The crowned veil

Chapter 4: Valoria

We've been sitting at this meeting for an hour now. We sat in the courtroom, me to my mother's right and my brother to mine. Our friends Torin and Erias sit with the house heads of Solhaven and Kestramore, directly opposite us. Apparently to show the two sides of the throne, the monarchy - with me at the centre - and the people. I just think it's a way to make sure the high houses know their place and that's beneath us.

My body has gone stiff from sitting still for so long, I look out of the corner of my eye to notice how my brother's posture has lessened slightly. I'll have to scold him for it later. I look across to Erias and Torin, both of them look towards me for an instant, their eyes saddened and tired from this meeting. They light up a little, if only to make me happier. But we all know the truth, Dorian and Erias are going to leave. They won't be coming back.

I look away from them, unable to face the fact that it'll probably be one of the last times. I push my thoughts aside and my brother nudges me slightly if only to grasp my attention towards the meeting. I nudge him back, making sure he knows I'm paying attention, slightly.

So far all they've done is talk about the people, villages suffering from shortages and the programs to be put in place to support them. As well as the situation of the war, numbers of soldiers still fighting, injured and the casualties. I always zone out from that part of the meetings knowing I can never handle how many lives are lost. So many of them are leaving their families without a father, a brother. My father served as a General, no matter how many times he promised he'd return safe. He didn't. Father was killed by a soldier raiding the barracks. Notice of his death was sent out a day later, returning with his body. The image of it still haunts my mind, no matter how hard I try I just can't forget it.

My brother nudges me again, clearing his throat to gain my attention. Everyone looks towards me awaiting an answer to a question I don't know. Thankfully Erias notices and asks the question in a not too condescending tone.

"Will you accept an engagement with Prince Soren Evanson Deimos of the Kingdom of Sakaris, Crown Princesses Valoria?" I stand from my throne, my legs grateful to be stretched and look each of the nobles in the eye equally. I hold my head high as I respond, a queen-like tone in my voice.

"For my Kingdom and my people I will accept an engagement with Prince Soren of Sakaris for an alliance between our Kingdoms."

I sit back down, digging my nails slightly into the arms of my throne. Not enough for anyone to take note of, I quickly released them, placing my arms on my lap once again, resuming my posture as the Crown princesses. My mother takes over as Queen not needing to stand to create a sense of power. She speaks softly, but her tone suggests she is far from powerless.

"As we all have agreed upon that matter, we shall travel to the Kingdom of Sakaris as planned." I almost sigh in relief as she says that.

Since Erias and Torin are the heirs to the high houses and Dorian is the prince of Levarûn they will have to come with us as representatives. They won't be deported to the battlements. They're not leaving. My mother doesn't stop there though, she keeps her gaze towards the high house of Kestramore she could be mistaken to look sorrowful. She clears her throat slightly and moves on to another topic. I can't bear to continue in this meeting, nor do I have to. I'm the crown princess but not Queen. I can leave when I wish, but I won't for my Kingdom. I will stay if only to know the fate of those who will travel to the barracks.

"As for the arrangements of the resettlements. With the increase in our military and weaponry, the houses of Levarûn have been asked to volunteer someone to fight or lead in the battlements."

My mother looks around at the court, and they all nod at her in return. Even the High house of Kestramore, at this my stomach drops. I feel as if I could be sick right there, but I suppress the urge to do so, choosing to focus on Torin instead. I watch as one by one the house heads all offer one or two sons to the cause and as the circle is almost finished, the only houses remaining are the two High houses. I take a deep breath as the head of House Solhaven rises from his seat, just as every other head, he inclines his head towards us before speaking. I think I see Torin pale slightly, even if his brother Lucian is stronger and more equipped to fight. It makes him a stronger heir of the two brothers.

"The High house of Solhaven wishes to present to the cause, our son. Lucian of house Solhaven to fight at the battlements." I watch as he bows to us before reclaiming his seat at Torins side.

I feel a slight relief knowing Torin won't be leaving. As much as he doesn't get along with his brother I have a feeling he will deeply miss him. All attention goes to the final High house, I can't help but look towards Erias as his father stands beside him, bowing before speaking. I can just about hear the words he speaks.

"The High house of Kestramore wishes to present to the cause, our son. Erias of house Kestramore to fight at the battlements." I feel my vision blur for a second as Erias' father bows once again and sits before us.

I stare at Erias, noticing his eyes looking glossier than they were before. We all knew he was going to be presented as the only son of House Kestramore, but it didn't hurt any less. With House Kestramore presenting their son. My mother rises bowing her head slightly towards the counsel as she gestures for me and my brother to rise at her side. We do so simultaneously as mother begins to speak.

"The Kingdom of Levarûn thanks you all most deeply for the sons you have presented today. In honour of your sacrifice the house Melanthios on the behalf of house Adonis of the Late King Tiberiaus of Levarûn would like to present its son. Prince Dorian of house Adonis to become a General at the battlements alongside your many sons of Captains and Guards." As we've been taught I bow my head as my brother bows his, slightly lower than mine.

The court stands and bow to us as mother takes her leave alone. My brother and I leave next if only to escape the needs of our approval of the dismissal of the meeting. Dorian offers me his arm and I take it gladly placing some of my weight on him finally feeling it all upon my shoulders. My head as well as my body hurts from being in that meeting for so long, once we're out of sight from the nobles I lean against the wall holding my head in my hands. My brother stands next to me looking up at the ceiling, he says softly in my ear.

"You alright Lora, you looked like you were half dead in there." I lift my head to meet my brother's gaze and sigh.

He 's just acting as if his life hasn't just been signed away alongside Erias' I honestly will never understand how he does it with such ease. I guess with everything I wouldn't be able to if I tried.

"No. No I'm not." I say finally admitting the truth.

I contemplated telling him about my dream last night, then thought better of it. If he knew what I saw he'd be horrified I would never be let out of his or anyone's sight again. I decide on asking him if he's alright instead and for once he doesn't wear a mask he speaks the truth. He's not fine either. I pull away from the wall regaining my posture gesturing for Dorian to follow suit. He smiles slightly as we use the servant passages to escape the palace walls and go into the depths of Elmswood, the surrounding forest of the palace that separates it from the main part of Ravaryn the capital.

We walk towards a nearby lake and await our friends to join us. It's a sort of tradition we have after court, to meet here outside of the eyes and ears of the passers by. Whilst I know they won't relay anything we say whilst I'm present we all agree that we'd prefer if no one knew how openly and unruly we truly are with each other. Even if everyone knows we are all close anyway, and that I train alongside them. Being outside the palace walls is just a small reprieve from our daily lives. Dorian and I sit beside the lake, he looks up to the sky, the sun at its peak, as we wait for our friends to join us. I'm glad for the silence as my headache passes but it's quickly replaced by another. Dorian and Erias are leaving and there's nothing any of us can do about it now.

I close my eyes as we wait falling to the abyss of sleep.