Mordeccai, Aliana, and Iora walked back to the princess' room in silence. Along the way, they passed another councilman who let out a yelp when he saw the princess. "Your highness! Where have you been? The meeting is about to begin!" He had a frantic look upon his face.

Aliana gave him a relaxing smile. "Please, pardon my tardiness. I will attend the meeting as soon as I tidy up my appearance. I would not dare present myself looking like this!"

The councilman struggled to put on a calm demeanor. "Of course, your highness. Shall I call for your council robes?"

"Please do. That will speed along this process."

"Of course." He hurried off without a bow, an oversight that would be considered rude for anyone of lower status.

Mordeccai chuckled softly to himself. "Those councilmen! Always in a frantic rush. You would think a meeting starting a few minutes late was the end of the world."

Aliana gave him a side glance. "You are just trying to make me feel better about delaying everybody." She was inwardly very grateful for his efforts. So much had been happening even without the mourning of her father that she was constantly tied up in knots about every miniscule mistake she made.

They resumed walking. "Everybody is late sometimes," he reassured her.

It was a few minutes before they reached her room. Mordeccai walked her up to the door before saying, "I shall leave you here. Your robes will be delivered shortly, I do hope. Please, try not to tarry long." He gave a quick bow.

Aliana reciprocated the bow. "I shall take no longer than necessary."

"We shall meet again at the meeting." He gave her an encouraging smile and a pat on the shoulder before leaving. His long stride carried him swiftly down the hallway and soon out of sight.

Aliana watched him go. Once she could not see him anymore, she entered her room, giving curt nods to the guards outside the door as she passed.

Iora followed her. "Is there any way I could assist you?"

"I neither need nor want your help," Aliana huffed. She took off her cloak and hung it up.

"You complain that I never show you kindness or sympathy, but as soon as I do, you reject it."

"What can I say? I am hard to please."

"I have already learned that, your highness," Replied Iora through gritted teeth.

Aliana glared and pointed her finger at her. "You should watch what you say. It may be easier to please me, if you knew your place. How dare you criticize me like that - me, a princess of Aerilia, and you nothing more than a mere guard. You are lucky to keep your post after that remark!"

Iora bowed mockingly. "Of course, your highness."

A soft knock on the door interrupted their childish bickering. Iora stepped in front of Aliana and partially drew her sword, ready for an attack. "Who is it?"

The voice that spoke was young and female. "I was sent by Councilman Alderexis. I have the princess' robes."

Aliana brushed past Iora. "Put that ridiculous thing away! It is merely a servant." She pulled open bedroom door and invited inside the servant.

The girl that came inside - who couldn't have been more than eleven - had her arms burdened with the heavy purple cotton robes. She poked her head over the side of the abundant cloth and did her best to curtsy. "Good day, your highness. I brought your robes for you."

The princess graciously took the garments. "You appear to be a little too young to be working here. Do not tell me the palace is hiring children to do work!"

The girl shook her shaggy brown hair. "My mom works down in laundry and she told me to bring these to you. They've been freshly washed!"

Aliana made a big show of deeply inhaling. "I must say, they smell magnificent! Your mother is certainly doing a good job." The girl brimmed with pride.

There was a brief awkward silence, where the girl glanced briefly at the door, like she wanted to leave but wouldn't dare be rude to the princess.

Aliana saw and said, "It was so kind of you to bring me these. Now, run back to your mother and tell her that she is doing her job well."

"Thank you, your highness." She smiled sweetly and turned to leave.

"Wait!" Aliana called, snatching a loose coin off of her nightstand.

She tossed it at the girl who instinctively reached out and grabbed it. Her little face lit up when she identified the metal object. "Thank you!" she squealed, doing her best to conceal her excitement.

Aliana smiled and shoes her playfully. "Run along now."

"Thank you, your highness! Have a good day, your highness!" She ran out of the room, a light skip in her step.

Aliana watched her leave with a smile on her lips. As soon as she left and the guards shut the door behind her, the smile faded.

"That was kind of you," Iora noted.

Aliana stared at the closed door sadly. "I know the salary of the servants and today I am feeling generous."

Iora gave Aliana a sidelong glance. She could see the depression lining the crinkles of the princess' face. She wanted to comfort her, but knew it was pointless. She merely said, "You are kind."

"I am depressed. Drop the subject."

Aliana put her purple robes on and let the heavy material settle over her blue dress. The councilmen, seen by most as respectable, wealthy, intelligent older gentlemen, were, in her eyes, silly old men who had stubborn and ridiculous traditions. One of those particular traditions that Aliana could not stand was the robes. To attend a meeting, one must wear a heavy, uncomfortable robe with the Aurelion crest on the back. They called it respectable; Aliana saw it as foolish.

Once the robe was on, Aliana walked to her mirror. It was then that it struck her how different she looked. Not merely because her hair was disheveled but because of the enormous weight that was on her. She looked sad, depressed, anxious, tired, older and disgruntled. So many negative emotions were staring back at her it was shocking. With no time to do anything about it now, she tidied her hair and was off to the meeting.

As she walked, Aliana considered how this council meeting would transpire. She knew they would discuss a new ruler. Under Aerilion law, it was acceptable for that new ruler to be her. Yet she was only seventeen and had scarcely been prepared for such an undertaking. Was she ready? Was she willing to be queen? Yes; there was no question she was willing; she loved her people. But was she ready? Could she be as good a queen as her father had been a king? Would they force her to marry right away when she received the crown? The walk was far too short to contemplate all she would have liked. She was already at the doors.

Two guards pulled open the council chamber doors and a herald announced her entrance and the councilmen all stood. She strove to calm her nerves as she walked what felt like miles to her seat, a mighty throne that resided in the center of the room. She hesitated to sit there: that was her father's place. But he was not here. He would never be again. Iora stood at her side and, for once, she was almost grateful to have the guard there.

"Gentlemen," she started, her voice as level as she could manage, "shall we begin?"

Mordeccai spoke first, being the senior councilman. "There is great unrest in the kingdom. It grows worse each passing hour. The people are mourning for their king, demanding justice for his assassin, and worried for their princess. We need as much resolution as we can as swiftly as possible. Councilman Xander, what is the status on finding the assassin?"

The fat councilman stirred in his seat before answering, "It is too soon for much news, I fear. We only know the type of poison that was used. The matter is still being thoroughly investigated, however, of which I can assure you. I will call an emergency meeting as soon as I have more information."

There was much murmuring among the councilmen. This was certainly not the news they had wanted to hear. They had been hoping for progress, for a name. To have nothing? Nothing more than they had from the start? Days had passed! Who should they call in to help with the investigation? What could be done that was not already? Were the physicians and guards really so incompetent?

Aliana could feel the meeting disintegrating into small discussions and fear rather than a productive conversation. She knew what her father would have done in her place, and did her best to live up to that example. "Gentlemen! I will have order! Yes, we all need answers, myself as much or more so than any of the rest of you. But bickering and arguing will not provide them. Each of you please think of anyone who may be able to aid this investigation. I will have names, I will have suggestions, but I will also have order. Now, one at a time."

"There is a great scientist residing in Lavell whom we could petition to come here," Councilman Paxson offered.

"Good! We shall see if our neighbor would be willing to spare him for a time, then. Excellent. Other thoughts?"

"Seers, your highness. We should put out a general call for seers throughout the land. Any who believe they can help should come forward," suggested Councilman Rykson.

"Hmm," replied the princess. "Not as good of an idea, but worth considering. I fear that such a general call would instill a greater unrest among the people."

"What the people need," barked an agitated councilman from the back, "is a new leader! The people will not a rest until someone sits on the throne!"

Those words caused another murmur to ripple through the sea of councilmen. Aliana noticed their glances at her, the way they discreetly nodded their heads. These men did not think her to be a capable leader, it was obvious. It pained her to admit that she had not proved otherwise since the death of her father. She had acted spoiled, selfish and depressed, taking little thought for anyone besides herself. But she had recognized that when she looked in the mirror and had been desperately trying ever since to be the leader that she needed to be. She prayed it was not too late to prove herself.

"But who will lead us?" cried out another person.

What followed next was a rapid fire of angry voices.

"The princess will!"

"The princess has not enough training to successfully lead a country!"

"Councilman Zaster is right! We need someone with the proper training and knowledge!"

"But the crown belongs to the princess! I believe her capable enough to lead us!"

"She is seventeen!"

Aliana quickly grew agitated by the bickering and blatant disrespect to her. In an instant, the depression that had filled her since her father's death vanished; in its place was a burning, blazing fire. She stood, tall and strong. "I may be only seventeen," she said in a clear, commanding voice which instantly drew the attention of the entire room, "but I am the only living heir to the throne. I will not see my father's kingdom ruled by anyone else. I will learn whatever it is that I need to learn. I will work day and night to prepare myself for the responsibilities that have been bestowed upon me. As I am doing so, Mordeccai will be my chief advisor. He is the head of the council and very experienced, my father trusted him greatly and I shall do the same. Then, when I have become strong enough, I will seek out a husband who will be a benevolent ruler by my side." She stared at each of them in turn, showing her strong will and determination, letting them know that she was capable and would not back down. "The second my father died, I became queen! The only reason I am here today is to get the council's approval to wear the crown and sit on the throne!"

Mordeccai smiled. "I would be honored, your highness. Thank you for your great trust in this matter." He then addressed the other councilmen. "Are there any who are opposed to this plan?"

No one dared to speak up. Not only was Mordeccai very capable and on the princess' side, but Aliana had shown them a part of her they had not expected.

"Then it is settled!" Aliana announced. "Thank you, gentlemen. Now, back to finding help with the investigation," and she sat back down.

Before the previous discussion could begin anew, the council chambers burst open and guards swiftly entered.

Cries of surprise rang out among those gathered in the room. Councilmen sprung from their chairs, fear rippling through them. "What is going on?" hollered one.

The guards piled into the room. Iora, drawing her blade, stepped swiftly in front of Aliana. "Stay back, your highness."

Aliana's stomach turned when saw the head palace guard, Sanyurn the Brave, making his way towards her. Although it was common for him to wear a frown, he looked especially angry today. "What is wrong," Aliana asked, concerned.

He didn't answer, climbing the steps to the throne. As he got closer, Iora pointed her sword at him. "What is your purpose for interrupting this meeting?"

Again, Sanyurn ignored her. Once at the top, ignoring the blade pointed directly at him, he turned to face the confused and terrified councilmen. From his pocket he pulled a vial, half-filled with a black liquid. He brandished it in the air for all to see.

"The King's assassin has been found!" He turned to face the princess, a deadly storm in his eyes. "It was the woman you were willing to call Queen!"