The Dual Summoner and the Darkling

A Queen's right

he atmosphere in the council chamber was heavy with tension as Aleksander and I entered side by side. The long, polished table in the center of the room was surrounded by the council members who had once advised the former king. They had ruled by tradition, clinging to the old ways even as Ravka crumbled around them. Now, they were confronted with something new—something they clearly didn't approve of.

I could feel their eyes on me, judgmental, wary. It wasn't just the fact that Aleksander was now the king that unsettled them—it was me, the Queen, standing here beside him. A queen who, unlike those before me, was determined to have a voice.

As Aleksander moved to take his seat at the head of the table, I stood just behind him, my presence quiet but deliberate. The council exchanged glances, their discomfort palpable. I could already hear the murmurs of discontent.

Finally, one of the older members, a man with deep lines etched into his face from years of service under the old King, cleared his throat. "Your Majesty," he began, addressing Aleksander with a formal bow. "With all due respect, it is highly irregular for the Queen to attend these meetings. The former King, and those before him, never brought their Queens into matters of war."

There was a ripple of agreement from the others, low murmurs echoing around the room. They were trying to hide their disapproval behind a mask of decorum, but it was all too clear. Tradition had always been their shield, their reason to keep things the way they were.

Aleksander, however, was not swayed. He looked at the older councilman with a sharp gaze that silenced the whispers. "That may have been the practice in the past," he said coolly, "but times have changed. Ravka has changed. And I am not my predecessor."

His words hung in the air, the authority in his voice unmistakable. But the councilman didn't back down entirely. He glanced briefly at me before returning his attention to Aleksander. "But Your Majesty, war plans—military decisions—they are complex matters. It has never been the Queen's place to—"

"That is where you're mistaken," Aleksander interrupted, his voice firm. "It is Amira's place, just as it is mine. She is Queen of Ravka, and from this day forward, she will be attending all meetings of state. Including those that involve our military."

I stood tall, my hands clasped in front of me, meeting the eyes of the men seated around the table. They could object all they wanted, but Aleksander's words made it clear that this was not up for debate.

"If any of you have an issue with that," Aleksander continued, his gaze sweeping over the council, "you are free to leave this council. You will be dismissed, permanently."

A heavy silence followed his declaration, the council members exchanging uneasy glances. The threat of dismissal was no small matter, and they knew Aleksander well enough to know that he was not bluffing.

Another council member, younger than the first but still loyal to the old ways, spoke up, though his tone was more cautious. "Your Majesty, no one here questions the Queen's wisdom or her strength, but—"

"But you think her presence is inappropriate," Aleksander finished for him, his tone sharp. "Let me remind you all that it was Amira who helped secure this throne. She has fought for this kingdom, just as I have. And she will continue to do so."

I could feel Aleksander's steady presence beside me, his unwavering support filling me with confidence. This wasn't just about tradition—it was about control. The council was used to keeping things the way they wanted, and a Queen with a voice threatened that.

I stepped forward slightly, my voice calm but firm. "Ravka faces challenges that can no longer be solved by clinging to the past. If we are to move forward, we must adapt. And I will not be silent when it comes to decisions that affect our kingdom."