Twelve

The delicious smell of food wafted through the air as Lila stepped into the dining room. Rows and rows of tarts, pancakes and other breakfast items lined the table. She took a seat on the right side of the table, one spot away from her Father. The empty seat had remained untouched as far as Lila knew, but it never bothered her. She had filled the Queen's role in the castle since she was little. Lila grew somber as she continued to stare at the chair next to her. My brothers would never dare take the throne. As long as my Father is king, he would never let two rule at once. I would die before I let this Kingdom collapse to another, even if that means taking the crown my Father wears now.

"Why are you so moody this morning, Lila?" Her brothers had arrived, seating themselves across from her on the left side of the table. Lila's heart still felt weighty, but she plastered a smile on her face.

"Just thinking," Lila said, offering no extra information. Blake and Zack looked at each other before turning back to Lila. Blake opened his mouth as if he was about to say something, but the door to the dining room burst open to reveal their father. The room fell silent as he entered, and the tension in the air was almost tangible.

"Good morning." He tried to hide it, but the king sounded almost gleeful as he sat down at the table.

"Good morning, Father," Lila as her brothers echoed, their gazes downcast. The King chucked and signaled the start of breakfast. He was in a suspiciously good mood, and the three of them knew it.

Blake bravely spoke up, "You seem happy today father. Is it a special occasion?"

"Why yes," The King seemed like he was about to burst with the need to announce it. "It happens that the royal tribunal will occur this year and because Lila has come of age, they have decided the winner of the contest will win her as well."

The delicious pastry Lila bit into seconds before felt like it turned to sawdust in her mouth as she processed the information. She felt her stomach drop in shock, the expression on her face mirroring those of surprise on her brothers.

"We will be leaving later today to the competition grounds."

"That early?" Blake blurted.

"I'm sure that's not a problem." The King coldly answered.

"Of course not, Father."

"Well, mostly everyone won't arrive until later this month," The King explained. "But we will have plenty of time to prepare." He rubbed his hands together as Lila exchanged worried glances with her brothers.

"How many are coming in total?" Lila carefully asked, dreading the answer. Her brothers both seemed to lean forward, staring intently at their Father as they waited for the answer.

The King paused briefly before breaking the news, "Twelve princes." Twelve. Lila felt dizzy as she sat there, feeling lost. I'll have twelve royals fighting for my favor. What kind of nightmare is this? Lila could barely handle a few men courting her, much less twelve. Most girls would love to have princes courting her, but Lila wasn't like the other girls.

She thrived on the adrenaline coursing through her when she slipped behind that mask to play her role, not knowing when she might be exposed. The freeing feeling of riding on the back of her horse, Blackout, through the night under the glow of the moon. Hand her any weapon, and she can assimilate a group of people without a thought. Acting like a defenseless, weak princess was just another role for her to play. But tying herself to a man for the rest of her life is something she can't even bear to think about. Lila wanted the freedom to go anywhere she desired, and that includes not being trapped in the house all day like a chained housewife.

"Please excuse me, I'm feeling a bit under the weather," Lila muttered, hopping up from the table. She rushed out of the room as fast as she could, and the rest of her trip back to her room was in a haze. When she finally closed the door to her room and locked it, Lila strode out onto her balcony and sat on the couch. Her mind was whirling with thoughts and the only thing she could do was sit there waiting for herself to finally accept this reality.

Her mind whirling, she grabbed on the railing and launched herself off, breaking into a roll as she landed on the soft grass below. Then, without a thought, Lila dashed into the forest her feet automatically heading along an unseen trail. This will help clear my mind, Lila thought, relieved to hear the familiar and calming sound of her footfalls running deeper and deeper into the forest.