Okay this is my prolog to one of my stories, it doesn't have a name yet but I hope you can get a general idea of my writing. If you have any comments, things that can be fixed or if you like it, please comment. Also note that anyone who uses profanity of any kind will be flagged. Prolog The weight of a kingdom 7th day of the third month of the dry season. Oh dear diary, would you believe it if I wrote that right now I am sitting in a room the size of my hose! There is a fireplace, though it's not needed, and a bed that feel as if it has been stuffed with the feathers of every bird in Auria! My chambers are split into many rooms that I have yet to explore, but I'm sure the grandeur in my bedchamber is only the beginning. The palace Yarran has a much grander interior than I could have imagined from the outside. It's great orange-hued stones and tall spires seem to glimmer in the fading sunlight, a beautiful sight I am used to seeing. Now that I am inside, the palace seems more real, in time I may be able to call it home. I should explain the reason I am here in the first place, I will try and make my account as accurate as I can. This morning when father sent me into town I saw a commotion in the town square. I rushed toward the angry crowd; Cloren is not often prone to large riots, being the capital city of Auria. I was small enough that I could squeeze through to the front, where I saw a man being held by two guards and another, more official man was shouting. "You have not right to claim what you do!" "What's going on here?" I demanded of an old man next to me. "That fool there claims he's to marry the princess, con you imagine such a thing?" "Yes, why shant he marry her?" "Oh little one," he said shaking his head at me "that man has not a single drop of royal blood in his veins." While I had been talking more people had crowded around me, I pushed through again and watched the man, who was now fighting to throw off the guards. "I have not interest in being king!" he shouted, "I wish only to marry Sina!" "How dare you speak of her highness that way? How dare you insult the Princess Selisina ward if the late king Rithion, and heir to the throne of Auria." I know it sounds foolish for him to have yelled all her titles like that, but he did! "Take this man to the dungeons and prepare for his execution!" "No!" I don't know what made me do it, but I ran up to the center of the scene. "He has committed no crime!" "This order is one of state, not criminal, he is to hang,” said the man. "He has committed not crime!" I repeated. "The law states that every man is entitle to a fair trial and that a man must have crown authority to make an arrest, as well as moral grounds." I feel so foolish now, I had recited the law to the high chamberlain who knew the law much better than a 16-year-old girl who's only experience was to be taught diplomacy by a father who had only ever been a low-ranking council member. "I have made this decision for the good of this land and this people." He said, "This has nothing to do with the people" I retorted. "If I were to allow this scoundrel to marry the princess and become king, what sort of state do you think the kingdom would be in?" "I tell you, I don't want the crown!” shouted the captured man "Silence! You shall be hanged tomorrow at dawn." A woman was running down the steps of the palace toward the two men. "Release him!" She said almost frantically and yet commanding. The chamberlain made a stiff, curt bow "your highness I am dealing with the problem." he said smoothly "I know exactly what you are doing high chamberlain" there was contempt in her last two words. "Unhand him". The high chamberlain laughed "Might I remind you princess that your guardian, our late king named me you regent until your 18th birthday." "But the law states that any monarch may rule at the age of 16" said the princess. "Must the law be repeated to me by simpletons?" I think I must have been the only one who heard the chamberlain’s remark. "Your guardian made it clear in his will that you must have me as your regent until your 18th birthday." Said the chamberlain, addressing Selisina. "And since that day has not arrived I'm in command here!" The princess paled but went to stand next to the struggling man. "Then I shant be a princess!" " What?" I shouted, I didn't like the high chamberlain and handing him the kingdom, I could see, would bring trouble. "I renounce my claim to the crown!" she said to the crowd at large. "You highness, please, maybe you should think about this first, or at least find a suitable successor," I said desperately. Selisina looked at me for the first time "you are Nala are you not?" I was surprised she knew my name, but nodded "daughter of our retired council member, Halber?" I nodded again. "I remember you when you would study with my maid servants in the castle, I believe you learned quickly and well." It was true; I had devoted myself to my studies and consequently, been top in my class. But ever since my father's accident and subsequent retirement from the council a year ago, I had been removed from my classes, as it was no longer proper for a peasant to take studies with the lower ranking ladies-in-waiting. "Nala, you are bold and clever too, I think it would be fitting that you be made princess in my stead". I gasped and wobbled where I stood. "Do you except my proposal?" The princess words as well as my answer, still reverberate in my mind. "Yes" I said my voice shaking unhelpfully "I will". Maybe it was too quick of an answer, I don't know what made me say it. Maybe it was the way the high chamberlain was looking at me, like he knew I would say no, like I was weak. The first thing that happened to me was that I was redressed and bejeweled in the most ridiculous costume. I suppose it's all part of being a princess, and I must say that some of the gowns I now have in my wardrobe are quite becoming. Now I have six personal handmaidens, three ladies-in-waiting, as well as one personal lady-in-waiting, and about a hundred odd servants who's jobs could be from lighting the fires, to placing my slippers at the foot of my bed. It is all quite overwhelming, but I suppose I'll get used to it. Princess Selisina, now lady Selisina, kindly agreed to stay on here as my personal tutor. Once I am crowned princess, in two months, I plan on making her part of my court. I am not allowed the title of queen until my eighteenth birthday. With the title of queen comes more responsibilities as well as more authority. In the few hours since this morning, I've elevated from peasant to princess. I must keep telling myself this because I can hardly believe it. "Princess Nala" sounds completely wrong in my opinion. Right now it is night and I write from the light of three candles. I wonder what awaits me tomorrow? Probably many duties and lessons. I also plan on relieving the high Chamberlin of his duties, perhaps I will give the job to Alad, Selisina's betrothed, I wonder if he could do the job, after tutoring of course. I wonder many things now, the least of which is if I will be allowed to see my family ever again, or if they will continue living in our house without ever knowing what became of their youngest child and wondering who the new, young princess is? If my destiny is written in the stars, or the smoke of the druids' fire, I wish that they might all say that I will not make a fool of myself. Someday I might rise to be a good and wise queen, but for now, I am just a common maiden, with only a small understanding of the ways of politics, and the weight of an entire kingdom on my shoulders.