In the dimly lit study, Queen Catelyn meticulously planned the grand ball, her quill dancing across the parchment as she listed out details: a lavish feast, the finest wine, guest lists, and an exacting timeline for arrivals and entertainment. She barely looked up as her daughter, Elara, fidgeted in her chair, the silence between them thick with tension. To Elara's right stood Seraphina, her head slightly bowed, hands clasped, dutifully awaiting her Queen's commands."You can't keep me here forever, Mother," Elara quipped, her voice carrying an undercurrent of rebellion.Queen Catelyn finally lifted her gaze, eyes narrowed. "Can't I? Let's review, shall we? You used magic to soar over the town, flaunting your powers in broad daylight for all to see, spent Aedric's rare day off dragging him through a reckless adventure, and then led the Silver Horn's daughters on a two-hour chase through the woods like a common delinquent." Her voice grew colder with each word. "You're a danger to yourself, Elara. Of course I must monitor you."Elara leaned back, a playful smirk on her lips, though her eyes flickered with defiance. "Come now, let's not judge too quickly. I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation... I just haven't thought of it yet."Seraphina let out a near-silent sigh.Queen Catelyn pinched the bridge of her nose, exasperation clear in her features before turning to Seraphina. "Seraphina, dear, sit."Seraphina quickly obeyed, taking a seat, tension still thick in the air."Elara," Queen Catelyn began, her tone softening but still firm, "before I was Queen, I worked in your grandfather's bakery. When I married your father, I had to transform—from commoner to royalty. Granny Anne was my salvation. She taught me everything I needed to know to be the queen I am today. You will be better than I ever was. You have the advantage of being born into it. But I need you to take this seriously. Don't fail me, or this kingdom."Elara leaned forward, arms crossed. "And if I choose to fail?"There was a heavy silence. Queen Catelyn's eyes hardened, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't have that choice, Elara. You will become queen. Because we won't let you fail."That last phrase shook Elara in a way she didn't expect. The certainty in her mother's voice was unnerving. There was no room for argument."You're both dismissed," Catelyn said, her tone curt as she returned to her work. "And Seraphina, congratulations on excelling in your studies. I wish my daughter would take after you."Seraphina bowed, her voice quiet and respectful. "Thank you, Your Majesty."Elara's mood darkened as they left the room, walking down the cold, marbled corridor. Her hands clenched at her sides, frustration boiling beneath her skin."You can't choose to fail," Elara spat, mimicking her mother's tone. "Gods, she frustrates me!"Seraphina, walking beside her, remained silent, though her lips pursed in concern."Tell me I'm wrong, Seraphina!" Elara turned sharply, her voice rising. "You agree with her, don't you? You think I should be chained to those damned lessons!"Seraphina hesitated before speaking. "Maybe... just maybe, she has a point, Elara."Elara's eyes widened, fury bubbling to the surface. "A point? You can't be serious!"Seraphina took a deep breath, trying to tread carefully. "For the court's image, it might be... better if you focused more on your lessons. You're the future queen, after all."Elara's fists clenched, and her voice rose again, this time louder, angrier. "I don't need to learn some stupid, obscure arithmetic to know how to rule! It's all pointless—madness! Worthless!"Seraphina stepped closer, eyes scanning the hallway nervously. "Your Highness, please! Keep your voice down."But Elara wasn't listening. She threw her hands in the air, her anger spilling out uncontrollably. "I'm the princess! I can say whatever I—"Before she could finish, a sudden coldness gripped the air. Dark chains, glowing with magic, erupted from the floor beneath her, wrapping around Elara's body with terrifying speed. She gasped, struggling as they bound her arms, lifting her off the ground.From the shadows at the far end of the corridor, Granny Anne appeared, her gnarled staff raised high, glowing with the mana she'd summoned. Her eyes burned with fury as she approached the struggling princess."How. Dare. You," Granny Anne hissed through clenched teeth. Each word was filled with restrained wrath. "How dare you speak such blasphemy about your ancestors, your kingdom... and me! I have spent decades shaping ungrateful, willful children into rulers—and you are by far the worst. I taught you to read, to write, to command... And this is how you repay me?"Elara's voice cracked with desperation and rage. "I NEVER ASKED YOU TO BE MY INSTRUCTOR! I DON'T CARE IF YOU DROP DEAD RIGHT NOW!"The hall fell into an eerie silence. Granny Anne's face tightened. The chains vanished, and Elara dropped back to the ground with a heavy thud.Granny Anne stared at her for a long moment, her voice trembling with barely contained grief. "I... quit."Elara blinked, her anger momentarily replaced with shock. "What?"Granny Anne turned slowly, her hunched form looking even smaller. "There is nothing more I can teach you." She walked away, her staff tapping against the marble, the sound echoing through the empty corridor.Seraphina gasped, quickly chasing after the elderly woman. "Granny Anne! Wait!"But the old woman did not stop, nor did she look back.Elara remained frozen, her chest heaving with anger, but also something else. She stood there, watching Granny Anne disappear down the hall, her words ringing in her ears, her mind swirling in confusion and guilt.Moments later, back in her chambers, Elara collapsed onto her bed, her face buried in the pillows. A muffled scream of frustration tore through the quiet room, the weight of what had just transpired pressing down on her chest.Outside the castle gates, Aedric was kneeling by a trader's wagon, repairing a broken wheel. His broad shoulders flexed as he worked the wood and metal into place, sweat glistening on his forehead. From across the courtyard, Seraphina emerged, her face pale, her eyes hollow.Aedric noticed her, his brow furrowing as he stood up, wiping his hands on a rag."Is something wrong, Lady Seraphina?" he asked, trying to keep his tone light in front of the trader.Seraphina stood still for a moment, then exhaled deeply. "No, nothing, Ser Aedric. Just..." She paused, then spoke quietly, "May I stand here with you for a while? The princess... she needs some space."Aedric looked at her for a moment, his eyes softening. "Of course, Lady Seraphina. I'm here if you need me."She gave him a weak smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Thank you, Ser Aedric."And so, in the shadow of the castle, they stood together in silence, as the weight of the kingdom's future loomed larger than ever.