Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started with a simple accident.

A simple accident that, had circumstances been different, would have had no consequences of any note whatsoever.

Klibkem the goblin was working on the roof of the palace. Some tiles had broken loose and needed fixing. Nothing particularly serious. But with the eighteenth birthday of Princess Kalus and her coronation a mere two days away, everyone was working hard to ensure that the Royal Palace was in peak condition.

Far below, Queen Theena was deep in thought. The vision that the Mystic had shown her was...disturbing to say the least. Trolls at the Palace walls themselves, the Goblin Guard fighting desperately to protect the palace as Kalin the capital city of the Enchanted Kingdom fought for it's very survival and Kalus nowhere to be seen.

Theena shook her head. She had known in her heart for a while that she was not going to crown Kalus. The girl lacked the charm a queen needed, the ability to make others feel at ease around her. Not like her beloved Kameo. Kameo could make people smile without effort. People liked her. She was the better choice. The gods had clearly forseen this when they had sent Kameo to the Royal Family all those years ago.

No, Kameo would make a fine queen.

Far above, on the palace roof, Klibkem swore. The simple rooftop repair job that he was supposed to be doing was in fact something far more complicated. He was going to need more tools and more help. He turned and suddenly his hammer slipped off and began to fall. He swore once more. Just how much worse was his day going to get today?

Theena continued walking. History would judge her to be right, of that she was sure. She would not allow her lesser daughter to destroy the Enchanted Kingdom. She would not allow the legacy of her beloved Solon fall.

It is a curious fact that despite the fact that the Enchanted Kingdom floated, objects still experienced gravity in exactly the same way. They accelerated towards the ground at a rate of nine point eight metres per second per second. And much like it would do so in any other part of the world, it meant that Klibkem's hammer had gained an exceptional amount of kinetic energy by the time it reached the ground. Or rather, in this case, Queen Theena's head.

The effect of the impact was almost instantaneous.

Queen Theena was instantly killed. And the Enchanted Kingdom would never be the same again.

Meanwhile, high above and completely oblivious to what his mistake had just caused, Klibkem swore, cursing away at the gods about his misfortune.

Chapter Text

For Kalus, it was a normal day, at least from the outside.

She was walking alone to her next class through the open corridors with an intimidating air about her. People stepped aside, unwilling to upset the future queen and stared as she passed.

For most people, it would make them uncomfortable. For Kalus however, she simply ignored it. She had little time for those who stared anyway, their heads full of fluff and gossip about their petty little dramas. She had been the focus of many of their conversations far too many times anyway. The aloof, clever future queen (at least, everyone was sure that she was going to be the future queen. All that was needed was for Theena to confirm and officially pass on the crown.) and the daughter of the great King Solon. It was almost too much for them to resist really.

Instead, she focused on planning her homework for the night and solving the problems as she walked. It was more efficient that way and if she got started on it during lunch, she could have at least half of the homework finished before finishing school. Then mother would at least not have that as an excuse to avoid teaching her about the Element of Power.

The first sign that something was wrong was when she saw Kameo.

Instead of her usual, bubbly self, Kameo was sobbing uncontrollably, surrounded by her friends who all seemed to be consoling her. Smothering a twinge of jealousy at how popular her younger sister was, Kalus stepped forward.

"Kameo, what is it th-"

She was cut off by Kameo abruptly hugging her and saying something unintelligible.

"Kameo?" Kalus asked with a puzzled frown. This was definitely something more than something like a broken heart of mindless spat between friends.

"Oh there you are child!"

Kalus turned sharply at the sound of Aunt Lenya's voice and her aunt hugged her.

"It is a tragedy child, that this should happen so close to your eighteenth birthday and before she could see your coronation and-"

"What's going on!?" Kalus demanded sharply as she pulled away. "What is such a tragedy and what are you talking about!?"

"Oh sweet child...it's your mother...she's been killed..."

The world shifted beneath Kalus's feet and for a moment, she felt unsteady. Mother...dead...it seemed impossible...she couldn't be dead. She was supposed to pass the crown onto Kalus and she would finally listen to her and...

Lenya was still talking, saying something about accidents and tools and falling, but Kalus missed everything she said. She took a deep breath and composed herself. Queens did not have the luxury of being weak. Nor did the Heir to the throne. She could see a crowd gathering around them and it fell to her to lead and reassure.

"Aunt Lenya," she said with a calmness that she didn't feel. "Take Kameo home. Clearly she is too distraught to continue her classes today."

"Kalus-"

"As for the rest of you, we all have classes to attend. Follow your teacher's guidance on how to proceed in light of this tragedy."

"Kalus child,-"

"Lenya, on your way out, please ensure that the school administration knows that you are withdrawing Kameo from school for the rest of the day. They are likely to worry if not informed and we should not concern them unduly," Kalus continued, ignoring Lenya's attempts to talk further. Queens did not have the luxury of breaking down in tears and Kalus had no idea how she felt anyway. Sadness? Anger? Uncertain? Her feelings about her mother were complicated enough when she was alive and her death only complicated them further. Still, queens did not have the luxury of leaving their duties, regardless of their own circumstances or feelings. Mother had continued to rule after father had gone, regardless of her own feelings. (Or those of her eldest daughter for that matter, Kalus thought ruefully to herself)

"Mother has just died! How can you carry on like-like-like some unfeeling...wall!" Kameo shouted and Kalus almost winced. She looked at Lenya once more.

"Aunt Lenya, please see to it that Kameo gets some rest when she gets home. Clearly she is still in shock from this tragic event and requires time to process her emotions," she said, before turning and walking away. As she walked, she could feel the stares of her fellow students on her back and hear them whispering, gossiping no doubt about her. She could feel their words stinging against her back, but she kept walking. No doubt they had been hoping for an emotional scene, something for them to gossip about and fill their empty little heads about.

She continued to walk with a certainty she did not feel. The world seemed to float in and out of focus, as though she was in a dream of some kind and she closed her fist on the sparks of lightning jumping between her fingers.

Suddenly she was stopped by an angry-looking young elf, a girl with short black hair and flashing brown eyes.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" she demanded and Kalus frowned.

"What?"

"What the hell is wrong with you!? Queen Theena has died and you just carry on like it's nothing? Kameo was crying her eyes out and-"

"And nobody even saw fit to inform me first," Kalus said, angrily cutting the younger girl off. "She was my mother, but it's my dearest sister who everyone coddles." She grabbed the younger elf by the front of her dress and pulled her closer, stay sparks of magic flying off around her. "I am a future queen. I do not have the luxury of being weak. Kameo can cry all she wants. I have my duties to attend. Now step aside. I have classes to attend." She took a deep breath and threw the younger elf aside and continued to walk, taking deep breaths to regain her self control.

"Being a heartless bitch doesn't make you strong," the girl called after her. Kalus ignored her. What would she know about the responsibilities of leadership anyway?

Chapter Text

"Princess Kalus, may I have a word?"

Kalus frowned as her teacher stopped her at the door to the classroom. Inside she could see her classmates taking their seats

"Professor Grexina? Is something wrong?" she asked and Professor Grexina frowned.

"Have you...heard the news?" he tentatively asked and Kalus frowned.

"You mean about my mother's death? Yes I have heard. What of it?" she asked. She could see the rest of her classmates looking curiously at her. Perhaps they were hoping for some kind of reaction. Something to fill their pretty, empty heads to gossip about.

It was starting to make her feel intensely uncomfortable.

"Well...I feel that you would benefit from leaving the class to handle your thoughts on the matter," he said gently. Kalus said nothing, feeling the world shift beneath her feet and she steadied herself against the door.

"I would prefer to remain," she said calmly. She could see some of her classmates whispering behind their hands. This was just a show to them! She glared at them and sparks of anger bounced around her.

"Kalus…"

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"Professor Grexina, I cannot allow my grades to slip," Kalus said and Professor Grexina frowned slightly. "Your concern is noted. However, leaving would achieve no discernible results and I see no reason for me not to continue."

"Very well," he said after a few minutes of silence. "But if you feel that, at any point, that you are unable to continue, please do not hesitate to leave."

"That will not be necessary," Kalus said coldly before stepping into the classroom and taking her seat at the front of the class. Professor Grexina gave her an odd look. A strange mixture of sympathy and something else Behind her, she could feel the stares of her classmates on her back and she tried to ignore them as she always did.

It didn't work. Not this time.

Every stare felt like a burning needle. Every whispered word was like a dagger. It was an almost physical pain.

She gave herself a mental shake. She was supposed to be a queen. A queen does not have the luxury of allowing herself to be easily distracted by mindless gossip! A queen does what is necessary to focus on what she needs to do.

It did not help.

Professor Grexina was talking and Kalus tried to bring herself to focus on what he was saying. His words however simply washed over her and all she could hear was the buzzing of her classmates.

"Princess Kalus?"

Kalus looked up to see Professor Grexina looking at her with a look of concern and she forced herself to focus.

"Princess Kalus, are you sure that you are fine to continue this class?" he asked and Kalus frowned.

Yes," she said brusquely. "I apologise. I was distracted."

Behind her, she could hear the buzzing of her classmates become louder and Professor Grexina frowned at them.

"Quiet please," he said in a firm voice and the buzzing died down. Kalus could feel their gazes remain on her back, eager to see something for them to mindlessly gossip about. The Princess becoming flustered by a simple question would no doubt keep them busy for the rest of the week. And if she left, they would be talking about it all year! She swallowed.

"Professor Grexina, I would prefer to remain," she said stiffly. A lie, but one that she preferred to their gossip and pity. Professor Grexina gave her a strange, almost pitying look before continuing.

"Very well," he said. "Princess Kalus, would you please tell us the main causes of the Ravanelis crisis?"

"In the year 950ST, King Jonik the First seized the Throne in a military coup, claiming that Queen Mhoryga the Third had failed to protect the Enchanted Kingdom. The Sargothans had seized the southern ports of Asari Edhil, cutting off contact with the Delaurus Islands and leaving the Royal Army Expeditionary Force cut off from the Kingdom. He claimed that this proved that the gods had rejected her.

Queen Mhoryga was able to approach the Frostmite leader Frostmaster Joku and make a deal with him. In exchange for his assistance in reclaiming her stolen throne, she would be willing to accept the Frostmites into the Enchanted Kingdom on the terms that they desired and not the ones that the Enchanted Kingdom offered."

Professor Grexina nodded and gave her a curious look once more. He turned his attention to the blackboard once more.

KEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOP

"Where's Kalus?" Yeros asked when he saw Lenya return with only Kameo and Lenya shook her head.

"Kalus...chose to remain at school," Lenya said and Yeros gave her a puzzled look.

"It was terrible Uncle Yeros," Kameo said through her tears. "She-it-well she just...mother has died and she was just...just giving orders and just acting like a rock." She paused and wiped away her tears. "Mother is gone and-and-and it's like she just doesn't care! Like a rock! Like mother meant nothing to her!"

Yeros clicked his tongue disapprovingly and frowned.

"A Queen should know better. She should be sensitive to the needs of her subjects," he said and Lenya frowned.

"Kalus just handles her feelings differently dear," she said gently. "And you know that Theena and Kalus had a difficult relationship."

"Her mother is dead. The Kingdom is in mourning. She should not be so cold." He looked at Kameo. "Perhaps you should consider going for the throne when the Council of Twelve Tribes meet in two days.

"W-w-what?" Kameo asked, her eyes wide and tears forgotten in shock. "But...but Kalus…"

"You've seen her reaction to her mother's death. Can you honestly say that's how a queen should behave?" he said tersely. Lenya shot him a warning look and Yeros decided to stop there.

"It's just something for you to consider. I know that Theena herself considered you better suited to the role and Kalus's reaction…"

"Is this really the time!?" Lenya demanded angrily, her eyes narrowing and Yeros abruptly backed away. "The girls have just lost their mother and you're playing politics!"

"I was just-"

"But...what would happen to Kalus?" Kameo asked in a distant voice. Yeros smiled and shook his head.

"You shouldn't worry about Kalus," Yeros said gently. "You need to think about what is good for the kingdom, not-"

"Get out!"

Yeros abruptly stopped as Lenya stood up and glared at him.

"The girl has only just learned of her mother's death! Give her space to grieve and accept before playing games!"

"You're right," Yeros said with a slight nod, before giving Kameo a gentle nod. "I'm sorry Kameo. I'll leave you with your aunt. There are other matters that I need to attend to."

KEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOP

There was an explosion and the target dummy exploded. Another dummy flew away jerking as electrical sparks jumped over it's body. A third collapsed on itself, crumpled by the sheer pressure surrounding it.

"Very impressive child. I would not want to be the one who crosses you."

Kalus turned to see The Mystic looking curiously at her and she tried to smile. Somehow her mouth would not behave and instead it remained sullenly still.

"So Princess Kalus, or should I say Queen Kalus?" The Mystic asked and Kalus shrugged.

"Princess old friend," Kalus said, before throwing another blast at another target dummy. "I am not queen until the Council of Twelve officially decides upon a successor." She looked wistfully at the rest of the target dummies. "Mother was supposed to have crowned me as her successor, but now the Council has to choose for the third time in less than thirty years. It does not bode well for the stability of the kingdom."

The Mystic snorted.

"The Council will choose the safest option," she said as she stepped forward. "Who else would they pick? Kameo is too young and will not be of age for two years and your other relatives have little to make a claim."

"There are always contenders," Kalus said with a frown. "And I too am not yet of age."

The Mystic waved her hand dismissively.

"You are a mere handful of days away from coming of age," she said. "Your father faced more and better contenders and won out. I have no doubt that you will as well."

"Perhaps." Kalus glared at one of the target dummies and blasted a shard of ice into it's chest. The shard passed through and embedded itself into another target dummy. She closed her fist and both dummies collapsed in on themselves.

"But that is not what's bothering you, is it my dear?" The Mystic asked and Kalus frowned. "You cannot fool these old eyes. I have seen many a king or queen take the throne and many more lose family."

"Family," Kalus said with a slight hint of contempt. "Family...there are times I wonder if mother even knows what that word means." She shook her head. "Knew. I meant to say knew."

"Your mother loved Kameo," The Mystic said and Kalus growled.

"Yes, darling Kameo," she growled and she unleashed a wave of lightning at a group of dummies, who jerked and twisted about erratically. "My dear sister. The one everyone else is concerned about while I am the last to know of my own mother's demise!"

She sent out another wave of lightning across the room, but there were no more dummies to hit and the power only sparked off of the walls.

"It will always be this way," The Mystic warned. "Your sister will always be more liked than you and considered more important. You must be cautious."

"Cautious? Of Kameo? I doubt that. Not yet. People like her more than they ever have me, but she's still a child." She looked wistfully down the range once more. She could order for some more target dummies to be sent up, but it seemed excessive.

"Kalus? I thought that you were still at school?" Lenya asked, poking her head curiously through the door. Then her face softened. "Oh you poor child. You became overwhelmed by grief and you had to come home alo-"

"School was cancelled for the rest of the day, Aunt Lenya," Kalus said abruptly, cutting her off. "I came in here to practise my skills." Sparks of electricity jumped around in her open hand. The Mystic smiled slightly and walked away. "Where is Kameo?"

"She's asleep. She cried herself to sleep." She looked sadly at Kalus. "It's okay to cry dear. There is nobody here to judge and-"

"That will not be necessary," Kalus said coldly and Lenya looked shocked. "Thank you for taking care of Kameo. Now if you excuse me, I have work to do."

"Y-yes, of course," Lenya said, staring slightly in shock as Kalus walked away.

Chapter Text

Dear Diary,

Today has been an unexpected day. An event that nobody had expected to happen has happened and I am not sure how to proceed.

Mother has died. From what I can tell, her death was a tragic accident. Some tool dropped by a careless goblin. No doubt, there are rumours already circulating that it was deliberate. An assasination ordered no doubt by enemies outside the Kingdom. But no, it's just a tragic accident. The Goblin worker was questioned under a truth spell and we have no reason to doubt him. But still, I have no doubt that the empty-headed gossips will talk.

Kameo was upset and had to go home. I chose to remain at school. As Heir Apparent, I am required to remain in control.

I am…uncertain as to how I feel. Mother and I had a complicated and difficult relationship and unlike Kameo, I have my doubts as to whether she loved me or not.

I should not be thinking that. She is, or rather was, my mother. Parents love their children and their children love them. That is how it is. Mother simply had…problems.

Problems such as not loving her oldest daughter.

Kameo thinks that I am being insensitive. Perhaps she thinks that I should be bawling my eyes out like her, but…mother loved Kameo and…

No matter. Neither a queen, nor the oldest child has any business crying when they have an example to set. It is the burden of being a leader and not one to be taken lightly. The kingdom needs a leader and despite my doubts, the council is likely to choose me.

Other candidates will no doubt step forward. Distant cousins who have little claim, but every reason to hope. I-

A knock on the door made Kalus look up. The hour was late and the sun had long since set. Who would be calling at this time of night? She slipped her diary away and opened the door.

"Kameo. What are you doing here at this hour?" Kalus asked as Kameo looked sheepish. It was a rather unusual expression to see on her little sister. She stepped back and waved for Kameo to come into her room. "Has something upset you beyond current events? Or is there something you wish to discuss?"

"I…" Kameo looked away, unsure of what she wanted to say. "I..couldn't sleep…"

"You couldn't sleep," Kalus said flatly. "Why haven't you gone to m-"

She abruptly caught herself. Of course Kameo hadn't gone to mother. She couldn't. In fact, Kalus was inclined to think that if mother was still alive, they wouldn't be having this conversation. She would be talking to mother instead.

She almost laughed at the thought. If mother was still alive, Kameo wouldn't be unable to sleep!

A wave of anger and resentment washed over her. Mother would never have comforted Kalus if she couldn't sleep.

"So why are you here?" Kalus spat out as a wave of anger washed over her and Kameo recoiled slightly, before glaring.

"I just thought that you might need some company!" she hissed angrily and Kalus internally winced. Kameo had no idea…

"Mother is gone and I know you think that you're beyond feelings like grief and sadness, but you're not!" She paused and took a deep breath. "I know that you didn't have the best relationship with mum, but I know that you're not as unatttatched as you like to pretend! We're not in public any more. You don't need to keep up the act!"

Kalus sighed.

"Kameo," she said, trying to keep her voice level. "Mother hated me. For years, she has," She caught herself and continued. "Had ignored me. My achievements, my troubles, my everything did not matter to her." She looked at Kameo. "Mother loved you. She cared for you. I was the Heir Apparent, the one who has no choice but to maintain my control. The people are looking to me and I must be strong. Do not tell me that you know how I feel, or what I should feel or how I should act. I have spent my entire life being prepared to rule and I have no choice."

"That's not true!" Kameo protested. "Mother loved us both equally!"

Kalus snorted bitterly.

"Kameo, I have no idea what I feel. In case you haven't noticed, mother has always been there for you. She is the one who goes to you if you've had a nightmare in the night. I was always left to the servants, if anyone came at all! I do not have the luxury of showing my emotions the way that you do. I am the one people are going to turn to when they need leadership! The one who needs to be strong for everyone because that is my role!"

"Can you…just be strong for me? For tonight at least. I don't want to go back to bed and sleep alone." Kameo asked and Kalus nodded.

"Yes…I suppose that is acceptable," she said, before smiling slightly. "It's just like when we were children and you wanted me there."

"On the night before Midwinter Festival," Kameo added, a smile crossing her face. "And I was so excited about the morning and you used to pretend to be stoic then as well. And you used to tell me stories."

"And mother would tell me not to encourage you," Kalus said with a slight smile. "As if you would be anything less than excited for Midwinter Festival."

"Do you still have the book you used to read to me? The book of fairytales that you used to have?"

Kalus paused for a moment, taken by surprise.

"I…yes," she said and Kameo gave her a tentative smile.

"Can you…read them again to me?" she asked tentatively. "I…just so we can pretend? For a little bit?"

Kalus pulled the book in question from her bookshelf. It was a large book with a deceptively dull cover. It looked more like a textbook than a book of fairytales. A disguise Kalus had given it many years ago to hide it from mother's purges of the palace. Kalus allowed herself a small smile and a tear ran down her cheek. It had been far too long since she had read this. A reminder of happier times when father was alive and mother still loved her.

Stop that! She mentally cursed to herself. Mother loved her. Everyone said that. Mother's loved their children. (She wasn't sure she believed that, but she had to keep telling herself that.)

"So…what story shall I read today?" she asked as she felt her voice wobble slightly. Kameo looked sympathetically at her.

"You DO miss mum!" she said and Kalus didn't bother to correct her. The truth was much more than that. It was more to do with father than mother. The last thing she remembered doing with him before he died than anything to do with mother. Still, she knew that Kameo wouldn't understand. How could she?

"Can I have the Princess and the Spider?" Kameo asked and Kalus nodded.

"Yes, of course," she said and the two of them crawled into Kalus's bed.

"Once upon a time…

KEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOP

The Sun crawled across the sky and Kalus opened her eyes.

She could hear the birds singing in the morning sun and the sounds of the palace waking up around them.

Beside her, Kameo grumbled and merely rolled over. Kalus chuckled with amusement at her sister. It was almost as though they were children again. Kalus sat up and gave Kameo a shake.

"Wake up sister. It is morning and breakfast is no doubt waiting for us."

Kameo groaned and pulled a pillow over her head. Kalus shook her again.

"Sister, it is unbecoming of a princess to be so slovenly. Wake up!" she said a bit more harshly. Kameo sighed and rolled out of the bed. Kalus picked up her book and delicately put it away. She had business to attend to, even if her sister did not. She had to make herself ready for school and-

Kalus abruptly stopped. Would school be open? And…did it matter any more? She was probably going to be queen long before she reached any kind of graduation. The Council would not wait for the end of the school year before it came to a decision.

She shook her head. Regardless of her future as queen or not, the routine offered by school would probably benefit both of them. It would be stability in the storm, something they would not have a lot of in the future.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" she asked as she looked over at Kameo. She really hoped that she would get herself together at least. Mother would be-.

She paused and shook herself. Mother was not a factor any more. She should have known better than that.

"Kalus, it's Lenya. Breakfast is ready and Uncle Halis wants to talk to you," she said and Kalus nodded. She should have expected Uncle Halis to want to talk to her. Matters of the crown and state were no doubt waiting to be raised. It was actually a surprise that he hadn't sought her out sooner really.

"I will be down momentarily," she said and she turned to her sister. "Did you hear her Kameo?"

Kameo sat up and groaned.

"Yes, I heard her," she said and Kalus turned away.

"Good. I expect you to be ready quickly then. I have no doubt that this is going to be important to us both."

Kameo groaned again, but she sat up and started to tidy herself up. She looked at Kalus.

"I think I preferred being woken up for Midwinter Festival," she said and Kalus allowed herself a small smile.

"Perhaps sister, but we should go."

"Yeah, mum isn't-" Kameo abruptly stopped and a look of horror and sadness crossed her face. "Oh no. I'm so sorry," she said, before abruptly fleeing the room and Kalus was sure that she could hear a sob as she passed.

Kalus stayed still for a moment. Kameo mentioning mother should have hurt, but instead…well she wasn't sure to be honest.

Composing herself, Kalus walked out of her room, her head held high. She was a princess and heir apparent. Kameo could afford to be emotional. Kalus could not, even if she knew what she was feeling.

KEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOPKEOP

Uncle Halis looked up at the two princesses as they sat down at the breakfast table. Two Goblin servant brought through their respective breakfasts. Kameo, a large breakfast of eggs and bacon and for Kalus a bowl of muesli. Kalus looked at her sister's breakfast with a look of disgust, before looking at the two other people at the table.

"You wish to discuss something with us," Kalus said without preamble and Uncle Halis nodded.

"I know that this is a bit soon, but we need to discuss your mother's funeral arrangements with you both," he said and Kameo abruptly dropped her fork.

"Tradition dictates that the preceding monarch lays in state for ten days while the ordinary people pay their respects," Kalus said sharply. "Do you intend to do the same with mother? And will you use magic to cover her injuries?"

"I…yes," Halis said, taken by surprise by how abruptly she had spoken. "Her death mask is being made and will take ten days to complete anyway, but we felt that it would be distressing for people to see her injuries."

"No doubt mother's death mask will be made from gold and silver," she said and Kameo stared into the distance, not saying anything. No doubt, she had her own thoughts on the matter, but Kalus could not muster the energy to ask.

She was too busy trying to control her own wild emotions.

"Gold and silver, much like that of your father," Halis said, giving Kalus a look of…understanding, perhaps? Kalus couldn't tell. "The necessary woods and Frankincense are being prepared."

"Kameo dear, do you think that you are capable of lighting the funeral pyre for your mother when the time comes?" Lenya asked gently and Kameo nodded, clearly not trusting herself to speak. Then she looked at Kalus, her expression hardening. No doubt she was beginning to find Kalus's calm, controlled manner frustrating. "And Kalus, will you be capable of leading the funeral prayers?"

"I will," Kalus said, gripping her spoon very hard. She took a deep, slow breath. A queen has no business allowing her emotions to show. Nor did an heir apparent. Halis gave her another curious look as he continued.

"The funeral pyre will be assembled at the Royal Burning Grounds and the rest of the Ancestors and family will be in attendance. The new monarch will have been selected by then," He paused and nodded towards Kalus. "Their ceremonial robes are being prepared as we speak. Kalus, as a candidate, you should visit the Royal tailor. All the candidates are going to be measured for their coronation robes."

"You make it sound like Kalus isn't going to be queen!" Kameo protested and Kalus allowed herself a small smile. It was reassuring to know that she had Kameo on her side even as the world changed.

"There are formalities to be observed, Kameo," Kalus said with a slight nod. "Because of…how the situation has arisen, the Council of Tribes has to decide instead of…the previous monarch."

"Kalus-" Lenya began, a look of concern on her face, but Kalus pushed on.

"Uncle Halis, who are the other contenders to the throne?" she asked, ignoring Lenya's expression of concern and annoyance in equal measure.

"The leading candidate against you is your cousin Maeralya Trana."

"The baby cannon!?" Kameo blurted out in surprise and Kalus frowned.

"Maeralya has three children under the age of five and has another on the way. Surely she does not expect to be able to handle that kind of magical transfer while pregnant?" she asked with a frown and Halis shrugged.

"She no doubt intends to take the Element of Power when her pregnancy is complete. She would not be the first queen to temporarily set aside the Element while pregnant," he said with a slight shrug. "Personally I doubt that her bid is a serious attempt. Just a token effort to keep her family in the spotlight with the Council really. Your distant cousin Iolas Thekrana is the only other challenger."

Kalus sighed. As expected, there was a token challenge, but nothing of any real concern. Maeralya was the granddaughter of Uncle Yeros. Kalus actually remembered her from school as the slightly patronising older cousin. Technically she had a potential claim, but…she was twenty-two and with three children under the age of five, with another on the way. She doubted that anyone would seriously consider her as a candidate.

Iolas was a longshot at best. His family was distantly related to the Royal family. No doubt, they hoped for a similar result to the one that had placed father on the throne. Neither were serious contenders.

"Very well," she said as she finished her breakfast. "I will attend to the Royal Tailor after school and-"

"School has been cancelled for the next few days dear," Lenya said gently and Kalus frowned again.

"Very well. I shall attend the Royal Tailor immediately," Kalus said stiffly and she swept out of the room.

"Kalus!" a familiar voice cried out from behind her and she turned to see Uncle Halis chasing after her. He quickly caught up with her and gestured to the hallway. "Can I walk with you for a while? There's something I want to talk to you about privately."

Kalus nodded and the two walked down the corridor.

"You know Kalus, your response is very much a soldier's response." Kalus raised an eyebrow and Halis continued. "You're very focused on the situation at hand. It's…admirable. I think that your father would approve." He paused and stopped outside a door. "You must handle the situation as you see fit. Even if others disapprove."

"Thank you," Kalus said in a slightly stiff voice and she continued down the corridor.

Chapter Text

When Kalus arrived at the Royal Tailor, she saw that he was not as alone as she would have liked.

She rationally understood that he had other members of the Royal family to attend to and that she was not the only member of the Royal Family who required his services. She understood that she was earlier than he would normally have expected.

But even so, she was unpleasantly surprised to see her cousin Maeralya Trana was already there. The tailor was taking measurements and for a few minutes, he didn't even realise that Kalus was there.

The man jumped in surprise as he turned around.

"Princess Kalus!" he said in surprise. "This is an unexpected pleasure….I am sorry, I did not expect to see you so soon in the morning. Please, let me get my notes and-"

"In light of recent developments, school has been cancelled for today." Kalus said, cutting the man off. "I thought it prudent to take advantage of the opportunity."

"It's quite alright," Maeralya said with a small smile, but her eyes held a subtle mockery behind them. "My cousin has had a lot to deal with of late. I am sure she simply forgot to raise it with you."

"Greetings cousin," Kalus said in a stiff voice, resisting the urge to give any hint that her cousin had managed to get through to her. "I was not expecting to see you today. I would have thought you too busy with your children. The twins Jeardra and Roshia are a handful and your oldest child is still potty training."

"Oh it's okay," Maerayla said with a small smile. "Adresin is a wonderful supportful husband and he's at home with the children." She gave Kalus a faux-sympathetic look as the Royal Tailor came back into the room with his notes. "But my concerns are nothing compared to your own. The grief you must be feeling…I am surprised that it hasn't overwhelmed you."

"Your concern is noted and appreciated," Kalus said in a flat, emotionless voice. It took a lot of effort to avoid gritting her teeth. Maeralya was looking for any weakness and she knew that if she lost her temper here, in front of a witness, she would no doubt use it to claim that she was unsuited to become queen. "However, I assure you that I am indeed capable of going on."

"You poor dear," Maeralya said, shaking her head almost sadly as the Royal Tailor began taking Kalus's measurements. "You're not even of age yet and you should be free to enjoy the last vestiges of your childhood. And of course, you and your dear sister need time to grieve and move on from this tragedy. You should not have to deal with the responsibility of the crown in such a state."

Kalus resisted the urge to point out that Maeralya was only three and a bit years older than Kalus. And had gotten married shortly after turning eighteen to her boyfriend of six months. And had proceeded to have children from the age of nineteen. She was hardly a prime example of responsibility in her opinion!

"Ah, but you and your husband have a new child on the way, do you not?" Kalus asked, trying very hard to keep the venom out of her voice. "I would hate for the stress of taking the throne to cause you any trouble and unnecessary stress. And of course, you would have to wait for your child to be born before transferring the Elements of Power. Such a transfer of magical energy would be…difficult, would it not? Especially if you do it so soon after giving birth. And of course, you would surely want to spend some time bonding with your newborn after all?"

"I am sure that I will be more than capable of handling both," Maeralya said with a tight smile she obviously didn't feel.

"And I am sure that I will be able to fulfil my role as queen despite the tragic events leading up to my coronation." She paused for a moment and gave Maeralya a hard look. "Assuming that I am selected of course."

"If you think that you are up to the task," Maeralya said as the Royal Tailor continued to measure her, before shaking his head slightly.

"Thank you for your time," the Royal Tailor told Maeralya as he took the last few notes he needed. "I believe that I have all that I need for now. There shouldn't be any real problems making your dress now."

Maeralya turned to the Royal Tailor and gave him a massive smile.

"Thank you," she said, before stepping down from the measuring stool. She turned and looked at Kalus.

"I am only doing this for your own good, and Kameo's as well," she said before leaving. Kalus began grinding her teeth. As if she believed that! Maeralya knew full well how Kalus had spent her entire life preparing for this! The fact that she had the gall to pretend that this was some kind of altruistic gesture was maddening. It was pure politics and they both knew it. If her father was still…

She stopped that particular line of thought from going any further. Father was gone. There was no point in thinking about him and what he would have done. A queen, even a mere candidate, needed to be focused on the here and now. The kingdom needed leadership and it had fallen on her shoulders.

"Your measurements are now complete your majesty," the Royal Tailor said and Kalus nodded. He brought over a small bowl of water and set it down in front of her. With a quick wave of his hands, the water rippled briefly and a new image replaced the reflection on the water. Instead of Kalus in her normal black dress, it showed Kalus wearing a long sleeved flowing blue dress with golden accents highlighting her curves. It was beautiful and looked magnificent on her and for a moment Kalus felt breathless. Then she shook herself. She was not some empty headed bimbo, obsessed with fancy dresses.

He waved his hands once more and a different dress appeared. This one was a long black dress with gold lining the edges and a pattern of leaves stitched in gold. Kalus frowned slightly. It was a nice dress, but it was not as good as the first one. Seeing her expression, he waved his hands again.

"Perhaps this one will be more to your liking your majesty," he said and another dress appeared on the surface of the water. This one was a shoulderless form fitting pink dress that sparkled. An elaborate interlaced pattern of diamonds and pearls sat on her chest, leading down towards her waist in a vee shape.

"I preferred the first one," she said and the tailor nodded.

"Excellent. Your dress will be ready within the next two days," he said and with a wave of his hands, the image vanished.

Kalus nodded as her mind played over her cousin's words. To her, it was just a game. The chances of Maeralya being chosen was virtually nonexistent, but still…

"I will return when the dress is ready," she said as she turned to leave. "Inform me when it is ready."

"Of course your majesty," he said with a slight bow and she swept out of the room.

KEOPKEOPKEOPKEOP

The familiar smell of horses hit her nose the moment she walked into the stables.

"How may I help your majesty?" a groom in green and blue asked with a slight bow.

"Bring me my horse," she ordered and the groom bowed once more.

"Yes your majesty," he said, before dashing away. A few minutes later, he returned, leading a formidable looking black horse with him. There was a tension in the groom's body that he couldn't fully hide. The horse was snorted contemptuously at him and abruptly trotted forward to Kalus.

"Hello Audrey," she said, slowly stroking the horse's mane. At least someone here was treating her like normal. No expectations of grief. No pressures of any kind. She turned to the groom. "You may leave."

The groom bowed and walked away. Kalus turned her attention back to her horse.

"We are going to have to take a long ride," she said as she strapped her saddle on. Behind her, she heard someone else enter the stables.

"She's a beautiful horse," a man said from behind her. Kalus gave the owner of the voice a curious look.

He was a young man, not much older than her, with short red hair and grey eyes. He was well dressed as well, she noted to herself, wearing a leaf pattern shirt of red and gold and simple black trousers. This man was nobility and it showed.

He raised his hands in a calming gesture.

"I just need to talk cousin," he said as he moved a little closer. "Somewhere we're unlikely to be overheard like here."

"Who are you?" Kalus demanded with a slight scowl and the man shrugged.

"I'm your cousin Iolas Thekrana," he said and Kalus grimaced. Dealing with cousin Maeralya was bad enough. She didn't want to be dealing with another candidate for the throne as well. Especially one she didn't even know.

"I'm not here to provoke you," he said quickly, apparently picking up her hostility. "I am here seeking an…alliance of sorts."

"An alliance," Kalus said in a flat voice and Audrey snorted slightly. Kalus stroked her mane to calm her down, but kept her eyes on Iolas. "You're one of my rivals to the throne. Why would you seek an alliance with me? For that matter, why would I seek an alliance between us?"

Iolas shrugged.

"I don't want the throne," he said and Kalus raised an eyebrow. "And I know that you're the candidate who will almost certainly be chosen." Kalus opened her mouth to say something, but he quickly pressed on. "I do not, however, trust our cousin Maeralya. Nor her husband Adresin." He shook his head. "I especially distrust Adresin."

"Why?"

"Adresin and his family hold a grudge against mine. And cousin Maeralya is a baby cannon. She will depend on his support."

"You think he would seek to harm your family? I doubt that would be an expedient course of action," Kalus said and Iolas shook his head.

"Not directly, no," he said. "But my family depends heavily upon exporting goods outside the Kingdom. It would be easy for him to do something like delay renewing our export licenses or increasing the amount of bureaucracy that we would face over our competitors. Such a thing would devastate the fortunes of my immediate family." He looked at her firmly, determination burning in his eyes. "I would rather burden myself with the responsibilities of the crown than allow him the opportunity to do so."

Kalus frowned. It was true that Maeralya was fond of her husband. And she knew just how devastating such measures could be to an exporter of goods of any kind. And she knew very little about Adresin.

"What exactly do you propose?" she asked and Iolas shrugged.

"Nothing much," he said with a slight smile. "Just a simple promise to support my candidacy should you ever be forced to withdraw. And in return, you will have mine. And we exchange warnings about anything that Adresin and Maeralya have planned." He looked at her. "I do believe that Maeralya is serious in her attempt."

"I will think about it," Kalus said and Iolas shrugged once more.

"For now, that will do," he said, before walking away.

Kalus frowned as she allowed her mind to chew over what he had told her. It was possible that he was being dishonest, but she didn't think so. Still, she would have to confirm the details for herself.

She climbed onto her horse. Those details would have to wait.

"Come on Audrey," she said as she picked up the reins. With a quick dig of her heels, she rode out of the stables and into the wide open fields beyond.