A minute passed in silent contemplation as I considered Timoth’s offer of rulership seriously. But did my thoughts even matter? If Timoth abdicated, I would rule Ebonreach whether I liked it or not.

'If abdication is what you desire, I will not contest it. I only ask you to swear to me that this is truly what you want, and not merely some passing fancy.'

'Saemara, I have considered this from every angle. Even if your abilities were less than what they are, I cannot continue thusly.'

It was enlightening for me to see Timoth yield. I had witnessed him fight for his life against faeries and bandits, yet rulership was unexpectedly beyond him. It made me question whether I could ever hope to shoulder the burden if it had crushed my brother so.

Conversely, I was jittery with excitement at the prospect of being made the ruler of Ebonreach. There was terror, but there was also exhilaration. I would be a major player in the Kingdom. I would be able to make meaningful changes to improve the lives of the citizens of Ebonreach.

'Well then, brother. Would you like to be Marshal of my housecarls?' I asked him. I felt it important that he shift from one task to another, and not be allowed to slide into idleness from which could spring depression.

'There is no Marshal of Ebonreach,' he replied, but even as he spoke his tone changed as he saw the extent of what I was proposing. His eyes widened at the possibilities.

'You would, of course, be entitled to a salary befitting the leader of the men of the Reach,' I said with a smirk. Timoth's lips slid into a similar expression, and I knew that he was already relieved by my mere presence, as I was by his. We were a team, the two of us, and I did not think that either of us should ever again leave Ebonreach without the other. ‘Of course, this room is now mine.'

'Of course, Countess,' Timoth said with a half-hearted laugh. And with that, my world was turned upside down once again.

Timoth retreated into the bedroom, sealing the door behind him, and I called for Alum to join me in the meeting room. He arrived moments later and sat beside me.

'Alum… I have accepted Timoth's proposal. I shall lead Ebonreach, and he shall lead my army in the coming battles,' I explained to him. Alum did not express any surprise at my words. His expression was carefully concealed behind a well-practised courtly facade.

'I’m very happy for you, Saemara. For us,' he added, and I briefly considered what my promotion would mean for him. He ruled land now, in a way that a second son would normally not enjoy. I reached over to his chair and grabbed his hand, squeezing it. He squeezed back, and I felt connected to him.

'We should make our decision known at once. In light of recent events, we need to encourage the stability of the realm as quickly as possible,' I said. We will need to choose a date for my coronation. A few days from now should suffice, as none from outside Ebonreach are likely to visit on account of the Tokuan incursion and… recent events in the capital. Then shall marry. The ceremony will have to be at least a few weeks from now so that your family can visit.'

Alum's jaw became rigid, and he shook his head sadly. 'That won't be necessary. Mother is not fit to travel, and Father would never leave Hollowhold without her. Milos and I… Do not currently see eye to eye. None from my family would come,' he explained. His toke spoke of resignation, of defeat. I sensed that now was not the time to address the issue or console him, so I pushed on with planning.

‘In that case, we shall schedule our wedding for ten days from now, much as Wilbern gave ten days' notice of our wedding,' I suggested.

'Nine days,' Alum said, his frown spreading into a mischievous grin. 'For you changed your mind on the tenth day.'

I rolled my eyes at him. 'Nine days then. And the coronation in two, so that there is a week between them. You had best draft a contract and present it to me as quickly as possible.'

'Of course, my lady,' Alum said, and we smiled at each other.

It was already late in the day, and I had endured much hardship on horseback and in this very room, so I preferred not to face my new subjects at that time. Instead, when Timoth emerged from the bedroom carrying cases of his possessions, he joined Alum and I in casual discussion, detailing the time we had spent apart. The discussion continued until my eyelids were weighed down by weariness and I was forced to retreat to my old chambers, probably for the last time. I longed to mitigate the coldness of my bed with Alum's warm body, but this was no merchant town tavern. This was the castle keep of the county capital, and with our wedding only nine days away I would not risk further disruption to the affairs of the realm by inviting further scandal. Our kiss goodnight was in the relative privacy of the royal chambers, and I slept alone.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

In the morning, I called for a servant and ordering the preparation of a bath. Then I ventured into my portal and retrieved the mirror I had originally taken from my old Hollowhold chambers. I placed it atop my chest of drawers and enjoyed a short, yet peaceful bath. It felt like the calm before the storm and, in line with the metaphor, the rest of the day was a flurry of servants and soldiers.

It was chaos. At first the congratulations were heartwarming and I received them well. Both my ascension and my betrothal were toasted. I started to wonder whether such enthusiasm preceded expectations of royal favour. Then I became only too aware of those who had yet to congratulate me, who were increasingly conspicuous by their absence.

For a large part of the day I found myself surrounded by varying bureaucrats and lesser landholders seeking some sort of decision or favour to resolve their woes. They were all concerned by the Tokuans, but also by taxation, by regulations surrounding the militia, by fears of a trade embargo from Trent, and so on. It was with relief that I bid them all depart and return after my coronation. I had been given a brief taste of the responsibility that had clipped Timoth's wings, and I sympathised with him more deeply due to the experience. I was exhausted once more, and longed for a day spent as my youth had been: lounging on the beach, perfecting the colouration and dimensions of my physique.

Resting in the meeting room of my new royal chambers, which had been transferred by servants during the day, Alum put his arm around me as we sat before the desk of ledgers. 'Just relax, Saemara,' he suggested, and I was grateful to oblige. I closed my eyes but did not sleep, putting off the issue of state finances just a little bit longer. It seemed that the rulership was a full-time job: my days would be occupied with the affairs of strangers, and my nights by the treasury. Somehow, I was supposed to find time to bear children.

As if reading my mind, I felt the comforting weight of Alum's arm disappear as he stood and retrieved a scroll from the desk. I saw its title. “Deed of Marriage.” I tried to paralyse the muscles in my face, but could not prevent myself from gulping and taking a deep preparatory breath. Alum put his hand gently on my shoulder.

'I know your past experience with such a document was not a positive one,' he said. 'But I trust that this will be more to your liking.'

I picked up the document and read the first line.

In Cha's name, and with the grace of Yoru, we, Prince Alum Goldmane of Halivaara, Count of Ebonreach, and Princess Saemara Tfaeller, Countess of Ebonreach, hereby join our realms, our portals, and our lives in holy matrimony.

I put the document back down without continuing to the second sentence.

'Is there something wrong?' Alum asked, seeking my eyes with his. I did not meet his gaze.

'There is nothing wrong,' I said, looking directly ahead, at the wall. I just needed a moment to be sure that I wasn't making a terrible decision. After a moment's pause, I realised that it was, and decided to go with it anyway. 'I trust you. You know me, and you know what went wrong in my previous engagement. I will sign your contract. I do not need to read it.'

Alum's face creased into a frown. 'Saemara, this contract will bind us for the rest of our lives. Are you certain that you do not make this decision out of fatigue?'

'Yes, Alum. I know what I’m doing. I would also have you organise our wedding ceremony. It seems that I am much too busy to guide the preparation with my own hand.'

'Of course,' Alum said, and I was grateful for his unquestioning acceptance of the responsibility – though not so much for his look of concern, which was borne out in his subsequent words. 'Perhaps you should ease into the rulership more slowly. I don't want you turning out like Timoth.'

I put on my bravest smile. 'Don't worry, Alum. I’m the last of the House of Tfaeller. I don't have the luxury of turning out like Timoth.'

One advantage that I had over my brother sat beside me: Alum. Timoth had never pursued a lady, and was forced to face his trials alone. I had a Prince of Halivaara at my side, a man with considerable talents of his own. He was certainly the most highly-educated man in Ebonreach, and the strongest swordsman too.

Alum and I did not spend the entire evening in the meeting room, enjoying a brief yet intimate foray into the bedroom. Yet we were still unwed, so when night fell he returned to his own temporary quarters, making certain that my guards saw him leave.

My coronation ceremony dominated the next day. It transpired much as Timoth's had a number of weeks earlier: with pomp and circumstance limited by meagre funding. It felt terrible to have to set my own financial limits. Yet I was only a Countess, even if I was soon to be a Princess, and too much pageantry would send the wrong message. I wondered which title I would properly be addressed by after the wedding. Presumably, Alum would know.

I was faced with Timoth's prior dilemma regarding the attendance of the commoners, and against his advice I made the decision to open the castle gates for the ceremony. I hoped that it would mark my reign in contrast to his, and to my poor reputation in the capital. Thankfully, beggars did not flood the bailey like vermin, though the event was certainly better attended than my brother's.

To my surprise there were many soldiers in attendance, which I put down to Timoth's personal involvement with the men. I spent the coin on a painter not just to immortalise the event, but also to declare to Ebonreach that my reign would be similarly long-lasting.

At the climax of the ceremony the circlet was placed atop my braided hair. I bowed to get low enough for the monk to reach my brow, and I felt its weight instantly. It signified the burden of rulership, and with my words I promised to make good on the faith that Cha had placed in me. The aquamarine nestled at the front of the circlet lingered at the edge of my sight, a constant reminder of my pledge.