CHAPTER 29 - A Permission She Refuses to Lose
The fundraising event ended late into the night.
By the time the royal carriage finally arrived at the palace, the atmosphere had grown far quieter than before.
But Keira felt none of that calm.
The moment the carriage door opened she stepped down immediately, without waiting.
Her pace was quick.
Too quick for someone who had just attended an official event as Queen.
The servants barely had time to bow.
"Your Majesty-"
But Keira had already passed them, moving down the long palace corridor.
She lifted her gown slightly so it wouldn't slow her steps.
And without hesitation, she turned toward a single destination.
Two knights stood guard in front of the King's chamber.
They straightened at once.
"Your Majesty-"
"Open it."
Keira's voice wasn't loud.
But it allowed no delay.
The doors opened immediately.
Alaric was standing near his desk when she entered. He had just removed his formal cloak.
At the sound of the door, his gaze lifted and stilled.
His eyes widened, unmistakably surprised.
"Keira?"
She rarely sought him out. And almost never… like this.
But Keira didn't stop.
"I need your permission."
Straight to the point.
No preface.
Alaric frowned slightly.
"Permission?"
Keira stepped closer.
"I want to go to the southern border with Kael."
Silence.
Only for a second.
"No."
The answer came instantly.
Quick.
Firm.
As if it required no thought at all.
Keira looked at him.
"You haven't even heard my reason."
"I don't need to."
Alaric's voice remained low.
But it left no room for argument.
"The border is no place for a Queen."
Keira crossed her arms. "I think otherwise."
Alaric held her gaze.
Keira continued,
"Aelirra is the Queen of Valtherion."
"That territory is part of her kingdom, isn't it?"
"The people there are her responsibility as a queen."
Silence fell.
Keira looked at him directly.
"If I never see their condition with my own eyes… then what is the point of this title?"
Alaric didn't answer immediately.
His gaze shifted.
Deeper.
But still unyielding.
"You've only just returned… The kingdom is not stable yet… and you want to go to a high-risk region?"
Keira didn't step back.
"That's exactly why."
Her voice remained calm.
"I don't want to be a queen who only sits in the palace and listens to reports."
She paused briefly, drawing a breath.
"I want to see it myself."
The silence tightened.
Alaric stepped closer.
"And if something happens to you?"
Keira met his eyes.
"I won't be alone. Kael will be there."
Alaric answered immediately,
"Kael is not a reason to bring you into danger."
His voice sharpened—
for the first time.
Keira fell silent for a moment.
Then she said softly,
"Then this isn't about safety."
Alaric frowned.
"What is it about?"
Keira looked at him.
"You just don't want me to go."
Silence.
Alaric didn't deny it.
That alone was answer enough.
Keira let out a quiet breath.
"If I just stay here…"
"…then I will never truly become Aelirra."
The words lingered in the air.
Heavy.
Alaric looked at her longer than before.
"Aelirra would not go to the border."
Keira answered without hesitation,
"I am not Aelirra."
Silence fell again.
For several seconds that felt far longer.
Their gazes locked.
Finally, Keira spoke,
"So that's your decision?"
Alaric didn't hesitate.
"Yes."
Final.
Keira was quiet.
Then she said softly,
"Fine."
Alaric frowned slightly.
But Keira continued,
"I'll go without your permission."
Silence.
The air in the room shifted.
"What?"
Alaric's voice dropped.
Lower.
More dangerous.
Keira held his gaze without wavering.
"I won't stop."
"You can forbid me as a queen—but not as myself."
A long silence followed.
Alaric exhaled slowly.
His hand lifted slightly, then fell again—
as if holding something back.
"You're incredibly stubborn."
Not anger.
More like… resignation.
Keira didn't respond.
She only looked at him.
And that was enough.
A few seconds passed.
Then.
"Fine."
Keira blinked in slight surprise.
Alaric met her eyes.
"You can go."
But before she could say anything, he added,
"But I'm coming with you."
Silence.
Keira stared at him.
"What?"
"I won't let you go to the border alone."
His tone was calm.
But absolute.
"If you go… I go."
Keira exhaled.
"That's not necessary."
"It is." Alaric answered immediately.
"This isn't a request."
It's a decision.
Keira looked at him for a few seconds.
Then, finally, a faint smile appeared.
"…you really hate losing, don't you?"
Alaric almost smiled.
"You're no different."
A small silence fell.
But this time, it felt different.
Lighter.
At last, Keira said,
"Alright."
Alaric nodded.
"Then we leave together."