The chamber of the council was thick with the weight of lords and counsellors, all eyes fixed on the young princess as she sat at the head of the long oak table. The room was charged with tension, as if each one of them were waiting for her to falter. She could sense their eyes piercing her, waiting for her to be weak.
Lord Averic of House Galveth, his face a guarded mask, spoke first, his voice as rough as gravel.
Lord Averic: "Your Grace, we have heard the King's decision, and though it has been. expected, the change will not be easy. We must take into account the trials which lie before us."
Charlotte breathed, her hand hovering close to the edge of the table, balancing herself. Her eyes darted to Elias, who stood off to the side, his presence a silent support. She nodded once, and the room became quiet.
Charlotte: "I am very much aware of the difficulties, Lord Averic. But I will confront them, as my father did before me. The kingdom will not fall to those who prefer it divided."
Averic's lips twitched into a thin smile, but there was a sharpness to his eyes.
Lord Averic: "It's commendable that you think so. But the question is: can you bring this kingdom together? Can you earn the loyalty of those who have sworn to serve the throne, but not you?"
The silence lingered for a moment, and Charlotte could sense the weight of the question bearing down on her.
Charlotte: "Loyalty is earned, Lord Averic. And I will earn it."
Duke Amory, never slow to question, leaned forward, his tone heavy with doubt.
Duke Amory: "Gaining loyalty requires more than words, Princess. Your father—may he recover soon—has kept this kingdom together for decades. You have been entrusted with this role because of his choice. But your capacity to retain it is something else altogether."
Charlotte's jaw clenched. She felt her father's absence, the weight of the crown she had yet to wear, the expectations already mounting like a pressure in her chest.
Charlotte: "I am my father's daughter, Duke Amory. And I will not let his legacy be broken by those who would seek to undermine the crown."
Lord Averic's eyes narrowed, his eyes turning to Duke Amory as if silently considering the younger lord's words. But before he could answer, a voice cut in from the back of the room. A voice Charlotte recognized too well.
Elias: "The kingdom isn't for one man. It's for the people. And whether you agree or disagree that Princess Charlotte is the best choice, you will accept the King's decision."
Charlotte's eyes flashed to Elias, the unspoken solidarity in his words steadying her.
Lord Averic's gaze shifted to Elias, his lips twisting into a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Lord Averic: "And what of you, Elias? Are you here as the Princess's guard, or as a counselor?"
Elias: "I am here to make certain that the kingdom stays together under whatever king sits upon the throne. And as for my position—perhaps you should speak with the Princess herself."
Charlotte gave Elias a quick, grateful look, then turned her attention back to the council. There was no time for distractions. The room was quiet, all eyes on her, waiting for her to take charge.
Charlotte: "I have heard each of you. And I appreciate the fears you express. But let there be no mistake. The kingdom will not be governed by fear, and it will not be destroyed by doubt. If any of you would seek to oppose my rule, now is the time to do so."
Her voice echoed out, strong but not cruel. She did not wait for an answer, turning instead to her counselors, who stood ready.
Lord Averic's face was still inscrutable, but Duke Amory's was not. His lips drew back into a tight line, and he spoke at last, his voice softer but no less passionate.
Duke Amory: "You are young, Princess. And though I might not question your heart, there are some who will. You have a great many enemies in the court, let alone the factions outside of these walls. Do you really think that you can keep them all at bay?"
Charlotte's eyes never wavered, her gaze meeting his.
Charlotte: "I don't have to keep them all at bay. I have to make them understand that it's time-consuming to fight me."
Duke Amory: "And what makes you think they'll obey?"
Charlotte leaned forward, her fingers just touching the edge of the table as she locked eyes with him in an unshakeable display of confidence.
Charlotte: "Because they'll have no option."
A tense silence hung in the air for a very long time. The tension here was so thick one could cut it with a knife. Lord Averic finally broke it with a hard, dry laugh.
Lord Averic: "Such passion. I hope you can sustain it when the hour arrives, Princess."
Charlotte didn't blink. She didn't need to. The gauntlet had been thrown.
Charlotte: "I will sustain it. I will require it."
Duke Amory looked set to retort, then bit back whatever he had been going to say, his eyes darting to Lord Averic. The older man merely nodded, and Duke Amory remained quiet.
Charlotte's gaze searched the room once more, her voice dropping but no less authoritative.
Charlotte: "The choice has been made. I am the heir, and I shall reign. Those of you who would seek to stand in my path will discover that I am not as easily influenced as my father. I will cause this kingdom to thrive."
As the words passed her lips, the room became quiet. The council was practically. frozen. The atmosphere had shifted. Charlotte had crossed over into power. Whether they appreciated it or not, the game was on.