The Fae King's Ruin

Decided

Aislin ran her hands down the front of her dress, slowing her breathing as she stared at the oak door before her. A suitcase was already packed for her in her room upstairs just in case, but meeting with her Cabinet would decide if returning to Mhoryga would be safe for her.

In truth, she was glad Avery had gotten through to her. Should her advisers say that it was alright for her to return and oversee the developments in her hometown, then she would have something to tell Aelthrys and shut him up with when he inevitably orders her back to Alfheim. He would not be able to fight her then because she would have the backing of the Cabinet and she needed their vote to outrank her cousin’s high opinions regarding her safety.

But despite wanting to go, the Princess still felt torn. Despite the fact that the proportions were drastically different, the threat looming over the Unseelie village here in the city was as serious as the rebellion Aelthrys now faced in Cetha. She was afraid that if she left, the village could be targeted sooner rather than the original time frame Lord Elrin’s sources had said. But she also could not leave and be any more absent now. There was a crisis, and as head of state, her absenteeism was not the way to convince her people that she cared about them.

She fixed the pleats of her red dress and made sure that her tiara was nestled snugly atop her head. She wanted to look powerful enough that the males in the room would not be mistaken about who was in charge. Now more than ever, Aislin wanted them to look at her as their queen. She wanted to be taken seriously.

Once she felt ready, Aislin nodded to the guard and let him open the door. Hands clasped in front of her she kept her chin up as her eyes found all the expectant gazes trained on her. She did not smile nor bothered to look friendly at all. Her expression made it very clear that she meant business and there would be to messing with her.

As one, they bowed. Her completed roster of advisers surrounded the oval-shaped conference table, leaving her a seat at the head with Lord Elvin to her left. Her right remained vacant, signifying the seat Aelthrys usually took.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen." She sat gingerly at the edge of her seat while keeping her back straight. "Why don't we get to the point and save yourselves from the nail-biting worry?”

They all blinked at her, definitely not knowing what to make of the Aislin sitting before them.

"Of course, Princess," Lord Elrin said, glancing at the others. "But where is General Aelthrys? As your primary advisor, isn't his presence incredibly important?”

On her lap, her hands began to sweat. “Actually, his absence is the reason why I called upon this meeting.”

Her advisors shifted uncomfortably in their seats. Aislin took note of those whose reactions were anything but worried, glancing at each other instead as their eyes reflected greed and opportunity. She knew most of them were sharks, but seeing that quality in play with them now made her speak with more caution.

“General Aelthrys had received word that the rebellion that he had been so successfully pushing back before the war had managed to take back certain parts of Cetha in his absence.” She took the time to meet the eyes of each one of them. “He is back in Mhoryga as we speak, taking the helm at the brunt of the fighting.”

She continued, mostly because none of the other advisers in her Cabinet related much to military concerns. They were all rather wealthy businessmen, a healer, and nobles who inherited the post. “I called for a meeting to decide this: as sovereign, I believe that I should always be visible and felt during a crisis. As such, I want to go to Cetha and lend whatever assistance I can as I assess the situation. The only thing I need from you is your vote.”

They all looked at her with surprise. “Princess!” one of them gasped. “But that is a war zone! You cannot be there and risk your safety.”

“I doubt much harm would come to her in a command center. Her presence would certainly boost morale.”

“She will be a defenseless female in the midst of a war,” another argued. “Those radical dissenters will not hesitate to kill her on sight.”

One sighed. “Again, she will not be on the front lines like the General. She will be at the command center. Maybe even in the Capital.”

Aislin leaned back and let them discuss among themselves as one shook his head. “No, the Capital is too far for her to establish an image of a fearless, present Queen. She needs to be at least on the outskirts of Cetha, or right at the edge of one of the nearby provinces. Halstrom, or maybe Turish.”

Lord Elrin looked her in the eye. “Once you get there,” he asked, “what will you be able to contribute? The males within that command center will not use their emotions in defeating the enemy your cousin fights.”

At that, the entire room fell quiet. Discussions halted as they listened closely to what she was about to say. She smirked. 

“You forget, uncle, that the same cousin you talk about had practically trained me as well as any soldier in his force.” She leaned forward, bracing herself on the table with her elbows and steepling her fingers together. “I am confident that I can match all those males in military planning and tactical knowledge.”

“And what about the King of Alfheim?” one sneered. “If you are away, for any length of time, he might forget he is so enamored with you.”

Some of them tittered with laughter. Aislin stared at the yellow-eyed fool. “Then we will see exactly how enamored he is with me, won’t we?”

Silence descended. She let her words resonate with them for a bit before proceeding.

“All those in favor that I return to Cetha and be the Queen our people will be glad to serve?”

Not a single hand did not go up. Inside, an overwhelming relief and triumph surged through her. Still, she kept her face carefully blank. Lord Elrin nodded at her subtly.

“The princess has it,” he murmured. “We will arrange for your transport home. Meanwhile, you coordinate with the Seelie King on your departure. For how long do you think you will be gone?”

“As long as I am needed,” she answered immediately.

He nodded again. “Very well, Princess.”

She stood, and everyone stood along with her. “Thank you, my lords. You are all dismissed. Lord Elrin, I must speak with you.”

Recognizing the tone of her voice, they all scrambled out of their seats and out of the room before turning to her uncle. They stared at each other, waiting for the room to be finally cleared before Aislin spoke.

“Where are the names?” she asked quietly.

Lord Elrin fished out a piece of paper from his trouser pocket and handed it to her. Aislin’s eyes flit across the ten or so names written in her uncle’s neat scrawl, committing each to memory before tucking it into her sleeve. 

“I have a task for you while I am away,” she said, eyeing him. “I need you to keep an eye on the village and the people whose names you have written on the paper I now have. If anything untoward happens, I shall hold you personally responsible.”

She saw her face reflected in Lord Elrin’s black eyes as he murmured, “Of course, your Majesty.”

Aislin nodded. “That village stands no matter what, Lord Elrin. Even if everything else in this city razes down to the ground, you will give your all to make sure it sees the next light of day. Do you understand me?”

“Clearly, Princess.”

“Good,” she said. 

She turned and left him in that conference room, as callously as any Unseelie. Her heart pounding against her chest, she went to find the King again and let him know what has been decided.