“It’s the royal summons,” she’d told me, peering at the letter through her half-moon spectacles. “The day has finally come, dear child, for our beloved King Ikelos to deliver on his promise. Soon you will depart for the Steel Palace and all that was lost shall be restored.”
Later that night, my dormmates and I all huddled around the same candle while we read the letter over and over again. None of us were surprised by the news. After the fire, King Ikelos had moved all the Corlixin survivors, including myself, into a small village tucked deep within the forests of Drothmore. Havingbeen good friends with my parents, he’d promised to keep my people safe until I was old enough to rule them on my own. Then, when I was of age, Corlixir would be rebuilt with myself as queen.
My entire life I’d known this day was coming. I’d longed for the day I could finally take back what was lost, the day I’d be able to repay everyone who’d worked so hard to raise me and taught me everything they knew – to repay them with a kingdom of our own. Still, I couldn’t deny the fear that rose in my chest as the carriage glided closer to the mining kingdom’s palace.
It was so much bigger than it’d ever been in my daydreams.
“Oh, this is all so exciting. I can hardly breathe!” Raena’s babbling tore me from my thoughts. “I’m sure we’ll have so much fun together. I’ve already picked out so many gorgeous dresses for you. And oh! Speaking of gorgeous dresses, the Summer Ball is coming up soon.” She grinned, fluttering her hand fan restlessly toward her face. “And with you at my side, aprincessof all people, I’ll have so many suitors lining up to dance with me. It’ll be positively enchanting!” She beamed before suddenly stiffening. Quickly, she brought a hand to her face, as a red glow blossomed over her warm brown cheeks. “Forgive me, Your Highness, I’m afraid that sometimes I get so terribly excited, I forget myself.” She shook her head. “I meant to say, I know everything there is to know about the Steel Palace, and I’ll be sure to assist you here however I can.”
Raena dipped her chin in a failing effort to hide her embarrassment.
“It’s quite alright,” I said with a small laugh. “And please, if we’re to be friends, then there’s no need for any formalities with me either. Just call me Naria.”
In truth, this young woman was hardly my usual type of friend. Her funny upper-class accent and beautiful, lavish gown made her so different from all my friends in the village, butI’d gladly welcome the distraction. Anything to forget about the looming palace that was drawing ever closer.
Raena’s blush faded, but she continued flapping the fan a little too intensely, sending curls dancing around her face. “I still can’t believe that the King had you hidden away in Honeymeade all this time. It’s so far away from… well, everything! You must be so happy to be finally leaving.” Her brown eyes sparkled while my heart only sank further into my chest.
“It’s certainly overwhelming,” I answered honestly.
“I can imagine.” Raena nodded, lowering her hand fan to lean closer. “That reminds me, I should fill you in about some of the noble families you’ll be meeting. Even if you’re a princess, you’ll still need to win their favour if you want to make a name for yourself at court.” She smiled before eagerly diving into a long explanation of several different families.
I tried my best to listen. I really did. But it was so hard to stay focused when a dozen questions were racing through my mind. What would King Ikelos be like? Could I ever rule a kingdom? What if my simple clothing offends him? Would he take one look at me, burst into laughter, and order me to return to the forest? With a heavy sigh, I leaned back further into the plush seat of the carriage. The fates of hundreds of people rested upon my shoulders, and there I was, worrying about my gown. Maybe I was already more suited to royal life than I originally thought…
“We’re here!” Raena sang, making me flinch as we pulled to a halt. “I can’t wait to show you your bedroom. I helped decorate it but you can change anything you want.” She charged out of the carriage as I rose cautiously to follow. But the second my slippers hit the stone floor, my jaw almost joined them.
The entrance area was grand, decorated with a layer of opulence like I’d never seen before. Even though this was just an area for carriages and horses, the stone walls were adorned with glistening minerals, perfectly placed to catch the light, with steelveins weaving between them. Gold beams lined the walls, and tapestries hung in the empty spaces – all themed around mining and blacksmithing.
“This way,” Raena said, offering her arm to guide me. “The King would’ve loved to be here to welcome you himself but—” something like fear flickered across her face – “you’ll understand why soon enough. I’ve been requested to take you straight to him. Let’s not keep him waiting.”
If the carriage waiting area was grand, taking Raena’s arm and stepping inside the palace was like entering a gold-dusted fairy tale. Together, we walked through countless extravagant hallways, each one proving to be more grandiose than the last. I had no idea there was this much wealth in all the realm. Beside me, my new companion was once again babbling enthusiastically, gossiping about all the dukes, duchesses, and other nobles who also lived here. Every time we’d pass a painting, she’d fill me with stories of who they were, how heavy their coin purse was, and who they had their eye on.
It wasn’t long before we turned another gold-beamed corner to reveal a grand carpeted staircase. A gasp slipped by my lips as Raena whispered that this was where the ‘most important’ court members slept. Suspended from the high ceiling was a stunning chandelier that glittered as it lit up various doors on the top landing, along with the ironclad guards posted outside. Each room probably belonged to some important somebody, although I was hardly excited to meet any of them. Instead, as Raena guided me up the stairs and our footsteps echoed off the cream walls, a knot formed deep inside me. This palace was so grand, it was completely overwhelming. I never thought I’d miss the tiny wooden dorm rooms of home, but in that moment, they were all I could think about.
When we reached the top, Raena paused by a large family portrait and gestured to it with a sweeping arm. “There theyare…” She grinned, turning to look at me. “His Royal Majesty King Ikelos, his wife Queen Erissa, and their only son – Prince Lukas Forgeborn.”
I shifted my focus to the picture. The King stood proudly in the centre, his arm wrapped tightly around his dainty, blue-eyed wife. To his right, stood a tall boy who looked not much older than me. His dark brown hair waved around his face, perfectly styled beneath a silver crown, and his eyes were a steel-grey colour, just like the walls of his father’s palace. Each of them wore a gentle smile in the portrait, but even so, under all their crowns and finery, I couldn’t help feeling that they looked sort of… sad.
“He’s so handsome, isn’t he?” Raena gazed longingly at the prince. Letting my eyes fall over him, I had to agree; he was certainly traditionally handsome. But then again, everyone looks good in portraits.
“I’m sure he has women fawning over him at every ball,” I answered matter-of-factly, still studying the portrait. “No doubt he’s already picked a suitor – some rich noble probably – like the ones you were telling me about before.”
Raena snorted, bringing a gloved hand to her mouth. “Let’s get you to the King. There ismuchhe needs to tell you.”
Without a second’s hesitation, she ushered me away from the painting and towards one of the doors lining the corridor. This door was much larger than the rest, and two soldiers stood guard outside, each eyeing us stoically as we neared the King’s chambers.
“Princess Naria and Lady Raena to see the King, as requested by His Majesty,” Raena announced with volume, although there was a slight quiver in her tone.
After a few silent moments, a gravelly, frail voice sounded from inside the room.
“Let them enter.”
As the grand door creaked slowly open, my heart thumped in my ears. And soon enough, I understood exactly why the King had not been waiting to greet me outside.
CHAPTER 2
Astrange, stale air filled the King’s chambers. It was so heavy and foul-smelling – the sort of smell that conjured up images of neglected bookshelves, damp houses, and what I imagined Death would look like if he was terribly old and covered in a thick layer of dust. The room’s cream walls were decorated with gold beams, just like the rest of the palace, though they stood in stark contrast to the harshly-angled darkwood furniture. Across the floors were thick, lush carpets and furs, while a gem-encrusted fireplace with a crackling fire kept the chill from the stone walls at bay.
But it was not the impressive fireplace that first caught my attention. I barely even noticed it at all, because across from the fire, tucked into the largest bed I’d ever seen, was an ancient, dying man.
