Elara's pov
"Your Majesty, this is a private—"
"He's my personal guard," I said. "His job is to be with me at all times. Especially when I'm alone with men. He stays."
Malakor's jaw clenched. But he nodded. "Very well."
He walked closer. Stopped a few feet away from me.
"Your Majesty," he said, his voice low and measured. "I understand you're still adjusting to your new role. That you're trying to find your footing. But what you did in there was dangerous."
"Asking to see records is dangerous?" I asked.
"Questioning my authority in front of the council is dangerous," he said. "These men need to believe you trust your advisors. That you respect their experience and wisdom. If you undermine me, you undermine yourself. You make yourself look weak. Indecisive."
"Or maybe I'm just learning to think for myself," I said.
His eyes narrowed. "Your father trusted me, Your Majesty. For twenty years, I served him faithfully. I guided him through wars, famines, political crises. I helped build this kingdom into what it is today."
"I know," I said. "I've been reading about it."
Something flickered in his face. "Reading about it?"
"In his study," I said carefully. "There are many books about governance. About how rulers should make decisions. About the history of our kingdom. I'm learning everything I can."
He relaxed slightly. "That's good, Your Majesty. Education is important. But books can't replace experience. I've been doing this far longer than you've been alive."
"I know," I said. "Which is why I'm asking questions. Learning. Trying to understand. Isn't that what you want? For me to be a good queen?"
"Of course," he said. But his eyes said something different. Something darker.
"Then let me learn," I said. "Let me see the records when you find them. Let me understand what's really happening in the hinterlands. And then I'll make my decision. An informed decision."
"And if your decision is wrong?" he asked. "If people die because you waited too long to act? If the unrest spreads to other provinces? Will you take responsibility for that?"
"Then that's my burden to carry," I said. "I'm the queen. That's what being queen means. Making decisions and living with the results."
We stared at each other. A silent battle of wills.
Finally, Malakor bowed his head. "As you wish, Your Majesty. I'll have those records found. And I'll arrange for someone to investigate the hinterlands. But I want it noted, in writing, that I advised against this delay."
"Noted," I said. "Is there anything else?"
"No, Your Majesty. That's all." He bowed again. "For now."
The last two words hung in the air like a threat.
I turned and walked toward the door. Kaelen fell into step behind me.
I could feel Malakor's eyes on my back. Heavy. Cold. Like a blade pressed between my shoulder blades. The last two words he'd spoken still hung in the air.
*For now.*
A threat. A promise. A warning that this wasn't over.
My hands trembled slightly as I reached for the door handle, but I kept my head high. Kept my steps steady. I wouldn't let him see me shake. Wouldn't let him know how scared I really was.
The door closed behind us with a soft click.
Only then did I let out the breath I'd been holding.
Kaelen didn't speak until we were far from the council chamber. Until we were in a quiet hallway where no one could hear us.
"That was brave," he said quietly.
"That was stupid," I corrected. "I just made an enemy of the most powerful man in the kingdom."
"He was already your enemy," Kaelen said. "You just didn't know it yet."
I stopped walking. Turned to look at him. "What do you mean?"
"Men like Malakor don't serve queens," he said. "They control them. Use them. And you just showed him you can't be controlled. That you won't just nod and agree to everything he says."
"So what happens now?" I asked.
"Now he tries harder," Kaelen said. "He'll push back. Test you. Try to find your weaknesses and use them against you."
"Great," I muttered. "That's exactly what I need right now."
We walked back to my chambers in silence. When we reached my door, Kaelen took his position outside.
"Get some rest, Your Majesty," he said. "You look exhausted."
"I am," I admitted. "Thank you. For being there. For standing behind me."
"Always," he said softly.
I went inside and closed the door. Leaned against it and closed my eyes.
The confrontation with Malakor replayed in my mind. His cold smile. His threats disguised as advice. The missing records that were too convenient to be coincidence.
And my father's journal. His words about the eastern provinces. About wanting to help but being blocked at every turn by Malakor.
The same thing was happening to me now.
But I wasn't my father. I wouldn't just accept it. I wouldn't let Malakor control me the way he'd controlled my parents.
I needed to know the truth. Not from reports or records that could be hidden or changed. I needed to see it with my own eyes.
The thought came suddenly, sharp and clear.
I needed to go to the hinterlands myself.
Not as queen. Not with soldiers and banners and announcements. But quietly. As a normal person. To see what was really happening. To talk to the farmers. To understand their struggles without my crown silencing their honesty.
The idea terrified me. And excited me. And felt absolutely right.
But I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. I needed someone I could trust completely.
I needed Lena.
That night, after dinner, I sent for Lena . She came quickly, her face concerned.
"Elara? What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Sit down," I said. "I need to talk to you about something. Something important."
She sat on the edge of my bed, her eyes wide. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath. "I'm going to the hinterlands. To the eastern provinces. I'm going to see the situation for myself."
Lena blinked. "You mean... send someone to investigate?."
"No," I said. "I mean I'm going. Myself. In person."