Pleasing The Queen: Epic Fantasy Romance Short Story

By Selina Coffey

With Ellieth married to Savin, the Elven prince, Alina is now in line to inherit the throne. She doesn't give it much thought...until a tragic accident takes both of her parents and forces her to ascend the throne at the age of eighteen. Now Alina is relying on old school lessons she always hated as she struggles to keep the merchants and nobles happy, and ensure the prosperity of the human kingdom. But although Alina displays a natural talent for politics, she is still grieving her parents and she is desperately lonely. The nobles jostle for position endlessly, Ellieth's visit home will soon end, and when Alina sees her sister's marital bliss, she is reminded that she has no one to rely upon. When her advisors start hassling her about marrying, Alina is only too happy to consider their suggestions. Unfortunately, they only have one candidate, and it's a man she despises - and as Alina tries to consider other men for her consort, her advisors become increasingly threatening. Soon, Alina wonders whether her advisors have the best interests of her country at heart...and whether the death of her parents was even an accident.

 

Author's Note: This is a 10,000 word short story. Story contains mature language and themes, intended for adults only

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lovy Books Ltd
• Release date: Aug 27, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223789222

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

It doesn’t seem real, Alina whispered.

Oh, my dearest… Ellieth reached out to take her sister’s hand. Her fair hair was caught back in a golden circlet, the gown of black leaching all color from her skin until she looked like a ghost. The weeks spent in the Elven stronghold after her marriage had made her pale, and the shock of their parents’ death only accentuated it. Will you be… her voice trailed away.

I’ll be well, Alina said, trying to be brave. Her elder sister was worried, as her parents would have been if it had been someone else’s death. And Alina did not want anyone to worry over her. It was her parents who deserved sympathy, not she. She was alive, and they…

Unexpectedly, a wave of anger swamped her. How could they have been so careless as to go riding together near the Frial River at this time of year? The banks were treacherous, the waters rapid and swollen with snow melt, and her parents had brought no one with them, no one at all. For all their years of telling Ellieth and Alina to be careful, to safeguard themselves as heirs to the throne, their parents had not shown the same caution.

What is it? Ellieth asked, coming to stand beside her sister.

With a start, Alina realized that she had gone to the little altar at the side of the room, and that she was staring at the portraits of her parents, placed there by a friend to help her pay her respects. In the immediate aftermath of their death, she had hardly stirred from her bed for days, thinking that Ellieth must return and fix this. Ellieth would know what to do. Alina was only the younger daughter.

It was only when Ellieth arrived home once more, accompanied by her Elven husband, that Alina realized the courtiers’ words were true. Ellieth had ceded all claim to the human throne. She would not be able to fix anything. It was up to Alina to lead the country through this shock, a fact that had been made even more brutally clear by the coronation worked into the funeral.

It has always been thus, Ellieth said as she put the final touches on Alina’s gown.

It’s barbaric, Alina said simply. "A coronation should be a celebration."

A coronation needs a death. For a moment, they were just sisters again, bickering. And then they remembered what they were bickering about, and both their faces fell.

"I can’t do this," Alina had pleaded, and Ellieth took her by the shoulders.

You will be a kind Queen, a wise Queen. I promise you that you can do this.

But the panic had not receded as they spoke the final prayers for her parents, and it had not receded as Alina was led to the throne. When the priest settled the heavy crown over her brow, she felt only the rising surety that this must be a dream.

I can’t do this, she said again. She looked up at her sister. Ellieth, you must stay. We’ll find a way for you to stay. You’ll be Queen.

I can’t be Queen, Ellieth said gently.

You’ll be Queen in all but name. They’ll accept you. You’ll tell me what to do.

Alina… Ellieth turned and took her sister’s hands in her own. You are more capable than you know. Do you remember our lessons when we were children? You were always cleverer than me. You thought it so unfair that I would take the throne instead of you—and it was. You knew more about our land and its history than I did, and you always understood trade. A shudder recalled what Alina remembered was Ellieth’s least favorite topic. Follow your heart, dearest. Take time to think, alone, and you will make wise decisions.

"I wish you could