Princess Of The Skulls - Chapter 92: Chapter 92

The capital had changed in our absence. New banners flew from the towers, bearing the skull sigil that had become synonymous with my rule, but also incorporating elements from the various noble houses that had sworn fealty to the crown. The sight should have filled me with pride—evidence of the unity I had forged from the ashes of civil war. Instead, it reminded me of how isolated I had become in my quest for political stability.
"Your Majesty," Lord Harwick greeted me at the castle gates, his expression carefully neutral. "The council is eager to hear your report on the northern provinces."
"I'll address the council after I've had time to rest and prepare a proper briefing," I replied, noting the way his eyes flicked between Kael and me. Our relationship was an open secret, but the political implications were a constant source of tension among the nobles.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Though I should mention that several matters of state have arisen that require your immediate attention."
"What matters?"
"Marriage proposals," Lord Harwick said carefully. "Seven formal offers have arrived from neighboring kingdoms. The Council of Lords has requested an audience to discuss the strategic advantages of each alliance."
I felt Kael tense beside me, though his expression remained carefully neutral. This was the conversation we had both known was coming—the moment when my desires would collide with the political realities of ruling a kingdom.
"Schedule the audience for tomorrow afternoon," I decided. "I want detailed reports on each proposal and the political implications of acceptance or refusal."
"Very good, Your Majesty. And the other matter?"
"What other matter?"
"The Thornfield situation, Your Majesty. Prince Aldric has requested a private meeting to discuss the final terms of his house's surrender. He's been quite insistent about the urgency."
Curious. Aldric had been cooperating fully with the transition of power. What could be so urgent that it couldn't wait for formal diplomatic channels?
"Schedule that meeting for this evening," I said. "And Lord Harwick? I want absolute privacy. No guards, no scribes, no political observers."
"Your Majesty, is that wise? Prince Aldric still has supporters who might—"
"Might what? Attempt to use him as a figurehead for rebellion? Aldric has had months to organize resistance if he chose to. His cooperation has been genuine." I fixed Lord Harwick with the look that had quelled more than one political uprising. "I trust my judgment on this matter."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
After dismissing Lord Harwick, I walked with Kael toward my private chambers, aware of the whispered conversations and speculative glances that followed us. The servants had grown accustomed to his presence, but the nobles still saw him as a political liability—a commoner who had elevated himself through romance rather than merit.
"You know what those marriage proposals mean," Kael said quietly once we were alone in my chambers.
"I know what they represent," I replied, beginning to remove the travel-stained clothing that marked me as a working queen rather than a ceremonial figurehead. "Political alliances, trade agreements, mutual defense pacts. The usual tools of statecraft."
"Seraphina." He caught my hand, his corrupted fingers gentle against my skin. "You can't keep avoiding this conversation."
"What conversation?"
"The one where you tell me whether you're planning to marry for politics or love."
The question hung between us like a blade, sharp and unavoidable. I had been dreading this moment since the day I claimed the crown, knowing that my happiness would eventually collide with the needs of the kingdom.
"I don't know," I admitted, the honesty painful. "I want to marry for love, Kael. But I also can't ignore the political realities. A strategic marriage could prevent wars, secure trade routes, and strengthen our defenses.
How do I choose personal happiness over the lives of my subjects?"
"How do you choose duty over your own heart?"
"Because that's what queens do," I said, the words bitter in my mouth. "They sacrifice their personal desires for the greater good."
"And what about what I want?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled. "Do I get a say in this decision?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I've spent months watching you transform into someone who sees everything through the lens of political necessity. You've become so focused on being the perfect queen that you've forgotten you're also a woman with her desires and dreams."
His words echoed Aldric's earlier observation, and I felt a stab of guilt at the recognition. "I can't separate the two, Kael. I am the queen. Every decision I make affects thousands of lives."
"And what about the decision to be happy? What about the decision to trust that love can be as powerful as any political alliance?"
Before I could respond, a soft knock interrupted our conversation. "Your Majesty? Prince Aldric has arrived for his appointment."
I exchanged a look with Kael, seeing the resignation in his eyes. "We'll continue this conversation later," I promised.
"Will we?" he asked quietly. "Or will you find another political crisis to distract yourself with?"
The accusation stung because it was partially true. I had been using the demands of governance to avoid the personal decisions that terrified me. But I couldn't address that now, not with Aldric waiting and whatever urgent matter he needed to discuss.
"Enter," I called, and Aldric stepped into the room, looking unusually serious. He nodded politely to Kael, who excused himself with careful courtesy, leaving us alone.
"You look tired," Aldric observed, settling into the chair across from me. "The northern provinces?"
"Stabilized, though it cost me more than I expected." I studied his face, noting the tension around his eyes. "What's so urgent that it couldn't wait for formal diplomatic channels?"
"This." He reached into his jacket and withdrew a document bearing the seal of the High Council of
Kingdoms. "A formal petition questioning the legitimacy of your rule."
I felt my blood turn to ice. "On what grounds?"
"Several. Your use of necromantic magic, the destruction caused by your dimensional working, and most importantly, the question of succession. They're arguing that a queen who refuses to marry and produce heirs is a threat to political stability."
I scanned the document, recognizing the political maneuvering behind the formal language.
"Who signed this?"
"Three of the five major kingdoms, including some that have sent you marriage proposals. They're not just questioning your rule—they're preparing to act on those questions."
"Military action?"
"Economic pressure first. Trade embargoes, diplomatic isolation, and pressure on your noble houses to declare independence. If that fails ." He shrugged grimly. "They have armies, Seraphina. Large ones."
The implications hit me like a physical blow. I had spent so much time consolidating power within my kingdom that I had neglected the broader political landscape. Now that oversight was coming back to threaten everything I had built.
"What are you proposing?" I asked, though I suspected I already knew.
"A marriage alliance. Specifically, a renewed betrothal between us." Aldric's expression was carefully neutral. "My house still has significant political influence, and our marriage would address the succession question while providing legitimacy to your rule."
"And what would you gain from such an arrangement?"
"The preservation of peace, and the chance to serve a queen I genuinely respect." He paused, studying my face. "But I won't pretend there aren't personal considerations as well. I care about you, Seraphina.
Not as much as he does," he nodded toward the door Kael had exited through, "but enough to want to see you happy."
"Marriage to you would make me happy?"
Aldric smiled, and for a moment, I saw the charming prince who had first arrived at my court. "Marriage to me would make you safe. Happiness that's something you'll have to find for yourself."
The offer was generous and politically astute. Aldric had always been a skilled negotiator, able to find solutions that served multiple interests. But I could see the sadness behind his diplomatic mask, the recognition that he was offering to be a political convenience rather than a romantic partner.
"I need time to consider this," I said finally.
"Of course. But don't take too long, Seraphina. The High Council is already moving pieces into position.
We may have weeks rather than months before they act."
After he left, I sat alone in my chambers, staring at the document that could change everything. The girl who had once raged against an arranged marriage now found herself considering one as the solution to her political problems.
But this time, the choice was mine to make. The question was whether I dared to choose love over duty, or if the crown had finally taught me to sacrifice everything for the stability of the realm.
The skull relics around my neck whispered with the voices of the dead, but for once, I needed the counsel of the living. I needed to decide what kind of queen I wanted to be, and what kind of woman I could live with being.