CHAPTER 25: FOR THE KINGDOM

Nyella sat quietly on the horse and was about to leave Varnmoor. She had imagined this moment many times on the journey back, the tension, the looks of fear and blame. She could see it so clearly in her mind: the palace would be in chaos, the royal guards and the nobles would be looking for her, and of course... the King and Queen.

She knew what they’d assume.

That she had been targeted. That someone wanted her dead. That House Vanýr, because of their history, would be accused first. Whether they were innocent or not. And House Vanýr would be trying so hard to find her first, not that they care, but to save their name.

So she made a choice.

She could have hidden. Could have vanished in the forest or taken a different road. But no, she let the soldiers of House Vanýr find her at the edge of Varnmoor. She allowed herself to be seen. She let them take her. Because peace in the kingdom was more important than anything. For now.

War was coming. Everyone could feel it even in the air. The last thing the kingdom needed was internal conflict.

"..."

The golden gates of the palace opened and as the royal horns sounded, servants and nobles came rushing into the courtyard. But before any of them reached her, one figure flew faster than all, it was Queen Serenya.

"Nyella!" she cried, she had been worried. She threw her arms around her daughter as if trying to prove she was real. "Thank the heavens! I couldn’t bear to think, if anything had happened."

Nyella pulled back slightly and lifted her mother’s chin with a soft smile.

"Do you have so little faith in your daughter?" she asked playfully. "You don’t know me anymore? Of course I’m safe. I am your daughter, after all."

The Queen gave a short, shaky laugh, her eyes wet with relief. "Yes... Yes, you are. You certainly are."

"Then let me do what daughters do," Nyella said, slipping her hand into her mother’s. "Let me serve the kingdom."

Serenya nodded, brushing her tears away, and said, "Go on, your father is waiting. He hasn’t slept."

The moment Nyella stepped into the High Halls, everything fell silent. The guards at the doors lowered their spears in honour. Nobles lined up in the hall, all were happy that she had returned.

Then the King stood. He rushed down the stairs of his dais, the heavy crimson robe dragging behind him. In front of everyone, generals, advisors, nobles, he took Nyella’s hands and held them firmly.

"Thank the gods," he whispered. "You’re here. Are you well? Tell me you’re unharmed."

"I’m fine, Father," Nyella said gently. "I was helped by villagers in the North. And... House Vanýr’s men. They brought me back."

At this, the King looked up, his eyes meeting those of Lord Voryn Vanýr, who stood among the nobles. For once, Voryn’s usual stormy expression faded. He became calm as he’d been worried that something would happen against him. A little smile passed through his face.

The King gave him a curt nod before returning to his throne. "Then we are grateful."

Nyella stepped forward, and the hall became quiet.

She raised a sealed scroll high in the air. "This," she said with a loud voice that echoed across the chamber, "contains all my findings regarding the Crown’s ledger, our stance, the weapons, the military, and our opposition."

She brought the scroll forward and placed it in the hands of the King. "The kingdom must prepare."

The King accepted it without a word. He stared at it, then at his daughter. "You’ve done well my dear," he finally said. "You’ve done your duty. Go and rest. You must be very tired."

Nyella gave a respectful nod and turned to leave, but the King raised a hand again.

"Wait. One more matter."

He called for Ser Devic and he appeared without wasting time.

"Ser Devic," the King said, in a clear voice. "Repeat to us what you told me. In front of the princess. And the court."

Ser Devic bowed low. "Yes, Your Majesty." He straightened, then turned toward the room. "During our mission in the North... we encountered something... unexpected. A creature of old. A dragon."

Gasps rippled across the hall.

The King narrowed his eyes and looked at Nyella. "Is this true, daughter?"

Nyella stood still. She was quiet as she was deep in thought. She didn’t want to speak of Aeron. Not yet. The world was not ready. Draco’s existence should not be out, at least not now. It’s a secret that, if revealed, could shatter the kingdom or shift the balance of everything.

So she met her father’s eyes and said softly, "I am not aware of any such creature."

A hush fell again. Ser Devic turned toward her, surprised.

"But... Princess," he began, "it was loud. It flew above us. You were there. It was..."

"I was unconscious," Nyella interrupted. "Someone saved me. I didn’t see anything. And that person never mentioned a dragon."

Ser Devic stared at her with confusion. He knew what he saw. But something in her tone told him not to push. Not here. Not now.

He looked at the King. "Forgive me, my King. I must have been mistaken."

The King nodded once. "Very well. You are all dismissed."

As they began to leave, another voice broke the silence. "Your Majesty," Lord Voryn Vanýr stepped forward. His tone was deep. "We must investigate this attack on the princess. We cannot allow such a threat to go unanswered. Whoever did this must face justice."

Nyella had almost reached the doors when he spoke. But she stopped and turned.

She walked back into the hall and spoke yet again. "With respect, Lord Vanýr," she said, loud enough for all to hear, "we don’t have time for personal vengeance."

The King frowned. "Nyella..."

She lifted a hand. "Father, go through that scroll. You’ll see what I’ve seen. We are unprepared. We are stretched thin. War is coming, and the kingdom is not ready."

She turned to the court.

"Our armies are not as many as our enemy’s. Our southern defenses are broken. The army lacks weapons. The treasury has holes we haven’t patched. The assassination attempt... can be overlooked for now. The real threat is already standing at our gates."

Everyone was quiet.

Then she bowed. "The priority is the kingdom and that is what we must protect."

Without another word, she turned and walked away.