“Oh... you look so beautiful, honey,” my mom gushed, swiping some blush on my cheeks.

I grinned. “Thanks, Mom.”

She sighed. Her hands clasped in front of her. “I can’t believe this is finally happening. My little girl is finally becoming queen.”

I smiled. “I know! I’ve been training for this my entire life.”

My mom caressed my cheek. “I’ll see you outside hm?”

I nodded and she left, her long gown trailing behind her.

I looked in the mirror. My curly brown hair was tied up in an elaborate bun clasped with an emerald brooch. My chocolate brown eyes lined with eyeliner and lips coated in bold red lipstick. My gown a rich purple color with gold designs. Last but not least, I tugged on my golden gloves.

I was ready. To become queen.

I stepped out of the room and walked down the hallway to the coronation hall.

“Oof,” I gasped as I made contact with someone.

I looked up. My sister. Great.

She righted herself. “Rena,” she said to me, in her slightly mocking voice.

“Talia,” I nodded to her. She was walking past me, when I grabbed her wrist.

“Tally, listen,” her eyes widened, I was using my nickname for her from when we were kids, “I know... we haven’t been on the best of terms lately, but... I hope that we can put it behind us now.”

She just stared at me.

“You’re still my sister. And I love you.”

Talia stared at me for a moment and then nodded.

“Yeah... sisters,” she whispered and I thought I saw a flash of regret in her eyes. But, just as suddenly, it was gone.

Then, she slipped past me and left. I continued walking down the hallway to the huge double doors.

I heard the music and my father’s booming voice.

“Welcome,” it was saying, “to the coronation of Princess Rena!”

That was my cue. I wrenched open the doors and stepped inside. There was pin drop silence. Everyone stared as I walked by, my head held high.

I stopped in front of my father. He smiled at me.

“Rena Amelia Elizabeth Grant, you stand before me now as my heir. You seek to take up the throne of the leaders before you. My daughter, do you swear to guard the kingdom of Analtia and take care of its people?”

“I swear.”

“Do you swear to cast aside all selfishness and live only for the good of this kingdom?”

“I swear.”

My father grinned big and wide, tears in his eyes. Picking up the crown, he said “Then, on this day, I proclaim you th-“

Bang! Bang!

The room erupted in a flurry of yells and cries and gunshots. People running every which way, trying to get to safety.

But, I didn’t hear any of it. All I was focused on was the blood coming out of my clothes. I touched my stomach. It was covered in blood. I had been shot. I was dying.

I looked up into the eyes of my killer and gasped.

Talia.

I clutched my stomach and collapsed to the floor, unable to speak, my eyes asking only one question.

Why?

She looked at me, eyes full of regret and whispered one thing.

“I had to.”