Edea showed no outward signs of anger by the time breakfast concluded. She even managed a convincing smile while bidding farewell to Corrina, and spoke warmly about the new agreement they’d come to before Surelin's dream had soured the table’s mood. For her part, Corrina somehow managed to seem even more distant and aloof than before. When the time came for her to leave, she briefly turned back at the door to aim a quiet, thoughtful look at Surelin before departing.

Kara, on the other hand, had been so stubbornly concerned that she’d become something of an obstacle.

“I can stay for a while, Sur-sur,” she kept insisting. “Really, it’s no trouble.”

After a frustratingly long back and forth, Surelin eventually lost patience and compromised, promising they would meet again before the end of the day. Edea then came to her rescue, explaining that the resistance had an extremely important day ahead of it while emphasizing Surelin’s role. Under pressure from Edea, and with a sacred promise in hand, Kara gave Surelin a final bear hug before reluctantly departing.

When they were finally alone, Surelin leveled a patient stare on Edea, waiting for her to explain herself. Edea returned her gaze with a silent, obstinate stare of her own. An argument was clearly imminent, though neither side seemed willing to initiate.

At length, Surelin chose to be the initiator, hoping that leading off would give her some control over the argument's flow.

“How can I be queen if you won’t involve me with matters of state?”

“I am not excluding you."

A deep frown crossed Surelin’s face.

“You knew when you asked me to take the succession that it was the absolute last thing I wanted for myself. I felt that way long before the siege, and I feel it more strongly now. I only took it because you insisted that neither you nor Edwin could step into that position.”

“Don’t belittle yourself, darling. You have a talent for leadership.”

“I won’t be your figurehead,” Surelin continued, ignoring her. “I’m going to stand at the forefront of this or I won’t stand for it at all. I’ll happily abdicate to Edwin if a puppet is what you want.”

Edea studied Surelin’s face for a moment before responding.

“You misunderstand my intentions. I simply wish to obtain the maximum chance of success.”

“Lying to me isn't a good way to ensure victory.”

“I haven’t lied to you.”

Anger entered Surelin’s expression, and despite effort she couldn’t keep it from seeping into her voice.

“A lie of omission is still a lie. You were investigating Kara and the others without my knowledge.”

“Information is a keen weapon. A woman trained as a warrior should understand the importance of finding and exploiting opportunities in the midst of battle.”

“I don’t like that you’ve gotten her involved, and if you had approached me first I would not have given you my blessing. She was much safer where she was.”

“I see. Perhaps the issue is a mere misalignment of vision. From where I stand, our enemies hold virtually every conceivable material advantage over us, and as such I thought it only common sense to cultivate any available means to better our odds. If that assessment is in error then please, correct me.”

Surelin pushed down a strong urge to shout at her.

“...So long as I am queen, the power to make those types of decisions will rest with me. And with me alone.”

Edea stared in silence at Surelin, betraying no outward emotion.

She’s not accustomed to anyone challenging her, Surelin thought. On anything. I have no idea how she’ll respond.

The silence between them stretched on. Surelin was just beginning to worry that confronting Edea had been a major mistake when she finally spoke up.

“You are the monarch. I apologize for my failure to keep you better informed.”

Surprise briefly appeared in Surelin’s expression, and after suppressing it she gave Edea a nod.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

“Of course. I’ll admit that my judgment may have been impacted by the…current outlook. Of our situation. I will always consult with you first, going into the future.”

“That’s all I ask,” Surelin said, relieved.

Edea directed her gaze towards the window. Her placid expression displayed nothing that might reflect whatever was on her mind, but Surelin knew it had been difficult for her to back down.

That was much easier than I expected. I hope she means it.

Feeling emboldened by success, Surelin then decided to explore something that’d been lingering in the back of her mind ever since Corrina’s dream interpretation.

“Grandmother,” she began. “Why did you look so angry at Corrina?”

Edea’s eyes narrowed, and her gaze left the window, meeting Surelin’s.

“I do not know if that woman was being honest, darling, but you may rest assured. Death will take nothing more from you without first contending with me.”

A wave of emotion struck Surelin, almost overwhelming. Her eyes filling with tears, she stood up from the table and approached Edea. She knelt down by her chair, then wrapped her in a firm hug, which was returned instantly.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“I love you,” Surelin said, her voice muffled by Edea’s shoulder.

Edea squeezed Surelin tightly. “I know you do. My darling girl.”

They held one another for a long while. At length, the sound of the door opening caused Surelin to finally release Edea. She stood back up, but held her face away from the door, wiping away wetness from her cheeks.

“What is it?” Edea asked.

Tia and Siora both responded, speaking over one another.

“We apologize for—”

“We’re sorry to interrupt—”

Surelin turned to face them, and both curtsied upon meeting her gaze.

“Good morning, Majesty,” they said simultaneously.

“Good morning.”

Tia turned back to Edea with an apologetic frown.

“With the departure of the guests we had thought it time to clear the table.”

“We should have been more considerate,” Siora said anxiously.

Surelin shook her head. “It’s fine. You can go ahead.”

“Where is the prince?” Edea asked. “My instructions were for you to summon him to breakfast.”

Tia and Siora both opened their mouths to respond, then stopped, exchanging some very concerned looks.

“...He said that he did not wish to come to breakfast, majesty,” said Siora.

“We brought him breakfast in his room at his request,” Tia added.

Surelin then turned to Edea, and after a moment of eye contact they nodded to one another.

“Tell Caeda or whoever else is guarding Edwin to bring him here,” said Surelin. “Immediately.”

The maids both curtsied again, then gathered up their skirts and fled into the hallway.

“That boy’s deficiency of common sense causes me no small amount of despair,” said Edea.

Surelin made an affirmative hum in agreement, then took the seat on Edea’s immediate left.

“He was definitely lying.”

“Of course.”

“How should I handle him?”

Edea made no effort to conceal the pleasure the question had given her.

“It is good to hear you say I instead of we, but as that is the case I cannot offer input. What he did could very easily be considered high treason, and such matters are for the monarch to judge.”

“...Mm.”

“I would merely remind you that he is the realm’s sole heir. And that he is your brother, along with being very young.”

“I suppose execution is out of the question, then,” Surelin said, smirking.

A knock sounded at the door moments later. Len walked inside first, followed closely by Edwin and Caeda. Dread filled Edwin's expression as he walked into the room, and it deepened upon locking eyes with Edea and Surelin.

He definitely knows he’s in trouble again.

Len sat down at the table beside Surelin, offering her a warm, succinct greeting. Edwin and Caeda remained standing by the door. Both seemed to understand they were about to be subjected to a lecture.

“Caeda,” Edea said. “Why did you not escort the prince to breakfast as instructed?”

Caeda shifted on her feet nervously before replying.

“...He said that as the prince we had no right to take him anywhere against his will.”

“He’s very wrong about that,” Surelin said, glaring at Edwin. “From now on, the sentry has my full permission to take any measures they deem necessary to make sure he attends to his obligations. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then leave us,” said Edea.

Caeda bowed to Surelin before backing out of the room. Edwin watched her leave with an expression that seemed to indicate his last defenses were abandoning him.

Surelin spoke in a raised voice the moment Caeda finished closing the door.

“For Kali’s sake Edwin, what is the matter with you!? After all the damage you caused yesterday you still have the audacity to refuse a summons!?”

“Explain yourself, young man,” Edea said harshly.

Edwin glanced between them, then turned his gaze to the floor.

“...I was just…worried. About what you were going to say.”

“You can’t run from your mistakes, son,” said Len.

“It appears that recent events have taken an absolutely catastrophic toll on your sense of judgement,” Edea said. “If you persist in acting like a petulant child then I assure you that you will be treated as one.”

Edwin winced, and looked up to shoot a pained glance at Edea before returning his gaze to the floor.

“You’re going to be present at every meal from now on,” said Surelin. “And between meals you will spend your time either helping in the kitchen or assisting the servants with cleaning.”

Edwin’s gaze suddenly shot up from the floor, locking onto Surelin. The sudden rage with which he began to shout took her by complete surprise.

“So that’s it then!?! I’m to be a slave once more?! Cooking, cleaning, backbreaking labor—everything I was forced to do on the Capella's estate! Why not beat me as well, or put on a play where I’m forced to humiliate myself again and again and again!!!”

A harsh sob then escaped from him, and a huge tear leapt from his eye, rolling quickly down his cheek. He wiped it away angrily as his gaze returned to the same spot on the floor.

Heavy silence fell over the room. Surelin was left speechless by a mixture of concern for Edwin and an intense feeling of guilt. She felt exceedingly grateful to Edea when she decided to step in.

“We sacrificed a great deal to save you, darling. Some of our best people gave their lives to ensure you wouldn’t have to remain in that wretched place. For the sake of your family, and all the people Kali has given us the duty to protect, you must find the courage to take the higher road.”

Edwin wiped away more tears in angry silence.

“May I suggest something?” Len asked.

Surelin and Edea both turned to him.

“We are meant to have a senior staff meeting this morning, very soon in fact. Perhaps Edwin could attend this meeting, and the others like it that are sure to follow? It would be a good opportunity for him to practice statecraft.”

Edwin lifted his gaze off the floor, his expression betraying hints of gratitude. He then turned it to Surelin.

“I think that’s a good idea,” she said.

“We should all attend,” Edea added. “This meeting can be a family affair.”

“As it should be,” said Len. “The great houses have made their first moves towards open war this morning. The inflection point we have been fearing has finally arrived.”

He rose to his feet, straightening his uniform.

“I’ll make arrangements for the section leaders to also be present. It’s well past time for you to meet them, ma’am.”

“Thank you, marshal."

Len nodded to Surelin, then strode around the table, heading for the door. When he neared Edwin he stopped for a moment to lay a reassuring hand on his shoulder. The smile Edwin gave him was brittle and mirthless.

“Come sit with us, darling,” Edea told him. “The remaining bacon is cold, and the bread is likely somewhat stale by now, but you’re more than welcome to try both, if you wish. Speak with us awhile.”

Edwin wordlessly moved to obey. He sat down across from Surelin, and for the next little while they worked to coax him out of his shell using small talk, and memories from a time when things had been so much better for them all.