The King is a Woman (Crepusculum)

Chapter 4: Affairs of the Court

Chapter 4: Affairs of the Court

Kanaise held Kazuo's sword in her hands, feeling its heavy weight, a reminder of what she had to carry for the rest of her life. She looked at the black wyvern figure embedded in its handle, a creature with and it made her forehead crease. She raised the sword above her head and brought it down in a swift arc, slicing through the air. The leaves that were falling in front of her were torn apart, and the wind whipped her long, wavy hair around her face.

Dominatos had always embodied the wyvern creature, their official symbol of royal family. The wyvern possesses only two powerful legs, ending in sharp talons. Its body is serpentine, sleek and muscular, covered in scales that shimmer in the light like obsidian. Its head with menacing eyes, is often crowned with serrated spikes. A venomous stinger, akin to a scorpion's tail, terminates its serpentine body, a deadly weapon capable of inflicting excruciating pain. Wyverns are solitary creatures, known for their territorial aggression and cunning intelligence. Their lairs are typically hidden in remote, inaccessible locations, filled with the treasures they have plundered. Just like the Dominatos.

In a span of a few weeks, Kanaise had improved a lot, a huge transformation from before. She had become more and more of a monarch, all in bearing and judgment. Lord Mazuya would often look at her, and he would see the spirit of her brother, Kazuo, in her shadows. But as she grew in power and will, the spirit of Kazuo would blur and fade until it was replaced by someone else, someone more alive, someone greater: Kanaise herself.

Helki and Mazuya stood shoulder to shoulder, watching their ruler practice her swordsmanship skills. The castle guards, maids, and eunuchs continued to carry out their duties as usual, but they were more attentive and careful than ever. They were now serving a true sovereign, after all.

The officials of the court were still unaware of the monarch's true identity except for Lord Janro. But soon, everyone in the court would know. It was bound to happen.

Helki's gray eyes were somber yet nostalgic as she watched Kanaise practice. She had seen the young woman grow from a spoiled girl to a shy one, and then now to the determined head of the country. She was there in every phase of Kanaise's life, and she had been with her all along. She was filled with both devotion and concern for her master. Lord Mazuya knew that Helki was like an older sister to Kanaise, and he respected her for her loyalty and dedication.

"We both know what it is to serve our monarchs, Lady Helki." Lord Mazuya closed his eyes, and he could still see the face of his master and friend, Kazuo. "He used to say that I loved him more than I loved my late wife." He laughed, but his eyes were suddenly filled with tears. "Indeed, I think so too now."

"You have my sympathies, Lord Mazuya. The king was one in a century heir." Yet in her mind, she thought Kanaise was one in a millennium type.

"Please, just call me Mazuya. You will save yourself a million breaths. After all, we will always be referring to each other by our given names in the future."

"Just call me Helki then."

"Helki." Somehow he had always wanted to call her like that.

She breathed out. Helki's heart suddenly felt like it was tightening up, she could not even think about such a possibility that Kanaise would die.

"My life suddenly had no meaning when King Kazuo died. After all, since we were kids, I had always followed him. Now His Late Majesty being gone...and yet I must be strong for our queen. Her Majesty would make a good ruler," Lord Mazuya said, his eyes had a glint of hope in them, for the first time again in months.

"His Majesty, Lord Mazuya, would indeed make a good ruler," Helki corrected him.

Mazuya's eyes widened in surprise. "His Majesty?" he echoed. "But—"