Chains bound their wrists, their former luxurious look, which the citizens were used to, was also gone. Now they were just prisoners.

The former king walked first, his wife followed, the prince then the princess.

Atheline observed the royal family. There wasn’t even one resistance, pleading, or panic. They all seemed exhausted and had given in to their fate.

The crowd reacted immediately. Shouts filled with accusations and insults erupted. Years of frustration finally finding a target.

The prince flinched, the princess lowered her head, the former queen remained expressionless and the former king continued walking.

The new king raised a hand. Gradually the noise diminished and the square fell silent.

His voice carried across the city.

"Today marks the end of one Chapter."

No one interrupted.

"The kingdom suffered."

His gaze swept across the crowd.

"We all suffered."

The silence was a kind of reassurance to the new king. They were all listening to him.

"The responsibility for that suffering rests with those who ruled."

The crowd listened carefully. The former royal family did not respond.

The new king continued.

"Their actions endangered the kingdom."

"Their decisions abandoned their people."

"Their flight threatened its future."

Each sentence landed heavily because most people agreed. Perhaps not entirely but it still resonated with the majority.

The former king closed his eyes briefly.

Atheline wondered what he was thinking.

Regret?

Anger?

Relief?

But it was all impossible to know.

The new king finally looked toward the prisoners. Then toward the executioner. The moment had arrived. The crowd understood immediately.

Tense silence spread throughout the square. Even the wind seemed to have slowed in pace.

Atheline shifted slightly, affected by the mood. Lilith remained motionless.

The former king, King Neill, stepped forward first, his queen followed then his children. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The execution proceeded swiftly without spectacle. As a show of respect, there was no cruelty. Just a swift death.

The crowd watched. Some looked satisfied while others looked uncomfortable. Many simply looked tired.

When it ended, no cheering followed. Only heavy and somber silence. No one could remember when something like this had happened or ever. A peaceful change in ruler, this was going into history.

Atheline released a slow breath. Beside him, Lilith finally turned away.

"It’s done."

Atheline nodded.

"It is."

The journey that began with a missing royal family had finally ended. Gladia’s kingdom had a new ruler. The former dynasty was gone and the continent could finally move forward.

For better or worse.

A portal suddenly materialised a few steps from them. Lilith began walking towards it and Atheline followed. Neither looked back.

This particular Chapter had finally been closed in the exact time frame Lilith had given, something most people had failed to notice, buried under the shock of a changed ruler.

.

.

.

The two walked out of the teleportation chamber in silence. Not because there was nothing to discuss. If anything, there was too much.

Atheline still couldn’t believe it. The display of absolute power Lilith held. This was the definition of strength that rules the world.

Anyone else would have been decimated by the other continents if the humans couldn’t. She had managed to go around the treaty and take charge of a kingdom, an entire ocean away without lifting a finger.

He could already imagine whatever mental breakdown the one who had started this was going through. He’d basically handed a kingdom to her.

The threat of war that had loomed over the continent had finally receded. Gladia now had a new ruler. And the matter that had begun with an assassination attempt had finally reached its conclusion.

Yet neither Lilith nor Atheline spoke much during the walk down the hallway away from the teleportation chamber. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable, but the type that people get when they’ve finally finished a long task.

For the first time in days, there was nothing immediately demanding their attention.

Atheline released a quiet breath his gaze sweeping across the busy hallways.

Home.

Even before they entered the main hallway, he could see preparations underway. The coronation was no longer a distant event. It was approaching rapidly.

The moment they stepped into the main hallway, reality immediately resumed.

A royal attendant hurried toward them.

"Your majesty."

The attendant bowed deeply before the queen.

"The Council of Ceremonies requests your presence."

Lilith sighed.

Atheline immediately noticed which was amusing. Very few things in the world could make her sigh that deeply.

Apparently, the coronation preparations she had been excited about were becoming too much for her, especially after volunteering to head it personally instead of overseeing from the side.

Before he could enjoy that observation any further, another official appeared.

This one looked directly at him.

Atheline suddenly felt nervous.

"Your Highness," he official bowed," Your coronation instructors have been waiting."

His smile immediately disappeared. Lilith glanced at him and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly.

Atheline narrowed his eyes.

"You knew about this. Wasn’t it supposed to happen next week"

"The earlier the better."

"You didn’t tell me."

"You didn’t ask."

Atheline looked genuinely betrayed while she looked entirely unrepentant. Then she walked away with her attendants, abandoning him.

Atheline watched her leave then looked toward the official.

"Of i may ask, who exactly are coronation instructors? I’ve been a little behind on my studies."

The official hesitated then answered honestly.

"People responsible for ensuring you don’t embarrass the kingdom in front of the continent."

’What’s with the description’

Atheline stared. The official also stared back. Unfortunately, neither appeared to be joking.

An hour later, he found himself inside one of the palace’s ceremonial chambers. The room was enormous and ancient. Every wall was decorated with murals depicting former rulers in different, locations.

Five people waited inside, whom he vaguely recognised. A historian, ceremonial official, one of the many court advisors, master of etiquette, and, for some reason, a retired general.

Atheline wasn’t entirely sure why the general was present. Either way, he would learn soon enough.

The historian stepped forward first.

"Your Highness."

Atheline nodded.

The man opened a massive book immediately, a good sign. Atheline loved large books. Usually, they always contained the most useful or useless facts.

He had never seen the book placed before him in the libraries.

"The coronation ceremony consists of six major stages."

Atheline closed his eyes.

Of course it did.

It seems it wasn’t for him to read at the moment.

The historian continued speaking and speaking and speaking.

Apparently, every step possessed significance. Every gesture carried meaning. Every symbol represented some ancient event.

Atheline spent nearly an hour learning why a ruler stood in one position instead of another. Then another hour learning the history behind ceremonial oaths. Then another discussing the responsibilities expected of a king.

Though he knew some of them, he wasn’t versed in everything since he was still learning his responsibilities.

By midday, he was convinced that war would really have been easier. At least enemies tried to kill you quickly. Ceremonial education preferred a slower approach.