June Lyns had only been in the capital city when she was a child, and she barely remembered any details. Her father had taken Mother and Kiara there several times, of course, but she’d usually been considered too sickly to come with. The last time, she was … ten? She had to search her memories. Yes, ten. I’d had two good weeks and was pretty strong, so I convinced Father to take me along. He probably liked the opportunity to show his second child off, show that I wasn’t as sickly as rumor had it.

They’d only stayed for a few days, though, and she’d barely gotten the chance to see the city. They’d been quartered in the royal palace and she’d only been allowed into the streets of the city once with a heavy escort. Not that she begrudged him that, it was nice when Lyns had been protective of her.

June shook her head and took the reins of her horse tighter, causing the gelding to toss his head before he settled down and accepted her control. Riding through the streets of the city like this was an entirely different experience. Not just because smoke still rose into the sky in a few places.

The people had started coming out again, though. June knew the city had not been sacked. Kiara had given her soldiers strict instructions, she’d heard: no looting, pillaging, rape, arson or anything of the sort. June approved very much. She’d seen a soldier strung up as they entered the outer part of the city. Murder or rape would get the noose, looting instead a flogging, a steep fine or being thrown out of the army, or maybe several of those, depending on the severity and who they answered to. Regina, of course, would do the same but June didn’t think she’d even bothered outlining specific punishments. The drones would never do something like that and the Delvers had clearly been told to be on their best behavior by their own superiors, too.

Now, the scattered people on the street watched her and her escort warily, but there was no terror in their eyes. Clearly, they felt reasonably safe. One of the knights escorting June pulled his horse ahead a little and dispersed the small crowd that had formed, stopping to look at her, as they entered a main boulevard.

“The gods save you, Princess!”

June smiled at the call, even if it might have resembled a pained grimace. She couldn’t see who had given it, which was just as well. Still, she raised a hand and waved at the people. Several of them bowed in her direction before they went on their way.

She hadn’t pictured it like this. Surrounded by an armed escort, knights who’d gone to the trouble of cleaning and polishing their armor, not to mention the royal banner being carried for her. She side-eyed the piece of cloth as it flapped in the wind, dangling from a lance. But she was a princess of the blood now, so she supposed she’d have to put up with it going forward. At least it’s nice to get a bit of respect. She supposed she appreciated Kiara going to the trouble of making her status clear, too.

Even if the thought that she was now apparently the heir to the throne of Cernlia filled her with more dismay than joy. June wasn’t stupid, she had been raised as a noble lady and knew her genealogy and previous successions. But it had always been Kiara’s place. As heir to a border march, not the crown, even if there had been whispers and her grandmother had been a princess. Surely, having an attack of nerves was perfectly understandable given the circumstances?

Maybe it is a good thing that Mother is pregnant, after all. She smiled sardonically to herself at the thought. But it wasn’t wrong, was it? Their new little brother would be just the right age to be Kiara’s heir, if needed, eventually. She didn’t think Kiara would have heirs of her own any time soon, and she didn’t want her to, given Janis. June liked Janis and she hoped the two of them could be happy. And she was not intending to marry just to secure her sister’s crown, either. He can have children and carry on our father’s name.

She snorted to herself, stifling it as they finally reached the courtyard in front of the royal palace in the center of the city. Maybe Kiara would even give the baby the Lyns march, making him the heir that their father wanted.

It reminded her of other changes that had happened or soon would. She dismounted and handed her horse off to one of the servants who approached, staring up at the imposing facade of the building. Sir Richard cleared his throat and led her inside.

They found Kiara in one of the receiving rooms, which had kept its formal appointment despite the war. Several other men were present, which was probably why they were being formal. As June stepped inside, she was introduced officially. “Her Highness, Princess June of Cernlia.”

June kept her eyes on her sister, who rose to greet her. Kiara, soon to be the first queen of Cernlia. Or, as she’d heard, Her Highness the Princess Kiara, Duchess of Heathland, Duchess of Silver Waters, Lady of the Eastern Expanse and Marquise Lyns.

She had not been crowned yet, but June knew Kiara had already officially gained the titles that belonged to and were usually inherited with the crown, particularly the two duchies. Those didn’t require a coronation, after all, just signing documents and titles. The late king had been the last real holder. She had also taken the Lyns March, June noted, which was probably just an act of spite towards their father. But she supposed it wasn’t like he could keep that title.

“June!” Kiara smiled widely. “It is nice to see you again. Come in, I think you know everyone present?”

“I do, thank you.”

June glanced around the room. She wanted to ask Kiara what was going to happen to their father, but she didn’t feel like broaching the topic when there were these other people around. She’d at least seen all of them before, but that didn’t mean she really knew everyone. There were some commanders and trusted knights from Kiara’s forces, but also a few officials from the capital.

“Now that June has safely arrived, preparations for the coronation should be able to proceed,” Kiara said. “Unless there are any issues?”

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A man who June vaguely remembered as steward of the royal palace cleared his throat. “Your Highness, do you not wish to wait for further guests to make it here in time?”

Kiara shook her head. “I know further envoys might come if we delay by a few weeks, but I would rather have it proceed sooner. I think the city, and perhaps the country as a whole, will settle down more easily once the ceremony is over. Besides, almost every noble of note is already here, and our most important international guests will be here as well.”

“I am sure the Hive Queen would agree to provide transport for envoys from the elves,” June spoke up. “They’d surely wish to attend as well.”

Kiara gave her a quick smile. “I will remember to bring it up with her, thank you, sister.”

June folded her arms and listened to the rest of the conversation in silence. She didn’t feel like she had much to contribute. While she had been working with the Hive, and had seen a lot of the reforms that were starting in Nerlia, this was still too close to the end of the war. In fact, bringing it fully to a close was mostly what they talked about. There were still a few lords who hadn’t officially declared for Kiara, after all, and remaining fighters loyal to the king. So, she instead used the opportunity to gauge the mood in the room and to try and get an impression of the people.

“I think that is all we can currently plan for,” Kiara finally concluded. “Do you have any ideas, June?” She looked at her, an eyebrow slightly raised, and June had no trouble reading the look: You’ve been quiet.

She shrugged slightly, folding her hands behind her back. “I am not sure I can contribute much, unfortunately,” she answered. “I would be willing to go and speak to some people on your behalf, though.”

It was something that had come up, although indirectly. No one had used June’s name, but she was getting the feeling a few of them had thought about it.

“That would be very helpful,” Kiara said. She was frowning slightly, though. “I appreciate the offer, sister. But I don’t want to risk you. We’d have to make sure your safety is assured. That is my first priority.”

June nodded. She didn’t like having to walk around with bodyguards, but she did not want to get hurt trying to help, either. She wasn’t stupid. There were probably deserters who had turned to banditry all around the capital, and if she went to talk to rogue lords or knights, some of them might get the idea to kidnap her to hurt or pressure Kiara.

“If you don’t mind the insolent question, Your Highnesses,” one of the men she didn’t know well spoke up, “how is the Princess’ health? Will she be up to performing the duties of a Crown Princess?”

A few other people in the room inhaled sharply. June herself just stared at the man and raised an eyebrow. His Class name seemed rather inconspicuous and his level didn’t tell her much.

Robin Daine — Level ? Civil Servant

Kiara caught June’s eyes, giving her a questioning look. June smiled at her briefly and answered the man calmly. “I am perfectly fine. While my health has been poor, the Hive has helped tremendously. I am able to manage my own condition, using healing magic, with perhaps only occasional checkups from the Hive’s healers.”

He half-bowed. “Thank you for your answer, Your Highness. I am certain we are all glad to hear it.” He turned to Kiara. “I apologize, but I needed to ask.”

Kiara huffed out a breath. “I suppose you do need to know, given your work.”

June’s eyes widened as she suddenly realized where she’d seen the man before. It had been when she’d visited the royal court, and her father had steered her away from him. Considering the almost aggressively neutral Class name, Kiara’s words and the reactions of those in the room, she was starting to have some suspicions. Was he the king’s spymaster? Or something in that vein? If so, he seemed to be continuing in his job for Kiara.

She made a mental note to talk to her about it later and instead focused on the conversation. It was obvious that there was still some uncertainty in the air. This was a difficult transition for everyone, and the civil war and her father’s quick fall couldn’t have made it easier. Then there was the connection to the Hive, which she knew people were bound to be unsure about.

“What other duties do I have to worry about?” she asked to stop worrying.

“No need to worry about it,” Kiara responded with a faint smile. “For now, I’d appreciate it if you could keep our connection to the Hive open. There may be a few things later, but, well, I am sure we can manage. I will not let your apprenticeship be ended because of this, rest assured.”

That relaxed some of the tension June hadn’t even been aware she was feeling. She smiled more broadly at her sister. She wouldn’t give up learning from Regina for the world, and it was good that Kiara seemed to appreciate it and wouldn’t try to make her stop. It meant she would most likely spend less time in Cernlia than others might expect and more time with the Hive, but June didn’t think that would be a major issue. And it wasn’t like everything she learned from her teacher and the Delvers wouldn’t be useful to Cernlia, too.

“I was not aware there was a formal apprenticeship,” Daine said.

“We didn’t sign a formal agreement,” June said, “but I have been learning from her. I mean, I have referred to her as my master or my teacher and she seems to agree with that, so I think it counts.”

The official just nodded, and Kiara gave June a small smile, although it looked a bit forced. June could tell she was contemplative. Maybe she was thinking about their arrangement and if they should ask about making it official? She supposed it would be better not to risk any misunderstandings.

Great, now I’m questioning everything. June had not worried about it before, but this had made her doubt her situation. She shook her head and told herself not to be silly.

“You should attend the coronation with her, perhaps,” Kiara mused. “But you will be crown princess, we can’t have you present in a way that would cast doubt on that fact. Perhaps if we make it clear Queen Regina is the guest of honor …”

“Let’s just talk to her about it, there’s no point in stressing about it,” June interrupted, rolling her eyes a little.

Kiara gave her a look, but nodded. “Do you have a suitable gown for the ceremony? There is not much time, but we can have something made.”

“Not yet, what about you?”

“I will be using the late king’s coronation mantle,” Kiara informed her. “I’m also having some of my best clothes altered to go with it. I’ve decided against wearing a gown, instead, it will be a more modern style and with a martial flair.”

“What about the crown to be used?” Bluegrass asked.

Kiara smiled wryly. “You’ll see.”

June exhaled deeply and leaned her weight back, tapping a shoe on the floor. She knew sorting out these details was important, but she really did not have much fun arranging outfits or getting accessories for a formal ceremony.

Still, after rolling her shoulders once and running a quick check on herself with her magic, using a diagnostic she’d learned from Regina, she focused back on the conversation. It would be interesting, at least, she told herself. Many guests from other countries. And besides, it would be the end of this gods-damned war. There was nothing like a coronation to mark the end of a succession conflict.

Even if she had the feeling this was only the beginning.