She had been taught for as long as she could remember, that “besides our Junction, which brings in trade, our true strength is in our officers' loyalties”. Unlike her people, she’d been taught to bind her family's Kingdom’s officers to her and her family, not just through their oath, but personally.

 

Her father taught her stories of the navy, which had defended Manticore, and she sat still for hours on Cousin Mike’s lap (without any fighting, either, most of the time).

 

Her mother taught her stories of diplomacy, as much as Elizabeth and her older cousin hated them.

 

Only, in this universe, King Roger didn’t die grav-skiing. The planned visit to Trevor’s Star, to sign the defensive treaty, happened, and when Elizabeth was eighteen, she headed off to the Academy, in Mike’s footsteps (Mike had celebrated her promotion to Lieutenant just days before), with Ariel.
 

 

She’d known she was going to be worked hard at the Academy, despite (in some ways, because of) her birth. Her temper would have sometimes gotten her trouble if she wasn’t the Crown Princess, but she graduated high in her class.
 

 

It’s a gorgeous evening as Lieutenant Commander Michelle Henke gives her little cousin her oath to her father (and Mike’s Uncle) and before Elizabeth salutes them both for the first time in her Midshipwoman’s uniform, at Mount Royal.