Home > The Promised Prince

The Promised Prince
Author: Kortney Keisel


1

 

 

Renna

 

 

The Kingdom of New Hope

The Year 2259 - 200 Years After Desolation

 

 

Road trip.

Renna had once seen an old photograph in the artifact room back at the Government Center. The picture was a pre-Desolation advertisement for the Tetons, some mountain range that was probably destroyed two hundred years ago in an earthquake or by an atomic bomb. In the photo, a group of girls stood with arms around each other in front of the mountain, smiling like they were having the time of their lives. The blonde in the middle wore a shirt that said, This is my road trip shirt. Renna wished she could wear a comfortable road trip shirt instead of the tight-fitting travel dress that currently rode up on her waist.

She tugged at the dress—again—and stared out the window as the transporter drove along. Over the past few days, she had watched the coastal land of New Hope melt away into a sunbaked desert as they traveled southeast across the kingdom. Now, the arid landscape brightened to green plains, letting Renna know they were almost to their kingdom’s border. And closer to Wellenbreck Farm.

A knot pulled tightly in her stomach. She couldn’t travel this far and not stop at Wellenbreck. But the last time Renna had suggested they visit their old home, her mother had refused.

“We’re not staying at Wellenbreck,” her mother had said. “Can you imagine a princess sleeping there?” Her mother had wrung her hands as she shook her head. “No. No, we don’t want to give Seran any reason to think I wasn’t worthy of marrying her father.” Renna knew better than to challenge her mother when she was nervous—queen or not. She’d relented, even while determining to pick up the fight later.

Renna’s eyes darted to her mother in the seat across from her. This would be her last chance to convince her. The queen’s head leaned against the transporter’s door, smashing her brown hair and the regal twist it was tied in. Even while sleeping, her mother looked elegant. Next to Renna’s mother was her dark-haired stepsister, Seran. She read a book, clearly unphased by their travels.

Renna sighed loudly, hoping the sound would wake her mother.

It didn’t.

She tried shuffling her legs, knocking her mother’s feet slightly as she stretched and yawned in a high shrill.

Nothing.

The woman was out.

Frustrated, Renna leaned back into the seat, not missing Seran’s smirk from behind her book.

I’m going to miss my chance, Renna thought, shaking her head.

Suddenly, as if from heaven above, the transporter hit an unexpected bump. Probably the cement corner of a pre-Desolation house or part of a steel beam from a bridge or something. Whatever it was, it was too much for the transporter’s thick tires and built-in suspension. It threw Renna’s mother into the air, jolting her out of her coma; she gripped the door handle, glaring over her shoulder at the closed panel that hid the transporter’s driver from her wrath.

Her free hand covered her heart. “I swear, King Bryant will hear about how bumpy this ride to Albion has been. It’s time the Council of Essentials starts paving roads. Then travel between kingdoms would be easier and more comfortable.” She looked to Seran for support. “Don’t you agree?”

Seran paused her reading, giving her stepmother a sweet smile. “I agree that paved roads would make for a more comfortable ride.”

Queen Mariele seemed satisfied with the response, easing her hands to her lap.

Seran had a diplomatic answer for everything. Maybe that’s why Renna’s mother preferred Seran over her. But Renna couldn’t worry about that now. A stop to Wellenbreck Farm was a much more critical issue.

It was now or never. Renna straightened as she spoke. “Mom, I know you said the caravan was going to stay the night in the city of Vassel, but I think Seran would get more rest at Wellenbreck Farm.”

Seran eyed her curiously over the edge of her book.

“Oh, Renna. Not this again.” Her mother’s shoulders sank with an exasperated breath. “I already made my decision. We are not stopping at Wellenbreck. Seran isn’t interested in staying at our old home. Besides, it’s completely unsuitable for a princess.”

Renna was desperate to visit her old home; she hated to resort to manipulation, but desperate people did desperate things. “You’re probably right. The inn at Vassel, while old, would be better. And I’m sure it’s much cleaner than when we stayed there with Dad. When was that? Five? Six years ago?”

She could almost see the memory play back in her mother’s mind.

Renna turned to Seran who had put her book down, no doubt interested in Renna’s performance. “We only stayed there one night, so how could we really judge the cleanliness of the entire inn? I’m sure we just got a bad room.” Renna shrugged. “Or they just forgot to wash the sheets.”

Across the transporter, her mother’s body tensed with concern.

So close.

What else could she say to tip the decision in her favor?

“I don’t mind staying at Wellenbreck Farm,” Seran cut in. “It was your home before you married my father. It might be nice to see where you both come from.”

Renna shot a grateful look to her stepsister. How could her mother refuse Seran? She would never.

Queen Mariele scoffed. “There isn’t much to see. It’s just a simple house and farm. The Vassel inn will be much more comfortable for you, I’m sure.”

“No, really. I want to see Renna’s beloved Wellenbreck.”

Renna could see her mother weigh Seran’s words in her mind, but it wasn’t enough to make her shift her decision.

“Besides,” Seran added, “if the inn at Vassel has a history of being dirty, I could never be comfortable there. Cleanliness is crucial.”

Seran for the win!

The queen was silent for a moment. Finally, she let out a defeated huff. It was amazing the power Seran had over her. “Perhaps we should stay at Wellenbreck Farm. Nellie runs the house, and I know she keeps everything spotless.” She looked at Seran hesitantly. “It’s not a nice place, though. Nothing like what you’re used to.”

“It sounds perfect.” Seran smiled then raised her book again.

“But we’ll only stay at Wellenbreck Farm one night,” her mother stated, giving Renna a pointed look. Her gaze shifted to Seran and she softened, placing a gentle hand on her knee. “You can rest before our final descent into Albion so you’ll look fresh when we arrive at the palace. You don’t want Prince Ezra thinking you don’t travel well.”

Renna glanced around the vehicle to Seran and her mother, doubting that Seran’s mysterious fiancé would even think to notice whether she traveled well or not.

Queen Mariele pushed a button, rolling down the panel between her and the driver. “Mangum, send a guard on a personal transporter ahead to Wellenbreck Farm to inform Nellie and Preetis they need to prep the house for guests tonight . . .”

As her mother continued to rattle off instructions, Renna glanced at Seran and silently mouthed, “Thank you.” She couldn’t have convinced her mother without Seran’s help.

Seran dipped her chin in a nod then turned her attention back to her book.

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