Chapter 101: A Kingdom in My Hands

"This council," I said, firm but with a raging storm in my chest, "shall be the ground where, for our kingdom, a future lays its foundation. We have lost some; those that would have stayed back were people fighting in unison, sure, for Ileus." Of course, a consensus had always been murmured before Kael, who was at my right hand, as he started speaking to encourage me. "Ileus is not gone forever," I said, willing my brain to believe it. "Until then, it is our duty to see that the kingdom does not collapse. We can't afford for Ariadne-or anyone else-to drive another wedge between us. We need to plan, change, and lead." The voice belonged to Elder Thelwin, an old grizzled man that had survived through numerous wars. "Reika, how will you be treating the dissidents? Half of them were highly placed in this nation. Without them, our economy and administration would fall behind and into nothing." "I will come to that soon," I said, her eyes never once leaving his. "But first, let's settle things we have yet. When the discussion had worn, I laid out a plan to reinforce the kingdom's defenses, keeping law and order in the land. Then the council presented their proposals for the resources' allotment toward strengthening the loyal factions. There was a moment, really some sort of feeling that perhaps we were stitching up this torn piece of fabric called the kingdom. But then the doors burst open, and a guard bowed quickly inside, his face white, his breathing ragged. "Your Majesty," he said, "there's been an incident in the lower quarters. People are gathering—they're leaving the kingdom to join Ariadne." I closed my eyes a moment, the news landing like a blow to my chest. "I expected this," I said forcing calm into my voice. "Kael, let them go. If they believe their future lies with Ariadne, so be it. We can't force loyalty." Kael rose, his face dark. "I'll see to it." Then he was gone, but with much effort I turned my head back to the council, though in my mind chaos reigned supreme. It wasn't long before Kael was back, a look upon his face even darker than before. He leaned in to me, whispering low in my ear so only I could hear him. "Reika, they won't leave. They refuse to go. In fact, they're protesting-they want you off the throne." I couldn't wrench my eyes off Kael as the air seemed sucked out of the room and my mind continued to race on. This was way worse than anything I could have ever thought of. "What are they saying?" I asked in a low, even tone. "They're chanting that they will never be led by a wolfless Luna," Kael said. "They're calling for you to abdicate the throne." An avalanche of murmurs erupted in the council, concern and outrage pulling forth a cacophony in their voices. Thelwin pounded his fist onto the table, quieting them. "This is unacceptable! We cannot let this insubordination go unchecked." I lifted my hand, quieting the room. "Let them have their say," I told him, my chest tight with emotion. "They are angry and scared, and they want someone to blame. But I won't be driven out by fear, or doubt." Kael frowned. "Reika, this is not rebellion. It's anger. But if we do not take sharp action, it might grow. "And what would you have me do, Kael?" I asked, my eyes meeting his. "Order my guards to attack them? Beat them into submission? That is not who I am." "No," Kael said, softening. "But we do need to display some kind of strength. Where weakness is perceived, that will be all the encouragement they require to become bolder. I took a deep breath, letting the tension drain from my shoulders. 'Then we'll show them strength—not through violence, but through resolve. I'll address them myself." --- Facing the Crowd The moment I stepped onto the balcony over the palace gardens, the echoes of protests roared into the courtyard. Below me, there was a surge of people in their sea-their voices like some angry and frustrated cacophony. Signs flashed through the air, with notices like "No Wolfless Luna" and "We Want Ariadne" emblazoned boldly there. Kael and Daisy flanked me on either side, small consolation that there were still people on my side, standing. I lifted my hand and the murmurs died as they turned their faces up to mine. "My people," I called across the yard, my voice carrying off the stones. "I understand your fears, your anger. You feel uncertain, betrayed even. And I won't pretend that with a few words those feelings can be erased. Murmurs, a few catcalls-but I plunged onward. "But let me remind you of this: Ileus chose me as his mate and your Luna. He entrusted me to stand by him, to support him, and to lead in his absence. I won't betray that trust." Someone shouted from the crowd, "You are not fit to lead! I met the gaze of the speaker-my eyes neither elevating nor depressing. "Perhaps for some of you. Yet leadership isn't about perfection. It's about perseverance. It's about the protection of people relying on you, even when they question your motives." Another shouted, "Ariadne is stronger! She should be our Luna!" I felt Kael go rigid beside me, but even that wouldn't set me off my path. "If you think that Ariadne is the leader that you need, then take yourself off to her. I won't get in your way. To the one who would remain, however, let me make a promise: I am going to fight for this kingdom, I'm going to fight for Ileus, and I'll never abandon those at my back to whom a measure of trust is extended to me.". Thick as lead, my words fell among them, and then they started to back off, the anger in their eyes beginning to seep away. But not from within all of them. Unyielding features, --- A Kingdom Divided Back in the council chamber, the tension hung as heavy as it ever had. The divisions amongst those people outside the palace walls were no less wide within them, and I knew that the way ahead was going to be hard to travel. Kael stood by the window, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched the protesters that yet remained. "You handled that well," he said, his tone still taut. "But this isn't over." "I know," I said, falling back in my chair. "But I won't give up. This kingdom means too much to me-to Ileus." Daisy reached out and set a comforting hand on my shoulder. "We'll get through this, Reika. Together. I nodded, but half of me was still incredulous. There we were-into a deadlock-and it just seemed that unity lay over that impossible climb upwards. I looked around the room then-to the people who stood at my back. A billow of hope stirred up inside my chest. This was going to be my fight from now on. And it would see neither the kingdom nor Ileus let down.