Kael
I didn't sleep. I kept waiting for exhaustion to catch up with me, but every time I shut my eyes, my mind dragged me back to the garden, and the look on her face was still etched into my mind.
But at least she agreed to take the throne.
I should've been relieved.
But instead there was this tight feeling in my gut, like something was out of place, but I couldn't name it.
When the first light of dawn hit the windows, I got up and went straight to my uncle's planning room. The guards let me in at once, and the familiar smell of documents, ink, and cold air greeted me.
General Rhyden stood over a stack of ceremonial arrangements. His eyes lifted the moment he sensed me.
"You have news?" he asked.
"She agreed," I replied.
His shoulders finally relaxed a little. "Good. At least something is going in the right direction."
"We need to prepare everything for tomorrow," I said.
"The robes, the hall, the updated oath. The council needs to be briefed early."
