The Heart and The Sword ~Part One~

Prologue

Despite the warm sun, Sylvia wrapped her cape around herself. She was cold. She felt every bit of wind that traveled with the sea towards her. It sinked into her very bones.

She felt abandoned. She knew it wasn't her parents' fault. Neither one planned nor wished all of this would happen, but she couldn't help the way she felt. She felt abandoned, empty, angry. She was angry. She was so angry. It was the type of anger that made a person cry. It was heartbreaking. And part of that heartbreak, she blamed herself for. She was there. She was cowering behind a heavy door. She watched all of it. And she did nothing. She froze with fright and she hated herself for it.

-Your Grace?

She sighed, full of sorrow. Sylvia turned to face Thynan.

-It is time, he said in a hushed voice. He knew how she felt about today. She didn't tell him, but that was not necessary. It had only been a week since the attack. He could tell this was a circumstance she dreaded, feared for all her life, and yet, it was the reality.

-Will you be by my side, Sir Greede? she asked, though she already knew the answer.

-Every step of the way, Your Grace.

She looked behind her one more time, took in the sight and smell of the sea, looked down at the two graves beneath the oak. One had the body of her father, the other was empty, waiting.

-Let us begin, I suppose.

She fell into step behind Thynan as he and Conan walked her to the throne room.

Sylvia took in the decorations of her home. It all felt so cold without her parents there. The paintings seemed bleak, the atmosphere was grim. It was as if the cement itself was mourning their loss.

-Good luck, dear cousin, Conan turned to her as they arrived.

-Thank you, cousin, she said with a faint smile as she accepted his embrace.

Conan quickly and softly kissed the side of her head. Thynan only gave her a soft look, smiling as best he could. The two knights opened the doors to the throne room and Conan announced her arrival.

-Her Grace, Princess Sylvia Selene Valentinius, the second of her name, heir to the throne of Yuglaesil!

Countless eyes turned to see her, to inspect every movement and every flicker of emotion. She didn't care. Her gaze fell on the two people near the silver throne. Thalya and Julyan. Her younger siblings. The only remains of her heart.

She took in a deep breath and walked to the throne as the drums echoed through the room. People knelt as she walked past, but she didn't spare them one look. Her eyes were on Thalya and Julyan. The two watched in awe as their sister walked towards the throne her father sat on a mere week ago. She was beautiful. Her dark hair fell down behind her shoulders to the small of her back. She was wearing the most beautiful dress Thalya had ever seen, dark as the night sky, covered in gems that resembled the stars. Their older sister was truly and utterly mesmerizing.

Sylvia wanted to smile at the two, but she simply couldn't. The guilt she felt for not even trying to help their parents was eating away at her. She loved them. She loved them with all of her heart, but all she could do was look at them.

Thalya and Julyan - twenty and thirteen years old - they smiled and knelt before as she walked past them and knelt herself in front of the High Priestess that was to crown her queen.

-Sylvia Selene Valentinius, do you swear to protect this kingdom and its people? the priestess asked.

-I swear to protect this kingdom and its people, the girl repeated, her head bowed before the woman that was to put her in her father's throne.

-Do you swear to always put the kingdom and its people first, no matter the cost?

Once again, Sylvia repeated, her heart breaking piece by piece with every word. When she imagined herself taking this oath, her parents were always by her side, cheering her on and beaming with pride.

-Do you swear to fulfill your duty as queen and serve this kingdom and its people with kindness and generosity, with all your might and all your heart?

She repeated once more.

-Rise, Your Majesty, the High Priestess whispered.

Sylvia did as she was told, turning to face the people who had come to witness her coronation.

-Stand for Her Majesty, Sylvia Selene Valentinius, Second of her name, Queen of Yuglaesil.

The people stood up and quickly started applauding and cheering.

-Long live the Queen! they yelled together, repeating the words over and over.

Sylvia nodded in gratitude, it was all she could do. Her eyes scanned the room, landing on the three dukes that formed her council. Neither one smiled, neither one cheered. They all just stood there, at the back of the room, watching her with grim expressions.

She knew them. She knew their ways all to well. They were all entitled old men who were most likely thinking of ways they could subdue and manipulate her, turn her into nothing more than a figure head. It's what they had done to her father.

The Gods are my witness, I will not let them do the same to me.

She refused to end up like her parents. She would depend on nobody but herself. This kingdom needed a strong ruler. She would be that ruler even if they all saw her as a tyrant.

To be continued on 25.08.2024...