The palace seemed changed now.
The shadows that previously dwelled only in corners now appeared to extend, slinking along the walls and across the marble floors as though animated, reflecting the chaos in Ava's heart. The chilly night breeze did little to soothe the intense questions swirling in her thoughts. Who is that woman? And what was she implying by saying the throne was never hers in the first place?
Ava positioned herself by the window in her room, gazing down at the battlefield outside. Her realm, her subjects, the Lycans, everything seemed delicate now. The woman's voice lingered in her mind, resonating in the stillness of her room, her ominous claim that Ava was not the rightful heir.
Was it accurate? Could she genuinely be just a piece in a game she did not completely grasp?
A sudden knock on the door broke her concentration, and she turned to find Cassius at the threshold, his face difficult to read.
"Your Majesty," he murmured quietly, looking at the window. "We need to talk about something."
Ava sighed deeply, placing her forehead against her hands. "I'm uncertain about how to begin."
Cassius entered the room and closed the door behind him,his actions calm and purposeful. He refrained from speaking right away and instead walked over to the table where a map of the kingdom was spread out, marked with indicators of troop locations, regions, and the actions of the rebel alliances.
"Cassius stated, 'We've deployed scouts to observe the rogue activities, but we still haven't verified any solid details regarding their forthcoming actions.'" His tone was steady, authoritative an effort to draw her back to the here and now. What matters now is our next step. The battle is far from over."
Ava nodded herself, her mind still foggy. "How can I concentrate on that when my entire life has been built on deception?" What if she is correct? What if I'm not the heir, not the one destined to lead?"
Cassius crossed the room and stood before her, his presence grounding, steady.
"You are the successor, Ava." There's certainly no doubt about it. This realm is yours by birthright and by prophecy. What that woman stated it's not true, it's a ploy to weaken you."
Ava's breathing became uneven, her heart racing. "But what makes us certain she's not telling the truth, Cassius?" She was aware of details, details I haven't even shared with you. She referred to me as 'sister.' She mentioned Lysandra my forebear. She claimed I wasn't the genuine heir. How can I even start to understand that?
Cassius's jaw tightened, his stare intensifying. "I'm uncertain," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "However, we mustn't allow her to control you, Ava." We cannot permit her to instill uncertainty in your heart. "We have already observed the consequences when our adversaries infiltrate our thoughts."
Ava breathed out quickly, brushing her hair back with her hand. The crown's weight seemed to be bearing down on her more than before. It wasn't solely about the kingdom, the war, or the Lycans, it was her very sense of self. Who was she truly?
"You're not by yourself in this, Ava," Cassius remarked, his tone softer now. He moved nearer, resting a hand on her shoulder. "You don't need to bear this weight by yourself."
Her eyes flicked to his, and for an instant, she felt something in his expression that she couldn't fully identify something gentle, something exposed. However, it vanished as swiftly as it had emerged, supplanted by the composed, commanding presence she had learned to depend on.
Ava took a deep breath, trying to calm the chaos in her mind. "I need to solve this." If that woman is really my sister, if she is the true heir, then everything changes. The throne, the prophecy, it all becomes a lie."
"No," Cassius said firmly, "the throne is yours. You are the queen. And the prophecy will unfold as it's meant to, regardless of whatever she says. The kingdom needs you. We need you."
Ava briefly shut her eyes, letting his words resonate. She had to be resilient, not solely for herself but also for her community. They had already endured substantial losses, and the final thing she could afford was to break down at this moment.
"I need to meet her again," Ava exclaimed abruptly, her tone intense. "I require responses." I must find out if she is truly who she claims to be. "If there's any possibility that she's being honest, I must find out."
Cassius appeared ready to object, but Ava raised her hand, quieting him. "I will go by myself." "I must."
He paused; his face conflicted, but then agreed. "Quite well." However, I will be with you somewhere, observing. "You're not facing this by yourself."
Ava felt her chest constrict with a blend of appreciation and anxiety. She felt uncertain about what she would discover when she faced the woman who insisted she was her sister. Nonetheless, she had to discover. She had to find out the truth by herself.
The moon hung overhead as Ava made her way to the spot where she had last met the mysterious woman. The palace grounds were peaceful, the muted sounds of the far-off fight only slightly audible as they drifted on the wind. It seemed like the quiet before the chaos.
She stepped into the garden, the cool breeze soothing her skin while the fragrance of flowers and night blooms enveloped her senses. In the middle of the garden, she discovered her.
The woman faced away from Ava, her outline highlighted by the radiant moonlight. She didn't notice her coming, but the tension in the atmosphere was evident.
"Ava," the woman spoke, her tone maintaining the same icy command as before. "I was aware you would arrive."
Ava's heart pounded as she pressed on, the weight of her decision surrounding her like a cloak. "Who are you?" she inquired confidently. "Talk to me truthfully." "What made you assert that I'm not the rightful heir?"
The woman turned elegantly, her face calm, but Ava sensed the fire dancing behind her eyes. "You are not the oldest, Ava," she asserted, her tone laced with contempt. "I exist."
Ava's heart raced. She was ready for this, but hearing it once more made it feel even more tangible.
The woman advanced her motions graceful and hunt-like.
"I am the genuine daughter of Lysandra," she went on, her tone quiet. "I came into the world before you, and I am the one meant to govern." "Not you."
Ava exclaimed. It seemed like I was encountering the truth for the first time, despite it still being absurd. "You're lying," Ava responded, her voice quivering. "The prophecy states that I am the successor." "I am the individual meant to guide this kingdom"
The woman's lips twisted into a chilly grin. "Those in power compose prophecies, Ava." They are designed to cater to the requirements of those who dictate the story. However, blood cannot be overlooked.
"I am the rightful heir, and the kingdom will belong to me."
Ava tightened her fists by her sides, the pressure of the situation pressing on her.
She had to arrive at a conclusion. The truth was difficult to comprehend, and with every statement the woman made, Ava's reality seemed to plunge further into uncertainty.
"I'm not giving up the throne," Ava declared, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and resistance. "Not without a struggle."
The woman's face became stern. "Next, get ready." "Since the battle is approaching and you will be defeated."
Sure!
The encounter with the woman who insisted she was the legitimate heir had left Ava unsettled. However, there wasn't a moment to linger on it. The war was still ongoing, the rogues still pressing at the kingdom's borders. As she returned to the palace, she knew one thing for certain: the true fight had only just begun.