Riley frowned at the writing. How did that upgrade without a crystal?

[You’re the current ruler of the new nation of Niland. May you rule fairly and justly. ~Beauty]

[Princess: Grant one inspiration to your subjects each morning, allowing them to boost their attributes by ten once a day. +2 charisma, +2 intelligence, +1 dexterity, and +1 to perception and insight per level. Grants one skill slot while active. ]

“I did not sign up for that.” Riley sighed and looked at the bloody room. Her mouth dropped open, and she bolted to a table. “Arjun?”

He looked up and wiped the blood off his body. Confusion spread across his face. “Do I know you?”

“Yes. What are you doing here?” Riley said, turning and looking through the room. Where’s Tahani?

“I came to get my new job,” Arjun said, groaning and sitting up. He studied her. “Riley?”

Riley smiled and nodded. “Where’s Tahani?”

“Dunno.”

Riley gave him a once over and turned to Althea. “Where’s Nicole?”

“Neria’s out with the knights. They are taking control of the city. The plan is to take as much territory as we can.” Althea grinned at her.

“Is that why I just got a notice that I am the ruler of this place?” Riley asked.

Althea smiled. “Congratulations, my queen.”

“It said princess for some reason,” Riley said, looking at her upgraded class.

“Probably due to your age,” Roger said, walking up with a growing smirk.

Riley groaned, and a knight poked his head into the room.

“Princess Riley, if you don’t mind, Travis would like a word.”

“Was this his idea?” Riley demanded, jogging for the stairs and following the knight.

The knight turned. “I think it was Simon’s. He made people swear oaths to you, and we went with it.”

Of course, he did. Riley walked up the stairs and followed the knight down the hall.

Walking into an office, she looked at the stacks of parchment.

Travis was staring at them disdainfully. He turned. “Lady Riley, excellent. We are spreading the message that you have taken control of this kingdom.”

“How will Eteln feel about that?” Riley asked, a crooked smile spreading across her face. “After all, the throne is mine now.” She laughed.

Travis chuckled. “And that’s why they won’t care. Most of their soldiers swore oaths to you the second they learned about your auras.”

Riley nodded. “I can understand that. Did you contact them?”

“In progress. Ian is running.”

Turning, Riley looked around the office. “Well, what do we do now?”

“You tell me. You’re in charge.” Travis laughed.

Riley sighed and walked to the desk. “Find the advisers if you can.” She frowned and looked at the papers sitting there. Flipping through them, she saw reports of troops, guards, food supplies, taxes, dungeons, and criminal reports. Where are their advisers? There is no way that they read the large reports.

“Pardon me, but I demand to speak with her. I am a duke and should replace their majesties,” a man bellowed.

Travis groaned. “I’ll handle it.” He walked into the hall, and a thump carried down the hall.

Did he just punch that guy? Riley smiled. I’m keeping him as a guard.

Two girls poked their heads into the room.

“Thank the gods,” Riley said, letting out a long breath.

Emma stared at her. “You’re an elf.”

“Half-elf,” Tahani replied, walking past and stopping. She stared at Riley. “You chose.”

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

“Yes, but it doesn’t change things. Now, come help me with this madness.” Riley gestured at the papers.

Tahani grimaced. “I thought we’d be having fun, not reading.”

“That’s what I said,” Nicole added, poking her head in. “Where’s that brother of mine? He can do it.”

“I have no idea,” Riley said, sighing. “He’d be ideal for this.”

Nicole stepped into the room. She walked up to Riley. “I don’t know if they’re ready for an elf ruler.”

Riley nodded. I don’t think they are. She looked at Travis.

Travis frowned at the body in his arms. “I’m going to try to hold off the nobles until we can get someone from Eteln here.”

“Thank you,” Riley replied. She frowned. “Condemnation. That end of term is this week. Every noble is on their way here.”

“We’re aware. Ivan took some horses.” Travis grimaced.

“Get Lucas for me.” Riley frowned. “And someone who knows how to run this thing.”

“You’ll do fine, my queen,” Nicole said, smirking.

Riley smirked back. “You’re now my chief adviser. Sit down and tell me what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Nicole sat in the chair. “What do nobles do?”

“Keep up enforcement. Remove crime. Make sure people don’t starve. You know. Things like that. I guess that’s what I’m supposed to do.” Riley searched the room. “Where’s my dad?”

“Avoiding this,” Tahani said, walking in and taking a seat. “I saw him. He looked in and walked off with a shudder.”

That’s Dad alright. Riley chuckled and frowned at the sound of a scuffle. Travis poked his head out and back in.

“Can you revert your appearance?” Travis asked.

Riley triggered Assume Disguise. A group of knights, several students, and instructors entered the room. She stood and studied them.

Randalf looked up and scowled. “Traitor.”

“Execute him,” Riley replied, glaring at him . She considered altering the order and grimaced. Keeping him alive was a risk.

Travis looked at her in surprise. “Riley?”

“I guess I shouldn’t ask anyone to do anything I’m unwilling to do.” Riley pulled out a knife and stepped out from behind the desk.

“You wouldn’t,” Kamal said, his eyes wide.

Riley frowned. “I’m not sure about you yet.” She hefted the blade.

“Riley, think about what you are doing,” Dwight said, stepping forward slightly. “You are not the queen.”

“I am,” Riley replied, glaring at him. “Now, let’s discuss the terms of your surrender.” She frowned and began walking down the line. “To be very clear, the royals are dead. Any claims of existing nobility are forfeit, but I will accept petitions from your parents should they yield. If they go to war, they will regret it.” She looked at Travis. Is that what I was supposed to do?

Travis nodded and studied the group. He scanned their faces. “We’re letting you go. I’d advise your parents to surrender.” He smiled. “There aren’t any guards. For those who’d prefer to stay, you may draft a letter and behave yourselves.”

Hassan frowned. “I would make an ideal duke.”

Riley smiled. “Why?” She looked at his confused face. “Why would you be an ideal duke? You'll need a good reason if you wish to make your case.” She turned and looked at the group. “You may go. Randalf, stay,” she said sternly.

She turned and raised a brow at Hassan. “Well?”

“I am a noble-born with good classes and skills,” Hassan said. “You owe me this.”

Riley took a breath and gently felt the handle of her knife. “ Gods, forgive me.”

“You don’t need to do this, Riley,” Travis said, frowning.

“I agree. She shouldn’t,” Nicole replied, blurring through the room. Blood sprayed onto the wooden floor, and she pulled Riley into a hug.

Riley buried her face in her shoulder. She heard the bodies hit the floor.

“You’ve killed enough today,” Nicole bumped on her back.

“Thank you.” Riley heard some servants or guards walk in and out, their steps heavy.

Nicole pulled her closer. “Are there others?”

Riley sighed and shrugged. “Probably. Those two were trouble. Althea might know others.”

“If she does, they’re probably dead,” Nicole said.

“Is that where the missing ones are?” Riley asked, looking up and studying the bloody floor. Regret and remorse fought the logic.

“Apologies for that,” Althea said, walking in with Roger next to her. “Sometimes a leader has to make the hard choice.”

“I know,” Riley replied. She walked over to the desk and sat. “What now?”

“For now, we wait. The guild and the knights are handling the communication.”

Roger walked to the desk, looked at the papers, and blanched. “Gods, save us both from that.”

Riley handed him several. “Get to work. I need you to summarize and…” He snorted and walked away.

Chuckling softly, Riley looked at the papers and frowned. The weight of it all weighed on her, and she forced herself to go through papers. There were supplies and people to consider.