Chapter 2 The Princess Regent

The court was shocked. Not only because Jade announced that she would marry her brother-in-law but also because he accepted her proposal. However, some nobles understood why the prince made the decision, so they showed their support. But many others, with perfidious tongues and black hearts, said about him that he did not want to lose his privileges and only did it to stay within power. Prince Rogelio cared little or nothing about gossip, because he only cared about his daughter. A couple of days after the funeral, he was in the newborn crown princess's room to personally take care of her. The little girl was lying in her crib made of gold-painted wood, but she was not asleep, but rather spent her time looking around to know her surroundings. Her father, on the other hand, was sitting to the side, reading her some stories to help her sleep. Princess Jade watched them in the distance, finding the scene completely pathetic. However, nothing occurred to her but to marry the prince in order to increase her prestige in the palace, thus getting closer and closer to occupying the throne as the legitimate queen of the nation. “According to my calculations, it is very likely that they will give me the position of regent,” Jade thought. “But it will be until my niece comes of age. If I get powerful allies within the court, I can make them point in my favor so that they crown me as the queen. And marrying Prince Rogelio is the first step I must take so that the people see me as a kind woman, who takes care of her family and would never leave them to their fate.” He approached Rogelio, with his back turned, and said: - I need to talk to my father. You can stay as long as you want, but remember that the judge will come at six to approve our wedding. The man turned his head to look at her and said: - Don't worry, your highness. I will be there, punctually, in the meeting room to get married. I truly thank you for everything you have done for me. I don't understand why people think he has a corrupt heart, if he has agreed to take me as his husband to prevent them from taking me away from my daughter. Jade smiled. He realized that his brother-in-law really thought he had mercy on him, but he preferred to leave him to his innocent joy. Only she knew what she truly longed for and she never planned to reveal it to him, so that she would be the one to maintain control of the relationship. He left the bedroom and headed to the chambers of his father, King Marcus, who had fallen seriously ill after it was reported that his wife, Queen Abigail, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Due to his fragile health, he was forced to abandon his royal duties to rest until he recovered. “My father was always a sickly and weak man,” Jade thought, as she walked through the halls calmly. “But it's not his fault. It is because he comes from the distant lands of the Southern Nation and was forced to come here to marry my mother. "That country has a warm climate and vast vegetation, it is normal that someone like him cannot adapt to our cold and rocky lands, where winter is eternal and the sun rarely makes its appearance in the sky." He continued walking, while memories of his childhood came back to him. Although his father tried to dedicate time to his daughters, he almost always remembered him lying in bed, being cared for by a nurse or by his own wife to recover quickly. “The royal doctor decreed that the best thing for him would be for him to return to his native country,” Jade thought, when she was already near her father's room. “Yes, your town borders the forest; it would do you good to be in contact with nature, away from the protocol life of the palace. But if that happens... No! He's my father! I promised that I would personally take care of him until he recovered. And I will make sure it lasts for a long time.” When he entered the room, he saw a desolate scene. His father was a man with dark skin, with some wrinkles that marked his face and black eyes that lacked any shine. At that moment, a couple of nurses were giving him the IV while the real doctor, with a holographic image projector, was agilely manipulating some buttons while saying: - Your status remains the same, Your Majesty. He is still too weak to continue with his duties as king. For now, let the court rule what the nation's future holds now that we are without a queen. - Father – Jade said, closing the door behind her back. King Marcus raised his head and looked at his daughter. He tried to smile at her, but because of the pain in his body he could only show a grimace. In the end, he raised his hand and motioned for her to come closer. Jade did so. He sat on the edge of the bed and took his father's hand. He made another signal, but with his head, to tell the doctor and the nurses to leave. Once they left, the king said to the princess: - Oh, my daughter. I'm so sorry to cause you inconvenience. - Father, it is a pleasure for me to take care of you as your dear daughter – said Jade, without letting go of his hand – therefore, I ask you to trust me and let me be in charge. - But my girl, I'm the one who's supposed to support your mother in her absence... Cough! Cough! _ Jade made a strange face, as she handed him a glass of water so he could stop his cough. While the king drank, she remained silent and avoided saying any inappropriate comments. Once the king managed to quench his thirst, the princess lay down next to him to rest her head on his shoulder. She used to do that since she was little, and it was the tactic that worked best for her when she wanted something from her father, whether it was taking her somewhere or buying her a new dress. The king sighed. He knew his daughter very well, and yet he couldn't do anything to avoid falling for her charms. - It's okay, daughter. I'll leave you in charge until your mother returns. I will speak with the members of the court so that they grant you the title of regent and have the same powers and rights as a queen. - Thank you, father – said Jade, standing up and kissing him on the cheek, as a sign of gratitude – I promise you that I will dedicate my entire life to this nation. Ah! And I will reestablish diplomatic ties with your country of origin, in addition to authorizing the colonization of those lands for our sustenance. - So are we really going to do it, daughter? Will we continue with the plan to colonize that distant region? Jade nodded. And, a couple of years ago, Queen Abigail authorized an expedition to lands far from the continent, since they wanted to look for fertile land to create crop fields. The Northern Kingdom almost lacked good land for agriculture, because it was an area dominated by snow and rocks. And although they managed to survive for decades through hydroponic cultivation methods and genetic manipulation, the emergence of an epidemic, the extreme cold that lasted for five years and the fall in the value of metal and copper, caused them to enter an economic crisis that affected them. To all the same. This meant that research into new methods of growing crops and supplying the population could not be financed, thus causing entire cities to be emptied due to famine and low temperatures. Jade still remembered how both she and Princess Miriam had racked their brains to propose different means of supplying the population. Queen Abigail managed to locate fertile lands beyond the ocean, but they were occupied by a savage village that subsisted on hunting and gathering. Unfortunately, the explorations were interrupted after the disappearance of Queen Abigail. And since the entire kingdom was mourning the death of Princess Miriam, no one was willing to continue with the project until the issue of succession to the throne was resolved. - I understand that the death of my sister and the disappearance of my mother caused great pain to everyone, including me – Jade said to her father, with a sad expression – but the town can't wait. These lands will guarantee us a good future and, if we do not take them now, many lives will continue to be lost. And that doesn't suit us. - I know – said the king, becoming serious – in that case, I give you my approval, daughter. I will support you in anything, even if I am sick. By the way, when are you getting married? - It will be today, at six. - I see. Well, I give you my blessing. I am sure you will be a great regent and a great woman. My heart tells me. Once the visit was over, Jade walked several meters away from her father's room, while she began to laugh mockingly. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………… Three years had passed since the death of Princess Miriam and the palace was immersed in a melancholic calm. The only thing that seemed to bring some brightness to that dense atmosphere was the presence of the girl, who used to go to the yard with her father to play in her free time. Prince Roger and Princess Eleanor were looking at an android the size of the girl, which could dance, answer questions, and carry out simple commands. The little girl had asked him to dance with her and she couldn't stop turning around and around while waving her white dress, while her father applauded them. - How cute my little princess! – said Rogelio, without stopping applauding – Who is the little princess of the house? While they were playing, they saw the princess regent walking around with her bodyguards. Although she was quite far away, they recognized her by her black cape that she used to wear on her shoulders, thus covering her peculiar dress that usually varied between white, black or dark red. The girl, seeing her, quickly approached her and said: - Aunt Jade! Did you see how I dance with Mr. Robot? Jade stopped. He looked at the little girl coldly and scolded her: - You should be in your rooms studying, dear niece. A queen shouldn't waste her time with this nonsense. Rogelio, who seemed to realize the situation, quickly approached her and, bowing slightly, said: - My wife, my daughter has already finished her homework. I just wanted him to relax for a while. It's too much to make her read so many books at only three years old! Princess Jade glared at him, but said nothing. Then, he took one last look at Leonor who, at that moment, was looking sadly at the ground. And without making any further comments, he continued on his way. Rogelio bent his knees to the ground and hugged his daughter. Leonor rested her head on his shoulder and asked, in a low voice: - Why does Aunt Leonor hate me? - No. It's not like that. She doesn't hate you – Rogelio responded, although he didn't even believe it himself – she's just tired, that's all. Better leave her alone. - Alright. They stayed like that for a while, until they decided to return to the girl's room to continue their studies.