The arrival of Helena Amira Matilda Xanthippe, Princess of England, was met with great distress and sorrow. The celebrations were ceased, although church bells rang but for few minutes, a holiday was ordered by the young princess's father- the King which was expected.
"We," the servants whispered amongst one another, "were expecting a baby boy."
For Helena Amira Matilda Xanthippe would not only spend her life as the Princess of England but as a soon to be leader- a position which many frowns upon. People believed that it is not right for the royal family to be ruled by a woman- a woman who is of mixed color as a matter of fact.
Helena Amira Matilda Xanthippe---- the baby who is in possession of more names than any other baby in the kingdom could possibly have---was the heir to England's monarchy. And her father, the King of England, had waited years for an heir.
The moment of truth arrived. The household had prayed for a boy as the whole kingdom wanted an heir, a few remembered the Queen in their prayers but alas, the baby turned out to be a girl. The hall was quiet when the announcement was made, the King although disappointed that the baby wasn't a male, was happy that he has a child of his own and that his wife was healthy.
His council members had a different opinion.
As he stood in the hall outside his wife's confinement room, his face screamed with anger as his council members each had a word to say about the baby's gender. He was already in his late fifties, frail, old and sick while his wife- the queen was in her early forties.
As much as the King would love to have a male heir, he loved his wife and didn't want to put her through what they have faced for the last couple of years, from not being able to conceive to full term to having a stillbirth, he loved his wife enough to put a stop to the madness of trying again for a male child.
Twelve years later, the King sadly passed away. The Queen was heartbroken, they loved each other, adored one another and were each other companion. The King's death brought upon a lot of arguments about why Helena isn't the right fit for the throne.
"She should not be the one making decisions about the royal family" The Earl of Mayhem argued and if looks could kill, he would already be six feet under saying his greetings to the late King in his grave.
"I understand that she is still young and does not understand politics, but it would be better if the Queen acts in her stead until she come of age" The Duke of Wexham---Amir said.
"S-She can't" Caspian, the Earl of Mayhem said raising whispers amongst the council members.
"And can you give the court a good reason why you feel like I can't rule this Kingdom until my daughter comes of age" The Queen asks in a calm tone. It was clear that she is angry but who wouldn't be. Her husband died a week ago and the court are already making plans to remove her and her child.
"It is unheard of" He simply said.
"If I can remember clearly, the royal family does not have any male children and for that reason, I will continue to make decisions about the palace and its people until the Princess comes of age. The council is dismissed…ohhh…. Earl Caspian, I find it hard to believe that it is unheard for the Queen to make decisions before her child comes of age. I recommend that you watch your tone about the throne especially in front of me" The Queen said before leaving the court room.
"One of these days, I might end up asking for one of them to be beheaded" Eleanor---The Queen said to her lady-in-waiting---Nara.
Nara has been her lady-in-waiting for about twenty years and the two were very close and she considers her a close friend.
"Do you think things will get easy from here on or am I just deluding myself?" She asked Nara.
"My Queen, do you want an honest answer or a decent answer?" Nara asked as they enter the drawing room.
"Which do you think I prefer?"
"An honest one then, it will only get hard from now on. Helena is a girl which for one breaks all of the British rules and not to mention the fact that she isn't full-blood. Today's council meeting shows that they will go to any extent to have another ruler" Nara said while arranging the new drawing sheets for Eleanor.
"And your advice?" She asked with a frown on her face.
"Train Helena to the best, nurture her and make every one of those damn council members regret ever bringing the issue of an heir. Make them eat up their own words and most importantly, let Helena know what she is about to face because this is not going to be an easy battle." She said dropping the materials in front of her.
"I fear for what is about to unfold because it isn't going to be an easy ride but am ready to face it"
And with that advice, Queen Eleanor trained Helena to be the best, she was sent to most prestigious school in the country, her needs were always met. She was the only female to ever attend a university and get a degree but all of that came with a price.
The council members all tried within their best to remove both the Queen-Eleanor and Helena from their positions but other families eligible to be part of the royal family either do not have a male heir or those that have one are not eligible.
After eight years of her father's death, Helena is back in the country to ascend onto her father's throne and relieve her mother of the royal duties
but what is the royal family without a bit of drama?