"Princess, Maximina" the captain of the kings guard, Lindsay greets me from exiting his quarters.

  "Hello, Lindsay" I say, following him when he gestures for me to follow.

  I shift in my uncomfortable dress, trying to loosen it, it feels somehow wrong on me, just as the name Maximina feels like a different person's.

  "what do you wish to speak about?" I ask

  "I'd like to talk to you about our most recent war meeting, and a decision the king made for you" he says

  of course, other people making decisions about my life, I imagine my expression is not very polite because Lindsay ughs.

  "don't worry, I think you'll like this one"

  "oh?" I say "please eborate"

  "well, because of recent assassination attempts on other kingdoms we're teaching you swordpy" Lindsay says, and he's right, I've been asking to learn fighting techniques since I turned seven.

  "really? and who are you expecting to teach me?" I ask trying to keep a neutral expression, though I hear the excitement in my voice.

  we stop outside a room I realize belongs to Sye, a future captain of the guard.

  "you'll see" Lindsay says grinning at me, I feel like spping him, he see's how I act around Sye.

  "i-its . . . seriously?!?!" I stutter very undylike, I'm not sure whether to feel dread or content.

  "SYE" Lindsay yells at the door "SYEEEEE"

  "what do you wannntttttttt" I hear Sye grumbled from the other side.

  "Are you decent?" Lindsay asks, the question seems irrelevant until after Sye responds

  "yeeeesssss, but don't you dare even think abou-" I didn't hear the rest of her sentance because Lindsay I kicked the door in.

  I look at the door and then Lindsay, back to the door, now staring at Lindsay.

  "should I just start becoming naked every time you pass by?!?!?!" Sye asks from her bed, though she's fully dressed in armor somehow she's ying down in a comfortable position.

  I look her up and down, she's gorgeous, as usual, dark auburn hair typed in a ponytail, skin the color of cinnamon and a spray of freckles that are adorable.

  her armor is bronze, to note her status, just as Lindsay's is gold, but hers looks almost fitted for her, though it probably was I couldn't help but love her careless beauty.

  "Hello, Maximina" she says, that's it. no title, I like that too.

  "H-hello to you to, Sye" I know for a fact that under my horrid makeup, my face is red "does Lindsay knock down your door o-often?"

  I mentally sp myself, why did I ask that?!?!? is she going to think I'm stupid or mean now?!?!?

  that was such a dim witted comment.

  please tell me she doesn't care if I'm slow, because I certainly just proved it.

  "yeah actually, he does it a bit to much for my liking" Sye gres at Lindsay and whispered something like "take a hint already"

  "probably something against that in the pace rule book" I then mutter under my breath "not that anyone else is required to follow it"

  "there is, he still won't stoppppp" She compined, not hearing my second remark.

  "shut up and listen already you two!" Lindsay says "Sye, you're training Maximina in sword fighting and self defense every Monday after luncheon"

  "okayyy so what am I supposed to say to Rowan then?" Sye said crossing her arms.

  "tell him to train with lieutenant Bradford for now" Lindsay says "he has too much free time"

  "Oof, that is not going to end well" she grabbed a pen and paper that had to do list and scribbled start fight between R & B

  "wait, so I can cancel my 'princessing one-o-one' css?" I ask, using air quotes when necessary.

  "yes, you can" Lindsay says "do you know where Prince Cass is?"

  Cas aka Cassander is my brother, everyone says we look alike, same bck hair, though his is closer to curly and mine only has a slight wave, and our eyes, mine are dark brown while his are light, everyone says they're identical all the same.

  I'm the oldest, a girl, which means our father has a choice of who to inherit his crown, if I were a boy there'd be no argument at all, I'd instantly have all the power.

  I somehow don't feel like either.

  "no, Cassander might still be in his room for all I know" I lie, mainly so I can leave, I never call him by his nickname because no one will even mention mine.

  I need to mentally prepare for the naming ceremony.

  "well, you can go back to yours if you wish" Lindsay says, I happily leave and speed walk to my room.

  I'm sure it will be me, I have better grades in strategy and manners and know how to get along with the public.

  father would never choose one that is unfit to be king, I was always the one deciding what to do when we were little, Cassander never wanted to rule, still always says I'll be better at it.

  it would be my worst nightmare to stay a princess all my life. never a queen.

  I sm the door to my room behind me.

  tomorrow morning I'll find out for sure who'll rule when father dies.

  I punch the shit out of my pillow and flop face first on it, getting up to change into my nightgown and getting back in.

  then, finally I sleep.