CHAPTER 107: YOUR TIME TO RULE

King Tharyn continued with a calm voice. "His journey has been a rough one, Rollo. He has carried more burdens than most men could bear. But give him time, give him room to breathe. He will rise again, and he will win this war for you, and for all of us. Have a little faith in him."

King Rollo leaned back in his throne with his face pale and weary.

"Alright, alright Tharyn, I have heard you," he said weakly. Let us hope our faith is not in vain and that it saves us from what is coming."

There was a moment of silence. Then Tharyn broke it again. "Now, Rollo, they have only just returned. Do you not think they deserve to rest?"

King Rollo blinked as if he were just realizing that.

"Oh, so sorry about that," he said. His eyes turned to Aeron and Nyella. "Yes, you both may go and rest. But only for a few hours. Just a few hours. After that, you will be called back. We must prepare for the war before us. We must form a new battle strategy. Without General Amber, we cannot rely on the old plans anymore. We will need every body and mind if we are to stand a chance."

Aeron and Nyella bowed respectfully before the king, and then they turned to leave.

As they walked down the corridor together, Aeron leaned closer to her and spoke in a low voice.

"What got into your father today? Acting all kind and gentle, especially towards me of all people. Strange, isn’t it?"

Nyella smiled faintly. "And what do you see my father as? He is not a bad man, Aeron. It is just that power and the council around him have shaped him into someone even I barely recognize sometimes. Power shows sides of people you never thought existed."

Aeron gave a short laugh. "And yet, one day, that same power will rest in your hands, Nyella. You will have to wield it, whether you like it or not."

She became quiet at that.

"You are silent," Aeron said. "Why?"

Nyella looked at him and asked, "What do you want me to say?"

"I made a statement," Aeron replied. "And I expected you to respond to it."

Nyella took a breath while slowing her steps.

"Well then, since you insist... about your statement," she said softly. "Not everyone is consumed by power. Not everyone turns into what they are not, Aeron. My father... he has his faults, but I do not believe all rulers must become like him."

Aeron’s gaze lingered on her.

"Perhaps. But you are your father’s daughter, Nyella."

Nyella stopped suddenly, turning to face him with narrowed eyes.

"Are you saying..." she began, but before she could finish, a voice interrupted.

"Forgive me if I intrude," came the deep voice of Ser Devic, stepping into their midst. He bowed slightly. "But my princess, your father wishes to speak with you. Alone."

Nyella frowned. "But I just left him not long ago."

"In private," Devic said firmly. "He awaits you already in his chambers."

Nyella gave Aeron a final look. "I’ll get back to you on that," she whispered, then followed Devic down the passage.

When she reached her father’s chambers, she found the door already open. She stepped in quietly. The king was standing by the window, backing her and staring outside.

"This is the rest you said we needed?" Nyella asked with a small smile as she entered the room.

King Tharyn turned.

"Forgive me, my dear. I know you are weary, but I needed to see you urgently, and in private."

"Urgently?" Nyella repeated, her brow furrowing. "Is something wrong?"

"Of course not," Tharyn said with a faint smile. "Do I need a reason to see my own daughter? You came back from a fight with terrible creatures. Can I not look at you and be grateful you returned alive?"

Nyella stepped closer. "Father, you know what I mean. You wouldn’t leave Ivarion and come all the way here just to see me. It has not even been a month since I left you behind. Something is troubling you. Tell me what it is."

Tharyn drew in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "You truly are stubborn and unyielding, you know that right?"

Nyella smirked. "Of course I am stubborn. You raised me that way. And you love me for it."

They both smiled briefly, but the warmth in his eyes faded.

"Nyella," Tharyn said quietly, "it is time."

"Time for what?" she asked.

"It is time for you to rule,"

"It is time for you to take the throne of Ivarion. Our kingdom needs its heir, and that heir is you." Tharyn said.

"What?" Nyella said in shock. "Did I hear you correctly? Time to rule? Why would you say that? You are still alive, and you are in good health. Or is something happening to you that you are not telling me?"

The king shook his head gently. "No, I am fine. I am in good health. But I need a break, Nyella. A break from the council, from the throne, from everything that has been pressing on me all these years."

Nyella stepped forward and spoke in a firm voice. "That is not how it is done, Father. Never in our history has this happened. A child to rule while the father is still alive? It has never been seen in Ivarion, nor in any of the kingdoms. That is not how it is done."

The king gave a scoff and turned to face her. "And look who now lectures me on what is done and what is not. I am well aware that it has never happened. But tell me, has a woman ever ruled a kingdom before? Yet here you stand. You have already broken that ground. Not only will you be the first woman to rule, you will also be the first to rule while your father still lives. And why? Because I know you can do this. I know you are prepared."

Nyella’s eyes flashed. "No, Father, you do not know that. You think you know, but you don’t. I am not prepared. I am not ready to rule. I am not ready for any of this. And besides, should we not speak first of winning this war before we speak of crowns and thrones?"

The king’s voice became calm. "The war will be won. I know it. And as you return from it, you will not just return as my daughter. You will return with a crown on your head. Dispose your mind for it."

There was a silence between them. Nyella’s eyes softened as she looked at him. "Father... look at me. I know this is not without reason. There is something more behind your words. And if there is, please, tell me. If anything is wrong, I need you to be honest with me. I am your daughter. I deserve the truth."

The king then looked at her carefully, turned away, and moved back to the window. He placed both hands on the sill and stared out at the sky.

"I do not deserve the throne, Nyella. I never did. From the very beginning, it was not meant for me. You know it well. It was my brother who was chosen, who was meant to wear the crown. But fate was cruel to him. He met a tragic end, and the burden fell on me instead."

"Regardless of that, the kingdom is yours now," Nyella said. "You’ve ruled for more than twenty years."

The king shook his head and cut her off. "And for over twenty years, our kingdom has only grown worse. I’ve made countless mistakes, mistakes I deeply regret. And now... I want to put an end to them."

"By leaving the throne?" Nyella asked. "You always told me, Father, that it’s irresponsible to run away from one’s duties and responsibilities. And here you are, ready to do the very thing you warned me against."

"If you believe you made mistakes, then you must correct them, must you not? Not run from them. You made the kingdom worse... then repair it with your own hands."

King Tharyn sighed heavily with his eyes troubled. "Lord Vanyr has been sighted, with thousands of soldiers at his command."

Nyella stiffened. "What? Where?"

"In a land far from here," he replied.

"And he’s coming for us?" Nyella pressed. "We need to stop him at once!"

"Not while we’re already preparing for the Hydra," the king said firmly. "We must focus on that battle. Vanyr is leagues away, and it would be unwise to divide our strength."

Nyella frowned. "But what if he attacks us suddenly?"

"You have nothing to fear," the king assured her. "I’ve got my eyes on him and will move before he does. For now, focus on your war, fight bravely, and return in glory. That will win the people’s respect and strengthen your rule."