2. Myra

I try my best not to break down as I hug my sister. My father – standing next to us – clears his throat. I do not want to let my sister go, but father will tear us apart if I continue to hug her. Still, I can not force myself to fully let Carina go. Instead, I place my hands on her shoulders. This is the last time I can see her, touch her and I want it to last as long as possible.
It’s obvious we’re related, although she looks more like father than I do. They share light brown hair and blue eyes, whereas I, with my blonde hair, brown eyes and body that hovers over both of them, always felt a little out of place. Especially since my mother decided to stay away from us and the public.
I notice a maid tossing one of my plants – a jade plant – carelessly into the carriage.
“Careful.” I hiss. The maid quickly bows and apologises.
“Easy.”, she says, “She’s not the one responsible for this, Myra.” My sister is right, she always is. She has always been the more thoughtful, more clever, more loving sister.
I take my hands off my sister’s shoulder. I watch the maids carry more of my plants into the carriage. The last few days consisted of digging out half of the garden. It hurts, but it’s the only way I could manage to take everything with me. I can not have my sister with me, so this way I will have at least something to take care of. And I still would give up every single one of them if it meant keeping Carina by my side.
“Stop making such a face. The Prince surely will not be that bad.” My sister chimes through my thoughts. I frown.
I raise my hands in order to sign, but Carina catches them. She glances at father when she says: “Use your words, Myra.”
“Why is he”, I struggle to get the words out. Taking a deep breath, I mumble the rest. “Not married yet?” We are the same age. For royals it is unusual not to be married as soon as we turn sixteen. He goes to every social gathering he’s invited to. That makes me wonder how bad his reason for being unmarried can be.
“Why are you not married yet?” With all of my strength I try to not let myself look at her, but I can not help it.
My eyes find Alexandra instinctively. Olive skin, bushy eyebrows, thin, slightly opened lips and a wide jaw. She looks different from the last time I saw her. Still as beautiful although less lanky. Her chin length, deep brown hair is half up. The silvery armour on her is the same every guard in this castle wears, with only one difference. Over her shoulder lies a deep blue cloth, attached to her left chest with a brooch made out of the finest gold. I recognise the symbol immediately, a lily. The flower has stood as my family’s sigil since we have been on the throne.
My little sister clears her throat. I glance at her, and suddenly it washes over me. All the love I have for the most important person in my life. Without her, I would be all alone with a mad mother and a disappointed father. This is my chance to give her the life she always dreamed of; As soon as I’m married, suitors from all the four kingdoms will come, begging for her hand in marriage.
I straighten up. “Right.” I force myself to smile. “He can not be that bad. Can he?”
“That is what I wanted to hear.” She returns my smile with pinched lips and tears in her eyes. The second hug is tighter, warmer. A final goodbye. I cherish every second of it. Soon, I will have nothing but an entire kingdom separating us.