Conquests within Forfeits. The Hemerwig Series

"I love the name of honor, more than I fear death." -Julius Caesar

Misty's POV

"Are you sure you're alright dear? You seem pale," Queen Lorelle tells me as we sit for tea. It's more like brunch with the whole family but it has a tea party feel to it. We are sitting outside with the birds chirping and although most of the Fire Elemental kingdom I've seen has been covered in pavement or cobblestone, back here it's nothing but lush trees, brightly colored flowers, and the sounds of nature.

The table we are around is beautifully decorated with a crimson table cloth and a centerpiece of sunflowers that brings another element of simplicity to the air. There are an assortment of treats from finger sandwiches to cookies, cakes to small pies, tea to lemonade, and bacon to scrambled eggs. Everything tastes wonderful and everyone is dressed perfectly, but I still can't place a sincere smile on my face. Braeden is at this table and I'm forcing myself to avoid his every gaze.

I decided to sit next to Colin and the Queen but because of this round table, I feel like his eyes are always on me. I hate this feeling. I feel like screaming at Braeden. I want him to feel the pain I'm feeling but I can't do that while remaining polite. I am the representative of my people after all and I don't want the cause of war to be because of my behalf.

"I'm fine. I didn't sleep very well last night," I tell the Queen. She nods her head in understanding before taking another sip of her tea.

"How are you fairing Prince Colin? You are almost of age to be crowned King. Are there any things you are ready to do?" King Braeden asks.

I sneak my first glance at Braeden and he seems to be in pain. He should be after the way he treated me. Braeden deserves to be tortured and left out at sea for the sharks to devour. Maybe then he will think before he hurts someone. I still don't understand what that girl had that I don't. She was curvy with longer hair by an inch and she was shorter than me. Does Braeden like short girls? Does he like thick girls? If that's the case, why would he lead me on like that? I didn't think Braeden could be that heartless.

But we did have an agreement. Braeden would please me if I gave him answers about my kind while in my kingdom. He was so gentleman like before. He was someone I thought-. Never mind what I thought. I know exactly who he is now. Braeden didn't even come to apologize to me. He's probably just sad because I ruined his chances with that whore last night.

"Improve the educational resources for my people. I plan on building a library on the south end and east end of my kingdom. Of course my plan includes a few new schools and scholarship programs," Col says and although that's a great plan, it's not one of my priority. I've discussed that education plan with Col and together we are determining when would be the best time to propose this idea to our council. It's something that needs attention but but my main goal as Queen will be creating more jobs for my people.

Because we Water Elementals are so secluded, my people don't have the freedom to travel to other elemental kingdoms for better jobs. That has given owners the ability to have lower working prices and have a higher profit. My people will revolt at this rate and I can't have that. Instead of the standard fishing and trading skills for most of my people, I hope to encourage options to become Physicians, Educators, Scientists, Crafters, and Musicians. My people need to grow in ways that previous generations couldn't begin to imagine.

"That's sounds like a great plan Prince Colin," Princess Desiree says with a smile that Col returns and Col, Princess Desiree, and King Braeden dive into a conversation about plans and the future. It's moments like these when I get jealous of Col.

Colin can talk so easily with people and they're willing to talk to him since he's the heir. I'm just a little princess waiting to be beneficial to my people. I have to be perfectly poised and beautiful. I have to be kind and gentle even when around the crudest of men. It's not fair, but when I become the Queen it will all be worth it. That's what I continue to believe in order to help me sleep at night.