Chapter 74: The Trial of the Crown
The night was too quiet.
Elara stood alone in the center of the ancient hall. Tall stone pillars surrounded her, carved with symbols older than the kingdom itself. Torches burned with soft blue flames, casting slow shadows across the floor.
The crown felt heavier than usual.
Not painful—but watchful.
Araion had wanted to stand beside her. He had insisted.
But the crown refused.
"This test is yours alone," the voice had said.
So Elara stood by herself.
She took a slow breath.
"I'm ready," she whispered.
The crown pulsed once.
The world shifted.
The Trial Begins
The stone floor disappeared.
Elara found herself standing in a vast empty space, covered in mist. There was no sky. No ground. Only silence.
Then the voice returned—calm, ancient, and powerful.
"Blood has awakened me. Power has obeyed you."
"Now I must know your worth."
Elara clenched her fists.
"What do you want from me?" she asked.
The mist moved.
Images formed around her.
First Test: Power
She saw herself sitting on a throne.
The crown glowed bright.
Kneeling before her were nobles, generals, and kings from other lands. They bowed low, fear and respect in their eyes.
A voice whispered:
"Take full control."
"Rule alone."
"No one will challenge you."
Elara felt the pull.
It would be easy.
No more arguments. No more resistance. No more danger.
She could force peace.
She could end rebellion forever.
Her heart beat faster.
Then she remembered the frightened villagers she once helped. The children who smiled when crops grew again. The people who trusted her.
Power without choice was just another curse.
She shook her head.
"No," she said firmly. "I won't rule through fear."
The image shattered like glass.
Second Test: Fear
The mist thickened.
Elara gasped as she saw another vision.
Araion stood before her—wounded, weak, fading.
The curse was killing him.
The voice spoke again.
"Break the curse now."
"Take his immortality."
"Save him—but lose the realm."
Elara's chest tightened.
She stepped forward.
"I would give anything to save him," she whispered.
Tears filled her eyes.
Then she stopped.
"If saving him destroys the world… then it's not saving at all."
Her voice shook, but she stood firm.
"I won't choose love over innocent lives."
The vision faded.
Silence returned.
Third Test: The Self
The final vision appeared.
Elara saw herself as she once was.
Poor. Alone. Afraid.
A girl no one noticed.
The voice softened.
"You were nothing."
"Why do you deserve the crown?"
Elara stared at her past self.
She felt the old fear rise.
Then she remembered every choice she had made.
Every time she protected instead of punished.
Every time she listened instead of ruled.
Every time she stood tall despite doubt.
"I was never nothing," she said quietly.
"I was learning."
She lifted her chin.
"And I still am."
The image smiled—then disappeared.
The Verdict
The mist cleared.
The ancient hall returned.
The crown lifted slightly from her head, glowing brighter than ever before.
The voice echoed one final time.
"You chose restraint over power."
"You chose balance over fear."
"You chose others over yourself."
The crown settled back onto her head.
Warm.
Light.
"You are worthy."
A surge of energy flowed through Elara—not wild, not overwhelming—but calm and deep.
She felt complete.
Whole.
The doors of the hall opened.
Araion rushed in.
"Elara!" he called.
She turned and smiled.
"It's over," she said softly.
He stopped in front of her, searching her face.
"You're different," he said.
She nodded.
"The crown no longer tests me," she replied. "It trusts me."
Araion lowered his head in respect.
"To the true Queen," he said.
Elara reached out and lifted his chin gently.
"We rule together," she said.
The crown pulsed in agreement.
Outside, the kingdom slept peacefully—unaware that its fate had just been secured.
Not by force.
Not by fear.
But by a queen who proved she was worthy.