Once again, Alexandra couldn't sleep, even though she ought to have been, having undergone her first full day of basic training. With her twin sister Anastasia nodding off peacefully, she kept mulling through her mind just how she was going to break the news to her mother that she had enlisted in the military and that she was training first with combat rifles to fight in wars if needed, and then undergoing flight training in pursuit of her ultimate goal of becoming an astronaut.
Queen Catarina had always sought to make a 'proper princess' of her, though she'd found ways to resist this at every turn, particularly with her interest in sports and horses. Her father, Prince Renauld, had encouraged this and done whatever he could underneath the boundaries of the crown to encourage her to pursue her interests.
Now Alexandra understood why Francisca ran away all those years ago, even though she owed her very existence to that event.
Alexandra knew her mother would not be happy with this choice. The idea of a woman, her daughter, handling guns, rolling around in dirt, and flying aircraft, was foreign to her. But, her father approved. Even from the afterlife. She had to make him proud. And make a difference serving her country. Surely a life sipping teas, attending lavish parties, and eating crepes suzette didn't amount to a hill of beans in the modern world. Maybe Anastasia would enjoy that life but she wouldn't. The old adage to whom much is given, much is required, certainly applied here. And she and her twin sister had been given the world on a silver platter.
Since she was on the national equestrian team, she also was desperate to prove that she belonged there, and that she wasn't a legacy placement because her brother, Prince Sebastian, was on the committee. She hoped her latest competition results would go a way toward proving that.
"Alex?" called Patches, noticing she had a faraway look on her face.
"Yes, Patches?"
"Something bothering you?"
"Oh, just some things I need to get off my chest."
"Oh?"
Alexandra heaved a deep sigh. "How am I going to tell my mother that I've joined the military?"
Patches made a face. "Oooh. That's a toughie."
"I just know she won't approve."
"This isn't about your mother, Alex. Somehow I think she'll find out without you having to say a word."
"Ana doesn't know either. I haven't told her. And I feel bad keeping this secret from her cause we tell each other everything."
"You know, Alex, it might be easier telling her first before getting to your mother, and like I said, I think your mother might find out without you saying anything."
Alexandra and Patches went downstairs and began pillow fighting. "You always relax me, Patches," Alexandra laughed.
"That's my job. It's what we do."
"Although I wish you wouldn't appear at these times of the night."
Meanwhile the butler, making the rounds, spotted Alexandra swinging pillows at no one, and shook his head. "I shall certainly have to alert the queen of this and send for the palace psychiatrist."
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