The morning after the coronation, Seren woke before dawn.
The crown sat on its pillow beside the bed, silver and white gold catching the first pale light of morning. She stared at it for a long moment, remembering the weight of it on her head, the roar of the crowd, the tears on her mother's face. The metal gleamed, cold and perfect, a symbol of everything she had fought for.
Then she rose, dressed, and walked to the council chamber.
The guards saluted as she passed. The servants bowed. The nobles who had stayed for the celebration nodded respectfully. It seemed as if nothing had changed. But everything had changed.
Kael found her at the council table, reviewing trade reports by candlelight. She had been there for an hour already.
"You're supposed to be resting," he said, his voice rough with sleep.
"I'm supposed to be ruling."
"The coronation was yesterday. The celebration lasted until dawn. You danced for hours. You barely slept."
