Chapter 2: The Lion, the Serpent, and the Nightingale – A Family Divided
Princess Lyra, the eldest, was a warrior princess, as comfortable wielding a sword as she was manipulating political alliances. Her ambition was as sharp as her blade, her gaze fixed firmly on the Obsidian Throne. She commanded the loyalty of the southern houses, her charisma and strategic brilliance making her a formidable contender. Prince Elian, the middle child, was a scholar, preferring the company of books to the clamor of court. His quiet intelligence and strategic mind, however, belied a hidden strength and unwavering determination. He rallied the northern houses, his quiet dignity and unwavering sense of justice earning him the respect of his people. Lady Elara, the youngest, was a skilled ranger and healer, fiercely independent and deeply connected to the land. She commanded the loyalty of the smaller houses and the common folk, her unwavering commitment to justice and her deep knowledge of the wilds making her a force to be reckoned with. Their relationship, however, was far from harmonious. Years of sibling rivalry, fueled by their differing personalities and ambitions, had created deep fissures within their family, a rift that threatened to tear Aethelgard apart.