New cover, what do we think? 


Clara sat on one of the couches in her living room, resting her legs across it as she sewed a doll out of Edwin's shirt for Lila. She hadn't left the house ever since she'd come back to Avelyn; only once to attend Edwin's funeral.

She now understood why Edwin hated the color black so much. She did too.

She was supposed to speak at his funeral, but it was as if her throat was closed shut and she could barely breathe. She'd been grateful that the king took over, giving an incredible speech about his best friend. Despite everyone crying, Clara didn't shed a single tear, instead holding her little sister and rubbing her back to calm her down. Julian, Alan and Hazel and her family were by her side, offering whatever comfort they could provide. 

She just smiled and said that she was alright.

She left the funeral as soon as it ended, using the excuse of her leg hurting from a stab wound, to avoid any conversation. She felt empty, and her mind reflected that.

She was too quiet.

Victor had been wanting to talk to her for so long, but he thought she just needed to be alone for now, and that he was the last person she'd want to see in such a trying time.

Instead, the prince occupied himself with the increased duties that his father had assigned him now that they had gotten closer. Victor accompanied his father in all his meetings and errands so that he would learn what it would take to be a king.

With his ever-growing responsibilities, Victor found himself stressing more and had become stiff. He wasn't able to joke around with the dukes and duchesses of Avelyn during their meetings and it took its toll on him.

He wanted so badly to see Clara.

The absence of her teasing left a cold feeling in his chest, and he realized he'd prefer to wake up to a pillow hitting him rather than Matthews gentle calling. She always managed to make situations less tense and more lighthearted.

He didn't realize how much he appreciated her until now.

Clara was snapped out of her focus when someone knocked at her door. She lowered the skirt of her dress to cover her bandaged leg and limped over to the door, opening it a smidge to see who it was before she fully opened it.

"Good morning, Lady Clara." a woman nodded politely.

"Good morning." she offered a small smile, still not used to her new title. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

"The king has requested for you to see him." The maiden smiled back, not being able to let her envy take over when the girl had been nothing but kind to her during their very few encounters at the castle. "He'll be waiting for you at the council room."

"Thank you." she smiled again. "I'll be there shortly."

Clara closed the door and put aside her sewing equipment in case Lila came home earlier and her curiosity got the best of her. She reminisced when she was Lila's age and pricked her finger trying to sew a gift for her mother. 

It terrified her.

She laughed at her new train of thought, wondering how her younger self would have reacted to the various war injuries decorating her skin.

Feeling comfortable in the dress she was already wearing, she decided it was good enough to meet the king in, only adding a coat to it and moves on to brushing her tousled hair. She tried to put it in a simple braid, which she thought she did pretty well.

Her mind drifted to the way Edwin did her hair before they went up to the castle together, and she frowned sadly, the memory tugging at the pieces of her heart.

Shaking away the thoughts, Clara made her way out of her house and began the short walk to the castle, focusing on her breathing so the subsiding pain doesn't come back. She had put more pressure on her uninjured leg as she limped up the stairs of the glistening castle. She rubbed her shoes on the mat at the entrance to avoid getting any mud on the castle floors and causing more trouble for the workers, all while gritting her teeth as she accidentally put more pressure on her wound.

Shaking away the discomfort, she held her head up and followed the path to the council meeting room, where she'd been many times before when Victor needed to talk to his father about matters consisting of Chefrithe.

She smiled sincerely at the guards standing at the door and they grinned back at their friend, bowing slightly which made her roll her eyes jokingly before they opened the doors, announcing her arrival.

She walked in with her head held high confidently, radiating so much power in her posture; much like the late queen as the king thought with a distant smile. Clara returned the smile nervously, suddenly aware of the many pairs of eyes watching her. Her eyes met Victor's, and her nerves faded into happiness, seeing that he now had his own chair at the council.

She was presented with different reactions upon her her arrival; the king smiled softly, the sight of her reminding him of the closest thing he had to a brother, well, after his own brother, but really he was closer to Edwin than he had ever been to his brother. Victor was beaming, finally seeing her after what felt like ages to him. He knew what they were going to tell her, and he couldn't help but let his heart flutter with pride for her. Some of the women peered at Clara with judging eyes, looking her up and down, taking in her appearance with a frown.

Clara figured her hair didn't look as good as she thought.

Other council women watched her with intrigue, feeling intimidated by her presence. 

The men were shocked, never having met her. The king had only talked about a knight who held so much power in their hands that they were a key reason the war had been won. They never thought it would be a woman. Despite the shock, some broke out of it with disapproving scowls on their faces.

"A woman?" the duke, Rowan, sneered at his brother. "Have you lost your mind?"

Clara didn't have to know the whole context to be angered by his words. She sent a steely glare his way, Victor doing the same, not liking the tone he used to address her.

"Is it so hard to believe that a woman is capable of work?" she spoke confidently before the king could reply to him, her voice unwavering despite being offended. "You are sitting with a council that includes many women, I suggest you show some respect."

The women who had been intrigued by her smiled, starting to see her personality shine through. The ones who had scowls on their faces upon her arrival furrowed their eyebrows, not expecting her to talk back with such authority and defending them even when she saw the looks they sent her way.

Victor smirked, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms, knowing she could handle the situation more than perfectly. Besides, he could use the entertainment.

"Watch your tone, young lady." he turned to her, chuckling darkly. "You seem to have forgotten your place; I suggest you remember it before I put you back."

"I know exactly where my place is." she replied, challenging him. "Which is why I refuse to let you speak to me like that. If anyone has forgotten their place, it's you."

Rowan stood, pushing his chair away as he banged his fists on the table angrily.

"My place?!"

"Yes, Rowan." one of the women spoke. "You have no right to speak this way to anyone. It's not a matter of status, but the respect you earn."

"I agree with Isabel." King Harry nodded, giving Rowan a stern look. "Sit down, brother. You're making a fool of yourself."

"No," he shook his head. "I will not have a woman be the general of our army!"

A few agreeing murmurs were heard, and what hurt Clara most was that it included some of the high ladies. 

Then the reality of the subject hit her suddenly.

"General?" she exclaimed, her eyes darting to the king, who nodded with a smile.

"Yes, Clara." he said softly, with Victor beaming beside him. "Edwin and I talked about this before you went out to battle; should-" he choked on his words, clenching his eyes shut as he let out a tired sigh. "Should anything happen to him, you would be the new leader."

"You've earned this, Lady Clara." Isabel smiled at the young girl encouragingly. She liked her.

"Earned this?" scoffed another man. "We have no proof she can even fight!"

"She's saved my life many times," Victor glared at the man as he spoke sternly. "I've seen her fight and lead the situation brilliantly; no one deserves this more than her."

"You know nothing, Victor." Rowan rolled his eyes. "You're still young, and she's enchanting you with her looks."

"Not that she has much, look at her hair." snickered one of the women to the one sitting next to her. Victor heard and sent a glare to them, shutting them up instantly as they avoided his gaze now.

"Don't speak to my son like that." the king warned. "He knows far more than anyone here, especially in this situation. I've seen Clara fight as well, and her strategies were the key to our victory."

Clara remained silent throughout it all, her thoughts entangled and messy. She'd only been knighted half a year ago and now she was expected to lead them all.

Without Edwin to help her.

Her breathing had gotten more frantic but it went unnoticed by most since they were caught up in arguing. Victor, however, recognized the dazed look in her eyes and the way her hands shook behind her, trying to hide it from their view. 

He quickly got up from his seat and hurried towards Clara, gently taking hold of her arm above her elbow and guiding her out of the hectic room, ignoring the lingering eyes on them. He was walking over to a bench not so far away when she took a big intake of air, sounding almost in pain as she took her arm from Victor's grasp and clutched the fabric covering her chest. 

Too much. This is all too much. I can't-

Her thoughts were interrupted by Victor calling her name gently, holding onto her shoulders, afraid that she would fall any moment. He slowly helped her sit down on the floor, with him doing the same.

"Clara, focus on my voice." he tried to remember what Hazel had done the last time to calm her down. "Let's breathe together, yeah?"

She nodded her head ever so slightly, her shoulders shaking with unshed tears. She focused on Victor's voice, letting him guide her breathing with every inhale and exhale. She felt her heart pounding against her chest, as if it had had enough of her and wanted to run away from her.

Remembering how he'd seen her weave her fingers through Lila's hair, and Hazel doing the same thing to her in times of distress, he hesitantly lifted his hand to her hair, softly running his hand through it.

He didn't anticipate for her to jerk away, her eyes widening and starting to lose control of her breathing once more. He quickly distanced himself but called out to her.

"I'm sorry." he said, showing her his hands that were far away. "I won't come near, but please, keep listening to me. You're okay, you're safe here, Clara." 

Getting ahold of herself, she finally calmed down, instantly standing up, ashamed of what had happened to her. Victor stood just as quickly, just in time to catch her as she stumbled with a pained grunt, her hand going to hold onto her wound just above her knee.

"I'm fine." she mumbled, standing on her own again.

"It's okay, you don't have to be-"

"I said I'm fine!" she snapped, but her eyes softened and she avoided his gaze. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Clara, it's okay." he was quick to reassure her, taking a hesitant step towards her, his hands in view.

"I can't be the general!" she panicked, pulling at her hair. 

"Those idiots inside don't know what they're talking about." he pointed at the closed doors, which they could hear loud voices from. "They're wrong. You are more than capable to do this."

"I couldn't even protect my father!" she choked on her words. "How am I supposed to be responsible for the entire army?"

"We believe in you." he said softly, almost pleading her to believe him. "My father believes in you, Edwin believed in you...I believe in you."

Clara felt her knees almost give out, so she held onto the railing of the window behind her as she thought over his words. Maybe there was some truth in his words.

Edwin had always believed in her, pushing her to be the best warrior she could be. He never gave up on her when she was still new at fighting, and now they won a war together.

Together.

He was there for her every step of the way and it felt strange to start a new chapter in her life without him to guide her.

But she was determined. 

"Yeah, okay..." she said softly, still lost in thought.

She would make Edwin proud. Whatever it may take.

Victor smiled, knowing his words got to her and convinced her to at least try. He was about to speak when the doors slammed open, startling the two guards standing there. Rowan was marching out, the fury on his face was unmissable as he stomped his way towards Clara, who had been jolted away from her mind at the sound.

Meeting his eyes, Clara's doubt washed away as she glared back and stood straighter, challenging his status. The rest of the council hurried out after him a few seconds afterwards.

Victor hurried in front of her, putting his arms out before he spoke.

"Uncle Rowan, stop-"

"Move, boy." he pushed his nephew away, making both the king and Clara's blood boil. He stopped in front of her, leaning down to her face as he sneered. "You think you can lead an army? You're just pathetic."

"I assure you I can harm anyone in mere seconds." she said in calm fury. "Including you, your grace."

The way she spoke his title with venom in her voice infuriated the duke, the scowl on his face growing.

"Rowan, back away." his brother ordered him, but his words flew over his head as he stepped closer to her. Still some council members were silently cheering him on while the rest called for him to stop.

"You can't do anything." he laughed, chastising her. "You're only a knight because of your daddy."

"Of course I am," she shrugged nonchalantly. "all the knights were trained by him, including myself."

Rowan growled and he moved his hand to grip her arm tightly, which made Victor step closer to stop him but before any of the two could do anything, she grabbed his wrist and turned it so he faced the other side with his arm pressed against his back in an uncomfortable angle. 

"I told you." she said. 

"Let me go, you bitch!" the ladies gasped at his foul language and his brother grew red from anger. The two guards held their spears up threateningly to spike fear into him.

"Don't you dare call her that!" Victor snapped, pushing him away from Clara once she let go of him.

"What are you going to do about it?" he snapped back. "You gonna hide behind her like a little girl again?"

"Rowan that's enough!" roared the king, having had enough of his behavior. "Guards, take him back home, he is no longer needed here."

"You've got to be joking, Harry-"

"Not when it comes to my family." he said sternly before turning to the rest of the council. "Any other objections?"

They shook their head as they watched Rowan being escorted out of the castle, mumbling angrily to himself. Clara stood firmly, her anger still running through her veins at such a rude person.

If anything, she would do her best at leading the knights just to spite him.

"You may be dismissed." the king called out to everyone before turning to Clara. "May I have a word with you, Clara?"

She nodded politely, sending a quick smile to Victor as he waved goodbye before leaving, his hands running through his dark hair. Isabel walked over to Clara, taking her hands gently in hers as she smiled at her.

"You'll do great, sweetheart." she said, fixing some baby hairs that were sticking out of Clara's head. "Don't let Rowan's words get to you, he's just jealous he never got knighted."

"Thank you." she smiled sincerely before they said goodbye and parted ways.

"I apologize for my brother's behavior." the king sighed, running his hand down his face tiredly. "He's always so difficult."

"It's alright." she said. "No harm done."

"Except his ego." he chuckled, motioning for her to walk with him. "I was right, you really do have a knack in breaking people's ego."

"It's a gift." she chuckled, fumbling with her fingers. "Are you sure you want me to be the next general?"

"In my line of work, I've had to make many difficult decisions." he said. "This was not one of them."

Clara looked up at him, surprised and confused.

"Your mind works a lot like Edwin's." he began to explain his reasons. "You trained with him every day for the last five years."

"Almost seven, actually." she corrected him.

"Even better." he smiled. "No one else has done that. You rule the battlefield once you enter it; everyone speaks of your skills and how hard it is to defeat you. Edwin believed you are the best person to lead our men after him. You're his pride and joy, and he left you a legacy which I have no doubt you will succeed in carrying on."

"I don't know what to say..."

"Just say you accept this role." he smiled encouragingly, turning it to a grin once she nodded, growing in certainty with every passing second.

"I do accept it." she said. "I'll do my best."

"It's settled then." he clapped his hands together with a joyful smile. "I think a knighting ceremony is overdue, it's time we announce your new status to Avelyn!"

Clara smiled despite the nerves clawing at her and forming a pit in her stomach, a spark of darkness igniting within her, far away from her mind to recognize.

She could only think of one thing.

I'll make you proud, dad.

But before she turned to leave, she called for the king with a question that replayed in her mind ever since that awful day.

"What's the name of the general of Crounia?"

"I believe it was Phillip Azvameth."

Sorry I haven't updated in a while, I got a bad case of writers block. But I'm back!!

AND, I made a tiktok account for extra content of my books!! Make sure to follow me on there too! You can find me @/ sama_writes_lol

Also, I'm not sure if this chapter is well written, so please let me know if it's actually good or not.