Chapter One

The Queen sat forward, sipping her drink. She was a reasonable diplomat, but not much of a talker. She liked to express her ideals in different ways. When she wanted to present her ideals to the public, she’d just call upon her most trusted subjects to hire a public speaker, who when then present them for her.

The Queen was a private person, and so would only trust those who were most loyal and worthy of her trust. The Queen was young for her height, only nineteen, having just passed her birthday. It was unusual for a woman of her young age to live alone, and leave her quarters seldom. But after all, she was the Queen. She had very few visitors, but today would prove to be a day of much company. In fact, today would be a day that proved most unusual for the Queen.

The Queen took a final sip of her drink and replaced it, sitting back. It was about midday. She knew this because around midday the sprinklers in the garden are set off. Psst. Psst. Around midday the birds would whistle a tune and the bees would buzz around dry flowers in the Queen’s gardens. The Queen stood with great delicacy and began striding toward the exit.

POP!

The Queen was startled by the sudden sound explosion which had occurred behind her back. She almost collapsed from the shock, but caught herself and slowly turned around.

The boy stood where he had appeared, as she was finally turning around. When she saw him she just stared. He had expected her to wail, to interrogate, to run, but she didn’t. She had a calm air about her.

He was tall for his age. He had scrawny legs which somewhat resembled a chickens. The boy had long arms and large hands, one of which he held out to the Queen to shake.

“Jack,” the boy said with a deep booming voice. When the Queen never took his offered hand, Jack dropped it.

“You’re not very sociable are you?” Jack asked and the Queen stayed silent. “What type of royal are you?” Jack persisted.

“The quiet type,” the Queen answered simply. Jack seemed to be satisfied for now. He turned around to find the Queen’s cold drink on the table, picking it up and examining it. He brought the cup up to his nose and sniffed, breathing in the faint aroma.

“Mind if I join you?” Jack asked politely, before rudely taking a seat at the table without waiting for a response. “Come on now. I swear I don’t spit. Please take a seat,” Jack encouraged.

“No thank you,” the Queen replied.

“Oh, now you’re just being rude,” Jack began. “I merely wanted a nice friendly chat.”

“Don’t tell me about rude,” the Queen retorted. But nevertheless, she joined him, pulling out the chair beside him and taking a seat.

“So where are your parents?” Jack asked as if he knew the Queen personally. Like a childhood friend.

“What parents?” the Queen asked painfully.

“Your parents. You must have some,” Jack continued. But the Queen shook her head.

“Well, what happened? Where are they? You must have had some once,” Jack inquired.

“I’m not sure. Dead? Disappeared? Don’t know,” the Queen answered. Then continued with, “What are you doing here?”

“I’m here having a subtle conversation with the Queen,” Jack answered.

“No,” the Queen started. “I meant why did you come here?”

“Do explain, dear Queen. I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Jack said to persuade her to talk more, for he liked the sound of her melodious voice.

“Well, dear Jack, I believe you know exactly what I mean,” the Queen said smartly. “You are just avoiding my question.”

“Do I really need a reason to an old friend?”

“No,” the Queen answered patiently. “But I am the Queen and we are not old friends.”

“Ah, well, I’ll answer you why I’m here if you answer me this, what exactly are you Queen of?” Jack replied.

“I believe I asked you first,” the Queen stated.

“Yes, I believe you did,” Jack confirmed. The Queen waited for an answer. Jack waited for an answer, but none came to him, neither from his head to reply to the Queen, nor from the Queen in reply to his question. The Queen stared at Jack and continued waiting for him to speak. She would not break first.

“Fine,” Jack said finally. “Neither of us wants to answer, so neither question will be answered.”

“I am the Queen and I request you to answer,” the Queen demanded.

“Aha. But you haven’t answered me what you are Queen of, therefore I do not know if you are my Queen,” Jack replied intelligently.

“What is your point, Jack?” The Queen was becoming irritated.

“If you are my Queen, then I would have to answer your demand, but if you are not my Queen, then I do not have to comply unless I choose to.”

“But you do not know if I am your Queen,” the Queen said.

“Exactly. So, I cannot answer you unless I know,” Jack finished.

“Well, then I cannot help you,” the Queen answered shortly.

“And why is that?” Jack asked semi-politely.

“Because I do not know myself what I am Queen of. I just know I am Queen,” the Queen answered truthfully.

“If you are Queen,” Jack started confused. “How can you not know what you are ruler of?”

“I do not remember my life before four years ago. I only remembered my name, age, birthday, and title,” the Queen said sadly.

“You don’t remember anything? At all?” Jack asked.

“Not before I was fourteen,” the Queen repeated. Jack was intrigued.

“So that was why you didn’t know the condition of your own parents.” The Queen nodded in confirmation. “How did this happen?” Jack asked curiously.

“I don’t remember,” the Queen reminded him.

“Oh, yes, right, of course,” Jack sounded slightly disappointed. “Haven’t you ever wondered?” The Queen nodded.

“Mostly about my family, but, what can you do?”

“I will help you,” Jack said.

“I’ve answered your question to the best of my abilities. Now, you answer mine. Why did you come here?” the Queen insisted.

“I,” he hesitated. “I.”

POP!

“Topher, get out of here,” Jack said turning around to face his younger brother.

“I can’t find Papa,” Topher whined.

“Go check the house,” Jack said, acting irritated. “He’s obviously not here.”

“No, but you are,” Topher stated. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Fine, Topher,” Jack said then twisting back to look at the Queen he said, “I will be back, though I can’t say when.”

The Queen nodded.

“Come on,” Jack said.

POP!

“You really saved me, Topher. Thanks,” Jack said.

Meanwhile the Queen sat at the table wondering if it was all a dream. She thought she recalled Jack from somewhere, but she couldn’t remember. She had certainly never met him anytime within the last four years. Surely she would have recalled that, since she talked to so few people. Perhaps they had met sometime before her memory was swiped from her.

“Why did you need saving from Elli?” Topher asked. “I thought you two were close.”

“She doesn’t remember me,” Jack said with a painful look on the features of his face.

“How can she not remember you? You’re like her best friend,” Topher continued.

“Not anymore it seems,” Jack said, then staring directly at his brother said, “It’s complicated, Christopher. You wouldn’t understand.”

“You know I hate it when you call me that. And why wouldn’t I understand?” Topher demanded.

“Because I don’t understand it myself,” Jack explained.

Silence ensued and Jack began to realize that she might never remember him. After four years, he’d finally found her and she didn’t even know who he was. Jack had to try, had to try to help her remember. He would start by helping her find her family, since he had a strong hunch as to where to start looking for them. Maybe they would help fill in the gaps.