There was no one in the world whom I despised more than him.

He made my life an
eternal misery just by being in my presence; the ruler of all the land was an entitled brat.
When the Barclay family took over America after the last World War, I had just finished
my last year of college. I thought I was free, or that's what he promised me. Topher and I were
friends throughout college, protected from service in the war due to our enrollment before the
draft had begun. He was quite the secretive person and never let much about his family slip out,
which I didn't mind because mine wasnt too great either. My family never cared too much about
anything besides political gain, using me as their pawn to gain this power. Before I had started
my sophomore year of college, I already had six men lined up to marry in case they died or lost
control. Topher knew this, however, about me and often talked about what he would do if he
were the leader, which I think about now, and it raises a high red flag.
It was the last day of college, and I was so excited for graduation, finally free to do what I
wanted with my life. After this day, I could get a job and leave my family for good, or so I
thought. I was sitting in the stadium's aisles, waiting for the ceremony to begin, when I heard it.
The royal trumpets blaring. We had known that democracy was no longer in the cards, and the
local leaders had decided on a sort of monarchy with some power still in the people's hands
through local and state officials, but I never knew nor cared who the family was that was in
charge. Until he walked in, Topher wearing a royal garb and crown. I didn't know whether to
laugh at him or stand in awe; the stand in awe was my choice.
His father, whom Topher never talked about nor mentioned was related to, walked onto
the stage and grabbed the microphone.
“Hello, fellow graduates of the Royal Academy; I am King Barclay, your new ruler.”
A gasp fell over my lips. I had seen this man in my house multiple times throughout my life, and
he was good friends with my father, which caused an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I knew he
wanted complete control over everything in the country but could not gain that without
overthrow, so he compromised. My father and I had discussed an alliance to gain political
control over the areas my father once ruled and for my father to be a part of his court. They
agreed.
I looked at Topher with betrayal in my eyes; he had heard me rant about my father and a
man deciding my fate and the fate of our country multiple times. It turns out the man was his
father and our now king. Topher would not even look at me, that brat; he owed me an
explanation for not telling me anything.
“I want to congratulate you on your excellent work throughout these four years here and
share some special information. You have all done a great job throughout these years and
proved that you are meant for something greater than normalcy can offer. Everyone here has
been handpicked to serve in the royal court,” I almost threw up. I never wanted anything to do
with royal life or politics in general, and I was not about to be a pawn to be tossed around when
our country needed something. The king continued with his ramble, “The men will serve as
either military officials, local and state leaders, or as ambassadors of the court. The women,
well, you will serve the court in a, well,” he paused, “special way.” I almost threw up again. This
was sexism and gross times a million; I had sisters who looked up to me and some coming of
age. A murmur emulated the emotions I felt throughout the crowd, and the king addressed it,
“No, no, not like that; I am more dignified in that matter. You ladies will serve as alliances to
other countries, ensuring they follow through on their end of the deal. Some of you also will
serve as undercover to help our military to make advances, and some of you will be the loyal
wives to the men on the court,” he said with a wink.
I looked over at Marissa, a friend I trusted almost as I did Topher. She looked unfazed by
the information like she already knew about the plan the king had just announced. A single tear
fell from my cheek. Betrayal was the only emotion I could place upon it. The king told each of us
what role we would play instead of handing us our degrees.
“Military general, congrats,” he said to a man I had recognized from class and shook his
hand.
“You have quite the skills to be one of my assassins,” he said to a girl who lived down
the hall from me. She also looked unfazed by this information, like she passed a test she was
studying for.
I stood in awe of the words coming out of his mouth until my name was called.
“Aurelia Brouilette, you have the dignified honor of being the wife to my son.” I looked at Topher,
who stuck his arm out to me as though I would grab it and easily take this position.
“Please just do this, and we can talk later,” he whispered. Such a coward, he was. I
grabbed his arm with an uproar from the audience, and I saw my parents with my siblings sitting
in the front row my mother crying. They never told me they were coming, let alone sitting in the
front row. Was this whole thing their plan all along? Was my friendship with Topher a lie and an
in for me to easily comply with this arrangement? Whatever the answer was, I would not comply
with anything, no matter what.
“Thank you, everyone, for helping to make this country a better place, and I thank you for
supporting me by being one of the first to graduate from my university,” his university? Before I
could even speak, I was escorted into a large SUV and seated across from my best friend.
“You have a hell of a lot to explain.” I stared daggers into a man I once loved.
“You never allowed me to say anything; it's not my fault your parents lied about this
place. I had given multiple hints that this was my father's institution created to train and help the
children of his political partners,” he couldn't even look at me that son of a .. “Besides, you dont
have to marry me, well, you do. Still, it doesn't have to be real,” I never claimed that Topher was
the sharpest tool in the shed.
“Topher, you were my friend, and this is bullshit, you know it. How often have I come to
you crying about feeling used by my family? This is just… this is the ultimate betrayal, but I will
cut you a deal,” got Topher’s attention. “I will marry you on one condition…..

Stay tuned for the rest of the story.