While Kaelen busied himself with intimidating the mayor of Belwyth, I ventured out into the town square. Naturally, a few guards followed; it would've been both foolish and dangerous to go alone.
A group of young girls recognized me and immediately began peppering me with questions.
"Are you a princess? Or a queen? Or are you both?"
"Did you really fall in love with King Kaelen at first sight?"
"I heard your coronation dress was made of gold and silk threads! Is that true?"
I laughed—really laughed—for the first time in what felt like ages. It felt strange, like remembering the words to a song you'd long forgotten.
"Princess Nyriane?" a young boy called out, jogging over. "You talkin' about her?"
One mischievous girl leaned down to whisper something to her friend, then turned to him with a grin. "Yes, we were just telling this nice lady the story of Princess Nyriane. Why don't you tell it, Jathem?"
"I will tell her!" he said proudly. "The theater folk came and told us the whole story!"
"Really?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jathem nodded enthusiastically, then launched into a retelling of the play as best he could. He was adorable—missing both front teeth, flailing his arms as he described how poor Princess Nyriane was taken by a fire-breathing dragon.
"Jathem, you haven't even asked the lady her name," one of the girls chided, nudging him.
"My apologies, m'lady," he said with an exaggerated bow. "What's your name?"
"Pleased to meet you, Jathem. My name is Nyriane," I said, taking his small hand.
"You've got the same name as Princess Nyriane," he said, eyes wide.
"She's a queen now," I replied gently, patting his head before stepping away.
I spotted Kaelen at the top of the council steps, deep in discussion with Harlin. He had warned me to stay close. I began walking toward him when I noticed a woman rushing in my direction.
The guards immediately drew their swords. A powerful arm yanked me back, shielding me. I looked up—Kaelen's hair fluttered in the wind, his eyes like sharpened steel.
The woman skidded to a halt, arms raised across her chest. "I—I don't mean any harm! I only wanted to speak with the Queen!"
I tried to push Kaelen's arm away, but he held firm.
"What did you want to tell me?" I asked.
Her eyes darted nervously between Kaelen and the guards. "King Kaelen… Queen Nyriane… I sell mussels by the bay. My children are young, and my husband is bedridden. I have nowhere to go. Please… have mercy on us."
She wiped away tears, her voice trembling.
"Why would you need to leave? This is your home," I told her softly.
Kaelen finally relaxed, nodding to the guards to stand down.
"Who told you any harm would come to you?" he asked.
"The other army… under Prince Saelow's banner," she said, swallowing hard. "They warned us that if you attacked the city, we should flee and abandon it."
"There's no reason to fear," Kaelen said. "You said you sell mussels by the bay?"
She nodded.
"Then there's no reason to halt your trade."
"Thank you, King Kaelen," she said, her voice full of cautious hope.
"Do you have any children of working age?" I asked.
"My eldest has been trying to get an apprenticeship, but no one will take him," she replied.
"Bring him here," Kaelen said. "We'll find something for him."
The woman thanked us again and left, promising to return with her son.
I fell silent. Saelow had told the townsfolk to flee if Kaelen seized the city, without a thought for the women, children, or elderly. Is my brother truly this cruel?
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a portrait of my grandfather being carted away. Saelow looked so much like him. Even Father bore a resemblance. But I—I was the mirror image of my mother.
"Was he kind to you?" Kaelen asked quietly, noticing my gaze.
"My grandfather? He adored me. Said more than once he preferred me to Saelow as the heir." I smiled faintly. "'The boy is all act and no brain,' he used to say. 'But you—you see, you think, then you act.'"
I fell silent again.
"The favorite of my enemy," Kaelen said, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. "Well, that changes everything."
"What do you mean by that?" I shot back in mock defiance. "You knew exactly who you were marrying, Sire."
"Did I, now?"
"I'm fairly certain I said my vows loud and clear—or were you hard of hearing that day?"
"That day," he murmured with a chuckle, "is one I'll never forget so long as I live."
I narrowed my eyes at him, but the smile on my face betrayed me.
"Excuse me… uh, Princess—no, Queen—Queen Nyriane?" Jathem tugged on the hem of my dress.
"Yes, Jathem? Here to tell me more stories?" I asked, ruffling his hair.
"No, I wanted to ask…" He looked around nervously, rocking back and forth. "Where's the blue-eyed dragon?"
"The dragon?" I laughed.
"Yeah! The one that took you away!"
"Here," I said, pointing at Kaelen, barely containing my laughter.
"But he's a man!" Jathem frowned, looking at Kaelen suspiciously.
"Actually," Kaelen said, stepping closer, "I'm a king. Your king. And her husband." He pointed first at the boy, then at me.
Jathem's eyes widened. Too terrified to say another word, he turned and bolted.
I doubled over, laughing until my sides hurt. Kaelen shook his head, but said nothing. Still, I saw the smile tugging at his lips as he turned and walked away.