Aliyah was sitting in front of the mirror and looking at her reflection. Her long hair was dyed dark violet and braided in a complex plate, decorated by silvery pins glittering like stars in the candlelight. Her dress perfectly fitted her tall frame, made from the finest silk and chiffon in black and violet, matching her hair. Her ears held heavy silver earrings with amethysts, and the delicate crown complimented their style.

Aliyah was never fond of gold – it seems too pretentious and tacky for her. She only wore a clunky gold crown on most official occasions. After all, she was a queen now and could use some of this power to at least make herself more comfortable if she was to endure the endless bickering of nobles and never-ending pleas of petitioners.

Aliyah leaned closer and massaged the spot between her brows. She was frowning far too much lately - a permanent wrinkle started to form there already. She moved her brows, trying to get rid of it, but the annoying line was persistent.

The knock at the door interrupted her. She sighed and straightened, trying hard not to scowl.

"Come in."

Teodric stepped into the room and bowed his head. "Your Majesty."

Aliyah turned to face him. He was a handsome, intelligent young man and soon made a great king. She was glad they kept a close friendship during her time as ambassador in Torringland. It had come in handy many times already. She hoped to rely on this bond in the difficult times they were facing now.

"Teodric? I thought you've already departed?"

"I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye to the most important person in the kingdom, would I?" he said with a sweet smile and kissed the back of her hand, his mouth lingering just a few seconds too long.

"Of course. Have a safe journey, my prince." She smiled politely.

The young man didn't move. He cleared his throat and looked at her hopefully. "Have you maybe... considered my proposal, Your Highness?"

Aliyah sighed. "Oh, Teodric, do you have to be so stubborn?" She crossed her arms and walked towards the window, turning her back to him.

"Tell me what would it take. I'll do anything. This union would benefit both of our kingdoms, and you know it. The relations between our nations were never this great. You saw how much we both developed those past few years. Marriage between the monarchs would take the union even a step farther."

"I know." Aliyah turned back to him. "I've been thinking about it a lot, believe me."

"Then why do you keep refusing?" he asked quietly.

"Because I do not love you." He wanted to protest, but she raised her hand. "And I never will."

"You can't know that," Teodric said with an evident hurt that was heard in his voice. "What am I lacking then? Say the word, and I'll change it. Whatever you need, whatever you deem important, say the word."

Aliyah came up to him and stroked his cheek gently. "You are the sweetest man, Teodric. There is just one small thing that I can't overlook."

"What is that?" He covered her hand in his and squeezed gently.

She smiled sadly. "You're not a woman."

"What? I don't─" he frowned, confused, and then it dawned on him. "Oh..."

"Oh indeed," she said and took two steps back, crossing her arms. She didn't feel any better when she finally said it out loud. It didn't change anything, but Teodric was a dear friend, and she wanted to be honest with him.

He opened and closed his mouth several times, looking for the right words. He cocked his head eventually and said, "But you are the Queen. Surely you are expected to bear the heir soon. You know that, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"What's your plan then?"

"I don't have any, all right?" she blurted. She never lost her composure like this, but she felt safe enough to do this with Teodric. With Skylar and Gawyn being away, she didn't have many true friends left. Aurora was here to support her, but Aliyah was still reluctant to trust her, considering her past stunts. "I wasn't supposed to be a queen. I was that odd kid that no one knew what to do with, so they shipped me to another country in hopes I wouldn't do too much mess there."

Teodric laughed, but it was short-lived. "But you are a queen now. You will have to marry someone sooner rather than later." He opened his arms wide. "Why not me?"

"Because you are my friend, and you deserve someone who loves and cherishes you for who you are, and not just pretends. You deserve to be happy."

Teodric sighed and ran a hand through his fair hair. "You are amazing, you know that? My offer still stands. Even if you can't love me, you're still one of a few real friends I have. Marrying a friend is still better than some stranger," he added with a small smile.

"I'll think about it," she conceded.

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Good. Then I'll take my leave now. Your Majesty." He bowed elaborately, giving her last charming smile, and he left the room.

***

Aliyah had a bad feeling when she was walking toward the council chamber. There was an insisting gnawing in her stomach, warning her not to go there, that something terrible was bound to happen. Considering the situation, she was expecting it, and it even surprised her it took this long for nobles to find their guts and take this step.

The political history of Lamyria was a complicated one. The kingdom had periods of monarchy mixed with long times under state government. The noble families had complete control over their own lands, and the king or queen was only a figurehead without any real power.

Every time the kingdom was in crisis, the stubborn nobles returned to the old ways calling for the state government to be evoked once again. As if that could make the situation any better. The truth was every noble family only cared for their lands and interest, which led to a slow downgrade of Lamyria economically, politically, and diplomatically.

Aliyah knew it was just a matter of time before the defectors would raise their heads again, calling her useless and proclaiming the monarchy unsuitable for ensuring the kingdom's welfare. Considering their history, there was a precedent in their laws that the nobles had the right to question the ability of the monarch to lead the country in times of dire need.

Aliyah straightened her back and raised her chin, wearing her dignified queen mask. She could already hear raised voices when she stopped at the chamber door. She nodded at the guards. They opened the door and announced her arrival.

She walked into the room. Her mind was already busy analysing the setting. The gathered nobles looked angry - some of them were frowning, others had their arms crossed, and their faces flushed from intense emotion. One man looked unfazed, though, or even content with a knowing smirk on his face.

Axel Ironhand.

"I didn't know you were planning to deliberate the matters of Lamyria without my presence," she said coldly, looking at him.

"Your Majesty." The nobles stood and bowed their heads, waiting for her to take place at the head of the table.

"You seemed to have a rather lively discussion. Mind to fill me in on what it was about?" Aliyah asked, raising her brow.

"Your Majesty, if I may," said Axel but didn't wait for her nod and stood up. "We've been in this tough situation for long enough. Our people are dying from this strange plague, yet you present us with no solution. Is there any progress with finding the cure?"

"Not yet," she replied without batting an eye.

"Then you leave us no choice," he said dramatically. "I proclaim that the Queen is not fulfilling her duties. She did nothing while our people were getting sick and dying!"

"You could do with less theatrics and more logical arguments, Axel," Aliyah said coldly. "You can't proclaim anything, as you have no power to do so. You need a special majority from all the noble houses to put my authority to question. Do you have that?"

"Let's see," Axel said, and his smirk was speaking volumes. He was sure of his victory already. "Those who deem Queen Aliyah Gryphonheart unfit to rule Lamyria in these dreadful times, raise your hands!"

Slowly the hands were raised. Some nobles looked at the queen with apparent contempt, while others averted their eyes, ashamed that Axel so easily manipulated them to cast their voice in his favour. Aliyah wasn't angry at them. The Ironhand family was an economic powerhouse, and they kept the smaller families under submission by owning many of their debts. After all, noble lifestyles were expensive, and it did not always walk hand in hand with deep pockets.

Axel grinned. "Six votes, Your Majesty. I believe that concludes─"

A knock at the door interrupted him, and Aurora slipped into the chamber.

"Apologies for the delay, Your Majesty," she said, sitting at the vacant place. "I hope I didn't miss anything important?"

"Oh, don't worry about it. You are right on time," replied Aliyah with a kind smile. "We were voting on my ability to rule as the Queen of Lamyria. Not to waste any more time, those who oppose Lord Ironhand's notion, please vote now." She raised her hand. Jonas Longcutter, Lady Blazehide and Aurora joined her.

Axel's eyes went wide, and his face twisted in anger.

"You can't expect me to accept that last vote! Lady Aurora is not even officially part of the royal court. And since when the Shawcross participate in voting?" he spat.

"Since I'm here," Aurora replied, calmly looking him in the eye. "Shawcross have every right to do so, as well as other families. And in such a dreadful time, I deemed my voice needed."

"You did not get the special majority, Lord Ironhand," Aliyah said mercilessly. "You missed one vote." She cocked her head with a smile. "Maybe you should work on your bribery skills for the next time."

Axel rammed his fist at the table. "That's preposterous! I will not tolerate such insults!"

"You will sit down and watch your temper, or the guards will see you out," the Queen said in a tone that seemed to freeze the whole chamber. There was no room for negotiation there, and the guards at the door stood to attention with a soft but very persuasive clank of steel.

Axel gulped and closed his mouth, clearly holding back the harsh words he wanted to say. Finally, he bowed his head slightly. "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty."

"See that it won't happen again," Aliyah replied and turned to look at the rest of the people. "I know you are all worried about the current state of our kingdom, and I do too. But at this point, there's not much we can do. I refuse to enter any negotiations with the sorcerers from the Blighted Lands who send this plague upon us. I still believe Lord General will come back successfully from his mission to at least shed more light on this situation."

"But it's been a week already!" protested Lord Serpentine. "How do we even know he's not dead already? We can't wait forever."

"I agree, we can't," Aliyah nodded solemnly. "And I'm going to take full responsibility for putting everything we have on that one solution. All I ask of you is ten more days of trust. If the situation doesn't progress then, we will vote again, and I will not oppose forfeiting the crown for the good of the kingdom."

The proclamation was met with stunned silence. Aurora looked at her with surprise and disapproval, but Aliyah only raised her chin. The truth was, there was nothing she could do. If Gawyn and Skylar fail to find the cure... there was no other solution than starting the talks with the Blighted Lands. If others think it will help the kingdom, let them seal their fate. But she will not be the one to initiate it.

The nobles nodded, appeased with the deadline. For now, at least.

"Before we finish the meeting, Your Majesty," Aurora spoke up. "There was a reason I was late today. I've received an important report."

Aliyah's heart started beating faster, but she didn't let the hope raise its head just yet. Aurora's expression was troubled, so it probably wasn't good news. But right now, any information was better than nothing at all.

"Let's hear it then."

"Colart Shawcross informed that three soldiers have just returned from the Blighted Lands."