The throne room was full as it should be. The balconies, the alcoves on the ground floor and even the overflow areas to the side were packed.

The room contained the most powerful men and women in Melromarc.

The Queen, without the title, but a Queen nonetheless, presided over the nobility that filled it with casual ease. Princess Malty looked oddly detached from the world as she sat on her throne. Something ethereal. Her beauty was incredible, but what struck him as odd was that her clothing was perfectly immaculate, her hair shaped into an elaborate style that would look ridiculous on anyone else, hundreds of tiny gemstones with powerful enchantments, that most wouldn't be able to use without collapsing due to the strain, should have been a disgustingly overbearing appearance.

It wasn't.

The Cane glowed in her hands, and her mana pressed down on the room. A silent reminder. A promise.

"I promise on my faith that I will in the future be faithful to Her Highness Malty Melromarc, never cause her harm and will observe my homage to her completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit," said Lady Niara, one of the Houses that had gained a great deal from the Princess' purge of disobedient nobility. The lands of House Tanik were hers to rule, for now, but only if she maintained the standards that the Princess had commanded her to follow.

Standards that expected that demi-humans be treated well and that the shelters that the Princess had created for the use of the peasants be extended to them as well.

It was odd to see such behaviour, but he could forgive some eccentricity in exchange for the advent of incredible competence. It was perhaps shameful to think so poorly of His Majesty, but King Aultcray hadn't done much to prepare for the Waves.

Princess Malty was almost obsessed with it. Armies supported by the Two Legendary Heroes under her control, monsters raised to support them, equipment being commissioned and the many, many fortresses she had created over the two weeks that she had started to rise.

"And I swear to return your faith and promise you safety, should your loyalty stay unwavering. No deceit will shadow over our Oaths and neither will deception." replied the Princess, completing the ceremony.

Lady Niara rose from her kneeling position, bowed to her Queen, and returned to her place. She'd been eager to swear to the Cane Hero, and her vassals had followed.

Lord Arc followed and repeated the Oath. Dozens followed him. And with each oath, Queen Mirellia's power was shattered further. Jacob couldn't know how well the Princess' coup d'état would go, but her sheer power and the support of the two Heroes gave her something that Mirellia had never had during her rise to power. Power belonging to her that could not be snatched away. Armies were useful, but their power was inherently distributed.

He suspected that the fox of Melromarc was outmatched.

Others knelt before their queen-in-all-but-name due to fear, greed, or simply desire to see Aultcray heir rise to her full power. Any who were not convinced by her knelt at the sight of the Bow and Spear Heroes standing at her side. Pragmatism or religious devotion, he couldn't be certain, but the Princess had used them well.

Some had joined due to the Princess' extreme preparation for the Waves. She'd created a city-wide barrier around the capital, anchored to the many buildings she'd created during the past few days. Those who'd sworn to her had received the same for almost every town, city and village they had. Her Oath to provide food, equipment and soldiers to ailing domains had gone an even longer way to secure their loyalty. The Seaetto domain stood as a stark example of the consequences of a lack of preparation. A black mark against House Seaetto and House Melromarc and the Church.

It was an incredible boon. He only regretted that the farmlands were too widespread for the most part to be covered by the barriers.

He made a note to speak to her about the information he had on the Sword Hero. It was something she had to know. Something he finally felt comfortable telling her about.

It took more than an hour for all the Oaths to be made.

"Your words will be remembered," said the Princess softly, her voice oddly intimate. She made it sound as if the words were coming from right next to them, "I swear that our great nation shall thrive despite the Waves, despite our enemies, both within and without. And you will stand with me as we move to greater heights."

"Yes, Your Highness," said a minor Lordling who ruled a small fief. He'd been incentivized to start chanting.

Cheers rang out, none were willing to imply disloyalty, and the room was full of sound. Lord Cromwell, from his position up in the balcony, couldn't help the wry smile that manifested at the shock on the Bow and Spear Hero's face.

He turned to the space beside him. "Do you see why I cannot accept your offer?" he said, voice lesser than a whisper.

He knew that Malty would hear him regardless.

The Shadow said nothing, but moments later she vanished, Cromwell relaxed his grip on the gemstone, ready to send a flare to his liege, only after he was certain that he was alone.

Malty looked straight up at him as the nobility began to file out, high ranking individuals first, followed by their lessers. The Heroes had left first by teleporting out, another simple demonstration of their unfathomable power, but the Princess had stayed, her demeanour cold and imperious.

At her glance, he bowed, and whispered, "A shadow from Queen Mirellia," he said simply, "with an offer to serve her."

A fire bloomed near his feet. The heat was enough that the tiny orb had him sweating instantly. He had no delusions about his survival and that of his house should he prove to be a traitor.

It was a miracle that she'd kept him around in the first place. He suspected that she knew that he was assessing her.

"I have sworn my Oath to you," he said firmly, "and I shall keep it, Your Majesty."

A small smile touched her lips. Cromwell relaxed. The fires changed shape.

My Solar, said the pale blue flames, in an hour.

"Understood," he said.

A nod, despite the distance, was his response.

Jacob felt an odd sense of calm wash over him. He had decided to support her yesterday, but it wasn't until today that he felt how right it was to support Aultcray's daughter. The Hero of Melromarc had been the saviour of the country.

He was sure that this new Malty would follow in his footsteps. The spirit of her father had ensured it with his last breath.