Chapter Twenty-three #2
Kolvar flashed out of the corner of my eye, speeding to grab the man by the neck and shoving him harshly into a wall. “I’m giving you one warning to shut your mouth,” he seethed down at him. My core clenched with desire at seeing him stand up for what was right.
Elijah’s voice filled the room with a confident, regal tone that commanded attention.
“These lands prospered under a woman’s rule.
We’ve known peace and abundance for so long that no generation even remembers the last war between the empires that graced the world.
I would consider that a spectacular reign.
Who here thinks they can take up the mantle and be equally as successful? ”
Over ten hands instantly raised, and I noted that eight of them were men who had laughed at the sexist comments moments ago. Of course they thought they could do what Myrin had, as if it was an easy task.
“That is exactly why you will not rule,” Elijah snapped, taking a second to look each man in the eye who had puffed up his chest in return.
“You are arrogant and ignorant in ways that would make each of you a poor leader—I do not think any one of you has what it would take to be successful. Do you know who I wish to follow?”
He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he turned to look at me with such deep admiration that my knees trembled.
“I wish to follow someone who knows how heavy the crown will feel. A person who will understand the burden of having so many lives to care for. Someone who doesn’t think they are good enough but will try every day to be better for their people. ”
Once more, the human advisor stepped forward, clearing his throat as he opened the scroll in his hands.
“Not all of you know me—I am Isaiah, and I was one of the Empress’s advisors.
My speciality lay in documenting her rule and recording the laws she passed.
I have her formal decree here, that she drafted when she declared war on the Thaician Empire. They are her final wishes.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I found myself leaning against Dakath for support. There was something haunting about hearing the final wishes of someone who had passed, knowing they wrote the words with the knowledge they might meet their final fate.
My hands trembled as I forced myself to clasp them in front of me as the room fell into silence and her words read aloud.
“This is my formal decree as Empress of the Tridian Empire,” Isaiah began, meeting my eyes for the briefest moment before he continued.
“If I am to die, I have no heir to take the throne in my stead. I was never allowed the luxury and comfort of having a partner, nor a family. My duty was interwoven with every part of my life in order to ensure the best for my people. However, I do not believe that is the best way to rule. I ruminated on my reign after meeting the person I believe holds all of the qualities that signifies a great ruler. I realized that my hidden identity did not allow me to rule with an open love. Not for my people and not for those around me. It is my wish for Kyella to take the throne in my stead and teach to all in our lands.”
My lips pinched together, and my eyes burned with tears that I couldn’t prevent from falling down my face. I swallowed around the hard lump forming in my throat, sniffling as my mind reeled at the revelation. I had taught her that?
“No one else has a claim to my throne, and Kyella’s reign is to remain uncontested.
She may change her table of advisors, as it is her prerogative to choose who is best to help her move forward and prosper in the way she sees fit.
All ruling Lords and Ladies must bend the knee to her rule, or they will be stripped of their titles, lands, and money. ”
Horror washed over the faces of the men I’d noted.
Clearing his throat, I saw Isaiah’s eyes begin to pool with tears as he choked out, “This is my final wish as Empress. Go forth with love and compassion, my friends.”
With a shaky inhale of breath, I lifted my chin and closed the distance between Isaiah and I. Reaching out to lay a hand on his forearm, I smiled softly as his gaze lifted from the parchment and onto my face. “I promise you that we will never let her memory be forgotten.”
Brushing his hand across his cheeks roughly, he nodded before rolling the scroll back up. He trembled slightly as he dropped to a knee and lowered his head. “Long live the Empress!”
My eyes darted around the room as, one by one, each person dropped to their knees and bowed their heads. Even the men who had malice hiding in their tone and greed lurking in their eyes bent the knee.
I wouldn’t let them get away with their disrespect of Myrin’s memory that easily.
I knew the only reason they were bending the knee was because of the threat that I would be able to take away everything from them.
I didn’t wish to displace their families, if they had any, so I would look into each of them privately before deciding their fate.
“Long live the Empress,” I heard my three vampyres yell, their deep voices echoing through the room and making my skin break out into goosebumps.
This was happening.
In my soul, I knew I couldn’t replace her, so I would have to find my own path to becoming the Empress these lands needed. With a deep breath, I accepted the torch that Myrin was passing to me and lifted my chin, steeling myself for what was to come.
“Rise.”