Page 1 of Coronation (Royally Forbidden #1)
One Year After Crash, Stelland Grieves Fallen Royal Family Amid Uncertain Future
A solemn memorial service was held this morning at St. Wren’s Cathedral, where thousands of citizens, clad in black, gathered to lay wreaths, light candles, and pay tribute to their beloved royal family, who were often called “the heart of Stelland.”
The crash, which was later attributed to mechanical failure and pilot error, was made all the more horrific by the circumstances surrounding it.
King Arthur himself had been piloting the aircraft at the time.
The late king was a decorated Air Force pilot who was often known to fly himself and his family to and from political events.
Many have struggled to reconcile the king’s decades of aviation experience with the tragedy that unfolded that day, further deepening the country’s collective grief and lingering questions.
King Arthur, who was known for his commitment to modernizing the monarchy, transformed Stelland from a lesser-known cousin of the UK into a vibrant, internationally respected nation and kick-started a booming tourism industry.
His beloved wife, Queen Lillian, was celebrated for her tireless advocacy for education and the welfare of children, while their sons, both widely admired for their humility and promise, had only just begun to step into public roles.
Following the tragedy, the throne passed, controversially, to King Arthur’s younger brother, Benedict.
King Benedict, who was previously a distant and rarely seen member of the royal family, has struggled to fill the void left by his late brother.
Known for his cold pragmatism and stiff public appearances, at the time of the crash, the king was embroiled in personal scandal, having finalized a highly publicized divorce only two months earlier.
Traditionally, Stelland’s monarchy has stood as a symbol of stability and an example of family values, prompting many citizens and constitutional experts to argue that Benedict’s divorce should have disqualified him from becoming king.
While the nation’s succession laws are vague on the matter, public sentiment remains clear: a divorced and deeply unpopular monarch was not the future the people of Stelland envisioned.
Approval ratings for the king have plummeted to historic lows during his first year of rule.
“While King Arthur’s rule inspired excitement for the future of Stelland, King Benedict inspires worry,” said Professor Harry Leeland, political science professor at Stelland National University.
“There is a deep, persistent sense of betrayal among the people, who are still grieving the loss of their rightful king. Many see Benedict as a usurper, if not by law, then in spirit.”
An unfortunate sentiment regarding an institution which has, for centuries, been a celebrated part of Stelland’s national identity.
Now, one year after losing its heart, Stelland faces a painful reckoning: whether to cling to a monarchy that no longer resembles its people, or to forge a new path without a king at all.