Fredrick led me down the stairwell and into the council chambers down below the castle. The Council Chamber’s room was enchanted to prevent use of divination magics like Detection and Hidden Eye.

Within this chamber was a circular table that hosted six chairs. One chair was for Fredrick. One was for Sybil Nomaty, the head of the council and part of one of the oldest clans in the kingdom. Sybil is an older woman with some gray hair mixed in her swamp brown hair. Her demeanor shone business and damn when I entered the chamber following Fredrick, her mood shifted from professionalism to pissed real quick.

“Princess Maria Roza Silvermist! You have broken one of our sacred rules set forth by the council of Winterfall! Explain yourself child!” She shouted.

Her booming voice sent a chill down my spine. “Let her take a seat, Sybil.” Fredrick spoke.

“She doesn’t deserve a seat. What she needs to do is explain herself!” Sybil moved towards me. I swear if the veins in her forehead could pop any more they would.

I took a deep breath and exhaled, “To clarify, Sybil, what rule did I break?”

“You allowed a revival of a young girl named Violet.”

And there it was. Somehow, they knew I allowed Théoden to cast the spell to bring back Violet. I had no idea who told them and I didn’t think I would get an answer. I just knew I had to play my cards right or we could be in even bigger trouble.

“I did, yes.” Confession is always the best way to go first.

“Princess Maria, would you care to explain why you went behind The Council?” Cedric Goldhill questioned. Cedric is the Vice Lead and falls directly under Sybil. As Sybil was that one that can enforce a law if she thought it was absolutely necessary without the consent of the other Council members. Most laws were voted upon but on the off chance one was needed to pass and the others were arguing about the ins and outs for far too long, Sybil could put the law in place. Cedric’s position was a placeholder for when Sybil was not present.

“Thank you Cedric. Well, you see as Sybil pointed out it was a young girl. And I couldn’t just let another child die. We have lost a lot of people in the last few years due to the revivification law. I couldn’t take another death, especially knowing that the child’s death would be because I had to refuse my guard to bring her back to life.” That testament was hard to choke out. Everyone knew if it wasn’t for the law/rule in place my parents would still be here.

“I’m sorry you have suffered a tragedy at the hands of one of our laws Maria but laws are laws.” Sybil said.

“I understand that Sybil but-”

“Maria, listen. As much as I would love to just wave a hand at this incident I can’t. You broke a law. And that grants punishment.”

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Sybil was serious, hell I was starting to regret not waking Theo up. However, I was relieved when Fredrick stood up for me, “If I may, I would like to suggest something.”

“And what is that, Fredrick?” Sybil questioned him.

“Let this one slide. She is under a lot of stress. Between the royal wedding at the beginning of fall and the approaching anniversary of her parents death, I don’t blame her for acting out of impulse.”

And that is why I liked Fredrick. He was one of the few council members to have an actual heart, I swear.

“Laws are laws Fredrick, stress or not she--”

Sybil began to go on another rant but I cut her off. “Enough Sybil!” I shouted, “Just enough!”

Her attention was quick and her head snapped back in my direction and with a snarl, “WHAT WAS THAT?”

“I said ENOUGH!” I shouted back at her. Hell, I swear if it wasn’t for the ring controlling my emotions right now, this room would have been engulfed in flames. “I KNOW I messed up. I let him bring her back out of weakness. And I apologize for that.”

Sybil walked up to me after I finished and was just inches away when she spat in my face, “CHILD!” She turned to the other four in the room, “AND this is WHO is going to rule over Winterfall? Someone who caves? Someone who is disobedient and breaks signed agreements?”

I glared at her. How did this meeting go from being about revivification to my arranged marriage? Fuck this shit. I said to Theo in hopes of waking his ass up.

“Sybil!” I shouted, causing her to turn back towards me.

“What you chi---”

“That’s it!” Between the ring getting charged by the second and Theo somehow still asleep through all of this, I snapped. I found myself balling up my fist and swinging at Sybil. “I'm not a damned child!” I said as I impacted her square in the face.

I turned and faced the rest of the council. All staring wide eyed and unaware of what to do. I took a few deep breaths to calm my nerves. “If you had any sense you would not serve me punishment for breaking a law. I care about the people in my kingdom and haven’t we seen enough tragedy?”

“Did you just hit me?” Sybil questioned as she held her nose to stop the bleeding.

“Yes. Yes I did. You kept calling me a child. Does a child know how to punch like that?”

A few of The Council members tried to hide their laughter. “I suppose not…” Sybil said defeated.

“Then don’t call me a child.”

She stared at me blankly. “Sorry.”

“You should be. Now, am I in trouble?”

“For the revivification, we will let slide. As for hitting me in the face..”

“I am truly sorry for hitting you in the face. I let my emotions get the best of me.” Yeah I wasn’t sorry. She deserved that punch.

“I’ll let it pass for now. If it happens again..”

“Consequences, I know.”

“Good. I have nothing else to add.” Sybil said as she collected her things and walked towards the door.

“May I go now?” I turned and asked the rest of The Council.

“Of course.” Fredrick said, “We may find you a bit later. We do have more to discuss with you princess.”

“Thank you.” I said and left.

I knew I should have gone back to my own room but I was still fuming. And there was only one person I knew that could calm me down.