C H A P T E R T H I R T Y – T W O
I can’t wait to see her own her title as my queen.
C H A P T E R T H I R T Y – T W O
Olwyn
B ack in my chambers after breakfast, the reality of the upcoming council meeting starts to sink in.
My excitement from earlier has completely drained, replaced by a gnawing pit of anxiety. I pace the room, pausing every few steps to glance at the wardrobe, as if somehow the right outfit will magically appear and give me the confidence I need.
But no matter how many times I look, no matter how many silks and satins I run my hands over, none of it feels right.
The very idea of walking into that council chamber again makes my stomach twist with dread. Last time, Altair cut off a hand in my defence. What if something worse happens this time?
A knock on the door breaks my spiralling thoughts. Before I can respond, Ailith strides into the room without waiting for an invitation.
Typical.
“Gods, you look like you're about to throw up,” she says bluntly, raising a brow as she takes in my pale face and nervous fidgeting. “What’s wrong with you?”
I glance at her, momentarily stunned by her entrance, but then I release a breath. “I'm about to face those psychotic lords again,” I mutter, sitting down on the edge of the bed. “Including Dazeem. So forgive me if I'm not exactly brimming with confidence.”
Ailith snorts, crossing her arms as she leans against the doorframe. “Oh please. Don’t waste your time worrying about those self-important bastards.” She rolls her eyes, stepping further into the room. “And Dazeem? That snivelling coward won’t dare look in your direction without pissing himself. You’ve got nothing to be afraid of.”
I stare at her, taken aback by her casual dismissal of my fears. But then, I shouldn’t really be surprised. “It’s not that simple, Ailith. What if they turn against him? What if holding a human in higher regard than one of their own makes them doubt him? Makes them doubt us?”
Ailith raises a brow, unconcerned. “They can doubt all they want, Olwyn. Let them test his resolve.” She moves to the wardrobe and flings it open without a second thought. “And if they dare question either of you, let them see what happens when someone crosses you.” She glances back at me, her eyes narrowing. “You’re a queen, Olwyn. Act like it.”
I shake my head, feeling a mixture of frustration and helplessness. “But shouldn’t I be trying to earn their respect?”
Ailith lets out a harsh laugh, rifling through the dresses hanging neatly in the wardrobe. “Respect? Who gives a fuck about their respect? Make them fear you instead.” She pulls out a dark blue gown, holding it up to me with a critical eye. “Respect is earned, but fear is immediate. And believe me, nothing will make those lords squirm faster than seeing you walk in there like you own the place.”
I hesitate, staring at the dress in her hands. It's a deep, midnight blue with intricate silver embroidery along the edges. It’s regal—commanding. It’s not something I would have picked for myself, but seeing it now, I realise it’s perfect.
“Fear?” I repeat, feeling uncertain. “I don’t know if I want to rule by fear.”
Ailith steps closer, her expression hard. “It’s not about ruling by fear, Olwyn. It’s about showing the nobles that you won’t be pushed around. That you’re not some weak little thing they can control or manipulate. They need to know that you’re not just some figurehead queen. You’re Altair’s equal, and you have just as much power as any of them—if not more.”
Her words hit me hard, sinking deep into my chest. Altair has been telling me the same thing, in his own way. But hearing it from Ailith, with her no-nonsense attitude and blatant disregard for what anyone thinks… it’s different. She’s not trying to coddle me. She’s telling me to stand up, to fight, to own my place in this world.
I look at the dress again, the fabric catching the light as it shifts in her hands. It’s bold. Strong. I need to be bold. I need to be strong.
“I… I don’t know if I can make them fear me,” I admit quietly, my fingers brushing against the soft fabric of the bedspread.
Ailith drops the dress onto the bed and steps in front of me, bending down so we’re eye to eye. “Yes, you can,” she says firmly. “Where’s the girl that stood up to a king when she first met him? You’ve already survived worse than these stuffy old vampires. You made it through the attack in your room and in the courtyard. You’ve kept your head through everything Altair’s thrown at you.” She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “You think Dazeem’s going to be the thing that breaks you? Please. The only reason he’s still breathing is because you let him.”
I bite my lip, a small part of me wanting to believe her. Ailith straightens, a wicked grin on her face as she sees the doubt beginning to waver in my expression.
“You need to stop giving a fuck about what they think of you, just because you’re human,” she continues, grabbing the dress and tossing it at me. I catch it just in time. “You are Queen Olwyn. You’ve got Altair and Iolas at your side, and let me tell you, those bastards can strike fear into the hearts of gods. You’re not walking into that room alone.”
I blink, staring down at the dress now resting in my lap. The dark fabric is cool against my skin, and the silver thread catches the light just right, making it shimmer. It’s beautiful. Powerful.
“Besides,” Ailith adds, her grin widening. “You look damn good in blue.”
A laugh bubbles up inside me before I can stop it, and I shake my head, feeling the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. “You're impossible.”
“Thank you,” she says, taking it as a compliment. “Now get dressed. Knock them dead.”
I stand, feeling a little lighter as I walk toward the changing screen. “What would I do without your incredible words of wisdom?”
Ailith leans against the wall, crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk. “Probably crumble into a heap of anxiety and self-doubt. But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere.”
As I step behind the screen and begin to change into the dress, I can't help but feel a small surge of confidence growing inside me. Maybe Ailith's right. Maybe I’ve been letting my fears and insecurities control me for too long. It’s time to take control of the situation. To walk into that council room like I belong there.
Because I do.
The dress slips over my skin, soft and smooth, but it feels grounding. I stare down at the blue fabric, the silver embroidery catching the light.
When I step out from behind the screen, Ailith gives a low whistle. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. Let’s do your hair.”
My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets at the idea of Ailith doing that. But she does, and does it with expert skill, curling it at the ends and securing a silver crown on my head.
“There. You look like a queen.”
I glance at myself in the mirror, surprised by the reflection that looks back at me. I look strong. I look… powerful.
And for the first time in a long time, I believe I might be.
“Go give ‘em shit,” Ailith says, giving me a firm pat on the shoulder.
I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I face the door.
I am a queen. And I want to make a difference.
It’s time to act like one.