Battle For The Throne: A Husband For Hire.

My parents have been in their grave for less than a day, and this already…? “Traitors…” The word escapes my lips in a broken murmur. “Your Highness?” my maid whispers, her voice tugging me back to the present. My eyes lower, heavy with sorrow, as I glance at the only loyal soul left at my side in this perilous moment. I give a faint nod and whisper, “I’ll go. Wait here until I return.” “But, your highness—” “Do I say. There's nothing they can possibly do to me now.” I order gently. Though my heart burns with pain and fury, I force my voice to remain steady. My maid, Akira, bows and steps aside. With light yet deliberate strides, I step into the corridor. The stillness greets me like a slap. It is stagnant, suffocating, and unnatural. The lonesome, stagnant atmosphere causes my nose to sting. The sole of my sandals noiselessly kisses the marble floor, each step weighing heavily on my heart. I inhale deeply, lowering my eyes to conceal the tears that threaten to fall, my fingers balling into a fist at my sides. Just a few days ago, the corridors echoed with the happy laughter of my parents, the king and queen of Eldokia. The royal palace, which had been my home, now thrives with treachery lurking at every corner, trying to rip me off my birthrights just as soon as my parents meet with sudden tragic deaths. I am Elora Kleia, only child and heir apparent to the throne. However, by tradition, I should never rule because in Eldokia, no woman has ever claimed the throne. Yet, out of love for my mother and the family, my father fought the royal courts and rewrote the long-standing rule, paving the way for the first female succession in the over thousand years of existence of the Eldokia country. Never would I have expected that my parents would suddenly meet with their death in an accident. It was too sudden, too convenient. It leaves me with the raging enmity and resentment of the extended royal family members who eye the throne. My steps falter as I approach the throne room. My gaze drifts instinctively in the direction of the dais, in the area where the throne sits, and just then, my breath stops; an unexpected visual sinks before my eyes. There, I see him—my cousin. The young man closest to me since childhood, sitting right on my father's throne as though it is his right. The unexpected realization causes my steps to halt, and my gaze lingers on him longer than usual. At that moment, I am barely able to conceal the bitterness and anger shining vigorously through my iris. Rage claws at my chest. My scalp tingles and my body shudders, barely able to stand the despicable act of this family. My fingers tighten in a fist until my knuckles turn white. How dare he! That cousin of mine, Adrian, is the son of my father’s elder brother. My father once called him a rare gem, praising his ambition. Among the other children of the extended royal family, my father especially displayed preferential treatment towards him. Out of the love my father has for him, I also once treated him as a brother. And this… this is his gratitude? Ah! A painful scorn rips through my core. How hilarious is this? To be betrayed by your closest allies. My eyes narrow with a sharp glint as I feel an intense gaze on me. I lift my eyes, and for a moment, we lock eyes. Adrian's blatant gaze lingers on me for a few seconds before he casually looks away, leaving a playful smile shadowing at the corner of his lips. His expression carried unmistakable mockery and a challenge. A declaration of war without words. I draw a painful breath and summon the remnant of my courage. Each step heavy with grief yet sharpened by resolve. This battle for the throne is mine to win, and I'll give whatever it takes to take back my inheritance. Only I, Elora Kleia, Princess of Eldokia, will be the only heir to the throne. As I walk closer, I can feel every eye glued to me—like a hunter, waiting and scheming. Whispers ripple through the hall. Every gaze pierces me like needles, pricking every pore of my skin and etching into my bones. It was painful, placing the bone-crushing weight of power and betrayal on me. Their calculating gazes wait impatiently, wanting to see what I'll do, but I carry myself with elegance and fearlessness, ignoring the people, just approaching the throne that is rightfully mine, one step at a time. Finally, I stand before the throne; my bloodshot eyes pierce directly into my cousin’s. My voice cuts through the air, cold and unfeeling. “You are in the wrong seat.” Adrian leans back, glancing back at me with eyes twinkling with amusement. A millisecond passes, and he smirks. “Panicked?” Adrian utters. His voice is low and taunting, finding its way into my heart and threading a thorn around it, causing it to bleed. Not for pain, but betrayal. “You're in my seat,” I calmly retort emphatically, fiercely gazing back at him, asserting my dominance and not daring to lose to him. Then, he laughs. Rising slowly, he tilts his head, his smirk widening. “Nothing is set in stone, Ellie. I was only keeping it warm for you.” He then steps aside and takes another seat. I take a moment to call my raging heart, and only after I am calm do I turn around to face the people in the room. However, in just a few seconds of contemplation, I do not move toward the throne. Instead, I take the chair beside it. Not occupying my father's throne without proper authority is the highest regard I can give to him in his death. My father's throne is sacred until the crown is mine. Until then, I can only be his princess. At least, she knows her place… Their whispers buzz across the room. But I do not care. “A single day has passed since we buried the king, my father, and his queen. Yet you summon me here, without respect for the mourning period of the nation. Is this perhaps the honor you give to the rulers of the country who had just passed?” My calm voice echoes across the throne room, and silence falls at every corner. Uneasy, brittle silence, and for a moment, no one utters a word; they merely stare at me. Their scheming eyes narrow in defiance, as though they are about to call me out for my disregard. “Your Highness, don't you think your words are a little bit too much?” A voice finally breaks the silence, and I gaze ahead, not a bit surprised by the familiar voice. I arch a brow, paying him little attention, and he continues. “These are also royal elders and family, not just members of the court. It is not too much that they summon the princess, especially when it is for matters concerning the country.” “Oh?” I glance at Adrian, who in turn smiles at me triumphantly. I have a feeling that whatever comes next will be huge trouble. And just as I expect, a man I recognize as my second uncle slowly stands from his seat and looks at me. From my participation in the court while my father is alive, I remember this second uncle of mine has a huge influence in the court. My gaze narrows inexplicably. “Your Highness, we are all affected by the sudden tragedy that befell the royal family. We all grieve, but the country cannot be without a ruler. We must move on,” the man points out, and the others nod in collective agreement. We must move on? A depressing smile climbs to my lips briefly. Of course, these are the words of anyone eyeing the throne. “According to the law, there's a sole heir, and that is me. As long as all of you members of the court are truly ready and unwilling to leave the country without a ruler, we can proceed with the coronation ceremony any time from now,” I utter and stare deeply at the men. I watch as their faces twist in displeasure; I can sense the unwillingness in their gazes and the frowns etching on their faces. “Your Highness, that won't work!” One of the men voices his discontent. “Oh?” I lower my head, resting it upon my palm, supported by my elbow on the armrest of my throne. My eyes seriously look at the men in the room, hoping to read the intentions of their hearts. “Your Highness, while it is true the law now permits female succession, this is uncharted ground. You only came of age two days ago. You lack experience, though you once sat in court beside the late king. All these years, you have not been permitted any involvement that may reflect your capability and performance. While we will not dare restrict you from your entitlement to the throne, the princess must understand that every member of the royal council is concerned. We seek only what is best for Eldokia.” The man pauses, and though his words seem to drip with genuine concern for the country, his words are merely poison wrapped in silk, carefully laying an obvious trap as he looks at me for any reaction. I have no idea where this is heading. All I know is that the greed of everyone in the room has been revealed through the smartly coined utterances. Without giving any direct response to the words of the man, I raise my hand and motion that he continue. “Since the princess now understands the obvious thoughts of everyone here, we have then taken it upon ourselves to come about an alternative that will benefit our country. Your Highness, given you and the situation of our beloved country, the council proposes two options. First, if you are to become queen, you must find a husband, one who will bear your name and rule beside you. If not, your highness must wait until you reach full maturity at twenty-five. In the meantime, an interim king will rule while you serve and learn under him. However, if neither option pleases you, your highness, then the court will humbly advise that you forfeit the throne. Of course, a new king shall be crowned in your place. In return, you will retain your title as First Princess of Eldokia. Your Highness, given the interest of our great country, we believe that these options are fair and transparent enough for you. What do you have to say?” The man stops and settles back in his chair. At this point, every eye in the room is glued on me, awaiting my decision. My lips press together, and my jaw clenches. Anger erupts within me like hot lava, but I cannot let my annoyance be known. Looking back at the people, I fully understand the words of my father. Greed reflects the true nature of man…