servants have been slaughtering away in the kitchen, preparing choice food. By the time my family

side. Routinely they riven off and they both claim a seat at the head of the tw

ue velvety walls embossed with golden artistry, a simple yet elegant candle chandelier that looms above. Standi

archway that connects to the main kitchen. Separately, they both tend to the Domus and Domina, filling their cups and cutting

ther and he loves me. A formal relationship between father and child. I respect the fact that he has accepted

that a noblewoman ought to. Every discussion revolves around it, but despite it, I can sense her car

se that is what

father and my mother. Well. That

aimed at the chandelier, a glossy blue euro pillow in his one hand, the other is fisted

ove his plate then picks up his reading glasses by the end of the long rod. He examines the t

face. From a pensive study to a look of sheer astonishmen

ost inaudible, only comprehended because he only

gious and dictates the will of my words

chment and his glasses back on the pillow. He flicks a hand of approva

always like an older relative to me than a Regnum servant. Only in the Domus

low and I thank h

understand my father's bafflement. B

heirs to be prospective successors. The High King has agreed to comply to the ancient protocols of Shalem. To initiate the King Trials. Every eldest descendant of a Domus, one of pure blood must be sent

gruff

y the hand o

Urus-el

e the Hi

eyes sear with pain, I blin

y, he abandons my side. I glance at Seliah and her eyes have swelled to

the

way that could change the line of succession. Many Domuses in the Decuria saw it as their chance. If His Majesty failed to produce enough h

ng look, urging for h

e candidates will undergo for the High king to search out the worthy amongst the nine. With te

pairs her ability to produce heirs and secure her line. The surge was many moons ago, but its affects ripple still. My m

e only living purebl

tement echoes. Her honeyed brown hair wrapped up in tw

will, because she is our daughter and who is more worthy than she? Our Hera no longer needs to wed,

am the sole descendant, but I am certain that they impl

arrogant chumps wrote that in a time where a man's vitality was shown in the number of sons he fathered. That

en, " I point out. "

xir. "Do not speak of the bastard! The High King has called f

ce like the rumble of the obsid

acteristically quiet,

is a half-blood. She is h

ycles ago, father's desperation reached a peak. He did not stray from my mother because of a lack of love for he

's half me and

y her one eye is the shade of the ocean like mine a

ah in and claimed her as his own, and had her legitimised. By law, she is no longer a bastard but my mother refuses t

embodiment of our

a noble or a roy

ten eclips

rms, and rule with a wisdom and kindness that you have inherited. But you also raise the Valwa's standing in

the second equinox is near their summer

nods se

ds fall to my lap and my gaze follows. "Father... even if. I do not think I am worthy

her in his dominion to begin the King Trials." He rests back in his seat and lays his elbows o

ated in his tenor. I look up at h

s. "I will not fail you, father. I

forward to haul up

e in salute. We all

gh Queen of Urium

ay you

*

finity. I sit burrowed in my cushioned corner, against the marble pillar. After dinner, Seliah and I retire

winning the King Trials. I never wanted to be a Hera, let alone a q

l the nine provinces to contend with, their burdens become mine. And I would always put them above my

o be done. L

worries out and seek

by aflame lights. The most prominent is the king's castle on the horizon, its frame unseen, only outlined by golden li

y with the waters of the Shire, the gentle swooshes of the spillway. The sleek robe of water

ght se

, sitting at the foot of my bed. Her gaze flung as far as king

se the King Trials, we will lose each other. If I am defeated, I marry into th

n, I will

asking in our timed freedom, doing as we please to some extents. It was al

I can't under

xes her gaze on me,

slits, the soft fabric sprawled across the comforter. "Should not royal-born de

King would always have enough heirs of his own, bastard born included. But the High King is a loy

ria from overreaching. It is as if they foresaw

not change what

ense of reason. "But it still

has," sh

to her and she

e yawns between us, further than the distan

azed floor. Soon Seliah sets herself on the same ledge opposite me a

give

at our lives were one way and now it will be something completely different. No more rides into town... brea

responsibility, but it is not your home. Your home will be the Pantheon when you are

her unfound

use I am a female. We both know that they intended ma

, the very thing they looked down upon, they will have to lo

o sit upright. "Now, how much d

al moments and shr

to make him a friend." A mischievous look glints in her dark eye. "I have been wai

" I co

age," she con

Domuses sons in hopes that what? If

ods s

n the tests. The true competition should not be with the contesta

proved her point. "By cancelling who

r. "You just want t

explode i

and two daughters." A lightbulb expression brightens her face. "We ac

hem. Eilos's daughters: dainty, high-pitched voices, exce

's rather a wild one, imprudent, averse to any form of responsibility.

softly

e, the famed Regnum of warriors that bore the greatest fighters in Urium histor

me the realm's history as if we did not have

"Just allow me t

n approvin

t son, Vin

her kings' sons regard him as a close friend. His either

blood. He is your biggest competition; he has the support of future rulers. You are all

indifferently

xtends her leg t

though it d

es, sombre lines inscribed on her forehead. "If you cannot do it for yourself, do it for the realm, the people deserve a ju

hanging around my neck. H

ook at her straight in

ues. "Kingdom of Mela, Regnum of Sal

despicable and disg

ooks away, muffling a laugh.

at the solstice ball, an annual event where all elite convene at the biggest ball of the y

urrounds him is notoriety, rumours spun by bored

ey were meaningless, and rumours gain their source somehow. There is always a mor

de. "You think he is capable of it...

gets fellow noblewomen like us because he knows if they come forth. That if they expose him, they expose themselves

rms like insects are crawling on her. "I cannot

s to her chest and wrap

Erindor," sh

ove to one side for a mome

ce. I know little about him, but I suppose that is a good thing. He does not have even a hint

at her e

He deserves to win; he would be a true High King that the r

I think it is the first time I saw you had genuine interest in someone. Fortunately, he does not know tha

He was trying to court me, and it scared me. I

s serious. "You ne

nnect m

our rival. And believe me, he knows that, and he will treat you as such. Good or not, humble or

l afar, I no

arching for the answer. "Actually, I am not acquainted with Domus Chelia's son

nded the solstice balls and other unifying events in which they all

ey all blur together. Especially in the social season, how draining. The small talk, fake flattery and act

while and finally, I say,

ff the ledge. "I think it is best if we end f

ere tonight? My chambers are all the way on the other s

of guest chambers that you can rest a

ot act all grown and forget the days that I sheltered you in my ch

to fear them and now I have them caged, so when needed I will cause othe

uts mid-walk. "And any who tries, they will rue