Princess Leif: The Heart of a Queen

Princess Leif never expected to sit upon the throne. Throughout her life, she had been the dutiful daughter, shaped by the rigid expectations of royalty, always in the shadow of her radiant sister Chipo and their beloved younger brother Reed. She had watched, listened, and learned the ways of the court, always fulfilling her role but never questioning if it was truly what she desired. Yet now, with the weight of the crown resting upon her head, she stands as the ruler of a kingdom she both loves and feels distant from.

As Leif gazes upon the court gathered before her, their expectant faces remind her of a lifetime of observation—of admiration, jealousy, duty, and sacrifice. She remembers her father’s words: You have always been the one. But why her? Why had fate chosen her, the princess who had spent her life obeying rather than leading? The question lingers in her heart as she steps onto the grand balcony, looking over the bustling city below. Life continues as it always has—merchants calling, children laughing, banners waving in the wind. Yet, to Leif, it does not feel like hers.