Aeryn couldn't sleep the whole night. She kept staring into the dark vastness beyond her window, a sky that seemed to know no bounds, as if the shadows themselves stretched without end. Her mind was restless, her blood alive with something burning and unyielding. The world felt like it stood on the brink of boiling over, and she alone was meant to decide whether it would simmer or burst.
Just before sunrise, a knock sounded against her chamber doors. She did not move from the window at first.
"Come in," she said quietly.
The doors creaked open. In stepped Vienna, draped in a dark velvet gown, her figure swallowed in shadow. She moved with hesitant grace, closing the door gently behind her before pulling back her hood. Golden hair spilled down her shoulders like a sudden burst of light in the dim room.
Aeryn smiled faintly at the sight. There was visible perplexity in Vienna's eyes, a flicker of fear beneath the noble bearing.
"My apologies, Your Highness," Vienna stammered, bowing her head. "I did not mean to interrupt your rest. This is… this is not a good time. I will come later."
Aeryn shook her head slowly. She raised her hand, halting Vienna's retreat with a single motion, and gestured toward the table. "You are at a great time," Aeryn said, her voice calm but heavy with meaning. She moved to sit, motioning the maid who was already there arranging the tea service.
Vienna obeyed reluctantly, lowering herself into a seat, her hands tightening around her gown. Aeryn's gaze drifted not to Vienna, but to the maid, who bent over the brewing tea with meticulous little hands, her movements precise, almost reverent.
"You see, I love this girl," Aeryn began suddenly.
Vienna startled, her eyes widening as she blinked toward the queen, then toward the girl, who poured the steaming liquid into a glass kettle. She had been staring blankly at the rippling water, watching the brown liquid deepen as the leaves bled their color.
"My queen," Vienna whispered at last, her voice breaking. "I am scared."
"I know," Aeryn said simply.
"I cannot handle this…"
"I never asked you to handle," Aeryn replied softly, her words a knife wrapped in velvet. "If I remember right, I presume."
Vienna looked at her desperately, searching her face for mercy, for release, but Aeryn gave her none.
The maid poured the tea and, at Aeryn's nod, offered it to Vienna. The young noblewoman took it unwillingly, her hands trembling around the delicate porcelain.
"Your Highness…" Vienna began again.
Aeryn raised her cup, sipping calmly, and a small frown flickered over her brow at the taste. The silence thickened.
The maid broke it, her voice cutting through like a whip: "My lady, Her Highness does not like to talk while having her tea. Please refrain from speaking."
Vienna froze, silenced, her lips pressing together in shame.
When the last drop of tea left her cup, Aeryn stood, her figure outlined by the pale light of morning now breaking through the shutters. The sun had risen; the world was stirring.
"You can leave now," she said.
Vienna rose to her feet, but as Aeryn turned away, she took one hesitant step forward, as though reaching for something she did not have the right to touch.
The maid moved at once, swift as a shadow, her small figure cutting across the room. Her bright eyes flashed, her hand pressing subtly against the apron where steel was hidden. The warning was clear: one more step, and Vienna would regret it.
Vienna stopped dead. Tears welled in her eyes as desperation cracked her face. Without speaking, she turned toward the door.
But Aeryn's voice caught her before she left.
"I believe you," she said, her tone carrying the weight of both command and confession. "And I hope you believe yourself too. I know you will be just fine."
Vienna turned back, startled. The surprise in her gaze softened into warmth, her desperation eased into something closer to solace. A small, fragile smile tugged at her lips. She bowed, then slipped out of the chamber, her steps lighter than before.
......…
The palace stirred with commotion. Horses were bridled, cloaks fastened, banners raised. The air smelled of leather and torch smoke, the kind of morning when destiny pressed its weight upon every soul. Aeryn's cloak fell heavy on her shoulders, Sakina and Sasha falling in step behind her. But instead of heading straight for the gates, she turned her steps toward the throne hall.
Whispers rippled through the court as she entered. Vienna stood near the throne, pale but resolute, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Lord Vael stood a few steps below her, beaming with pride that was almost grotesque, his chest puffed, as though he alone had lifted his daughter to this place.
But the court did not beam. Jealousy, malice, and thinly veiled contempt filled their stares. They circled like carrion birds. Vienna's fear showed on her pale face; she looked ghastly, darting glances here and there, her breath shallow.
Then her gaze caught a cloaked figure near the last row. Recognition struck her. Her lips parted.
"My queen…" she mouthed silently.
She moved a step down toward Aeryn, desperate for anchor, but Aeryn halted her with a single raised hand. The queen's command was wordless but absolute. Vienna stopped, trembling, until at last Aeryn gave her the smallest nod.
Vienna inhaled deeply, shut her eyes, and stepped back up toward the throne. When she opened them again, her voice carried like steel sharpened in fire.
"I am put regent on orders of Queen Aeryn," she declared. "Anyone who has issue with this decree may confront me. Question me. But know this: the confrontation will not end well for you. Any wrong move will end not only your life, but the lives of your loved ones; on account of treason."
Gasps rippled. All eyes turned toward her father. Lord Vael's pride shattered into shock, his mouth parting as though struck dumb. His daughter's voice did not belong to the meek shadow he had ignored, but to something born anew; something untouchable.
The chatter died suddenly, silence dropping like a blade. Then, one by one, the ministers bowed.
"We accept the regency, my lady," they said as one.
Vienna stood tall, her hands steady now. To the court, she appeared to smile with victory, but her eyes sought only one figure. She looked past them all, to where Aeryn stood. The queen smiled faintly at her, nodding once. Then, without another word, Aeryn turned, her cloak sweeping behind her as she walked away.
Vienna's smile faltered for an instant, her heart sinking at the loss of that gaze. But then, something steadier bloomed inside her. She looked down, and this time the smile that came was her own.
as always if you like my work and want to read ahead, you support me on (P)(A)(T)(R)(E)(O)(N) (A)(C)(C)(U)(S)(C)(R)(I)(P)(T)(E)(R) your support, your motivation even a single dime mean the world to me.