"Father used to say to me all the time that the power to rule all is both a curse and a blessing."
Valkaerys had made her voice clear to her uncle as they both sat on the epitome of the nation of Ramania, the golden palace.
"And he wanted me to understand that when I come of age, I should be able to influence the nation."
A beautiful white bureaucracy built with the finest of the white stones from the mines of lotus embedded with its golden intricate carvings of long sleek dragons, tigers and buffalos and wolves that the nation's natives have themselves architectured.
Where once her father had devised many plans for the future and handled well over 30 years of council discussion carrying out the best courses of actions for the people and their interest.
They sat on the balcony on the right of the courtroom table that stretched vertically across the room with 6 seats and a throne for the headmaster.
Valkaerys sat opposite to her uncle across the smooth white table. Tea cups at each side. Her beautiful blonde hair is tied in a wondrous pony with a white gown and a small white cloak over it.
Now these same courts are laying silent with its political integrity at the breaking point.
"But such matters are not to be handled in a hurry; perhaps you should give it some time to breathe."
Her uncle had said with a smirk on his face.
A small nose, hairline retreating back to the top with small hairs. Few wrinkles on his head dictating his age of forty three.
Covered in a deep blue coat that sparked his royalty.
Eyes of any envious man in the new Ramania but one that bore resemblance to her father.
"It is already decided"
A voice surged from behind her, it was the advisor in his white jacket atop a silver shirt and a tie of golden. Messy hairs and black glasses on his face. Features of his face, more soft than sharp.
"Her majesty is to be the new headmistress of the council."
He stated, a visible annoyance in his face.
"That was the will of her father."
He added.
"And what father would not wish the good of his children?"
Her uncle has asked him as anger brewed on his face but before it could be fully realised he had already turned his smile on Valkaerys.
"Perhaps you ought to prove that you're capable of handling such responsibilities, darling."
He asked her as he sipped from the cup before relaxing himself on the chair as he posed her a question.
"Tell me, are you really doing this for the greater of our nation or for the sake of your love for your father?"
He said as he seeked her intentions.
"Sir Calem, you-"
The advisor tried to speak but his voice was cut off as her uncle began.
"must you interfere in every matter of politics?"
He asked him, this time his anger flew through the air.
"It is your advice we seek when we ask of it, not your opinion on what we think of our leader."
That was more than enough to shut Alan, refraining him in his position.
Calem looked back at her, as he looked for her reply but seeing the girl silent, he explained to her.
"We humans have two purposes we can live for. We either do things for the ones we care about or the things that our duty asks of us."
He began in his grandiose tone.
"For one cannot walk with the other, love requires you to sacrifice your duty towards the people and duty requires you to sacrifice your love for the sake of people."
He told her.
"But is it truly the case that we only live for these two purposes?"
Valkaerys finally raised her voice as she began speaking in her soft solemn voice.
"There is a greater purpose for which we commit to either of these two purposes which is the survival of ourselves. No man would want duty or love if it wasn't for his own satisfaction, sanity and survival. So, in the bigger picture, we only serve two of these purposes on the basis that one will help us give meaning to our life more than the other."
She stated her thoughts on his analogy as he was left stunned for a moment.
"So what gives you the meaning of yourself then, Valkaerys dear?"
He posed the question, still sounding adamant as his smile reappeared
"My duty to the nation, of course."
Valkaerys answered as a grin grew on her face fending off her uncle.
Calem got up from his place. Placing both his hands behind him as began to leave from the balcony. As his steps slowly marched away.
"Then it is decided."
He said with much salt in his voice, inadmissible to her idea.
"The ceremony shall be held this weekend and you shall wear the crown and carry the flame."
He said, turning to her, giving off a smile before he left hurriedly.
"Sir Alan, what do you think of my uncle?"
Valkaerys asked as she watched her uncle leave.
"Sorry, my lady, but it is not in my right to present an opinion. My domain is advice as I am so often reminded of."
Alan answered, his tone belittled and humble.
"You served my father for more than 10 years. Surely it wasn't just your advice that my father admired."
She asked him as she graciously smiled back.
Alan looked at her and at that moment it was as if something inside him changed.
"Your opinion is of great value to me and I believe it will continue to be, for me to properly dictate our nation."
She added.
"To be honest, my lady. Your uncle was always a jealous man. He never received a seat in higher council despite being the brother of the most powerful man in new Ramania."
Alan presented his opinions on the matter honestly as he was asked.
"Rightfully so, the temper on that man could have led to wars we never would've asked for."
She replied as she giggled, leaning on the railing of the balcony as she overlooked the great architect of the new Ramania built from white stones and yellow woods. The buildings, so grand and the streets so clean.
"My lady,"
Alan insisted on her attention as she looked at him, extending his right hand with a letter placed so gently.
Ever so confused by his gesture, she took the letter in her hands.
Carefully she opened the seal as her eyes scanned Alan, pure silence and an anxious expression, before fixing themselves back on the note inside it.
"Dear Alan, my days are numbered and my righteousness is decaying just like my health.
Staying in this bed, you'd think I dream of my time with my wife and my daughter who is my precious gem of them all but all I can think about is the nation.
Who's going to serve it now? Will they be able to handle it? I haven't announced my will and I don't plan to until the last day of my life. do not let anyone claim the seat and their evidence of their rights but let them know the contents of this letter as it is of great importance to the ones who still care about the nation and are willing to protect its interests.
As she read the contents of the letter, she'd stop herself midway as she looked at him.
"Why give it to me now?"
She asked him.
"At first I was hesitant. Thought it would be preposterous to give this letter to anyone unless they understand the seriousness of it like a true leader. You might have just proved well enough."
He replied.
"Just a few words and you're easily swayed to my cause."
She raised her opinions on him as she continued to read it.
"As you know, my time on the southern mountain ranges was nothing short of an experience. Beyond them, I saw the southern men in the lands of witherfall. It was amazing seeing life still thrive despite the challenges of the withered dust.
I tried teaching them the ways of order and civilization but they seem dim enough to not care for any of it. Hard to colonize, those bastards were. I spent too much of my time there. The toxic air poisoned my lungs and brought me to this condition.
However, before I could learn that I was going to die, I learned a threat even greater than that. Few of those men told me themselves. The ocean has retreated 20 feets, the sky has calmed down its witherings.
All the more signs that they claim something big is coming. Something that roamed this land long before and it's coming for us again.
We have destroyed the southern mountain ranges for mining of all the resources we could get our hands on. Now there is nothing to protect us. The midlands will turn into new witherfalls and the north will experience great devastation.
We need to do something.
To whoever you give this letter to, please make them understand.
The storm is approaching."