Five days into my reign, the palace had changed.
I have adapted a bit more to this place, the rich and steamy meals, the soft and silky sheets and of course Leyla.
but not the walls, the same cold marble, the same gold leaf curling over the arches, but the air did. It was thicker now. Heavy with whispers. Servants no longer scurried past; they lingered at the edges of rooms, ears tilted toward the throne. Guards watched me the way soldiers watch an enemy encampment: with patience, but also anticipation.
The High Queen's warning about an heir had taken root like rot in wood.
The System didn't help:
[New Side Quest: Acquire a Second Consort.][Warning: Failure to secure an heir will weaken your legitimacy.]
That afternoon, Lord Regent Valric blocked my path in the eastern hall, the sun painting his shadow long behind him."I've arranged a reception," he said casually. "Eligible noblewomen. Wealth, beauty, and bloodlines of impeccable pedigree. You will attend."
"And if I don't?"
His smile was thin. "Then they will assume you can't."
"Stay with in your limits-" i took a deep breath at his smirk, i could tell his motive was clearly to enrage me.
I left him standing there, but the message clung to me like smoke: this wasn't a suggestion.
Leyla was already in my chambers when I returned. She was perched on the balcony railing, one leg dangling over the side, watching the city below, as she hummed a soft tune. The wind toyed with strands of her hair, carrying the scent of the gardens.
"You shouldn't sit like that," I said.
She glanced back. "Why? Afraid I'll fall?"
"Absolutely."
"Good," she said, hopping down. "That just means you'd miss me."
"Why wouldn't i?" I wasn't in the mood to play. "Valric is moving against me."
Her mouth quirked. "Of course he is. He's wanted the throne since before you were born. Did you think he'd stop because you're wearing the crown?"
She moved to the low table, poured herself tea without asking, a habit, a refreshing habit. She liked these red tea cups, said it reminded her of the glass beads her mother used to weave into her hair when she was a child.
"Do you know what I fear most, Caelan?" she asked suddenly.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Obscurity," she said. "Not death. Not betrayal. Being forgotten. That's the worst thing. I've seen women in the harem fade into the walls like they were never here."
It was the most she'd ever revealed about herself.
"You don't like Valric?" I asked.
"I don't like anyone who treats people like pieces on a board," she said, then smirked faintly. "Except maybe you, if you get good at it." She leaned in, her lips an inch away from mine.
Before I could answer, a sharp rap sounded at the door.
"How dare you enter my chambers without permission?" i frowned, adjusting my red velvet robe.
A palace guard stepped in, his armor dented, his face pale. "Majesty… there's been an incident. In the west wing. The royal armory was breached."
Leyla's smile dropped.
The System chimed in my head:
[Alert: Security Compromise. Probability of Internal Coup Increased: 22% → 37%.]