Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 | Page 235

Royal Domination
St. Mary's Canossian College, Rilles, Anshley - 15
“I, Stella McPhelore, hereby claim my birth rights, as the Princess of Ravendelle, vow to maintain
prosperity, and make our kingdom a better place as I claim the throne.” just practicing for my coronation
day two years later. I've still got a lot to learn in these two years though.
I'll be a great queen someday, I'm sure of it. But there's just something missing… I want more. I want a
greater kingdom known to every nation out there, and I don't just mean fame, but run down more
kingdoms to bring supremecy to the McPhelores’ royal bloodline, and have it as the most respected amongst
all nations.
My mother, Emilia Delfin-McPhelore, was once Ravendelle’s highest commander of the crowns guard
when my father (William Georgio McPhelore) was still a prince. She sailed and travelled to different nations,
brought victory in every war, brought down other kingdoms to bring justice to Ravendelle and as to her
successes, she caught my father's attention. When my mother was pregnant with me, she received death
wishes and warnings from who knew where, wanting her to be gone. My father was very furious. He tripled
Ravendelle's security for my mother’s sake. But just the night I was born 19 years ago, she was assassinated.
My father fell into depression and never speaks of it again, never left Ravendelle. My father is a very lovable
man, but turns furious whenever I start talking about these things.
“My dear, it has brought misery to me seeing you being restricted in doing what you love. You know well
that I’ve done all those for your own safety but seeing you sad is like being stabbed through the heart as a
father. Your happiness is the most precious thing for me. You have my permission to leave.” I was shocked
to hear my father say all of this when I approached him.
The day finally came when I would be departing from Ravendelle. I hugged my father one last time, his
whisper, “walk tall, my daughter” would be the finest memory I'll ever bear. It distresses me to leave my
father behind. I would not cast worries for his safety had been in the hands of his assistant Antonio. His son,
Jared, is my assistant and best friend.
I finally came to my first destination, the great city of Albhamia, kingdom of assassins where Arthur
Skavinski the prodigious son rules over. Though this kingdom cannot be the one whose idea was to kill my
mother, for Arthur was only a 5-year-old ruler of this great city with strong laws. It is extremely dangerous
to be here yet I’m ready for everything that will occur in the battle. Ruling over this kingdom would be a
great privilege for me.
It was so quiet like they could just pop out or shoot at anyone of us in the ship at any second. There, the
fight began. As I pulled out my sword ready to fight, Arthur jumped in to my ship and fought against me.
The way Arthur and I possess the same strength in combat brings such mystery in my mind. Was it his
fullest power or was he just holding back? Whatever it was, I had no clue. He raised his sword over mine
with great power that my sword flew off and I fell to my knees. I looked back to my people, watched them
struggle as they fought, then realized it was my fault. I had to let them down. Oh father, you were right. I
was too ignorant.
Arthur stared at me with confusion. He asked “tell me princess, what made you think you could trespass in
my kingdom like this? You have plenty of men but it won’t be enough to stop us from finishing you all.” I
looked up and said “all I wanted was to do as what my mother did when she was still alive, how she brought
power to Ravendelle and I want to revive that. I want to restore the power that was lost in Ravendelle, and
bring honor to my mother. But you’ve proven me wrong. I understand your desire to finish me off and I
won’t stop you.”
He was speechless. His pause captured the attention of everyone. They all stopped and stared at us. Arthur
kneeled and said “Stella, don’t blame yourself in all this. I myself wanted to find who killed my parents, but I
needed to rule Albhamia myself ever since. I told myself that someday, I will kill that person who killed my
parents when I was born. For that, I will join you on your journey.” He ordered his men to ready another
ship for they’ll come with us as allies. I was relieved and felt ecstatic.