Astrala sat rigidly amidst the circle of chattering noblewomen, clutching her teacup tightly. She felt utterly adrift trying to navigate the complex etiquette and gossip permeating her new social sphere.

"Lady Astrala, you simply must try these little cakes," one opulently dressed woman trilled. "I had the imperial chefs make them especially in your honor."

"You are too kind, Lady Banore," Astrala murmured, politely taking one of the ornate pastries. She longed for the simple rustic fare of home, not these frivolous delicacies.

"And how do you find Imperial Court life?" another lady asked eagerly. "You simply must introduce us all to your charming woodland language and customs!"

Astrala managed a thin smile. "You flatter me, Lady Poise. I fear a simple village woman has little to offer such refined company."

"Nonsense!" Lady Banore exclaimed. "Having a commoner raised to nobility is all the trend now. We're simply famished for those quaint rural stories."

The noblewomen tittered and pressed in around Astrala, chattering excitedly. Trapped and overwhelmed among these pampered peacocks, she felt utterly uprooted from the steady life she once knew.

These ladies meant well, seeking only distraction from their cloistered boredom. But they saw Astrala as a novelty, not a person. She had become some rustic relic to be gawked at before cast aside when curiosity faded.

Astrala had no stories or wisdom to give this crowd. Her only hopes rested with Aeron and seeing her family through this confusing transition intact. All else was artifice to please fanciful appetites which soon found some new diversion.

Masking her melancholy behind gracious smiles, Astrala waded into lively debates on cake and court intrigue. She would play the wide-eyed provinicial for their amusement, if it helped her family navigate these tangled waters. But in her heart, she remained forever a simple farm wife marking the familiar seasons, now transposed somewhere far beyond her reckoning. They were all caught in currents sweeping them into strange new tides. She could only pray their modest values were not drowned along the way.

***

Menadue lingered after the other ladies had taken their leave, eager for some time speaking freely with Astrala away from prying ears. Though her role was communicating Aeron's wishes to his family, Menadue saw no reason that duty could not also be pleasant.

"Lady Astrala, might I request the honor of your company for a stroll through the gardens?" Menadue asked. "It's such a lovely sunny afternoon."

Astrala looked surprised but nodded graciously. "That sounds most agreeable, Lady Menadue."

As they meandered amidst the flowers and fountains, Menadue felt herself relaxing. With the young woman at last, the artifice between lady and attendant faded away.

"I must thank you for indulging an old farm wife's rustic manners," Astrala remarked as they walked. "You fit into this grandeur so naturally, yet stay kind."

Menadue smiled. "In truth, I was no less lost when I first arrived. But your family's sincerity makes all feel at home, emperor or pauper."

"You are too generous," Astrala said. "I fear we embody the country bumpkin cliche for these nobles' amusement."

"Perhaps some," Menadue replied. "But never to me. You and yours are oases of warmth in this impersonal place."

She hesitated, then asked, "Might I speak plainly, my lady?"

At Astrala's nod, she continued earnestly. "Please remember, despite the noise and glitter, Aeron remains your beloved son, not an unreachable emperor here. His gentle heart still longs for family most of all."

Astrala stopped, eyes glistening with emotion. "You see the truth beyond the facade. My Aeron still dwells within the Thorneborn." She clasped Menadue's hands. "Thank you for reminding me what truly matters."

With the guilt of past formality lifted, the two women embraced as equals, as friends. No role stood between them now but that of two souls offering comfort amidst the disorienting tides of change.

In this strange new world, Menadue had found a welcoming hearth to cling to, thanks to one warm and gracious family. She would protect and honor that gift as the lasting treasure it was. For Aeron and Astrala both, she would remain their devoted true companion, whatever storms or intrigues raged without.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

***

Astarrath strode boldly through the rubble-strewn streets of Astorium's outer ring, savoring the destruction her unearthly magic had wrought. The vaunted Imperial capital now knelt shattered before her, its pathetic defenses swept aside by her onslaught.

At long last, vengeance was hers. These wretched humans who had subjugated her kind, forcing the great wyrms into hiding, now cowered helplessly as their ordered world burned. Astarrath inhaled the sweet carnage deeply.

"Your reign ends today, false emperor!" she roared, blasting apart the towering inner gates barring entry to the palace complex. "No pretender to my power shall remain!"

Striding into the opulent inner grounds, she prepared to face this supposed god-ruler and obliterate him utterly. But as the residence halls came into view, a blazing ward suddenly flared up, driving Astarrath back with its ancient magic.

"Curse you!" she screamed, unleashing torrents of dark power against the shimmering barrier. To her fury, the protective enchantments held firm. She was locked outside.

A stern voice rang out behind her. "Yield, creature, or face exile!"

Whirling with a snarl, Astarrath saw the hawk-faced mage Deron approaching, a dozen battle-ready Imperdex Diviners arrayed behind him. Their hands glowed with readied spells.

"You lack the power to banish me," Astarrath sneered, though privately she knew she was spent from exertion. If it came to direct battle now, the diviners would likely prevail.

Seeing her hesitation, Deron slammed his staff down. "Last chance, demon! Surrender or be cast into the void!"

With no choice left, Astarrath cursed them all vehemently even as incandescent chains of light coiled around her, drawing her down into a vortex of the diviners' making. As darkness swallowed her, she vowed this defeat was only temporary. She would regain her strength in exile and return to finish what she had started. The Thorneborn line would fall!

***

Deron watched grimly as the last traces of the banished demon Astarrath faded into the closing vortex. It had taken nearly all the Imperdex Diviners' combined power to rip open a gateway and hurl her back into the void. If she ever returned, few defenses could stand against her wrath.

Turning to his exhausted mages, Deron allowed them a moment's rest before barking orders. "Scry the city for any lingering corruption from that creature and purge it! I want wardings tripled around the entire palace complex!"

As the diviners scattered to obey, Deron's thoughts turned anxiously to Aeron's continuing seclusion. Since the day of ascension, the boy had refused all visitors, claiming need for solitude and study. But Deron feared other forces were at work.

Striding toward the imperial residence flanked by guards, Deron hoped the attack might shake Aeron from his isolation. Threats were mounting, and the emperor could not hide from his duties forever.

"Announce me," Deron commanded upon reaching Aeron's chambers. But when the herald returned, it was only to convey Aeron's refusal yet again.

"Enough of this!" Deron snapped, pushing past to enter unbidden. Inside, he found Aeron sitting sullenly with his retinue of attendants and family.

"Your Eminence, we must talk," Deron urged. "Dangers press in from all sides, yet you continue this self-imposed exile!"

"It was no choice but necessity," Aeron replied bitterly. "I must understand my powers before unleashing them upon the realm." His piercing golden gaze fixated on Deron. "Powers you clearly distrust, or I would not be so confined."

Deron's eyes widened. Had Aeron overheard the sealed conclaves where the Diviners debated restraining his Thorneborn talents until properly prepared?

Deron chose his words carefully. "Your gifts are still nascent, requiring guidance and discretion until fully matured. We only wish to help focus them constructively."

But Aeron's expression only hardened. "You mean constrain them. Just as you leash me here while enemies strike unchecked!" His attendants stirred uneasily as magic seemed to thicken the air.

"Your Radiance, please, this is unwise," Deron warned, posture tensed warily. But Aeron would hear no more dissembling.

"Go," was all the boy said, eyes blazing perilously. "When I am ready to embrace my destiny, none shall stand in my way any longer."

Deron retreated anxiously, Aeron's power pressing against his back. Returning the emperor to his rightful duties would clearly require a more nuanced touch than Deron possessed. But diplomacy had never been his strong suit. All he knew was Aeron's potential terrified him, yet remained their best hope against the rising darkness. Aeron's fire must be awakened, before it was too late.

***

Aeron paced his chambers restlessly after confronting Deron, emotions still simmering from the tense exchange. Part of him regretted losing self-control, yet deeper anger burned at the mage's audacity.

They continued treating Aeron like a child, the epitome of the very condescension he had fled here to avoid. How dare they question his capabilities when he had scarcely been permitted to test them!

Well, no more. He was the Thorneborn emperor, unending and divine, not some untrained whelp. The time had come to break free of these overbearing shackles and claim his full sovereignty.

A timid knock interrupted Aeron's brooding. He waved the doors open irritably, then blinked in surprise to see his mother enter, looking concerned.

"Aeron? I felt something troubling you deeply," she said, studying him. "Will you speak with me about it?"

Aeron turned away. "They still refuse me the trust and dignity my station is owed." He met her eyes fiercely. "But no longer. My power is awakening, whether they approve or not."

His mother smiled sadly. "Yes, I see. But beware of good intentions from fearful hearts, my son. Patience yet remains your greatest strength."

Aeron sighed, his frustration evident. "I just want them to stop treating me like a clueless child. I'm the emperor, I should get some respect!"

His mother gave him a knowing look. "I understand it's hard, dear. But anger won't change their minds. It will only make them more determined to restrain you."

"So what should I do then?" Aeron threw up his hands. "Just keep letting them walk all over me?"

"No, of course not," she said patiently. "But lashing out thoughtlessly won't help either. Patience and wisdom can be greater tools."

Aeron slumped down in a chair sullenly. "Doesn't feel that way. Feels like they're never going to take me seriously."

His mother came over and stroked his hair. "It will take time for them to see you as you are now, not who you were. The frightened child is still fresh in their minds."

"I'm not a child anymore," Aeron grumbled. But he leaned into her comforting touch despite himself.

"I know, my sky," his mother said gently. "But until they realize that too, you have to be the better person. Lead by example, not force. Kindness sways more hearts than threats ever could."

Aeron sighed again. "I'll try, I just get so frustrated with them."

She tilted his chin up and smiled. "Patience. They will come around. And I am always here to guide you back from anger."

Despite himself, Aeron felt the resentment ebbing away. "Thanks, mom. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She pulled him into a warm embrace. "You will find your way, my bright star. But I will walk beside you for as long as I'm able."

Aeron hugged her back tightly, willing to stay in this moment forever where no crown or burdens could touch him. But too soon, she pulled back, eyeing him tenderly.

"Come now; your people need their emperor to be strong and compassionate. Shall we see if any hearts might be swayed today?"

Swallowing down the last of his childish sulking, Aeron nodded and rose to follow her out the door.

Calmed by her grace, Aeron turned his thoughts from anger back to his people's needs. His mother was right - change came through empathy, not a threat. He would show the realm a compassionate leader, whatever it took to heal this rift. Patience and virtue remained an emperor's, and a son's, truest guide.