Today marked the day Elucina would finally have an audience with the King, her father. She hoped to get answers to the questions that had bugged her every night.
Elucina recalled writing a message requesting this meeting the day before, but to her surprise, she received a response from the King the following day.
Honestly, she had not thought he would have time to respond to her so quickly, considering how busy he usually was.
But no matter how surprised she was by the sudden meeting, Elucina came prepared for this.
She had rehearsed her questions in her mind. Among them was to find out why her father had betrayed her and taken her throne before even discussing it with her.
Sure, it was the royal law that the King's eldest child would become the heir. However, Elucina was unfairly removed from her position, with her crown at risk of being given to a commoner with royal blood.
'If she's competent, then I won't have trouble accepting it… I guess…' But the situation was the opposite, and she hated losing to someone of the lowest status.
With a racing heart, Elucina made her way to the corridors of the King's castle, leading her through the roofed pathway in the courtyard.
The taps of her heels against the floor echoed in the open area, blending with the faint trickle coming from the fountain in the distance. A breeze blew against her face, gently fluttering Elucina's hair to her back, carrying the scent of wildflowers blooming in the grass.
As Elucina was getting near the entrance of the great hall, the louder her pulse throbbed in her ears.
She walked ahead while Daleah followed closely behind her trails. Until, she spotted a silhouette standing near one of the columns that held up the roof of the pathway, seemingly waiting there.
Shortly, after hearing her footsteps, the person turned around as Elucina approached from behind.
'What is he doing here?' Elucina wondered, inwardly rolling her eyes the moment she saw that face.
It was her fiancé, Aeldwyn, standing there so… punchable with the resting face that Elucina always found irritating to look at.
His hair, as dark as a raven's feather, fell in waves that were enough to frame his forehead and ears. His locks contrasted with his striking purple eyes which held a magnetic gaze… that Elucina thought would be perfect for a crow to pluck.
"Your," Aeldwyn teasingly paused before continuing without the title she once had, "Highness, Princess Elucina."
"Tsk," she clicked her, not bothering to hide her irritation. She curtly replied, "Lord Aeldwyn."
They lazily yet managed to gracefully swap their bows to each other. And as they lifted their head, their eyes met.
"I suppose Her Highness is here to plead her case to the King, am I right?" Aeldwyn remarked, not erasing the sly smile on his face.
Elucina blinked her lashes close, fighting back to let his words bother her and not give him the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead of getting him in his head, she decided to ignore his presence completely.
She headed straight to the grand doors of the great hall, where the King's knights were standing, looking intimidating.
Thankfully, Aeldwyn didn't go after her, keeping a distance as he leaned against the column where he was before.
Turning the corner, Elucina approached the doors and found them shut tight. She assumed there must be someone inside, likely having a conversation with the King.
Elucina stood waiting, and after a while, the doors soon swung wide and revealed the prior visitor. There, emerging from the great hall was an older man who looked a lot like Aeldwyn, except he had wrinkles and creases on the corners of his eyes.
He gave Elucina a brief bow. Right after she returned the same pleasantries, a knight from the royal court got her attention by calling, "Your Highness."
Knowing it was her time to have an audience with the King, Elucina turned to her handmaiden, and said, "Daleah, wait here."
To which Daleah replied with a silent nod.
There, Elucina marched through the same venue where her crown had been taken from her. Seated upon his throne was her father, the King, who had filled the room with authority that exuded from him.
Elucina approached her father, her gaze looking down at the marble floor. The only noise ringing within the vast room was the click of her shoes.
And behind her, the doors swung shut with a heavy bang that resonated through the entire space, lingering in the air for seconds before it faded.
When the silence settled, King Aetheran's command pierced through, demanding, "Speak your mind." His words echoed off from the opposite end of the great hall, reaching all the corners.
Elucina kept her eyes lowered as she obliged to speak, saying her thoughts unfiltered and bold. "I believe you're already aware of why I've requested to speak with you, Your Majesty," she said, steady.
After a long, uncomfortable silence followed her words, King Aetheran spoke again, his voice sounding gentler than his prior tone, "Elucina–"
However, she cut him off, her voice sounding upset. "My entire life has been built around the expectation that I would reign Ethara. But now, without warning or any explanation, Your Majesty, I have lost that chance."
A deep sigh escaped from the king's lips as he tried to explain, "It was not an easy decision. Circumstances have changed now—"
Elucina interrupted him once more, unable to hide her anger. "Yet you consider crowning a commoner, Your Majesty?"
"...Elucina," King Aetheran mumbled sternly, seemingly running out of patience. He pressed his fingers against his temple and reminded his daughter of something important.
"Vanetta is still your older sister. She may surprise you. After all, she carries Vittoria's blood," he added, referring to the late queen.
Elucina's eyes narrowed, trying to voice out, "Does she have the council's support, Your Majesty? From what I saw at the last assembly, the council unanimously agreed to delay her coronation."
"Elucina!"
She was started by the call at first, but quickly lifted her head high, showing she wasn't afraid anymore. She stared right back at her father, feeling her heart beating fast as she stood up for herself.
King Aethran now rose from his throne, looking pissed as they looked into each other's fuming eyes.
Once again, silence descended inside the great hall as their conversation hung intensely in the air. They held the moment, stayed in their positions as their silence covered the room with thick tension.
"...I know this is difficult for you," the King said softly.
'It is!' Elucina wanted to scream, but she bit her tongue, letting her father continue.
"However, my decision will not change. You are dismissed, Princess Elucina," he finally declared.
Elucina clenched her dress, her knuckles turning white as her frustration bubbled over. "Are you simply choosing not to hear the wishes of the people who loyally served this kingdom? Who had been faithful to you, Father?"
"Watch your tone, child."
"Vanetta doesn't have the experience or wisdom required to lead Ethara," Elucina insisted, her voice growing louder with each word. "And what's the big deal about our age difference? She's only, what, two months older than me?!"
"Elucina, enough," King Aetheran growled, his patience snapping.
"No, Father! It is not enough! I will not be silenced!" Elucina shouted, her voice echoing through the hall.
"Enough is enough!" the King roared back, his veins bulging on his neck. With a rustle of his clothes, he reached out a hand and pointed his finger toward the door, which promptly opened.
Given a cue, the knights marched through the great hall. King Aetheran ordered, "Knights, escort the Princess out."
Elucina locked eyes with her father, defiance blazing in hers. Shortly after, she turned away, her back to him, as the sound of clattering armor echoed behind her.
"Don't lay a hand on me," she demanded, pulling her arm away as the knight tried to grab it.
She walked away on her own feet, heading towards the open door where Daleah stood waiting.