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The council, those who had never faced the bloodied hands of betrayal like I had. They would sit in judgment, pontificating about justice, while freeing criminals .

“There’s no need for titles when we’re alone. You can speak freely,” I reminded them, trying to maintain my composure despite the storm brewing within.

I wanted to scream, to unleash the torrent of feelings that ripped at me from the inside. My responsibility stifling my breath, suffocating me. This was my kingdom, my people, and I need to protect them while coping with my grief.

“I know,” I continued, forcing the words out as I glanced at Sienna. Her gentle demeanor steadying my thoughts. “But with the queen’s support and your mother’s, I can sentence her.”

The words hung with unspoken implications. Sienna’s eyes met mine, and I could see the concern flickering behind her poised facade. She understood what I was proposing.

Bringing Ithra to justice brought a satisfaction within me, but it was a fragile thing, easily tempered by the reality of the council’s nature.

Justice, in Aetheria, wasn’t about what was right, it was about power, about control, about whose voice carried the most influence at the moment.

I knew that better than anyone.

“Ithra’s actions have put us all at risk,” I added, trying to sound resolute, but my voice wavered slightly. “She tried to kill an innocent human and acted against the crown. There must be consequences.”

Another wave of anger coursed through my veins, boiling beneath the surface like a tempest ready to break free.

I was furious, not just at Ithra for her audacity, but also at Thalor.

The way he operated, slipping through the cracks without leaving a trace, made my blood boil.

He had a knack for manipulating situations, and his recent private conversation with Kieran only intensified my worry.

I knew all too well that charging him with anything would be futile. He would evade any attempt to hold him accountable with his charming smile and calculated words.

I moved restlessly, each stroke making the space feel tighter. My thoughts spiraled, colliding with my mounting ire. Thalor’s cunning left me feeling powerless, as if he reveled in my inability to pin him down.

Each moment he remained in the shadows, unchallenged and unchecked, deepened the sense of urgency within me. I couldn’t allow him to continue to manipulate those around me, to demean me, and to cast a long shadow over my reign before it had even begun.

The anger coursing through me was visceral, almost intoxicating. I envisioned Ithra’s betrayal, her scheming laughter echoing in my mind like a taunt. But Thalor? His treachery felt more insidious, lurking. He was a master of deception, and I was tired of being the one scrambling for answers.

How could I confront Ithra without exposing Thalor? The thought nagged at the back of my skull, a constant reminder of the precarious balance I had to maintain. Every piece of information I gathered felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, leaving me frustrated and vulnerable.

But I couldn’t let that vulnerability show. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. I would confront Ithra and expose her, clarify that her betrayal wouldn’t be tolerated. But in the back of my mind, I knew I had to keep my eye on Thalor. He wouldn’t escape my wrath for long.

“I’ll deal with Ithra first,” I murmured to myself, my voice steadying as I felt the flames of determination ignite within me. “But Thalor will pay for his schemes in due time.”

With that, I felt a surge of clarity amid the chaos. I would not be a pawn in his game. I would take control of my kingdom, fight back against the forces that sought to undermine me, and protect those I cared about. My fury would drive me, but it would not consume me .

“Then I will speak to my mother and secure her support,” Sienna said, her tone calm and collected.

“Ronan and Kieran, it’s possible there will be punishment for you as well,” I continued, my voice weighed down by the burden of leadership. “With Thalor speaking only to you, Kieran, and Ithra talking to you, Ronan, it raises doubts about your involvement in all of this.”

The thought of having to punish them ate my insides. I didn’t blame them for the missteps they’d taken. Thalor’s power and influence loomed over us and they bared the consequences.

“We will receive our punishment. In their eyes, we disobeyed direct orders,” Kieran said, his resolve unyielding.

I could see the tension in his jaw, the way he clenched his fists. It was infuriating how honorable he could be, accepting blame that was far from his own.

“Iryen, you must do something! It wasn’t their fault,” Elora interjected, her tone surprisingly laced with concern. I met her gaze, taken aback by her unexpected support. Her impulsive nature usually drove us into heated debates, yet here she was, advocating for Ronan.

“I thought you said I should have known better,” Ronan shot back, his voice dripping with mockery, the tension in the air thickening. “Punishment is expected, Red. I imagined you would be pleased.” His sarcasm cut deep.

“Look, we have our issues, I get it,” Elora said, her voice uncharacteristically steady as she turned to Ronan, her blue eyes reflecting a mix of irritation and concern.

It was rare for her to drop the snark and engage seriously, and I could sense the shift in the room.

“But you both know how the council will react. They’ll look for someone to blame, and it could very well be you. ”

Her words hung in the air like a dark cloud .

“We’re willing to accept that risk,” Ronan replied, a glimmer of defiance in his eyes. I admired his courage, but it frustrated me he would shoulder the burden of something he didn’t cause.

“Are you willing to risk your lives for a manipulation made by someone else?” Elora challenged, her voice cutting through the air.

Ronan’s eyes narrowed, but there was a flicker of understanding behind the irritation.

“It’s not just about our lives,” He crossed his arms defensively, a habit he had when he was grappling with conflicting emotions. “It’s about the kingdom. If we don’t take responsibility, it sets a dangerous precedent.”

“I will speak to the council on your behalf,” I said, steeling myself.

They nodded, the fire of resolve igniting in their eyes.

As I looked around at my friends, my warriors, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was our fight, and we would fight it together.

* * *

“Enter.” My grandmother’s voice cut through the opulent silence of her office, commanding and calm. My heart raced with anticipation, knowing what I was about to do.

I had faced her many times before, but this was different. Today, I wasn’t just her granddaughter I was a leader forced to confront her, forced to stand against Ithra’s treachery and Thalor’s machinations. That reality settled in my chest like a stone.

She sat at her desk, her sharp, piercing gaze already dissecting me before I even opened my mouth. I swallowed hard, pushing aside my personal conflict. I couldn’t afford hesitation, not now.

“Iryen,” she greeted me with a nod, her voice betraying nothing of the storm that was sure to follow. “What brings you here today?”

“My queen,” I said, squaring my shoulders and straightening my posture.

“I came to inform you of the wrongdoings of Lady Ithra.” My tone carried formality demanded by the situation, a mask to hide the storm brewing within me.

My grandmother’s face remained unreadable, the epitome of regal control, her features as blank and composed as a statue.

It was the face of a great ruler, one who had weathered countless storms and made decisions that shaped the fate of our people.

She didn’t flinch, didn’t react, but her scrutiny bore me down.

She leaned back slightly in her chair, fingers intertwining together as her gaze sharpened. “Continue.”

For a moment, doubt prickle at my skin. Was I prepared to fully confront this? To challenge Ithra, and indirectly, Thalor? I swallowed, forcing the hesitation back down.

“Ithra attempted to undermine the kingdom by attacking the human and disobeying your ruling, breaking the sacred laws that protect us. She didn’t act alone. There are whispers of Thalor’s involvement,” I said, keeping my voice steady.

Her expression didn’t shift, though the room tightened. I knew this wasn’t the first time she had heard rumors of Thalor’s manipulations, but it was dangerous to bring them up without concrete evidence.

“And your proof, Iryen?” Her voice was as cold and sharp as the depths of the sea. “Accusations of this magnitude require more than your word. Though your word holds weight, it alone won’t convince the council.”

She folded her hands together, her eyes narrowing in a way that told me she was already calculating the political ramifications.

My stomach twisted. I knew this would be difficult, but the reality of her scrutiny pressed down on me like the crushing pressure of the ocean’s depths. My mind raced, scrambling for the right words, for a way to make her see the truth .

“I understand the need for evidence, Grandmother,” I began, choosing each word carefully.

“But what Ithra did in the moon pond, I saw as well as Sienna. We will testify. Ithra can be questioned under the truth stone if need be.” I hesitated, knowing I was approaching dangerous waters.

“Regarding Thalor… Kieran can confirm that Thalor intentionally issued false orders to mislead Ronan and him.”

“False orders? Misleading guards is a serious accusation. Are you prepared to implicate Kieran in this matter as well?”

I felt a sharp pang in my chest at the thought. I knew bringing Kieran and Ronan into this would expose them to the council’s judgment.

“I do not wish to see my allies punished for being misled,” I said, my voice softer now, but firm. “But Thalor must be stopped, or this will not be the last time he undermines Aetheria. His ambitions could tear us apart.”