It was already dark out, but nonetheless, Valerian kept pacing through his chambers. Knowing full well that everyone was waiting for him in the ceremonial hall. Delaying the inevitable as he was desperately trying to find a way to avoid taking a blood oath.

With the rebels dissipated and Lidea being gone, perhaps even dead, he couldn’t afford to be under the control of the church. But nothing he said, had been able to change his father’s mind, and no matter how long he thought about it, he couldn’t find a way to trick the Head of Church either.

I’m stuck.

The only alternative to becoming a puppet king was to openly rebel against taking the oath. However, then questions would arise as to why. After all, someone without magic, shouldn’t have any reservations about taking one. People would learn of his deceit, and any support he had, would crumble.

Dammit!

Anxiety caused him to pull strands from his perfectly curated hairstyle, as he turned and paced the length of his chambers again. Pushing himself to walk faster as he scoured every corner of his brain for a solution.

His spiral out of control was disrupted by a short rap on the door. He stared at the entrance, wondering if his father had finally lost his patience and sent guards to retrieve him.

“Valerian, it’s me.”

A familiar feminine voice made him rush to open the door. Ushering in Alana, who looked at him with a mixture of shock and concern.

In contrast to his own disheveled appearance, his sister was dressed like she was the center of the celebration. Her dress made of the most precious Sihayan silk, which was colored in a glittering royal purple. Her light-colored eyes and eyebrows had been darkened with powder, making her steel-colored eyes pop, and her hair had been put up in a complicated braid.

Her image resembled the pinnacle of beauty standards at the Lynoën court. If it wasn’t for the slight baby bump, that was visible underneath her dress.

He was glad to see that the outing of her scandal, hadn’t taken away her pride.

It had been marvelous to see her handle the gossips with snide remarks, brilliant smiles, and perfect posture.

As she withstood any attempts at tearing her down. Valerian’s admiration for her strength only grew.

“I came to fetch you, everyone’s waiting…”

Her unsure words broke the spell he was under, and he glanced at the hardwood floor as he sighed deeply.

“I’m aware.”

Silence hung heavily between them until Alana took his hand in hers, soothingly rubbing her thumb over the back of it.

“They can’t force you to take that oath.”

She sounded so self-assured but Valerian couldn’t see it. Either he followed his father’s decree and lost his freedom, or he refused and would probably lose his life.

“I have no choice.”

Alana pushed his chin with the tip of her finger. Those steel-colored eyes staring directly at his, hard and unrelenting.

“There always is. Come south with me. Leave this hell behind, let them slaughter each other with no end if they wish to. You don’t need to be a hero.”

Her last words almost sounded like a plea and he wondered if it was him, she was speaking to. Or if it was her father, or even her sister, whom she wanted to hear those words.

For a moment, he let himself imagine it. Going south, living in warmth as a commoner. Away from the intrigues of court, and the heavy weight of his duty as Prince. However, he knew that the guilt from running away would never let him go.

With a wry smile, he pulled himself away from her.

“I can’t do that sister. Lynoës is part of me, the land and its people.”

Disappointment turned to sorrow, and then to reluctant acceptance, as her shoulders sacked in defeat.

“I knew you would say that. At least, let me cheer you up then.”

From her dress pocket, she retrieved a dirty, crumpled-up piece of parchment paper and offered it to him.

Slightly confused, he unfolded it. His mind reeling as he scanned the couple of words written in it.

I’m alive.

There was no signature or name mentioned. It was unnecessary, as Valerian could recognize that neat cursive handwriting anywhere.

Tears welled in his eyes as a shudder of relief went through his body, and Alana swiftly embraced him. Letting him cry into her shoulder.

“Crybaby.”

She mocked him gently while rubbing over his back. However, her eyes were teary as well.

Lidea had survived.

He had hoped of course, especially as her body hadn’t been found. But the hope had grown thin as time continued with no trace of her.

As his shock at the news subsided, he pulled back to look at Alana with curiosity.

“How…?”

The woman shrugged with a playful smile.

“I have my connections. The letter arrived at the rebel camp around a week ago. They forwarded it our way.”

It was disconcerting to hear that she was involved with the rebels, but at the same time, it didn’t surprise him. After all, her mother had long been considered the master of whispers at court. Information was wealth, and the Chasseur family had long mastered how to be the first to know anything.

Alana must have picked up a thing or two from Milena.

“Did your mother see this?”

“Naturally. It brought relief, but she is still upset at Morto for attacking the hideout.”

Which was a given, as his father had once again broken the promise he had made her.

“Will she see me?”

He asked hesitantly, but as Alana pressed her lips together. He knew what her answer would be.

Ever since it came to light that Alana would be sent to Deloshra due to an unplanned pregnancy, Milena had been beside herself. Not only was her youngest child suspected to be dead, now the other was expelled from the castle. Left to fend for herself.

Protective as she was, it had made her rash out to anyone who dared to approach her. Valerian being her main target.

His sister sadly shook her head. Tightening the hug before letting him go.

“She just needs time… Mom loves you, Val. You know that, right?”

Maybe once she did, but nowadays he wasn’t as sure of that. Still, he nodded in agreement, while drying his eyes with a handkerchief.

The news had helped his heart to settle. Knowing now, that there was no reason to stall the oath anymore.

Lidea wouldn’t sit back and let their country go to ruin.

She would best him, and take the country by storm. Delivering their people from the plague that this religion had placed on them, and blowing the wind of change into the country.

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“Thank you, Alana. That message had immaculate timing.”

The blonde rolled her eyes before chuckling.

“Lidea always had a knack for saying what you needed to hear at the right moment. To my utmost irritation.”

She pulled him to a seat and pushed him to sit. Confusing Valerian, until he could feel her working on his hair.

“Did it look that bad?”

He grinned as he could hear her grumble while brushing through his locks.

“How can a Prince, especially the main attraction of the night, walk out like this.”

“My servant did a good job, it was me who ruined it.”

“Ow, I know. You always do this when you are anxious.”

Valerian had never noticed that habit of his but realized she was right. Of course she was, Alana knew him better than most after all.

Though he had been closer to Lidea, the three of them had practically grown up together. Making it even more bittersweet for him, that she would be leaving soon.

“Do you have everything packed yet? You are almost heading off to your great adventure.”

Alana had broken the engagement as her pregnancy had started to show. Wanting to make it seem as if she had tried to hide it, but not willing to wait too long, considering the travel to Deloshra would be a long one.

Even without seeing her face, he could feel her enthusiasm beaming off of her, as she finished off his hair.

“I still can’t believe that I’m leaving here. That I will live in the sun, away from this retched court.”

Despite how happy she sounded, he could see the sadness in her eyes as she stepped before him once more.

“I just wished it would have been with Khaleel on my side… And I will miss both you and Mom.”

She must be scared as well.

He couldn’t imagine the courage it took, to go and live on her own in a strange country with a baby on the way and no certainty about her life there.

“I will be fine. I know that I can do this.”

Alana smiled with such confidence, that he couldn’t help but smile in return.

“I don’t doubt you.”

She offered him a hand, helping him up before hooking her arm into his.

“What do you say? Would you mind escorting the most scandalous woman of Lynoës to this grand feast of yours?”

Alana grinned playfully and Valerian couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Is that why you came here? You didn’t want to arrive without a partner?”

The blonde tutted her lips, though the corners twitched in mirth.

“Of course! If they are going to talk about me. Then I want to give them a reason to talk even more, and what better reason is there than when I arrive with the most eligible bachelor of the court?”

Her words caused him to flush and he tried laughing his shyness away.

“I’m hardly that…”

Alana raised an eyebrow as she looked at him in disbelief, before rolling her eyes.

“You are so dense, brother.”

Valerian just laughed, knowing better than to deny her accusation.

Approaching the door of the ceremonial hall, he could feel his heart beating rapidly. Beyond those doors, his mask would need to be immaculate.

“Are you ready?”

Alana’s steel grey orbs were filled with concern. It struck him, how relieved he was to have her on his side at this moment.

Calming his breathing, he folded his features into a polite smile and answered her gaze.

“Of course I am.”

He could see that she didn’t believe him, but he laid his hand over hers and pinched slightly before turning to the herald and nodding his approval.

Without hesitation the man opened the oversized doors and his voice shouted through the room.

“Our Crown Prince Valerian Kyeira, and Lady Alana Chasseur!”

The gallant ballroom created by his far-distant ancestors still held traces of the grandeur of the bygone era.

The walls consisted of the original mahonia wood paneling which was greatly detailed with etchings showing off the pieces of history that had created the Lynoën Kingdom. Though now, his father had chosen to cover them with pale blue curtains. The favorite color of the Pleberien Church.

He found that it clashed with the beige-colored marble flooring, which extended up the stairs leading to the royal stage across from him.

It had luckily survived, as the embedded jade mosaic of a tree whose roots swirled whimsically through the whole hall, had been an image vague enough for the church to not take offense.

The same couldn’t be said of the clear glass dome that covered the ballroom. Once it had been made completely out of stained glass. It had depicted multiple dragons and riders, all in tints of yellow, red, and orange. Causing the hall to be bathed in golden tones as soon as daylight hit it.

It was how the yearly Lynoën royal ball, had received its nickname as the Sunset ball.

With it gone, however, the roof just showed off the clear night sky above them. That, and the smoke that collected there.

In all his wisdom, his father must have tried to mimic the lighting effect of before, by filling the hall with so many candles that he didn’t doubt that all the attendees would need to air out their clothes for days to get the smell out.

“It stinks.”

Alana whispered beside him. Her lovely features scrunched up in displeasure as she stroked the precious silk of her dress. No doubt, echoing the same thoughts he had.

Her remark caused Valerian to break into a genuine smile as they strode forward. Nobles stood and stared at the two, whispering the many rumors that were going around about them.

In the past, they had looked at him in admiration. The perfect prince who had been so marvelous compared to his father. But his recent actions had changed their perception. Already he could feel their eyes studying him, wondering if the cursed madness of his family had finally set in.

Reaching the base of the stairs, he looked up to where his father was sitting on his stone-carved throne. His face stoic, though Valerian could see the hints of displeasure showing through.

At his left hand stood the High Priest. A gleeful smile on his face, as he literally and figuratively looked down on Valerian.

He had probably expected Valerian to not show tonight.

But it didn’t matter if he had or hadn’t, the church would have won either way.

You don’t get rid of me that easily.

“I greet thee, My King and Father. My apologies for the delay.”

He bowed, as Alana curtsied beside him. Mumbling a polite greeting as well.

“You probably had your reasons, but I’m sure that I speak for everyone that we are impatiently waiting for the ceremony to happen, so we can enjoy the celebration afterward.”

Valerian spotted the two scrolls that were within the High Priest’s hands. Some paper, a magic inscription, and their blood. It was all that was needed to tie their fate.

Swallowing his growing anxiety, he shot his father a broad smile.

“Then let’s not waste any more time, shall we?”

Concerned steel grey eyes studied his face but he kept his smile as he unhooked his arm from Alana.

“I will return as your escort, my Lady.”

She smiled faintly, but he couldn’t comfort her. Instead, he stepped up the stairs to stand with his father.

“It seems like you have grown a brain.”

His father whispered so softly, that none but him could hear.

Valerian stiffened but forced himself to not let his words hurt him.

He didn’t need to respond as his father stood and turned to the High Priest.

“If your Grace is ready. Then let us begin.”

Without hesitation, his father pulled a dagger from his belt. Waiting for the Priest to unroll the scroll.

The man seemed taken aback by his father’s lack of hesitance and took a moment too long before he opened the contract.

“We only need your signature and blood, your Excellence. Then the Kyeira line will be forever tied to the Pleberien faith.”

Valerian almost shuddered but kept himself composed. Glancing over the crowd, he could see that almost none were eager for this to happen.

The nobles understood better than most, how fickle the church was. After all magic was driven out, it wouldn’t be long before they wanted more.

The Royal family was all that protected them from losing everything. Especially Valerian, who had been popular with the people. Until recently that was.

His eyes found Alana’s in the crowd, holding her gaze and using it as courage.

I can do this.

“Good. Then it is done.”

As Valerian looked back, his father signed the contract without reading it before pressing the dagger into his palm. As soon as droplets of blood fell on the paper, he started groaning in pain and almost fell to his knees, if Valerian hadn’t been swift to support him.

“We are honored, Your Excellence.”

The High Priest’s expression resembled that of a fox that had found his way into a chicken coop. An arrogant triumphant grin spreading over his face, as he then looked expectantly at Valerian.

The dread built inside him, but he knew that there was no way around what he was going to do.

Taking the dagger and the writing feather from his father, he signed the paper as well. Steeling himself he cut his hand far more deeply than his father had. Preventing his healing powers from repairing the wound before he lost any blood.

Having seen his father crumple, he knew that he needed to hide any of the discomfort that was to come.

I can do this.

Closing his hand into a fist, blood seeped into the parchment and an invisible power filled him. Constraining him, and making him feel as if he couldn’t breathe. Then the pain came, as the words of the contract seemed to be seared into his soul.

Yet as the High Priest’s meticulous gaze studied him, Valerian felt the spite rise within him. Making sure to smile confidently as his body and soul were tortured inside.

At least the sensation faded quickly, even though his father was still trembling beside him. Perhaps his healing powers had helped him once again.

His act must have been believable as doubt entered the Priest’s arrogant face.

He must be scared, that I’m not bound as he thought I would be.

Giving his father a moment to recover, Valerian turned to the crowd.

“Now, the one true faith and the Kingdom of Lynoës are linked! I swear my loyalty to the church as well as my people. Therefore, I am glad to announce that we will start our endeavor to spread the faith. I will personally head the army east.”

Looking back at the High Priest, his smile had turned a mixture of anxious and greedy.

“With full support of the Church, of course.”

Seeing the man tremble filled him with glee, and he broke into a smirk as murmuring from the crowd grew louder.

As they started to cheer, he turned back to them and raised his voice louder than he ever had before.

“Now let the feast begin!”