A kingdom of Ash and Echoes

Chapter 7: Shadows of the Crown

The Great Hall, Palace of Avaranth

The grandeur of the Great Hall never failed to leave an impression. Its vaulted ceilings stretched high above, adorned with intricate carvings of Avaranth's storied past—heroes of old, dragons that once soared over the kingdom, and the crest of the royal family, a phoenix encircled by thorns. Golden chandeliers hung from iron chains, casting a warm, flickering light over the gathered nobles.

Lyriana stood near the towering windows, half-listening as her father, King Alarion, addressed the assembled barons. She felt the familiar pull of duty, but her mind was elsewhere. The announcement of the prince's arrival had sent ripples through the court, and now, the nobles buzzed with whispered conversations, their faces a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

"...the alliance with the Kingdom of Varyndal is crucial to the stability of our borders," King Alarion declared, his voice echoing through the hall. His presence was commanding, his crown glinting under the chandelier's light. Despite his age, there was a fire in his eyes that reminded everyone why he was called the Phoenix King.

Lyriana's gaze drifted to the gathered nobles. Some faces she recognized: Baron Thryne, a staunch supporter of the crown but with ambitions of his own; Baroness Velstra, whose sharp tongue was rivaled only by her cunning; and Lord Garoth, a mountain of a man with a reputation for ruthlessness. Each of them played their part in the delicate balance of power within the kingdom, but their loyalty was fickle, swayed by promises of wealth or influence.

Callum stood beside their father, his posture rigid, his expression unreadable. He had always been adept at masking his emotions, a skill Lyriana envied. She knew he was thinking several steps ahead, analyzing every word spoken, every reaction.

"...and so, preparations for Prince Cedric's arrival will continue under the guidance of the council," King Alarion concluded. "We expect nothing less than perfection."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the hall. As the king's speech ended, the nobles began to disperse, their conversations resuming in hushed tones. Lyriana turned her attention back to the window, watching as the sky outside darkened, storm clouds gathering on the horizon.

"Lyriana." Her father's voice cut through her thoughts, and she turned to find him watching her, his gaze stern but not unkind. "A word."

She nodded, following him as he gestured toward a quieter corner of the hall. Callum joined them, his expression still unreadable.

"Father," Lyriana began, but King Alarion held up a hand to silence her.

"I know what you're going to say," he said, his voice low. "And I won't hear it, not now. This alliance is vital. Prince Cedric's marriage to Seraphina will strengthen our position and secure peace with Varyndal."

Lyriana's jaw tightened. "At the cost of her happiness? At the cost of her freedom?"

King Alarion's eyes narrowed slightly. "Seraphina understands her duty, as must you. This is not a matter of personal feelings, Lyriana. It is a matter of survival."

"And what about the people?" she pressed. "They whisper of unrest, of rebellion. Do you think a royal wedding will silence their anger?"

The king's expression darkened. "You speak of things you do not fully understand. The people's unrest is being stoked by unseen hands, forces that seek to undermine our rule. We must be vigilant."

Lyriana exchanged a glance with Callum, who remained silent but attentive. Her brother's earlier warning echoed in her mind—rebels, factions, whispers of something darker.

"What forces?" she asked, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What aren't you telling us?"

King Alarion's gaze flickered, and for a moment, Lyriana thought she saw a hint of vulnerability. But it was gone as quickly as it came.

"All will be revealed in time," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "For now, focus on your duties. And remember, the eyes of the court are always watching."

With that, he turned and walked away, leaving Lyriana and Callum standing in silence. The weight of their father's words hung heavy between them.

"Do you believe him?" Lyriana asked after a moment, her voice barely audible.

Callum's eyes remained fixed on their father's retreating figure. "I believe there's more going on than he's willing to admit. But until we know the full extent, we have to tread carefully."

Lyriana felt a surge of frustration. "Carefully? That's all we ever do. Sit back, watch, and wait while the world crumbles around us."

Callum finally turned to her, his expression serious. "Recklessness won't save this kingdom, Lyriana. Strategy will. If there's a storm coming, we need to be ready to face it."

Before Lyriana could respond, a soft voice interrupted them.

"Your Highnesses." It was Seraphina, her elegant figure emerging from the crowd. She approached them with the grace of someone who had spent her entire life perfecting the art of diplomacy. But there was a tension in her eyes, a crack in her otherwise flawless façade.

"Seraphina," Callum greeted her with a nod. "Is everything all right?"

Seraphina hesitated, her gaze flicking to Lyriana. "I just wanted to speak with you both... privately."

The siblings exchanged a glance before following Seraphina to a secluded alcove near the back of the hall. Once they were away from prying ears, Seraphina let out a quiet sigh.

"I received a letter today," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "From... him."

Lyriana's heart skipped a beat. She knew who her sister was referring to—Kael, the man Seraphina had loved in secret for years. A man who could never be more than a memory.

"What did it say?" Lyriana asked, her voice soft.

Seraphina reached into her sleeve and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. She handed it to Callum, who unfolded it and quickly scanned the contents. His jaw tightened.

"He's warning you," Callum said, his voice low. "He says there are forces within the court that cannot be trusted."

Lyriana frowned. "What forces?"

Callum handed her the letter. The words were written in a hurried hand, warning of conspiracies and hidden threats within the palace walls. It spoke of loyalty and betrayal, of shadows moving beneath the surface.

"This changes everything," Lyriana said, her mind racing. "If Kael is right, then the danger isn't just outside our borders. It's here, within the palace."

Seraphina's expression was somber. "What do we do?"

Callum's gaze hardened. "We do what we must. But we can't act openly—not yet. We need to uncover the truth, piece by piece."

Lyriana nodded, her resolve strengthening. For years, she had felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand. But now, the pieces were starting to fall into place. And if the kingdom was in danger, she would do whatever it took to protect it.

Even if it meant facing the shadows head-on.