📍 Chapter 89 – The Trial of Two Mothers
The square was packed.
From nobles to kitchen boys.
Every marble seat taken.
Even the sky had gone grey — not stormy, just heavy.
Like it knew judgment was about to fall.
---
Zara stood in royal grey.
Her sword at her hip.
Kaelen in Leva's arms, tucked behind her.
Zaire and Auren stood like stone.
On the opposite side, Lady Mireya wore deep blue.
Surrounded by five delegates from the Southern Isles.
All holding scrolls.
All ready to speak.
---
A judge stepped forward.
High Chancellor Revas.
Beard silver. Voice ancient.
He banged the staff once.
"This is not a criminal trial. It is a question of legacy."
He looked at both women.
"And love."
---
Mireya spoke first.
Her voice was strong. Steady.
She spoke of **bloodlines**.
Of **Velros oaths**.
Of **Kaelen's rightful connection to the Southern Isles**.
She presented a scroll with **three hundred signatures** from noble families, all requesting Kaelen be **recognized as dual-guarded.**
---
Zara did not interrupt.
She watched.
She listened.
Then she was called to speak.
She didn't read from paper.
She didn't bring titles.
She stepped forward alone.
And looked directly at the crowd.
---
> "I have no scroll.
> No signatures.
>
> Only scars.
>
> I have bathed him in cold water when fevers wouldn't break.
> I have burned my own palms sealing spells to keep him safe.
>
> I have fought gods and ghosts and mothers who call themselves queens.
>
> And yet… still I stand.
>
> Not as ruler.
>
> As **his mother.**
>
> And that should never need defending."
---
There was silence.
Then a murmur.
Then applause — small but real.
But the Chancellor raised his staff.
"Emotion is not a defense. Legacy is law. Do you have *proof* that you alone are fit to guard the child's destiny?"
Zara didn't blink.
She turned to Auren.
He stepped forward and handed her a scroll.
A sealed letter.
---
She held it up.
"This letter was written before his father died. Hidden inside a blade. Locked in a vault. Only to be opened if guardianship was ever contested."
Gasps echoed.
Mireya narrowed her eyes.
Zara broke the seal.
And read.
---
> "To whoever reads this,
>
> If I am gone, and they come for my son…
>
> Know this.
>
> I chose **her**.
>
> Not for her blood.
> Not for her beauty.
>
> For her will.
> For her refusal to bow, even to me.
>
> Zara is the only one who ever stopped me from destroying a kingdom out of rage.
>
> She is the only one who ever made me laugh when I wanted to burn.
>
> If Kaelen must rise,
> Let him rise with her hand in his.
>
> Not as queen.
> As *mother.*"
— D.
---
The square erupted.
Not with cheers.
With **silence.**
The kind that vibrated in the chest.
The Chancellor asked, "Is the seal confirmed?"
Auren held up the blade it came from — the one Kaelen's father carried in war.
Confirmed.
---
Mireya's eyes did not soften.
She stepped forward.
And whispered:
> "That letter is love.
> But love fades.
>
> Legacy doesn't.
>
> He belongs to more than you."
Zara met her eyes.
> "Then let him choose.
>
> When he's of age.
>
> But until then—
>
> Let me finish what I started.
>
> Let me protect him *long enough to survive your expectations.*"
---
The Chancellor deliberated for an hour.
When he returned, the crowd stood.
He raised his staff.
> "By blood, Lady Mireya's claim is valid.
>
> By law, it holds weight.
>
> But by will…
> By guardianship lived and proven…
>
> The court finds in favor of **Zara Velros.**
>
> Full and sole guardian.
>
> Until Kaelen comes of age…
>
> Or until the boy himself declares otherwise."
---
The crowd **cheered.**
Not because they loved Zara.
But because the *right* had won.
Mireya bowed, but her smile was sharp.
"You've bought yourself time."
Zara answered quietly.
"I don't need time."
She looked at Kaelen.
"I just need him."
---
That night, Zara sat at Kaelen's crib.
He reached for her finger.
Held it tight.
She whispered,
> "They'll keep coming.
> With stories, with crowns, with paper knives.
>
> But I'll still be here.
> With blood, and truth, and fire."
Kaelen smiled in his sleep.
Zara smiled too.
Because now?
She had not just survived the trial.
She had turned it into a **throne of her own.**