircuts.

Two little boys run out from nearby bushes and divert their eyes to the approaching black car, and as his little eyes survey the crest of the Royal initials he points over and screams something inaudible, garnering the attention of all.

My chest races as all the judgmental eyes flick over. The men with the cameras race forward with microphones in hand, flocking around like hungry birds to bread, most of them even jumping before the car in hopes to get a glimpse of me.

My bodyguards hand tightened around the steering wheel, his aggravation loud and I could not blame him.

My heart hammers away but keeping my stoicism as he finds a stable parking, and shifts the gear, and our gaze meet once again in the rearview mirror.

I panicked and fluttered my eyes away to the herd of people aside the windows, attempting to look into the car.

"Just give me a few seconds." I stagger.

"Take as long as you need my queen, I'll always be at your side regardless."

A hint of serenity pinched at me, and I glance up to him, again moved by his endearment to my time.

"I just wished I didn't have to be here and face them." I sighed in frustration, aggravated by the men with cameras attempting to open the door. "It still has not dawned on me yet, that I am now Queen, the day I dreaded passed a couple of days ago, and many been upset."

Silently he listened to me, soaking in every word despite the chirps of the men outside.

"The crown was yours ever since birth my Queen. The days can go on forever, but your legacy starts now, you hold every power whether anyone likes it or not."

In thought I gaze in distant, soaking in his every word.

"And do forgive me for saying this." He continues. "In the end, it is you who wields the crown, the power is yours, and you word is law."

I nodded, "Yes. Yes, it is."

"Then my Queen, remind yourself of your place, and remind them of theirs."

My heart skips a few beats and my lips part in the process, struck by the way those words were inputted, a familiar memory configures itself in the back of my head, forcing me to open an old chapter of my life from my earlier days.

Me and Nasir, under that blooming tree, my crown slipping from my hair while I was crouched down, knees to chest, and my head buried into my folded arms. The memory of why I was crying itself wasn't even a thought, but I knew I faked many, because it was always him sitting beside me as he hugged my body, is what made the moment so placid. His tiny fingers featherily brushing my curls from my face, reminding me how important I was, and how he was grateful we were friends, and on a special day, is when he spoke those very words.

At that time, we were the same height, and He lifted my cheeks, I gaze at him through the blur of my teary eyes before for blinking the blur away. His cheeks the usual mud stains, and the chap of his lips. But his curls were always neat, the strands of his hair so sleek. With his thumb he smeared my tears and angle my head towards him and said those very words that stuck with me throughout my adult life and has since been my drive to fight for my throne.

"Remind yourself of your place Tiana and remind them of theirs."

Years have passed and a wake burns in my veins as I gaze into the familiar-colored eyes when I was disrupted by a knock. Aside me was my butler Patrick who had made the journey with himself along with two other guards, in his crisp green attire he stands and waits for me to descend the car, turning his gaze towards the crowd as the other two guards make way.

I reach my settlement and cooly exhale, now empowered, and I adjust my crown, once more flicking my gaze over to my bodyguard one last time.

"If it is ever too much," he says. "I'll be right at your side."

***

I am greeted with subtle claps and cheers, but mostly met with looks of scorns, their judgmental eyes scrutinizing my every move, down to my attire. The men are scattered around me as I walk to the microphone. Quick flashes of light blinding my eyes, but he was there to catch me If I felt like slipping, until I am rounded to the stand. A warming ray of sunlight casts down upon the green horizon where the elites and cameras stood for my statement.

Patrick and the other guards stood distantly to the right, and he stood closest to me on my left, his hands clasped together in front of him as he diverts his eyes towards the crowd.

"My queen?" Came a voice of the man through the speaker and I avert my eyes, redirecting it to the crowd, even finding a few that were familiar.

"Y-yes." I choked.

A few eyes follow what garnered my attention, their expressions sour before they look back at me in question.

The men with cameras and microphones move forward, and my speech begun, while clearing my throat.

"Good day to all who are amongst my Queendoms land, as you all are aware there was an atrocity committed in my castle. Bishop Harry Léonard Alexander hemisphere asphalt II was found dead during my coronation ball. My heart grieves for this lost, for Bishop Harry Léonard Alexander hemisphere asphalt II was a great friend of our royal family, his kindness and generosity --"

I'm continuously distracted by the clicks of the cameras zipping shots, the white lights flickering on my eyes while a few of the elite's gossip in the background.

I clear my throat, reminding myself who it is they bow to in the end.

"I will wait until the conversations over there are complete."

And within seconds, the chatting ceases and they bow apologetically under the glares of those around them.

"As I was saying." I clear my throat, straightening my back. "He was a dear friend of my fathers, and I have known him since I was a child, he was there every step of the way and even showed up to my first steps. His life on this earth have been inspiring, and he has touched many lives. I am sad to bid him a farewell, especially in such a horrid way, but rest assured for his family and children will be compensated, thank you all once again for being present to my coronation."

My speech ends, and I am greeted with light applause. The hard part was done and now all there is left to do is --

"My queen." A man shouts.

Just as I was headed towards my bodyguard, I stop and twist. A man with dark hair and brown eyes, in his mid-twenties.

"Yes." I respond, heading back to the microphone.

"How do you feel, knowing in just three days of being Queen, a man you claim to be a father figure to you, passes?"

The crowd murmurs, and I gulp, discreetly gliding my eyes over to Patrick who trained me of this day before I headed to bed.

"Like I have stated, just thirty-five seconds ago he was a dear friend of my fathers, and I have known him since I was a child, his death is devastating to me and my Queendom."

"I see. But the Queen is supposed to oversee all food and beverage correct, why is it this one slipped by you?" There was a ghost of smirk on the man's face as he blended into the murmuring crowd, locking eyes with me.

"I was being coronated, and getting married, in one day. But my husband and I have checked beyond the kitchen, and everything was alright."

"Alright?" he emphasized, "So are you saying there are possible mishaps that you are not aware of?"

The murmuring crowds nod in agreement, sparking a conversation.

"And my queen, why is it the king has disappeared knowing he is to make a press conference?" A woman shouts.

"Not even three days have passed and tragedy."

They all begin to speak at once, and the grip of their attention begin to slip from my grasp, the clicking cameras begin to aggravate me.

"Gunter was well spoken yesterday." A man howls in the distance and my fingers involuntarily twitch.

Of course they'd be good to him.

Defeat begins to consume me and my shoulders slouch. As if I was being stoned, they throw in cruel words and diminish my title as Queen, my fingers tremble violently, and my eyes were starting to see black. I was on the verge of collapsing, when I flick my gaze over to the man on my left, there he stood, illuminating under the sun like an angel with his head down. Tall and strong, and for the seconds I gazed at him, I pictured myself in his arms so he could carry me out of this crowd.

As if he felt my gaze, he slowly lifts his head up, and as our eyes met, I suddenly was bestowed with the strengths of a million warriors. Something in his eyes sparked a power and before I knew it, my crown was adjusted, and my back aligns.

"Surely you know better than to speak over your Queen." I say in the microphone, summoning an immense silence from all, even the clicks of the camera. "You greeted my husband yesterday with open arms. I am your Queen, feel free to love me or hate me, but you will respect me."

The smirk etched on the man's face, slowly disperse.

"Excuse me for sounding arrogant, however even children know when to behave properly, I expected more from actual adults. Set an example. Now I will repeat myself, since none of you obviously heard what I said, so please pay attention. Our dear friend has passed away, not even a week ago and the first thing you do is point fingers rather than come together, like the friends he all thought you were, and celebrate his life properly. He was a father figure to me, and his family will be greatly compensated, this will not bring our dear friend back, but he can rest well knowing his family is cared for."

At the end of my sentence, I gaze around, finding anymore scornful looks, but now I found none.

"And you need not to worry of my father. I am your Queen now, and Gunter is your king until the next generation is born." A bile claws up my throat, acknowledging my future, with him and children. "My father has reached the age; he is now the old king. So, he wouldn't have showed, I am sure you all know that. But I excuse his absence."

Only the sounds of the chirping birds puncture the silence, neither one speak up, neither one question, they all peer down and around, but my eyes find the hard eyes of the man. The sharpness of his eyes feels like daggers, but I don't look away.

Gunter has charmed them easily, climbing up the ladder so easily, whereas I struggle to climb a mountain, and even then, I will not be seen the same as Gunter. Despite he is who he is, because of me.

"Once again thank you for attending the ceremony, and I hope to see you all again in the future."