The corridor was eerily silent, save for the sound of their footsteps against the polished stone floor. Victoria and Thurston's hands were laced together as they walked behind Sir Cedric.Thurston's heart pounded against his ribs, but he kept his face carefully composed. His father had always told him that a man did not show fear, especially not before a girl.
Victoria was shaking. He could feel it through her small, cold fingers. Thurston held her hand firmly as they followed Sir Cedric toward the heavy wooden doors of the council chamber.
She looked up at him then, her wide green eyes brimming with fear and unspoken questions. He wished he had an answer, but he didn't. They had never been summoned to the council room before. He racked his brain for what they could have possibly done to warrant such a summons. The broken vase? But that wasn't the first one. The horse riding incident? He had taken her despite her governess's protests, but that hardly seemed worth summoning the council. Or perhaps—
"You both may enter," Sir Cedric's voice cut through his thoughts.
Victoria halted, her grip on his hand tightening. "I don't want to," she whispered, barely audible.
Thurston turned to sir Cedric. "Do you know why he called us?"
Sir Cedric's expression softened, though he remained formal. He knelt slightly to be at Vitoria's level. "I do not know, but it cannot be that bad, little one."
"I do not want to go in," she murmured, shaking her head.
Thurston exhaled, lowering his own voice. "It's alright. I will be there with you. I won't let anything happen to you."
She stared at him, unconvinced. "What can you do? They are all bigger than you."
His lips curled into a smirk. "Yes, but I have something they do not."
Victoria frowned. "What?"
"I am training in combat," he said, lifting his chin slightly.
She scoffed. "You fight with Sir Francis. It does not count. You can barely beat me."
"That is not true," he argued.
"It is," she countered.
Sir Cedric sighed. "Are you both finished with your bickering? The king is waiting." He straightened, giving them a mock-stern look. "If you need reassurance, call for me. I shall come and save you from the terrifying council."
"Truly?"
"Of course."
Victoria hesitated before exhaling shakily. She gave a small nod. "Alright."
Sir Cedric pushed open the grand double doors. A hush fell over the chamber as every head turned toward them. Victoria stiffened beside him. Thurston could feel her instinct to move behind him, but he held her hand firmly, keeping her at his side.
From across the room, his father, Duke Garrick Elmsford, looked displeased. More than that, his gaze lingered on where their hands were joined. But it was King Arthur's expression that held the most weight.
The king sat at the head of the table, full of power and confidence, even though his body looked weak and frail. He was very ill, yet most people forgot that. He had always been larger than life, a man whose presence alone demanded respect, as if sickness could never truly touch him.
The king beckoned them forward with a wave of his hand.
"Come," he said, his tone unreadable.
Thurston hesitated. Victoria's fingers curled tighter around his, as if she could anchor herself to him. He barely had time to process it before Arthur's gaze flickered downward.
"There is nothing to fear," the king said, softer now. "None of you are in trouble. Come."
Victoria hesitated, then slowly released Thurston's hand. Together, they stepped toward her grandfather, standing at his sides.
King Arthur gave Victoria a reassuring smile before facing the council. "I have heard all you had to say on the matter of my successor," he announced. "I have given your suggestions much deliberation."
The king paused and coughed for a while before he continued.
"After much deliberation, Duke Elmsford and I have made a final decision concerning the future of Malveria."
"I have considered all the protests and arguments," King Arthur continued. "Most of you advocated for Duke Elmsford, given his family's close ties to the throne, while a few preferred Princess Victoria."
King Arthur exhaled heavily. " The duke is a wise choice in terms of experience and age, but he cannot be king while Victoria stands aside. Belvaris has made its stance clear—they will withdraw their peace treaty if Victoria is cast aside."
The hush that followed was thick with tension. Even Victoria understood what that meant. Without Belvaris alliance, the kingdom would be left exposed to other kingdoms especially Norwyke.
Then, the king spoke the word that made the air in the room turn to ice.
"Suggestions were made that I marry Victoria off to the duke."
Victoria blinked, the words not quite settling.
Marry?
Thurston's body went rigid beside her. She turned her head slightly, and her stomach twisted at the look on his face—his mouth slightly open, eyes widened in horror.
His gaze snapped to his father, repulsion twisting his features. He looked as though he might be sick right there in the middle of the chamber. Victoria had never seen him so still, so utterly shocked.
Thurston felt a sharp pang in his stomach, something burning and ugly clawing its way up his throat. Marry? His father—his cold, ruthless father—marrying Victoria? Becoming her husband? Becoming her family? She was his best friend. The one person in his life he truly cared for. He couldn't—wouldn't—allow this.
But then the king spoke again, his voice firm.
"But I will not give my granddaughter to a man old enough to be her father. That is not an option."
The chamber erupted.
Some voices rose in protest, others in agreement. Victoria heaved a sigh of relief, grateful that she won't have to marry the prime minister.
King Arthur raised his hand, and the noise ceased at once.
"Personally, I have no problem with Victoria being my successor," he said, his voice sharp. "But I am not blind to the reality of what will follow my death. I want to ensure that the peace of my reign remains. Her rule will be met with resistance. She will face rebellion. That is inevitable."
"Her rule would be more secure if there was a more formidable match by her side. Prince Orville Wyndham would be the most logical choice, but he is both her cousin and heir to his own throne."
The pause stretched long enough for Victoria to feel the tension thickening like a noose around her neck.
"That is why the duke and I have decided that Princess Victoria will be betrothed to Lord Thurston Elmsford."
The chamber erupted again, louder this time, the protests and murmurs blending into a chaotic mess of voices.
"This is absurd!" one lord bellowed.
"Thurston can just serve as king instead!" Lord Baldric called out, his voice like steel.
King Arthur did not flinch. "As long as Victoria is alive, she is the first in line for the throne. I will not pass her up for someone else."
"She will still be queen if you make Thurston king," another interjected.
"Not the ruler," Lord Quillian murmured darkly. "Just a queen that breeds."
Victoria flinched.
King Arthur's voice sliced through the tension.
"Victoria can and she will rule."
A silence fell over the room, heavy and final.
Lord Baldric opened his mouth again, but the king did not allow him the chance. "It has already been decided upon by the prime minister and me. There is no room for discussion."
His gaze swept across the chamber, daring anyone to challenge him. No one spoke.
Victoria swallowed hard.
Everything had been decided for her. Her future—her very life—was now bound to Thurston in a way she had never imagined.
And beside her, Thurston stood stiffly, his face carefully blank, she wondered what was going through his mind. Though she would never admit it to him but she was happy that it was Thurston. She loved him and she knew he loved her too. They practically grew up together as siblings and even though it's weird to imagine her married to him at some point, she was grateful that it was him. She knew she would never be a victim of most of the scary stories she had heard about the married ladies and the way their husbands treated them.
"From today," King Arthur declared, "they both will be a part of the council to prepare them for their future roles."
"The people will not accept this "
"On the contrary," a different voice interjected. "I believe it is a wise decision. Regardless of her gender, the princess has no challenger to her birthright. Thurston, however, does. No matter what His Grace claims, the boy has no greater right than any of us."
Murmurs spread across the room, some reluctant, some in agreement.
"If there are no further objections," Arthur declared, "then it is decided. From this day forth, both Victoria and Thurston are official members of this council to prepare them for their future role. Lord Thurston will succeed his father as prime minister upon Princess Victoria's ascension. They will be wed when Victoria is of age."