To her heart of hearts, she gifted the Sword of Rebellion. Before he turned her greatest foe. - Niledian History of Their Great Lady

Talia placed the silver necklace around her neck. A gift from Lady Elara, it was enchanted with spells that would detect the more common magical poisons. The necklace was a comfort and a subtle warning. The Lovells were aware of the growing dangers and were doing what they could to protect her. As she felt the dense silver chains, a warmth filled her chest. Even after the armkine ruins debacle, they still cared for her. She hated that they had returned to their lands without her, but the king had required her to stay.

She took solace that she would be joining them in a few weeks.

She'd dressed herself in a gown of red and black, her house colors. My father's colors. She corrected.

She'd wanted to dress simply, but nobles from every dutchie would be at the dinner. She suspected the reason, and it made her stomach twist. A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.

"Enter."

Zara opened the door and entered the room. She wore simple clothes instead of her padded jacket or coat of plates. "It's almost time, your grace."

Talia looked herself over in her mirror. She looked about as good as she could hope. She'd declined the help of maids to get dressed, deciding to dress herself. It had been a lot of work. She didn't know why, but since the Lovells had left, she'd been wary of letting anyone close to her.

Something felt wrong. A shadow loomed over Talia. Knives concealed in the dark. Or worse.

The feeling made her gut twist with apprehension. Talia knew it was silly, but she'd been jumping at shadows regardless. Thankfully, Zara was on permanent assignment as her bodyguard, assistant, and, primarily, her babysitter. Zara's constant oversight comforted her. She'd found Zara to be fun. When she isn't as stiff as a board.

Talia smoothed the folds of her dress, checking her hair and makeup one last time before being forced into a bog of political maneuvering. She chuckled to herself. They make plans, but the king is the only true player.

She turned to Zara, "I'm ready."

'You look radiant, your grace," complimented Zara with a smile.

"Zara, please call me Talia, at least in private."

"Of course, your grace." Talia frowned at the weight she put into the title.

Why is she being so formal? A chill ran up her spine. Am I being watched?

"Thank you, Zara."

Zara nodded, "shall we go, your grace?"

Talia glanced at herself in the mirror, nodded, and approached the door. She exited her room and moved through the royal quarter of the palace. The few servants she encountered moved aside. More accustomed to the polite and genuine respect of the Lovell's servants, Talia had never grown entirely comfortable with the professional deference of the palace attendants.

With Zara at her side, Talia made it to the great hall. Already, people were there. She was surprised by the number of nobles mingling among tables laden with food. Men and women from Thralos and Vendrelia were abundant, but she was surprised to see many nobles from Calendra and Alstat. Barons and lords whose families were as old as hers.

The hall itself was resplendent: marbled stone walls and beautiful arched stone ceilings crafted of melded stone. Fairy lights, a common but charming enchantment, drifted around the room like fireflies. A soft musical melody emanated from the walls, background noise for the political battlefield she was entering. Looking for her seat, her eyes fell on the high table.

Talia's eyes widened in surprise when she saw Bastien Belmar and Gavriel Thral sitting at the head table on either side of her father. The three of them quietly conversed, ignoring the rest of the assembly. Her brother sat at one end of the table, surrounded by his usual group of sycophants. The men who, all too soon, would be running the duchy and probably the kingdom.

They were an unpleasant lot. Cruel, entitled, and powerful. At least, that had been the impression she'd gotten the few times she had interacted with them. More than a few of them were skilled with blade and magic.

There was no sign of Thral's niece. Aeliana was her name. She'd heard it on their way back from the hunt.

Talia's stomach clenched when she noticed Zara had faded away from her without her noticing. Zara had moved to the edge of the hall, where she would watch Talia from a distance. Talia was thankful for her watchfulness.

She took a deep breath and waded in. She did her best to avoid being dragged into any conversation as she moved towards the high table, returning greetings and slight bows with a smile or nod. Thankfully, she had spent so little time at court that few genuinely recognized her. I just have to make it to the table. Once she was there, it would be difficult for anyone to approach her.

"Talia!" The voice was soft and sweet. Talia turned to see Aeliana, a few other women trailing behind her, approaching. Aeliana's smile was so wide it practically split her face in half. Her long dark hair hung in ringlets almost to her waist, and long black eyelashes and sharp cheekbones gave her a refined appearance. She was elegant. "I was hoping we might talk. We didn't get the chance after your… adventure during the hunt."

Talia could feel her face heat. "I do apologize for that. I found myself… exhausted after."

"Aeliana, who is this?" The youngest of the women following Aeliana was dressed similarly to Aeliana but looked to be of a similar age to Talia.

"Liora," Aeliana covered her face with her hands, "This is Princess Talia, brother to the prince heir and second in line to the throne."

The girl's face flushed, "I'm sorry, your grace. I should have recognized you."

"Princess Talia, this is my younger sister, Liora Thral." Aeliana leaned in while glancing about conspiratorially, a smug smile spreading across her face. I do hope we can all get along. I expect we'll all be very close in the coming days." Her eyes raised and lit up. "Oh lord, Dustin!" And as quickly as she had come, she was gone.

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To Talia's surprise, Liora didn't follow; instead, she frowned at her sister's back. Before her eyes fell on Talia again, she blushed. "I am sorry, Your Highness, I've never been to the capital. I know that is no excuse, but…"

Talia put her hands up, smiling. She already liked Liora; at least, she liked her more than her older sister. It felt like Aeliana was wearing a mask, something put on to make people perceive her a certain way. Liora seemed far more… natural.

"Please call me Talia. It's a pleasure to meet you, Liora."

Liora's face brightened. "Thank you." The two stood there in silence.

This is getting awkward. Talia thought. "What do you think of the capital?"

"Oh, it's marvelous. I've never seen so many buildings constructed with magic. It's truly amazing. As grand as the palace is, I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't more excited about seeing the college."

"You're going to tour the college?"

"Oh, yes," Liora said excitedly. "I'll be going there in a few years, but I don't want to miss the chance to see it."

"You'll love it." Talia began to move, standing in the middle of so many people was getting noisy. She motioned for Liora to move with her. "The only place that even compares is the barony of Redlake.

"You've been to Redlake," Liora's eyes were wide.

"It's practically home for me. I've been fostered with the Lovells for as long as I can remember." Talia furrowed her eyebrows. "I thought that was fairly common knowledge."

Liora looked sheepish, "I've never been a fan of court politics. I have enough trouble trying to keep up with my sister."

"Keeping up?"

Liora's caramel-colored face paled, and she shot a glance around. "I just mean she's always so busy." Her smile looked forced.

"I see." Talia could tell something was going on. Is she afraid of her own sister? "Think they'll be a good match?"

"A good match?"

Talia leaned in. The hall was noisy, with loud conversation, music, and the clatter of dishes and cups, but she'd read of spells that could single out sound sources. Her volume wouldn't matter. Still, she spoke softly. "I think your sister is engaged to my brother or soon will be."

Liora tripped over herself, and Talia's arm was the only thing stopping her from falling.

"Are you alright?" asked Talia. Liora's face had become even paler, and her eyes were wide. She's terrified.

"Engaged," Liora squeaked.

Talia nodded.

"To the prince heir?"

"I'm sorry, I just assumed you'd know."

"I… Didn't. That is wonderful news." It looked as if all the blood had drained from Liora's face.

"Are you alright," Talia asked tentatively.

"I think I need to sit down. I'm not feeling well." Liora looked like she was going to be sick.

"Of course," said Talia. She watched Liora walk away. Aeliana and Evander are a better match than I realized. Their conversation had been brief, but Talia's gut told her that Liora was a good person. What does it say if she is that afraid of her sister?

Talia continued to her seat at the high table. When she took it, her eyes found Aeliana. Their eyes met, and a twisted smile spread across Aeliana's lips.

She mouthed two words, "Thank you."

Schemes and plots. The old warning whispered in the back of Talia's mind. She didn't know what game Aeliana played but wanted no part in it.

It didn't take long for the dinner to start properly. Servants brought in trays of food; the savory smells of roasted lamb and beef were accompanied by the delicate fragrance of fish baked with lemon, the comforting smell of fresh bread wafting alongside. All this was undercut by the deep fruity aroma of so much wine that the air was intoxicating.

It didn't take long for everyone to tuck into their meals, and fueled by drink and food, the atmosphere changed from quiet dignity to jubilant euphoria. Talia did her best to stay unnoticed. Her age made that significantly easier. Very few of the guests were younger than eighteen or nineteen. In fact, she suspected that Liora and herself were the youngest ones there—if Liora was still there at all.

Talia had been trying to find the girl, but she'd been unable to.

As dinner was winding down, Evander's voice cut through the noise. "Attention! If I might have your attention, please, fine Lords and Ladies." He waited until the room had fallen silent. He stood at the head of the table next to their father. "Our country's strength has always been our unity."

Talia concealed a groan. Not another speech.

"Since the Fall, we have been a united land. Belmara, Calendar, Alstat, Vandrelia.” There were cheers from intoxicated lords as each duchy was named. "And at the beginning of his reign, my father brought Thralos into the fold. My father believes, and I quite agree, that it is time for the bonds of blood to be extended to Thralos. Ladies. Lords. I am pleased to announce that I and Lady Aeliana Thral are engaged."

Ruckus cheers and polite claps followed the announcement. Evander raised his glass as a smiling Aeliana approached him and took his arm. The couple basked in the applause and cheers.

Talia's shoulders slumped; she had been expecting it, but a small part of her had hoped. She looked at her father. His expression was blank as he clapped alongside the rest of the room. How long does he have left?

Eventually, Evander waved the applause to an end, and the drink flowed doubly strong, with everyone celebrating the anticipated union. Talia did her best to avoid talking with anyone, keeping any conversation surface level and using every excuse she could conceive to escape conversation after conversation. As the night wore on, she found herself outside, trying to escape the smell of sweat and alcohol.

She was leaning over the railing, looking down into a section of the palace gardens. All kinds of plants grew there, kept and maintained by spells that kept their immediate surroundings to the plant's liking. What am I going to do?

"Out here considering your fate too?"

Talia turned to see a staggering Bastian Belmar. His cheeks were bright red. His speech was slurred.

"What do you mean, Duke?"

He made his way to the railing, leaning against it heavily. "We're in similar situations, Princess. Your father's time is almost up, and ours with him."

"I don't understand."

"Yes, you do," there was a hint of sadness in his voice. "River Sharks all around and were bleeding like stuck pigs. Wounded… weak."

"Do you always whine like this," snapped Talia.

"Only when I find swords descending on my neck." His shoulders somehow slumped even more. "Apologies, princess, I appear to be struggling with my drink."

"Speak plainly, Bastian," Talia said.

"Thralos. Aldcrest and Valkan. Ven Lovell. Our future monarch."

Talia didn't understand what he was blabbering on about. Ven Lovell was a threat to no one, and Thralos was a brother duchie. She also had no idea how Aldcrest and Valkan might factor into Bastian's ramblings. She couldn't speak for the threat her brother might pose. "I think you are indeed struggling to control your drink."

Bastian let out a bitter laugh, "I must be. I'm out here griping to a teenager."

Talia was growing annoyed with the man and his nonsense. "If you'll excuse me, I will call it a night; I am quite tired." She turned and started to walk away, heading for a side exit.

"Your brother is a dangerous man, Talia. I'd advise you to stay as close to Ven Lovell as possible."

Talia stopped looking back, "I never took you to be caring, Duke Belmar."

"I'm not."

"Then why the advice?"

"Because it will cause trouble for two men I hate."

Talia just blinked at him in confusion. Is he saying he hates Ven?

Before she could voice the question on her lips, Bastian Belmar, his eyes bulging, bent over and vomited. He spilled the contents of his stomach onto the stone terrace. Talia wrinkled her nose in disgust. The man was drunk and not in control of himself; she was done with the conversation. She walked away. Leaving the Duke to deal with his own mess.