For the Good of the King
The orphanage was the only home Christine ever knew. Her mother left her there when she was young, unable to take care of a child by herself. She would soon be joined by a younger sister that Christine did not know she had.
Being raised in the orphanage, she was taught to fear the King and his rule. She knew to fear him from the stories she had heard about runaways, male or female, that were caught and their fate decided by the King.
She always had the feeling that, somehow, the King was watching her. She remembered the fear but could never forget the strong, sharp green eyes from pictures that were everywhere.
Christine did not know how, but she knew, someday, somehow, they were destined to meet, although she hoped that day would never come.
-- Sasha G. Diamonte