In Anemoi, Lyra's revelation to the public had sent shockwaves through the world of reporters and newspapers. Every outlet was consumed with stories about her. Curiosity surrounding the future Queen grew with each passing day, and the public couldn't get enough.
Amidst all the attention, Lyra worked tirelessly to improve her image, striving to earn the respect of both the public and the nobles. She attended every public event and social gathering, doing her best to make a positive impression. Her strategy was simple: she complimented others on their talents, spoke highly of their skills, and engaged in meaningful conversations. Yet, despite her efforts, Lyra remained at her core an introvert. After every social event, her energy was drained, leaving her exhausted. She would retreat to her bed, seeking solace in solitude, avoiding even the mountain of paperwork awaiting her. She would read the documents from her bedroom, too fatigued to engage with anyone further.
Her palace, though bustling with staff, became even livelier with the return of Astrid. Lyra was surprised—she hadn't expected Astrid to come back so soon. But Astrid had insisted, knowing that Lyra would be alone without her. Her arrival, however, made Lyra pause as she noticed the changes around the Palace and met the new maids.
"What in the world happened in the couple of days I was gone?" Astrid asked, clearly startled.
"A lot of things have changed, sister," Lyra replied with a slight smile. "And more will continue to change as I prepare to become Queen. I'm glad you came back early. Just today, I finished assigning personal knights to us. Meet Jack, Ingrid, Paul, Ursula, Owen, Fred, and Samuel. They'll be at your service from now on."
Astrid, flustered, turned to Lyra. "Lyra, I don't need guards. You know I stay in the Palace all day. What harm could possibly come to me here?"
Lyra smiled, but her tone grew serious. "Please don't resist. I trust you understand the gravity of the situation. There are threats now. With my announcement to the public and my efforts to reclaim my position, we are both in danger. I can't afford to let you be unprotected."
Astrid sighed, reluctant but understanding. "I know the stakes. But you need to be the one protected. I cannot risk you being harmed in this war that isn't yours."
"You too are in danger now," Lyra replied firmly. "I'm sorry for putting you in this position, but I don't want you hurt in a battle that's not yours to fight."
Astrid, though still unsure, eventually nodded. "Fine. I'll accept their protection."
Once the knights left and Solon had gone about his duties, Astrid, in a rare moment of excitement, plopped down beside Lyra on the sofa. "I can't believe you missed everything, Lyra! It was incredible! I don't even know where to begin. There's just so much to tell you!"
Lyra chuckled softly. "It sounds like you had fun. I'm glad to hear that. Did you deliver my message to everyone?"
"I did," Astrid replied, a hint of disappointment in her voice. "They were sad you couldn't come, but they're hoping you'll join next time."
"Hopefully," Lyra murmured. "So, how was the party?"
"It was a bit dull, honestly. But Alexander showed me around the Palace—it's so beautiful. I wish I had a painter with me to capture the scenery. It's breathtaking. I could spend hours staring at the views."
Lyra raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "Imagine how traumatic that would be for the poor painter—having to paint the same scene every fifteen minutes."
"I know!" Astrid laughed. "That's why it's just a wish."
Lyra smiled, shaking her head. "So… how is everyone?"
Astrid leaned back, thoughtfully. "The king is as impressive as ever. Father could learn something from him—he takes care of himself so well, he looks younger than his years. As for the Queen, she's always been slim, but she looks even younger now. I actually asked her how she stays so young, and she told me it's all about being happy."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "Surely, that can't be all?"
Astrid shook her head, smiling. "Of course not. She said it's in her genes—everyone in her family looks much younger than they really are."
"I see," Lyra mused, still signing documents as Astrid chatted on.
As Astrid was about to leave, she turned back to Lyra. "Oh! Before I forget—I gave your letter to Dylan."
Lyra, who had been half-heartedly skimming papers, suddenly looked up, her eyes sparking with interest. "Thank you for that."
Astrid beamed. "No need to thank me. It was my pleasure. Although, poor Dylan had to leave early the next day after his birthday party."
Lyra frowned slightly. "Why? Is everything alright?"
"I'm not sure," Astrid replied. "It seems there was an issue at his territory. He left in such a rush that even the King and Queen didn't know he was gone."
Lyra's eyes darkened. "It must be something at the border."
Astrid nodded. "I hope everything is okay."
Lyra sighed, her thoughts elsewhere. "Hopefully."
Astrid hesitated, then added, "Oh, and they've invited me to join them for a vacation. It's going to be about 3-4 weeks. They asked if you wanted to come, but I told them you're too busy. Still, they hoped you wouldn't overwork yourself."
Lyra's smile faltered for a split second before she returned to her usual composure. "When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow, hopefully!"
Lyra nodded, her expression unreadable. "Safe travels."
As Astrid prepared to leave, she glanced at the piles of papers around Lyra. "Oh, it looks like I've kept you from your work. I'll let you go. See you at dinner tonight!"
Lyra smiled, waving her off as Astrid exited. Alone once again, Lyra turned her focus back to the never-ending stack of paperwork, her mind still lingering on the fleeting moments of joy that came with her sister's return.
When Astrid was gone, Delilah kept gazing fondly and smiling at Lyra who in return backed up a bit and inquired,
"What?"
"Nothing. You are so kind, your Highness."
"Why do you say that?"
"You were answering so calmly and softly to everything Princess Astrid was saying even though you are quite busy with work."
"There is nothing out of the ordinary in that. I was merely listening to her as I should since who else would she tell tales about her travels to if not for me?"
"You are right about that."
"Now get back to work."
".....I miss my old job."
"You want to work as a maid?"
"It was less work as compared to this."
"If you wish I shall give you your old position back."
"...no. I will survive this. Please keep paying me my bonuses and pay and I will work hard so much so that I will devote all of me to this work!"
Delilah raised her hand in a fist, as fire could be seen flickering in her eyes. This makes Lyra giggle as she retorts,
"No need to work so hard. Although I appreciate your dedication. Now please get back to work. We have a lot to do. Solon isn't back yet and we need him to be here."
"I bet he is taking his sweet time since he doesn't want to work."
"Well if he doesn't get here in time then we will need to cover his part as well. He better be here."
Upon hearing how she will have to do more work, Delilah's face fell as she then screams,
"SOLON!"
At her boaming roar, Katherine who was just about to knock on the office door, rushed inside along with Lyra's personal knights,
"Is everything alright?"
"Yes. Mika, go find Solon and bring him quickly. I bet he is sleeping under a tree somewhere."
Lyra ordered as she then turned to her aunt,
"Is everything handled like I said it should be?"
"Yes. We have received lots of complaints against Medea and the kids regarding how they owe the public money."
"Splendid."
"Then shall I transfer these to the supreme court?"
"Not yet. It is not the right time yet. Keep collecting more. Also, I have another favour to ask of you."
"Yes?"
"There are some complaints in the south-east from people. Things are becoming quite dire there as people are on the verge of revolting. The Counts of that area are all that belong to Aunt Medea's faction. I want you and along with Viscount Edwin to handle everything. Also, since you may need someone of a more higher standing, here this is an official notice."
Lyra hands a rolled over paper that was covered in red and gold which meant it was an official royal order that was approved by everyone.
Confused, Katherine takes it from him as she inquires,
"What is this?"
"Send my heartiest congratulations to Viscount Edwin as he is now Duke Edwin. This is sort of a promotion letter. He is now the Duke of the South. If he accepts it. I do hope he does. In order to surpress those Counts, I need one more Duke."
"This position has been empty for many years now as Medea wanted this to go to Hubris."
"Well, not anymore. I sure hope you can convince Sir Edwin to accept this position."
Katherine who was quite happy for Edwin cheered,
"You can count on me!"
"I also have another proposition to make...if you wish to accept it."
Katherine waits for Lyra to continue as she in return motions Delilah to leave for a few moments. After Delilah was gone, Lyra stated,
"After your mission, the count's position in the southeast will be empty. Although it pains me that I cannot give you the title of a princess back if it is any consolation, I can grant you the title of a Countess."
"...me?"
"Affirmative. I want to give you power, enough power that no one would dare to force you again."
"....I....."
"Please think about it. After your mission ends and you have finished taking care of the complaints, then do let me know whatever your heart desires and I shall have it be so."
Katherine bows in return and then whispers a small thank you softly before taking her leave.
Lyra was still looking at the door when suddenly in came barging Delilah who was dragging a screaming Solon behind by pulling his ears.
"Come here, you betrayer! How dare you leave all this work to us just to rest!"
"I told you I was in the restroom!"
"To do what?"
"....that is my private business. What do you mean by what? Why do humans even go to restrooms?"
"I don't know!"
"Ouch! Stop pulling my ear at least! It freaking hurts, woman!"
"You two...."
Lyra's voice made the aura go heavy as the duo who were screaming and fighting with each other, let one another go as they stood side by side, slightly scared by Lyra's gaze. Lyra drops a whole stack of papers and states,
"Get to work."
They both bow and start working without uttering a single word.
Lyra then thinks back to Astrid's words. Ever since they had visited Helios when they were young, they had so much fun there that Lyra had always dreamed about going on a long vacation over there. However back then she could not leave the palace, and now, she is in a race to become the Queen and the path she has chosen is long and tedious as well as lonely. She feels envious of her sister who gets to enjoy so much without any worry in the world.
Her heart starts aching upon this thought as she shakes her head mentally and says to herself that she shouldn't be thinking like this and rather should be happy that her sister gets to be somewhere safe and happy and away from all of this. Her sister deserves this and she knows it.
She feels a heavy pang in her heart as she then tries not to think of any negative thoughts. Her head would be filled with thoughts like why does Astrid get to enjoy so much while she is stuck in this and it is not like she wanted to be like this. She was forced to decide to have the best possible outcome.
But why is it she still feels empty and lonely? Her heart bleeds as she feels like crying. Her thoughts then shift to Dylan and how she misses him immensely. When he was here, her life was all sunshine but now it's all void and dark. He hasn't even sent her a single letter and she too couldn't manage to send him one. She worried that even though she felt his feelings were sincere, they maybe temporary, and as time apart had been spent, his feelings may have come to change...
In all honesty, she did send him a letter asking how was he and if the situation at the border had become severe. He replied by asking how is she. And that was it. Lyra could not answer back. Whenever she lifted a pen to write about how she was, depressing words would flow out of it and she would let out tears without even knowing that she was crying.
Therefore to not think about any of these things, she focused all on work because that is the path she has chosen.