The Law of the Crown
AURELIA/ LEXI
I couldn't sleep. Who could sleep soundly in this place? It was so quiet, deafeningly quiet. I felt like I was inside a coffin and couldn't breathe. I must have tried to move around and change places to make sleep come, but I guess sleepiness was holding me back because no matter how many times I peeked, it didn't do anything.
Celestina, Morgana, and Nyx weren't there yet. I didn't know what time it was, so I got up from the bed and went to the window. There was no red light peeking through the folds of the thick curtains.
As I faced the window, I suddenly wondered if I should open the curtain. I suddenly feel nervous, but my curiosity prevailed.
I slowly touched the thick curtain and did the same as I opened it. My eyes almost widened, and I gasped when I saw the vast space outside the window.
What was outside wasn't Earth.
A vast world, black earth with cracks that flashed like fire beneath. There was a long river-like river, but it wasn't water but boiling lava flowing between the mountains. And the sky wasn't blue but red. It was like a sunless dusk.
And rocks were floating in the air.
And in the distance, there was a palace made of obsidian.
I stepped back and let go of the curtain. I almost lost my balance.
"This isn't just another place.... I'm in another world!"
While I was still looking outside, I noticed something moving in the sky. It wasn't a cloud; I was sure of it.
Then a huge shadow passed by, slow and silent.
My breathing stopped. ".... is that a dragon?"
I stepped back again as something appeared from below the window, and I sat on the floor.
It had wings, it had horns, and its movements were sharp, as if it were watching someone or something. Then others followed, not just two or three but a group. They were flying in an organized manner.
"This is not normal...." I whispered.
I screamed and rushed to the bed when what I thought was a bird hit the window glass, but I was wrong. It was not a bird. It was flying, but it had no substance but bones and smoke. And the scary thing was, I didn't know if it was dead or alive.
I made the sign of the cross and quickly recited the 'Our Father'. My tears were already flowing as I prayed. I was scared. What kind of world is this, and what am I doing here? Why am I here?
I hadn't even finished praying when the summons came before I could catch my breath.
Nyx barely knocked before slipping inside. "Your Majesty… the Crown Council requests your presence."
I jumped in shock and quickly hugged the pillow, covered my ears with my hands, and closed my eyes.
I heard the door open completely and footsteps approaching me.
"Your Majesty, what happened?" Celestina's voice was as she grabbed me.
My hand was still shaking as she pointed at the window. "Something… something is flying… not normal… there's a bone—"
The three of them looked at each other. There was no surprise or fear.
"Those are air animals, Your Majesty," Morgana explained calmly.
"The others are normal animal guards," Morgana replied.
"Normal?!" My voice rose. "Are you serious? That's normal?"
The three of them nodded, slowly. "Those creatures in the sky of the Underworld only have two followers, Your Majesty."
I looked at Nyx. "So, someone is controlling them?"
I couldn't help but think that Commander Kael was possibly one of those controlling those creatures. It wasn't impossible, I knew that from his personality alone.
"Commander Kael, isn't it?" I spoke.
The three of them nodded. "That's him, Your Majesty," Nyx said.
"You said two, right? So, who's the other?" she asked again.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry, but you need to get dressed and hurry…. the Crown Council requests your presence."
"At this hour?" I asked with almost annoyance. "Isn't breakfast first before anything else the custom in this world?"
The three looked at each other again. I took a deep breath, and for a moment, I dismissed the creatures that had awakened my system from my mind.
Requests. Right.
I stood from the bed too fast. My head felt light, like my body still hadn't accepted this place as real.
Morgana nodded. "They will not wait."
They redressed me in a dress that was even worse than before. Layers of dark silk. The fabric clung to my arms, then loosened, then tightened again. The color changed between bright red and black depending on how the light hit it.
"Your Highness," Celestina adjusted the collar near my throat. "You don't remember anything, so I want to give you some advice. Information in simple words."
I nodded. "Okay, tell me."
"The Council Hall is bound by law. You must be careful with your words." She said after releasing the collar.
"Careful how?" I asked.
None of the three answered my question. And that was not a good sign.
________________________________________
The Council Hall made the dining room look inviting.
Tall columns carved with moving runes lined the walls. The symbols on the stone seem alive and crawling. A long obsidian table stretched in the middle, and the nobles sat around it… all of them looking at me.
Waiting.
Kael stood near the end, next to the throne. Just quiet.
I forced myself to walk calmly, as if comfortable, like a true princess.
One step. Then another. I secretly smiled. I was slowly getting used to it, but the creatures outside the palace returned to my mind.
My smile disappeared, and I felt fear again. I secretly glanced at everyone there, and there was no denying that they were not really human. Their horns, I feel like it was my mistake that they could use them to stab me.
I glanced at Kael again; he was watching me without blinking. He didn't even look at me once. However, for some unknown reason, I felt safe.
'Are you serious?'
I shook my head slightly. It felt impossible. From the very beginning, I could feel that he was the first to suspect me. What sense of safety do I feel with him?
I stopped at the edge of the long table but didn't sit down. Not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't know where.
I quickly glanced at each chair. Everyone was already seated except for one empty chair. I wanted to step closer to the chair, but I was afraid of making a mistake. I was afraid that they would notice that I wasn't the princess they expected at this meeting. I was someone else, I wasn't him.
I was already feeling lonely. I was the only one standing. The whole room was silent. No one was speaking. But I could feel it, they were waiting.
'Shit…'
I tried to keep my back straight. Trying not to show nervousness and confusion. But the seconds passed. And I still did nothing.
Until, "Your Majesty."
I looked at Kael.
He was still standing near the throne, but now, he was leaning slightly to one side—his full attention was focused on me.
Not angry. Not kind either.
He lowered his gaze… for a moment, towards a chair. At the very end of the table, where I had wanted to approach earlier but was afraid to. Afraid of making a mistake.
"Your seat," he added.
Simple but enough to let everyone know that. He knew I didn't know.
My ears pricked up, but I had no choice. I moved slowly towards it. I could feel every glance as I walked. Whatever they meant, I didn't care anymore. This morning was too awkward, especially since there was no breakfast yet.
When I reached the chair, I froze for a moment. I grabbed the armrest. I held on tighter before finally sitting down.
The moment I sat down, the feeling changed. I glanced at Kael for a moment. He was still staring at me. No emotion.
But he didn't take his gaze away, not even for a second.
And I don't know why… but in the midst of it all, he's the only one I can't avoid.
An old man stood up from his seat. His horns were bent back, long and broken as if they had seen the passing of centuries.
"The Crown acknowledges your presence… Princess Aurelia." His voice was low, slow, and heavy.
I nodded slightly. "I… acknowledge the Council."
Okay. That sounds royal.
Several of them exchanged glances. Not pretty.
"The matter is urgent," another said, a woman with thin, blade-like horns. "The Equinox approaches."
I blinked. Equinox?
"The Law of the Crown stands above all bloodlines," the old man continued. "You are aware of your duty."
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I had no idea what he was talking about.
The surroundings fell silent.
Kael's gaze shifted to me. It's annoying because it doesn't help. He's just watching what's happening.
Great. Just great.
I swallowed. "State it clearly."
This is safer, I'll let them explain themselves, it's not me pretending to be ignorant, even though it's true.
A pause. Then, "You must be mated before the Equinox."
My brain stopped. "…What?"
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Did I hear right? Mated? Is that 'chuvachuchu' as in sex? Shit, I'm too young for that. I don't want to get married yet, I don't want to get pregnant yet.
The old man didn't react. "The Crown cannot remain unbound. Without a mate, the throne rejects its bearer."
Another voice cut in. "If you fail, Your Majesty… the right to rule passes."
Passes.
So, my consequences, really?
"To whom?" I asked. This time, no hesitation.
"To the strongest claimant."
My grip tightened at my side. Translation: I lose everything. And probably my life.
The room felt smaller. Hotter, not because of the climate but because of the tension I felt. Is this forced, like an arranged marriage?
"You have delayed long enough," the woman added. "The court has shown patience. That patience ends at the Equinox."
The Equinox is important to them, whatever it is, I have no idea. But curiosity is eating me up again.
"How long?" I asked.
"Three weeks."
Three weeks?! I almost laughed. This was insane.
Find a wife? Here in this place? With creatures with horns, scary animals, and surroundings that look like hell?
My eyes moved. Fast, searching, thinking.
Who here won't kill me? Who here could help me? Who here...
My gaze landed on him. Commander Kael.
Still standing. Still silent. Still watching everything, and it seemed like all I needed was to give him popcorn to make him more comfortable watching.
He didn't look surprised. Does that mean he expected it?
I slowly took a deep breath.
Think about it. He's close to the throne. I could sense he had doubts, but he didn't expose me. He's strong, so no one questions him.
And, he probably can't kill me. That's a win. I made up my mind before I could think too much.
"I will fulfill the law," I said.
The room fell silent. I turned my head slightly. Straight to him. "My chosen target… is Commander Kael."
Silence. Every gaze was focused on him. But after that, there were whispers.
"I didn't expect that, Princess." One whispered.
"Me too, I thought Prince Darius would be the one she would choose because he's such a scheming lover." One of them replied.
"The Princess seems serious." Another whispered. "Isn't it scary because they're like cats and dogs? They've never gotten along before, and now, Commander Kael is the one the Princess has chosen to marry?"
I was a little surprised by what I heard. It seemed like Princess Aurelia and Kael didn't have a good relationship. I rested my elbow on the table and patted my forehead with my palm.
'You're an idiot, Lexi. You're the one who ruined yourself.'
I slowly glanced at Kael again. He was just silent and unresponsive. Which somehow made it worse.
Why wasn't he reacting? He could have objected, right? Why was he just silent? Does that mean he had feelings for Princess Aurelia? Like enemies to lovers, right?
The old man leaned forward slightly. "You declare this before the Council?"
I swallowed, glancing at everyone there, including Kael. I have no choice, he's the only one who looks like this. Ah, take it.
"I do." My voice came out firmly.
Fake it. Just fake it.
The woman narrowed her eyes. "The Commander is not easily claimed."
Are you serious? So, do I still need to court him?
"I am not claiming," I said carefully. "I am choosing."
The room was filled with whispers again. Different tones, less judgment, more interest. It seems like we will be the love team of this world, and they will be waiting for our story to unfold.
The old man looked toward Kael. "Do you accept the Princess's intent?"
I glanced at Kael. Finally. Is he going to speak or complain? Well, that's up to you. If he doesn't like me, I'll force him to like me.
Kael moved. He met my gaze. For a moment, I thought he was going to reject me. He was going to reveal his doubt about me in front of these creatures.
Instead, "I acknowledge it."
That was it. His voice was emotionless, and so was his expression. But that was okay. That was okay with me. Because of this place… that was enough.
"The Law proceeds," the old man declared. "The bond must be completed before the Equinox."
It was over. I didn't want to ask what that meant anymore.
"Until then," he added, "you will remain under watch."
So I'm the one who's going to insist on getting married, am I the one who needs to be watched? What do they think of me, running away? If only I could, if only I knew where I was going, I wouldn't have to go through this scene of having to get married.
I nodded once. "Understood."
The meeting ended as suddenly as it had begun. The nobles stood up, but no one left the room.
I turned to leave. I was getting hungry. Breakfast after breakfast couldn't be wasted. But when I passed him, Kael spoke, so softly that only I could hear.
"You chose the most dangerous option."
I stopped but didn't look at him. "Was there a safe one?" I asked.
A pause.
Then, "No."
I took a deep breath. "Good," I muttered. "Then I didn't make a mistake."
He stayed close for a second. Then he moved away. And just like that, I realized, I didn't just choose a plan. I chose a risk I could never take back. Three weeks. One target.
And one law that could destroy me if I fail.