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"Things are so different now..." She said, voice choked with tears. "I wish they could go back to the way they were before." She tried to pull herself together, standing a little straighter. "But I'm the heir, and I have to take care of my kingdom. And my brother." She pulled away from Caelan and looked at him. "And you need to focus on the night kingdom and your mother. I can handle myself for now." She tried to act strong and brave. She knew she'd need all her courage to help get her kingdom back into shape. |
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"Don't push these feelings away, my love." He said, cupping her face gently. "My kingdom will survive. I'll give up the crown if it means ou're happy." |
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Adele sighed, knowing Caelan was right. "It won't survive if your mother is ruling it. I don't even know how many night and day kingdom soldiers were killed in the battle. And civilians as well..." Her voice trailed off. "But I really do need to go talk to the advisors now." She kissed Caelan's cheek, then made her way down the stairs and towards the council room. |
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Caelan sighed and nodded, letting her go |
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Adele found her parents' advisors already sitting around the table, conversing in hushed but frustrated tones. When she entered, they all rose and tipped their heads. She nodded and made her way to an empty chair and sat. Everyone else sat as well, and Adele looked around at all the familiar faces. "Was there a meeting I wasn't informed about?" She asked, speaking to the head advisor, Drew Richardson. The man was medium-sized but stocky, with a head of curly brown hair. When she was little, he used to give Adele piggy-back rides around the castle gardens. "No, your highness. But we kept arguing during breakfast so we decided to discuss it in the council room. We apologize for not telling you." Adele waved away the apology. "Don't be sorry. Now, what were you all arguing about?" They talked for about forty-five minutes, sometimes in heated debate, but mostly stating facts and their own views on the situation. Adele came out tired, but knowing what her advisors wanted to do next. That, at least, was a relief. She went up to her room and flopped onto her bed, already exhausted from the day. |
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Caelan found her a bit later in her room and knocked before entering. "How you doing?" He asked softly, walking over and sitting on the bed. He noted tiredness in her eyes and the tension in her body |
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Adele grunted. "I'm fine." She sighed, before mustering the energy and courage to talk. She sat up so she was in a better position to speak. "That meeting was intense. Everyone wants to keep the truce with the night kingdom broken simply because they don't know how to trust you anymore. I don't really blame them, but it's not your fault that your mother attacked us. They all think the best thing to do is stay far away from your kingdom and wait for things to settle down before crowning me queen." Just saying those words, 'crowning me queen', both terrified and excited Adele. But they mostly terrified her. "Then, once they know for sure that your mother isn't a threat anymore, they'll consider reforming the truce." |
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Partly Cloudy, Rain Possible
