Raina watched her, giving Kyera a moment to decide how to answer. Finally, Kyera realized there was no right answer, there was only her answer. Without knowing the facts, how could Raina make a informed decision?
"Raina, I love you baby. This… is a really complicated question and it is loaded with repercussions. I will answer it, but realize once I do you will have to listen to your heart to make your decisions from there. I can't say your decision nor can your father. This has to be you." Kyera replied carefully. Raina looked a slight bit confused, her little eyebrows furrowed.
"Okay, Mommy will you still love me no matter what I choose?" Raina asked as the pair sat facing each other on the bed. Kyera chuckled and leaned in Kissing Raina's forehead to banish those fears.
"You, my love, will always be my daughter.
Your choices are yours, but you will always be mine." Kyera soothed her and Raina nodded confident now.
"Okay, I want to know." Raina decided finally. Kyera nodded, having expected as much. It was best the child knew what she was asking for at any rate.
"Your father and Bastil are both trying for the throne. Your Father, being first born, has the support of the Emperor, and being a good man he has the support of the soldiers, guard, and the people. Bastil has two outside royals and the nobles. So, your father has a better chance of being Emperor." Kyera explained as objectively as she could. Her love for Clovis slipped into her description just a bit, but there was no way she could try to hide that even if she tried for a hundred years.
"But Alexi is in the same race, as is Damar why don't they cause trouble?" Raina asked and Kyera smiled softly.
"Because Alexi is a good Prince, and knows that your father is the best option for Emperor. He wants what's best for his people. You see he knows he can't beat Bastil but your father can." Kyera explained patiently. Raina nodded, that made sense.
"Why would Bastil be a bad Emperor?" Raina asked. Kyera took a deep breath. She was pleased Raina had gained enough confidence to speak her pretty little mind. However, she had never expected that inside Raina's head lived a very intelligent torture master.
"There is a saying that my family has used since they chose their Crest. Those who seek power the most, often are least fit for the role." Kyera remembered those words, from a distant memory. It had always stuck with her, but she also wasn't sure who had said those words.
"Okay?" Raina wasn't sure she understood. Afterall, that sounded a bit strange. "But doesnt the one who seeks it most put the most effort in and deserve it?"
"Not always, Raina. You see, those who chase power for nothing other than to be powerful are dangerous people. The do not understand the weight of the Crown." Kyera began to explain. She looked away her own heart heavy with that weight. "When you become a ruler, it is no longer about you. Everything is about your people. Who you are friends with, shapes the kingdom's alliances. Who you are on bad terms with, can turn to war. If a revolt happens it is you who must sentence the traitors to death. Lives rest in your hand, that is why they hand you that crystal when you become Emperor. That crystal represents the lives in your hand, the Crown encompasses the wisdom you must wield to be fair to those who need your guidance, and the scepter represents the punishment you must give to wrong doers. However you must be fair, you must know right from wrong and do what is right no matter how much it tears your heart apart. No Emperor, Empress, King, or Queen ever has a perfect heart. It is marked with the decisions they have had to make. Those who foolishly sacrifice everything for power, without considering these things, can not handle the weight that crown represents." Kyera explained her voice filled with emotion and conviction. There was a prick of tears in her eyes as she remembered Verone's face. The face of a traitor she once called beloved. She knew the weight if the crown, and how others could seek it so eagerly she didn't understand.