The bestowal of the crown

As the kingdom of Unthra was mourning for their king Rh'ani, King Davyya had other plans for his kingdom. He still couldn't believe that after all those years of going into battle with king Rh'ani, he eventually succeeded and all this was made possible by his son. "–I can't let him go without a reward–" king Davyya thought to himself while pouring his 8th drink still not believing his eyes. "–This is what sons do for their fathers, they take away their problems–" his diabolical laughter filled the corridors of the palace. He then summoned his righthand man, Gothard to organize women and alcohol for his son, prince Ryanair. The celebration that king Davyya planned assured Ryanair and his mother, Queen Zulhi, that the first part of their plan was a success. Prince Khazima on the other hand, cracked his head trying to find ways to prove his innocence to princess Alaiza.

King Rh'ani was known for his kindness and empathy, hence every kingdom from other empires came to offer their last respect. Including King Barean of Baru, Queen Khalifa's younger brother. King Barean was the last person Queen Khalifa expected to see. As the last time they saw each other was when King Javi of Baru, their father kicked Queen Khalifa and princess Mya out. Even on their father's burial, Queen Khalifa and princess Mya didn't attend. "–Excuse King Barean and I please–" Queen Khalifa asked everyone to exit the room after her brother walked into the throne room with his shiny, golden crown. Proud, as always "–Hello sister.–" uttered king Barean. "–You didn't attend your father's burial–" With great shame Queen Khalifa answered "–Is that what you came here to do? shame me, on my husband's burial?–" King Barean walked around the throne room, judging every piece his eyes contacted "–I could, but I won't–" walking towards his sister "–I know you and father didn't end on a right foot but am here to do things right by you. Fix the king's mistakes. I know it's long overdue but still, blood is still blood right?–". Queen Khalifa doubted king Barean's intentions but didn't have enough grounds to call him out as she was in the presence of king Barean and not prince Barean.

Princess Alaiza entered the throne room and found her mom with a strange looking man. "–Some men outside are asking for your presence mom–" uttered princess Alaiza with great confusion as she's never seen this man before. Quite honestly since the passing of king Rh'ani, strange looking man she's never seen before have been visiting the palace, but there was something different with this one. Maybe is the fact that they all share the same Baru bloodline or princess Alaiza can simply see through the animal skin he was wearing on his shoulders. "–Is this her? The paragon?–" Walking towards princess Alaiza. "–She's gorgeous, just like her mom–" Princess Alaiza's unsettleness was no secret as her ventilation could be heard by the guards outside, the tension in the room was so thick that the sword king Barean possessed could perfectly slice right through it. Princess Alaiza impatiently waiting for her mother's response and begging with her eyes to exit the room. "–Let them know I'll grant my presence in a moment–" Queen Khalifa said in response to the tension that was rising in the room. Princess Alaiza exited the room. "–She could've been something great you know, only if you listened to father–" said king Barean with pride. "–She is something great, she is my daughter, an heir to the throne of Unthra. Now if you'll excuse me, I have people to grace with my presence–" said Queen Khalifa bursting her brother's ego and exiting to her guests.

Princess Mya was taking gifts to the guests that came to pay their respects and now were leaving after the king's burial. King Barean saw her and came to her. "–Princess Mya, you've grown.–" said king Barean. "–King Barean–" princess Mya responded with no enthusiasm to exchanging words of interest with him. King Barean chuckled "–We used to be inseparable you know–". Princess Mya responded with no intent to pretend "–that was before you sold us out to the king, now if you'll excuse me king Barean, I need to get these fruits to our guests.–" princess Mya left to wish farewell to the guests.

Queen Khalifa was in a meeting called by the regent with the rest of the curia regis. "–my Queen, may I be granted the permission to speak?–" said the regent politely asking to state the reason why he called this meeting. "–Permission granted regent–" said Queen Khalifa eagerly waiting to hear the reason for this union. "–Your majesty–" bowed in gratitude of the opportunity he was given. "–As we all aware of the passing of the king, Rh'ani, may his soul be rested with our forefathers. There is no one to sit on the throne...–" The queen interrupted him with an intent to stop the destination of his speech. "–king Rh'ani had a daughter regent, the only princess of Unthra, heir to the throne, princess Alaiza of pure royal blood from Baru and Unthra–". Some of the royal council members agreed with the statement the Queen just made. "–forgive the nature of my statement your majesty, what I meant to say is that, there is no one to sit on the throne for now as princess Alaiza is still young. With that being said, I'll like to present myself to keep the throne warm until the princess becomes of age–". The chamberlain of the council said with great disappointment "–we all know that it is a disgrace to crown anyone during the mourning period–". The royal council agreed. The regent responded in his defence "–we need a leader chamberlain, what if the kingdom of X'hikini comes back to finish what they've started? We need someone who'll lead us to the battle and that someone is me. No one fits the throne like I do. I have been the king's right hand man for many decades–". Queen Khalifa's heart was pounding against time as some of the council members were agreeing with the regent but the chamberlain came to her rescue. The chamberlain responded in great shame "–you're not of the royal blood regent. Only those of the royal blood are allowed to sit on the throne–" the chamberlain stood up, "–if there's anyone who should keep the throne warm for princess Alaiza, it should be Queen Khalifa, royal princess of Baru–" The regent with the fear of losing to the chamberlain "–I think we should put it to vote, those who think I should take over the throne, may you please raise your hand–" only five people raised their hands. Queen Khalifa was relieved when seeing most of the council members's hands down. The chamberlain sarcastically said "–those that think we should wait until the mourning period is over before we can crown anyone, please raise your hand–" All the remaining royal council members rose their hands. "–the decision has been made then, no one is ascending the throne until the mourning period is over–" The meeting was dismissed.

The queen was talking to the chamberlain after the meeting. "–Thank you for not allowing the regent to take advantage of the situation chamberlain–". The chamberlain said proudly "–my job is to serve the throne my queen and besides, the king and I were great friends. Since he's not here to protect his family, I shall do so on his behalf–" the queen was flabbergasted by the faithfulness of their chamberlain as she knew that everyone will come for the throne and she needed all the support she can get to protect the throne. "–it was nice chatting to you my queen, unfortunately I have to rush–" said the chamberlain in a hurry. "–well, I have no intentions of keeping you chamberlain, farewell–" said the queen with gratitude. The chamberlain left and the queen went to the royal bedroom. Princess Alaiza came to her mother "–Is there a problem mother?–" Queen Khalifa answered the question with a troubled face "–there is a war coming Alaiza, and we need to be prepared–". Even though princess Alaiza didn't understand what her mother was talking about but she understood the magnitude of the matter by her mother's expressions.

Later that day, the regent and king Barean met in the palace of Baru. "–the royal council voted against my ascendancy to the throne–" said the regent to king Barean. King Barean answered with a glass of alcohol in his hand "–that's not what I want to hear my friend–" he then drank all the alcohol in the glass. "–apologies my king, I'll keep on trying until I ascend the throne–" said the regent pleading for his life. King Barean responded with great anger "–that is not enough, I need you on that throne within six months regent. Get me that crown–" the regent responded in fear "–I promise I won't let you down my king–". The king went to pour another drink from his well of intoxication "–get out, and on your way out tell the guards to bring me one of the girls. I need to release this frustration you've caused–" continued drinking alcohol with the aim of calming his fuming heart with anger. The regent shamefully exited the room in fear. King Barean soothing himself "–I will get you Queen Khalifa, even if it's the last thing I do–"