The echo of Blair's footsteps rang through the castle corridors, steadier than they used to be. She was no longer the girl hiding beneath a hood, nor the princess who refused to accept her lineage: she was Blair Julis D'Blank of Azoth, heir to the throne, and by her own decision she had become interim queen.
Her reflection in the stained glass, where the morning light poured in, made her pause. She wore a simple dress, deep blue with silver embroidery, and her hair was tied in a high ponytail. She wore no crown —Tifa had advised her to wait— but her stance and her gaze were enough to make clear who she was from that moment on.
She drew a deep breath. She knew what was coming would be far harsher than any battle she had faced so far.
The great council hall was full. Around the oval table sat the kingdom's six most senior counselors, along with Tifa, who presided over the session. Some looked at her with respect, others with doubt, and a few with open mistrust.
When Blair entered, all rose to their feet out of protocol, but the tension was palpable.
—Your Highness —Tifa said, presenting her with solemnity—. Princess Blair, rightful heir of Azoth, assumes her duties today as interim queen.
Blair bowed her head with dignity.
—I thank you for your service to the realm. I know it won't be easy to accept someone so young at this table, but I promise that every decision I make will be for the good of our people.
A murmur swept the room. Counselor Garius, a man with a gray beard and piercing eyes, cleared his throat.
—With all due respect, Your Highness, do you believe you have the experience to handle the politics of four empires and a kingdom in crisis?
The remark hung heavy in the air, but Blair did not retreat.—I do not. And I would be a fool to claim otherwise. But I have something no title can grant: the will to protect this kingdom, because it is my home, and to restore the dignity Zeknier stole from our people.
Spoken calmly and with conviction, her words made several counselors lower their gazes, thoughtful. Tifa watched her with a flicker of pride in her eyes.
When the initial formalities ended, Tifa ordered sealed chests to be brought in. Inside were scrolls and prototype orbs.
—These are the kingdom's secret projects —Tifa announced—. Orbs forged with Astral crystals. They are powerful, but unstable. Without sufficient control, they can become lethal to the very one who wields them.
Blair took one of the scrolls and read carefully.—Does this mean we can create soldiers capable of imitating bearers?
—Imitate them, yes. Match them, never —Tifa replied firmly—. But in times of war, even a weak copy can change the course of a battle.
The counselors launched into a heated debate. Some urged increased production of weapons; others feared that doing so would draw Zeknier's attention too soon. Blair listened to each argument without interrupting, until she raised her hand.
—We cannot become what Zeknier is. I will not have an army of men treated as disposable tools. If these orbs are to be used, it will be only as a last resort, and only under the supervision of those who can control them.
The council fell silent. Even Garius, who had shown distrust, regarded her with renewed respect.
The garden air was cold that afternoon, steeped in the scent of night-blooming flowers. Blair walked beside her aunt in silence. After so many hours of meeting, she needed to breathe somewhere beyond the throne room's walls.
—You spoke with a queen's strength —Tifa said, sitting on a moss-covered stone bench—. Your words gave more than one of them hope.
Blair smiled shyly, though her eyes showed her fatigue.—And yet… I feel I understand so little. There's so much about this war no one tells me.
Tifa kept silent for a few seconds, watching the first stars appear. At last she spoke in a low voice, almost a sigh.—Perhaps it is time you knew something of the past. Of what truly set all this in motion.
Blair turned to her, attentive.
—Many years ago —Tifa began, her tone tinged with melancholy— Azoth knew neither fear nor darkness. In those days, I was married to a noble man. He was brave, wise… the kind of person who could inspire even the gods. He believed the world could be just if people chose to be as well.
Blair heard a faint tremor in her aunt's voice.—My uncle? —she asked softly.
Tifa nodded without meeting her eyes.—Yes. Your uncle. But one day, something changed. —Her gaze drifted into the rose bushes—. The gods turned their backs on our people. Or so he believed. In his attempt to understand them, to defy them… he was lost.
Blair frowned, confused.—Lost?
—The man I knew died that day —Tifa said, barely audible—. What remained… was no longer human. There was only anger, a resentment so deep that neither love nor reason could reach it. And then came the tragedy. The temple burned, and with it… our son.
Blair froze.—You had a son?
Tifa nodded with a sad smile.—Yes. He was just a child, but his light was so bright… I think even the gods envied it. When I lost him, your uncle shattered too. From then on he swore vengeance against the heavens. His hatred transformed him, made him something else. And thus the war was born.
Silence fell between them. The wind stirred the leaves, and a chill ran through Blair.—Aunt… are you saying that Zeknier…?
Tifa cut in gently, though she denied nothing.—I'm saying that once hatred takes root, it can make any man unrecognizable. And that even the most righteous can fall if they lose what they love.
Blair lowered her gaze, biting her lip.—What if I fall too? What if I'm more like him than I think?
Tifa took her hand firmly.—No. You have something he lost forever: love. Love for your people, for your friends… for Asori. That is your shield, Blair. Don't forget it.
The princess nodded, though her mind kept turning.
That night, back in the room she shared with Asori, Blair dropped onto the bed with a long sigh.
Asori, who was just pulling off his boots after another disastrous day of trying to fly, looked at her with a weary smile.—Well, you certainly looked like a queen down there.
Blair rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but laugh.—What about you? Did you manage more than three seconds?
—Hey! Today it was five —he shot back, feigning offense—. And I almost didn't break anything.
They both laughed, and for a moment the day's weight lifted. Blair nestled against his shoulder.—You know? Sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in responsibilities. But when you're close… I can breathe.
Asori wrapped an arm around her, awkward but sincere.—Then I'll stay right here, even if I crash into the ground twenty times over.
Blair closed her eyes, smiling. For the first time, she began to accept that being queen didn't mean bearing everything alone. She had Asori, and though they were still young and inexperienced, together they could face the world.
At dawn the next morning, while Blair prepared for another round of meetings, Asori still slept deeply, exhausted from training. She watched him for a few seconds, tenderly.
She leaned down and whispered in his ear:—I promise I will do everything in my power to be a queen worthy of you… and of this kingdom.
She kissed his forehead softly before leaving.
In the corridors, a new day of duties and decisions awaited her. And though the road would be hard, Blair walked with her head held high. Because now she was no longer the lost princess: she was the interim queen of Azoth.