The atmosphere was filled with a dark humor telling that history was already made, the chandeliers still burnt my eyes each time I looked up.
I couldn't feel my body anymore. It's like my nerves went on a vacation and left me to handle my own emotions and stability.
I was still shaking from the bruises and alcohol, and Collins, he still laid on the floor like some big bag of rice not being able to move at all.
I came down from the throne with my crown on my head victoriously sorting out my way in the crowd so I could go home.
The whole crowd was staring at the floor that still had blood splashed all over it, gasping and gossiping. I could feel their emotions screaming in surprise.
I ignored all that, arranging the crown on my head while walking away from the coronation. I was welcomed with a fresh stack of cool air.
And in that moment I felt my father's presence again, my drive home was filled with thoughts of my father, the battle, my uncle and just then the news flashed into my head again.
Making my sad moment fade away into anger because why would Lucas do such a thing to my father? I gave him my soul, my heart, my wealth and he went this far.
I will get to the root of this situation and make sure that Lucas pays for every single thing with his fellow citizens. My inner thoughts overwhelmed me that I didn't hear my guards calling onto me.
Until I was lifted by one of them and brought down from the car, I stuttered only to realize that they had been calling for my attention.
I ignored their questions asking for my well-being and stormed inside the house but I couldn't help but notice my father's grave.
It was like he came out of his grave and sat on his tomb staring at me intensely. I stared at the graveyard with hot tears streaming down my eyes, I couldn't help but cry myself into my room.
My room gave me this surge of warm serenity which I loved. I took off my clothes, stripped myself naked, and dashed into the bathroom for a nice shower.
And before you know it, I was done with taking my bath, my chef called out to me for dinner but I wasn't in a good mood for the dining table, so she brought all the dishes to my room instead.
I was lost in my thoughts while eating my meal in silence, not because I was hungry but because I needed to gather strength for tomorrow's training.
I couldn't sleep after my meal. I kept turning around my bed feeling restless. And each time I tried closing my eyes a picture of my father flashes back into my head.
The black stone glowed with a silver light under the moon and for a moment, I could almost see him sitting there, proud and strong like he always was.
I collapsed and before I realized what was happening I was on the ground, holding the cold earth imagining it was him I was holding onto.
"Father…" My voice cracked, barely a whisper. My vision was blurred by hot tears as guilt filled my chest.
"I'm so sorry for everything.
For being weak when you needed me strong for trusting Lucas and allowing him to stain our family's name. I… I have failed you."
The night was silent except for my sobs. I curled against the grave, hugging it as though I could hold my father one last time. "Please, forgive me,"
I whispered over and over again while tears uncontrollably soaked into the soil of his grave.
The cold night breeze swayed me gently, and somewhere between tears and whispered apologies, tiredness pulled me under nature.
******
Birds chirped loudly, waking me up from my slumber, I didn't know where I was. My body was stiff and my cheeks were sticky from dried tears.
That was when I realized that I had spent the night in the graveyard while crying onmy father's grave.
My heart began to bear fast as I sat up quickly, brushing dirt and grass that was on my skin. "Oh no… training!"
Panic surged through me. I had less than an hour to prepare before my session with Brian and the elders.
My guards were nowhere to be found, and it's best that way because If they found out where I spent the night, they would never let me forget it.
I ran quickly toward the palace with my bare feet touching the cold floor. When I got inside, I removed my clothes and rushed into the bathroom.
The icy water brought me back to reality while washing away the remaining dirt, sweat, and sorrow. By the time I was dressed, my body was filled with adrenaline.
I tied my hair back, placed the crown carefully on my head not as a symbol of grief, but as a vow to my father that I will
make him proud.
When I got to the training ground it was already full of people. Warriors lined up in disciplined rows with their heads bowed in silent prayer before the session began.
Brian stood at the center with his broad shoulders like a wall of steel, his sharp eyes tracking me as I approached. "You're late," he said,
I swallowed my emotions and straightened my spine. "It won't happen again."
Behind him my father's old adviser gave a nod of approval.
"Today, we begin forging you into the queen this kingdom needs," he said. "No hesitations. No mercy.
The warriors began their usuals and their movements were in sync, I inhaled deeply while letting the weight on my crown steady my body.
Last night I was begging my father for forgiveness. This morning, I would fight to earn it.
Brian and Harland were not easy on me, they pushed me to work hard, and their voices were filled with nothing but love and determination.
My body ached from lifting, striking, and running until sweat stung my eyes.
Every strike of my staff, every decision Harland forced me to make, hardened me and by the end of the training my muscles screamed for mercy but my spirit burned brighter.
"This is just the beginning," Brian said, handing me a cloth to wipe my sweat.
I nodded. "And I won't stop until I'm ready to face them."
I left the training ground with a spark of hope, my crown gleaming under the fading sun. For the first time since my father's death, I felt like I was becoming the queen he dreamed I would be.
But my hope shattered the moment I reached the edge of the village.
Smoke curled into the sky, carrying the stench of burning wood. Panicked screams filled the air as warriors rushed past me, their faces pale with fear.
"My Queen!" one shouted, dropping to one knee before me. His voice trembled that the outer settlements were under attack!
My heart pounded. "By who?" We… we don't know yet he stammered. They came fast, like shadows. They weren't trying to conquer, only to… test our defenses.
A low growl rumbled from Brian's chest as he appeared at my side, Cowards, he spat. They wanted to send a message to us.
I clenched my fists tight while my mind kept racing. "Then let's send one back to them."
We charged forward, and though the enemy fled before we reached them, the destruction they left behind was chilling.
Homes were torn apart, livestock slaughtered, and strange symbols were carved into the ground in dark, twisting patterns.
Harland knelt beside one of the markings, his face grim.
"This wasn't a simple raid," he said quietly. "This was a warning."
I saw the symbols and immediately felt a cold, scary feeling. They're not just coming for our land, I whispered. They're coming for me.
Brian met my gaze, his expression fierce.
"Then they'll find out what kind of queen you've become."
I stood tall amidst the ruins, my crown catching the moonlight, and vowed silently: Whoever they are, they will regret challenging me and my pack.