"Her Grace, Regent Elara."

Elara stepped into the room with a wide smile on her face, her gaze settling on her aunt Jocelyn who stood before her, smiling.

"Regent Elara, soon to be queen of the realm," she said proudly.

"All thanks to you, Aunt." She stepped forward and held the woman's hands in hers, kissing her hands.

"You've done well, Elara. Exactly like you should. Now it's time for you to take the reins." Elara nodded.

"What's your first order as Regent?"

Elara's gaze traveled far ahead, she walked towards the balcony, gaze flicking across the vast land. She then turned to face her aunt.

"Adina. I want that bitch killed," she spat out with so much animosity.

Jocelyn hummed, stepping closer. "Don't be so rash. What's death without a little torture? Let her feel what you felt for the past one month staying in the outer banks."

A slow smirk crept up Elara's face at her aunt's words. "You always have the best ideas, aunt," she said, glancing at the door.

"Head warrior!" She called and immediately the man came rushing into the room, head bowed.

"You called me, Your Grace."

"I did. That betrayer in the dungeons that poisoned the king. I want her tortured. The most hellish torture ever. Make her confess to poisoning his majesty."

The head warrior shifted, doubt clouding his eyes just for a second, but Elara caught it.

Her smile vanished, brows raised. "Is there a problem?" she asked coolly.

The head warrior gulped, shaking his head. "No, Your Grace. I'll see to it immediately."

"Good," she said sweetly. "Make sure she's still breathing enough to confess. I want her to beg for forgiveness that won't come."

"As you wish, Your Grace." He bowed and rushed out.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk." Jocelyn tsked from where she was. "That one is weak. He doesn't think you fit for the position. You should change him."

Elara nodded, "I will do all of that in due time, Auntie. For now, I'll focus on the more and not the less."

Jocelyn opened her mouth to speak but the door opened at the same time. Head councilman Carter stood by the door, face pulled into a tight frown.

"Your Grace," he gritted out, the words dropping from his lips like hot coal.

"Lord Carter." Elara smiled, "How lovely of you to join us."

Carter stepped inside, shutting the door behind him. "We need to talk," he said, not sparing a glance at Jocelyn.

Jocelyn raised a brow but Elara waved her off. "Auntie, give us a moment?"

Jocelyn gave Carter a long, assessing look before nodding. "Don't let him raise his voice, Elara. Let him know who is in charge now. This one tends to overstep."

Carter's brows twitched for a second. "You sure would know about overstepping, wouldn't you, Jocelyn?" he spat out, clearly pent up.

Jocelyn paused in her steps, her sharp eyes on him, ready to give a retort but then glanced at Elara and huffed. "Insolent," she muttered under her breath as she stepped out.

As she walked out, Carter waited until the door shut completely before he stepped further in, voice low. "You remember our deal, right?"

Elara gave an innocent tilt of her head. "Refresh my memory?"

Carter's face grew redder, he took a step forward and grabbed her arm harshly. "Don't you dare play coy with me, you little bitch," he spat out.

Elara smirked, hand on his wrist as she wrung his hand off her arm. "If I were you, I wouldn't do that. Don't forget who I am now. I can remove you from that pesky little post of yours. Head councilman, is it?"

"You wouldn't dare—"

Elara looked into his eyes, smirking. "Try me."

A few seconds went by and then Carter stepped back. Elara rolled her eyes as she dusted her arm like she'd been smeared with dirt.

"You remember our deal, Elara. Not a soul. I have given what you want but I can very well tell that you did this to his majesty. Imagine what people would say when they learn that you spelled his majesty with black magic," he emphasized.

Elara scoffed, "Don't blindly accuse me, Carter." Yes, she was done calling him by his title.

She walked towards the alcohol cabinet and poured herself a glass of wine. "And frankly, you do not have the balls to accuse me of anything publicly so shut it."

"Elara—"

"And…don't worry your head. As long as you play on my side," she said, lifting the glass to her lips, "I have no reason to betray you. Like you betrayed me."

Carter's jaw ticked. "Pray his majesty stays unconscious because if he by any chance wakes up. You're dead."

He turned and stormed out of the room without waiting for a response.

_________

Hours later,

Elara stepped into the room quietly. She'd made sure to go at such an odd hour when everyone would be asleep and she could talk to him like she wanted to.

Just like she wanted, there was no one in the room. Elara sighed, her gaze fell on Thorne's unconscious form and her chest tightened.

Tears welled up in her eyes from the sight, her lips trembling. "Thorne," she murmured, walking towards him.

Elara reached for Thorne's hand, the same hand that used to hold hers. The same hand that had once brushed her cheek when she stood beside him.

His skin was cold and her throat tightened.

A tear fell to her cheek, "I wouldn't have done it," she whispered, stroking her thumb against his knuckles. "I wouldn't have had to do it if you just… chose me."

Her voice cracked, and tears welled in her eyes. She leaned forward, resting her head on his chest. After a few seconds of sobbing, she lifted her head and looked at him.

She puckered her lips and kissed his cold chapped ones lightly, eyes shut as though savoring the moment.

"What do you think you're doing?" came Thessara's firm voice.

Elara flinched and turned to see the woman by the door, eyes filled with disgust as they flickered between Thorne and her. She then stormed over to Elara and pushed her off Thorne.

"He's unconscious for crying out loud. Kissing an unconscious man? Have you lost your mind?" she screamed angrily.

She'd only stepped out for a second, just to grab water. All the maids and guards were asleep, well, she assumed so. There was no use disturbing them. Thessara knew she couldn't just leave Thorne alone. She'd decided to stay in his room and do the research to the best of her abilities.

"What have I done that is so wrong? I only kissed him. Is that so wrong?" Elara growled angrily.

Thessara was dumbfounded, she shook her head in disbelief. "Listen and listen well. I don't care what power play you practice outside of this room but you see here, I refuse to allow you to taint it. Thorne is ill and I will not sit by and watch you sink your claws into him while he stays unconscious. I will honor his words. He doesn't want you and thus I will not let you near him."

Elara's eyes flashed red. "—You will not? Aunt Thessara, do you forget who it is you're speaking to? I am the regent of—"

"And this is the KING'S room. The ruler of the realm. I don't care who you are or what your title is but here, you will OBEY. Have I made myself clear, Elara?"

Elara's chest heaved heavily but stayed silent. She glared at Thessara for a couple of seconds more then moved to leave, only to stop at the last moment.

"That's why Auntie Jocelyn will forever be better than you. You'll always be in her shadows no matter how hard you try. You'll never amount to anything compared to her."