The candlelight in Aurelia's chamber flickered weakly against the cold night air.
Tomorrow, she would wear the crown of Virelia , whether the realm wished it or not.
Her heart was restless. The whole day had been a blur of servants coming and going, courtiers whispering behind half-closed doors, seamstresses bowing as they laid the ceremonial gown on her bed. She had watched them all in silence, nodding when necessary, though her mind had been elsewhere.
Now, with the corridors gone quiet and the last of the attendants dismissed, she sat alone, staring at the gown meant to make her a queen.
It was exquisite ... spun from storm-blue silk that shimmered like moonlit rain, embroidered with threads of silver that caught the faint glow of her candles. The bodice was lined with tiny sapphires, each one glinting like light trapped in stone.
Aurelia reached out, fingers brushing over the delicate fabric, and exhaled softly. "It's beautiful," she whispered. And somehow, that made her sigh all the more.
The gown was flawless, radiant, worthy of a queen. She was not sure she was.
Her shoulders sagged under the invisible weight of tomorrow. The people called her the Cursed Queen already ... and once that crown touched her head, the name would spread like wildfire.
Gwen's words from earlier still clung to her thoughts. "Half the realm will be there," Gwen had said earlier, voice tight with worry. "And most of them think you shouldn't wear the crown."
"People don't want you as queen, my lady," her maid had said, her voice hushed but urgent. "They've written petitions to the King's Hand. Some even dared approach His Majesty ... until they saw the rage in his eyes. Then they fled, like frightened cats with their tails tucked between their legs."
Aurelia had only sighed at that, unable to summon anger or fear. Now, in the quiet, the weight of it all pressed down on her again.
Three times she sighed ... the first from worry, the second from weariness, the third from resignation.
Tomorrow, she would walk through the storm of their hatred. Tomorrow, she would face a people who believed their god would strike her dead for daring to wear his crown.
And still, she would walk.
Her thoughts drifted as she sat on the edge of her bed, staring blankly at the dress. That was when a gentle knock came at the door.
She turned, startled. "Come in."
The door opened, and a slender figure entered ... tall, graceful, and dressed in a gown of pale lilac silk. The woman's blonde hair fell in perfect waves down her back, her blue-grey eyes bright as polished glass.
"Your Grace," Lady Levina Asterholt, the king's younger sister greeted softly, a polite smile curving her lips.
Aurelia rose, smoothing her skirt. "My lady," she said with a small bow. "You honor me with your presence."
Levina stepped closer, her smile widening a touch. "I realized since you arrived in Valkoron, we've barely spoken. It's rather unbecoming of me, don't you think? Especially since we are family."
Aurelia's expression softened. "Please, come in. Would you like to sit?"
"Gladly," Levina said, settling gracefully onto the cushioned chair Aurelia indicated. Her eyes swept the chamber, lingering on the ceremonial gown laid out on the bed.
"You must forgive me," Levina began, "It's been a storm since the announcement. I imagine things haven't been easy for you."
"Yes,it hasn't" Aurelia replied quietly. "Am to stand before the realm tomorrow… and their judgment."
Levina studied her for a moment. "You're nervous."
Aurelia gave a small, rueful smile. "Wouldn't you be? The people have already decided what they think of me."
"They always do," Levina said lightly, though her tone carried understanding. "Virelia thrives on opinions and thunder ... everyone has both."
Aurelia's lips twitched into a faint laugh. "A fitting comparison."
Levina leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Tell me truthfully ... how has your stay been so far?"
"It's… different," Aurelia admitted. "Everything here feels alive ... the skies, the wind, even the walls hum with power. Emberhold was fire and fury, loud and relentless. Valkoron is quieter, but heavier. Like the storm before the lightning."
Levina nodded thoughtfully. "The five realms could never be mistaken for one another. Fire burns. Ice freezes. Wind wanders. Earth humes. And storms..."
"....test," Aurelia finished for her.
Levina smiled at that. "Exactly."
For a few heartbeats, silence fell. The distant rumble of thunder rolled faintly beyond the mountains, though the skies above Valkoron were clear. It felt almost like the realm itself was listening.
Then Levina spoke again, her tone casual but probing. "Are you ready for tomorrow?"
Aurelia hesitated. "I think so. As much as anyone can be ready for something like this."
Levina tilted her head. "You'll need more than readiness, I think. You'll need resolve. People are watching, waiting to see what will become of you. Some believe the god Vireon himself will smite you when the crown touches your head."
Aurelia turned her gaze to the window, her reflection ghosted in the glass. "I've heard the whispers."
Levina regarded her curiously. "And what do you believe?"
Aurelia turned back to her, her voice soft but firm. "That gods favor those who stand unbroken."
Levina's lips curved into a slow smile. "Then perhaps you'll surprise them all."
Aurelia's eyes lingered on her face. "What do you wish would happen, my lady?"
Levina met her gaze without flinching. "I wish you weather the storm that's coming. Virelia needs a queen who can stand beside thunder ... not bow beneath it."
Aurelia was quiet for a long moment before she said gently, "You speak kindly to me. I thought perhaps you might resent me for marrying your brother."
Levina's expression softened. "Anger? No, my lady. I was never angry. Curious, perhaps .....but never angry."
"Curious?" Aurelia echoed.
Levina nodded. "I know my brother well. Valerian has never done anything without reason. I wanted to see what manner of woman could draw his attention .... and perhaps, his faith."
Her tone turned almost fond. "And now that I have, I see it clearly. In the few days you've been here, I've seen the way you treat him .... sincerely, without pretense. Do you know how rare that is? You treat Vaelric with honesty — not fear, not ambition, just simple kindness. That alone sets you apart."
Aurelia blinked, surprised. "Vaelric?"
Levina smiled faintly. "Yes. My nephew. You've no idea how rare that is. Most of the women who sought to be Storm Queen cared only for the throne," Levina said with quiet bitterness.
Most of the women who've tried to win Valerian's favor barely glanced at the boy. They'd fawn over Vaelric in the presence of his father the king, but turn cold and forget he existed the moment the king turned away."
Her gaze grew distant. "That's why my brother never married, you know. He's seen too much falseness in his court. He would rather be alone than watched by those who only love his crown."
Aurelia listened in silence, her fingers absently tracing the edge of her sleeve. There was something unexpectedly human in Levina's words ... not just sympathy, but weariness.
After a moment, Aurelia said softly, "May I ask you something? And I hope I don't overstep."
Levina gave her a curious look. "Go on."
"Do you know who Vaelric's mother is?"
The air seemed to still. Levina's smile faltered; her eyes flickered with something unreadable .... sorrow, perhaps, or hesitation.
After a long pause, she sighed, her shoulders lowering. "It's no use keeping it from you. You're part of this family now."
Aurelia waited, her heart suddenly heavier.
Levina spoke quietly, her voice losing its usual lilt. "The truth is… we don't know. Not even Valerian does.