Hello all!
It's been years since I've uploaded anything. This story actually started out as an experiment to get me out of writing in first person POV. Not sure if this will be completed but I liked it so much that I thought I would share. Enjoy!
-Ice
Chapter One-The Crowning
The stone walls echoed with the sound of impatient footsteps as a woman in a fitted purple dress with a flowing train paced around the chamber. Her willowy stature with a small golden tiara perched on her head marked her a member of the royal family. Golden blonde hair was carefully coifed, tendrils framing her pale face, hiding her long tapered ears.
The worn stones beneath her feet gave away Princess Zelda's nervous habit. Her elbow length white gloves were wrinkled and had begun to slide down her forearms as she wrung her hands together over and over.
A soft knock on the door caused Zelda to pause but she began her track again when a petit lady in waiting slid through the small gap she made when she opened the door. "Good morning Bridget."
Bridget cleared her throat and Zelda looked over at her. "It seems my lady is in need of another pair." She gestured to the wrinkled gloves. Zelda sighed and forced her arms to her sides. Bridget said nothing more but crossed the room to open a chest next to a large armoire. She pulled out a similar pair of gloves and walked over to Zelda and wordlessly held them out to her.
Zelda glanced at the gloves as she pulled off the wrinkled ones and froze. "But those are…" she trailed off and looked at Bridget with a worried face.
"Today is a special day, my lady." Bridget gently pulled the gloves from Zelda's fingers and handed her the replacements. Zelda pulled them on. Though both pairs were white, these gloves had a gold lace pattern that started in an almost heart shape on the back of the hand and trailed up to the end of the gloves just short of the elbow. The heart shape contained the royal family's coat of arms, three solid gold triangles arranged in a way that created one big triangle with a gap in the center. These gloves had once belonged to her mother.
"I don't think I can do this."
Bridget gave Zelda a withering look and whispered, "I don't think you have a choice, my lady."
Zelda sighed and nodded her head. Her only solstice being that she did not have to speak today.
Two short knocks on the door broke the brief silence. It was time.
Bridget smoothed Zelda's dress and fixed a stray curl from her face. "You will be fine." And gave Zelda a nudge towards the door.
Zelda took a moment to gather herself then was bowed from the room by Bridget.
~§~
Zelda could feel herself shaking throughout the ceremony. Her eyes were fixed on the empty throne in front of her. The clergyman was reciting a long prayer in ancient Hylian, blessing her with the strength to guide her people and live a long life.
Blinking back tears, Zelda turned her face slightly so the throne was not at the center of her eyesight. Her father's throne, not hers, never hers. But he had finally succumbed to the illness that kept her at his bedside for the past six months. As her mother has passed when she was but a child, the crown had fallen to her parent's only child. At nineteen summers, she had to figure out how to rule a people she barely knew.
The clergyman concluded his prayer and a priest stepped forward. Now that she was blessed, Zelda needed to be declared by the head priest of the church, or her signed claim to the crown wouldn't be recognized by the people. The priest motioned for her to kneel and Zelda lowered herself to the pillow that was placed in front of the throne before the ceremony.
Once the priest held a hand over her head and began to speak, she let her mind wonder again. Her father's funeral was only a fortnight ago. The castle had been a flurry of activity since. Zelda felt sick to her stomach every time she saw the plans for the Crowning Ball. She wished for more time to grieve for her lost parents but as she was the only child, she didn't even have a sibling to run to for comfort.
From now on she would be judged for every step she took in ruling her small kingdom. She will have to prove her worth to each of the larger kingdoms and put her schooling of each of the races to the test. Her number one concern will be to keep all the Zora's, Goron's and Gerudo's happy and not offend anyone. Hyrule was too small a country to invite war.
"Ut sit regula beati tumm." The priest finished the declaration and removed Zelda's small tiara and replaced it with a large puffy red one trimmed in gold that was only used for this ceremony. It was heavy and Zelda had to straighten her back further to keep from swaying. She finally raised from her place on the floor and turned to face the congregation.
"I now present to you, Her Royal Majesty Queen Zelda of Hyrule."
Applause and cheers rang through the hall. Zelda was supposed to sit on the throne to accept the welcome of her people but as she climbed the steps toward the throne, her stomach twisted and she stopped. After a few more seconds of cheering, Zelda plastered a charming smile on her face and turned to her supporters. The throne was still her father's. The time for her to sit on it more formally would come soon enough.
The knights that were positioned at the edges of the room saluted to her. This was the signal for Zelda to begin her long walk to the balcony directly across the hall from the throne room. As she stepped off the dais the knights that were standing on the steps around the throne followed her. Two of the knights marched at the end of the line with purple cloth banners stitched with the royal crest.
Two more knights opened the double doors with a bow and Zelda's senses were overwhelmed by the loud chatter from the crowd below and the strong scent of the Silent Princess flowers that had been wrapped around the bannister in celebration.
When she was halfway to the end, cheers and cries of welcome started from the people gathered below. Zelda's pleasant smile was still plastered to her face when she reached the flowers. The cheers grew when she raised her hand to greet her subjects. The two knights that were baring the banners moved to either side of her and slid the end of the poles into the waiting stands with a click.
The loud applause continued and a soft breeze blew across the balcony and dislodged a few flower petals and ruffled the banners. Zelda watched the petals drift to the crowd below, where she saw some of the Hylians push each other trying to grab them.
Whether it was the setting sun or the flurry of colors from the Hylians below, Zelda felt tears prick the edges of her eyes. With a last wave, she turned toward the doors and away from prying eyes.
~§~
"Did you want something to drink, Lady?" Bridget flitted around Zelda's hair, fixing any imperfections the priest had made when he placed the crown on her head. The red velvet crown had already been placed back into the royal vault. Bridget was adjusting her new silver tiara on Zelda's head. Zelda had expected it to be more elaborate than her princess tiara but it was only a simple circlet.
"No." Zelda's stomach tightened at the mention of any food or drink. She would have to force down the court dinner before dancing well into the night. Well, the dinner she could fake to some extent but she would be forced to dance with the cabinet members that guided her father throughout his rule.
When Bridget declared her perfect once again, Zelda stood and signaled to the knights outside her door to follow her into the dining hall.
Zelda's cheeks had started to ache from her fake smile as she settled herself at the elevated table near the back of the room. From this vantage point, Zelda was able to see all the court. Her new advisors sat near her, the head of which on her left side. She requested that her right side remain empty, in honor of her father. Chancellor Graves, the head advisor, seemed to think this was a boon and immediately tried to engage Zelda in talking of politics. He soon desisted with a sour look when he realized she wasn't paying him much attention.
The remaining tables below consisted of Dukes and Counts along with their families, the highest ranking on the closets tables to her. Some of them were staring unabashedly at her, others disguised their glances by drinking and taking a peak over the rim of their goblets.
Zelda had murmured to a passing servant to bring her something to sooth her stomach and she had been sipping on it throughout the dinner. She ate a few bites of each course just to satisfy the people watching her. Even with the soothing drink, Zelda's stomach still churned.
The chatter increased as the dinner finished and the large double doors opened at the right side of the room to a decorated ball room. Her dinner guests moved table by table to the other room where a stringed ensemble was warming up.
Lost in her thoughts, a soft but firm grip on her shoulder made Zelda jump with surprise. The hand belonged to Sir Evans, a silver haired knight dressed in almost the same colored silver armor. The only exception being the helmet had a gold band along the edges that marked him as captain of the Royal Guard.
"Are you alright, your Majesty?" He whispered.
Tears had started to form again and Zelda looked straight up to keep them from spilling down her cheeks. When the heaving in her chest subsided, she got up from the table and turned toward the ballroom.
Sir Evans had moved his six-man guard in a half circle around Zelda for protection. The guards' armor matched their Captain. Their silent manners and tall broad shoulders gave Zelda a sense of bears watching out for their young from unseen predators. She had watched this guard protect her father as well and sighed. Though she thought that there were supposed to be eight men in the Royal Guard. The normal thought distracted her enough so the knot in her stomach lessened to a dull throb.
She turned her attention back to Sir Evans. "Do you miss him?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them.
Sir Evans permanently fierce look softened slightly, Zelda was reminded of a younger Evans that protected her father without sleep when she was but a child. "Aye," He replied. "He was my greatest friend." Zelda nodded. He and her father had grown up together, as all royalty was trained in basic combat. Even Zelda was skilled in swordplay and archery.
The captain offered his arm and Zelda took it. He led the way to the ballroom, the six other knights following.
Before they reached the doors, a tickling cling sounded followed by two soft thuds. Sir Evans sighed and turned around. "Pick it up, Link."
"Sir." A voice answered him, much younger and lighter than Sir Evans' gravelly one. Zelda turned to see a much shorter knight squat down to pick up the apples that he had knocked out of the crystal bowl. Zelda had not noticed him earlier. His helmet was bronze instead of the silver that the remainder of the squad had. Zelda knew that marked him as a knight but new to the Royal Guard.
He was scrambling to pick up the apples quickly and hastily placed them back in the bowl and settled back into position. The sword on his hip was much shorter than the sword of the knight next to him but it was still less than an inch from the ground. His golden blonde hair, more golden than Zelda's, seemed to poke out under the edges of his helmet in an almost comical way. He looked like he was entering twenty summers, around the same age as Zelda.
Zelda was about to turn back around when the young knight looked at her and she felt a jolt course through her body and stop at her stomach. The new sensation seemed to loosen her knot of worries. His eyes were such a bright blue that she stared much longer than was considered decent for a member of royalty. Link held her gaze and Zelda saw that it was rock steady. This knight had no fear.
"Shall we, your Majesty?" Sir Evans patted the arm she had linked through his.
Zelda started than faced the ballroom again. "Yes."
~§~
As expected, Zelda danced with the many advisors and those of which she needed favor for several hours. Drink had begun to flow more freely and the stiff affair was turning into a late night party. Zelda had retired from dancing. She now received guests' compliments and congratulations with humble thanks. The line to greet her by her new title and position never seemed to shorten.
Her head advisor sidled up to her and Zelda sidestepped when she realized that he was close enough to be almost touching. "Good evening, Chancellor Graves. Are you enjoying the Crowning Ball?"
Graves seemed displeased that she had put distance between them. "I have been wanting a word with you actually. You seemed distracted at dinner."
Zelda plastered in her smile again. "I apologize Chancellor. I have been immensely busy for a few weeks now, as you know." The knot in Zelda's stomach tightened again.
"Yes of course." Graves dipped his head in a small bow. "I do have business that needs your attention right away."
"Can it not wait until tomorrow?"
"No, Your Majesty."
Zelda sighed then nodded. "Then let us get some air so we may talk."
Graves led her to the small balcony off the ballroom that was blocked off from guests for her private use. Zelda nodded at the knights and they lifted their blocking spears to give entry. She heard the spears slide back into place as she walked into the cool night breeze.
Zelda took a few breaths, grateful to be out of the hot ballroom. After a few seconds reprice, she turned to Graves. "What is so important?" She couldn't help the slight harshness to her tone.
Graves pulled a scroll out of his jacket. "Your father and I were discussing actions to take against the Sheikah. As they have been plundering—"
"The Sheikah?" Zelda looked up from the bound scroll. "But no one has seen them in over fifty years. Since right before my father became king."
Graves tapped the top of the scroll for Zelda to take. "Yes, they were driven from the castle once it was revealed that they planned to take the life of your grandfather, in which they succeeded."
Zelda skimmed the parchment. "You want me to sign the order to destroy their last remaining peaceful village?" Her voice had gone cold.
Graves cleared his throat, "this is just a summary report. If you had read the others, you would be able to see the damage—"
Zelda rolled the parchment up. "Why was this not brought to me sooner?"
"You were not yet Queen and we were not able to confide these matters to you at the time."
"Not even after I had accepted to rule after my father? The ceremony is just for show. I signed the document accepting the bloodline right in front of you." Zelda felt the hand with the scroll in it twitch. The document crinkled. "You signed it right after me. We signed it mere hours after my father died."
"Your Majesty, please—" Graves looked slightly uneasy now.
"No, Chancellor Graves. I have been attending meetings all week after my allotted grieving time. I have already signed orders that were followed. You are the head advisor, leaving this until now is a grave oversight on your part. This will be brought up tomorrow at the advisory meeting. Leave my sight."
Graves hesitated, glancing at the scroll still in Zelda's hand. She followed his gaze. "This document will remain in my possession until I have made a decision."
Graves gave a short nod and hurried from the balcony. Zelda huffed and leaned on the edge of the balcony, breathing as deeply as she could. The cold air stabbed at her lungs.
Zelda struggled to regain her peace. Quick to anger was a weakness for her. Her father always chided her for it. Her mother always said that she was blessed with wisdom from the goddesses. The price for her wisdom was inability to control her anger once she was upset.
Zelda began to pace again. She needed to see those other reports on the Sheikah. Why on the goddesses green fields would her father try to wipe out a race of people that had protected the royal family since the dawn of Hyrule?
She knew that they had been driven out because of her grandfather's death. They were accused of hoodwinking the king into doing their bidding. And when the king tried to fight it, he was killed. Zelda grew up with the stories. Her nursemaid made sure that she knew that the Sheikah were an evil race. As such, she had never laid eyes on one. All the documents depicting their likeness were removed from the library by her father and placed in his private files. A hidden place only known to her father and those he trusted.
Files she had access to now as Queen.
With a plan forming, Zelda turned and almost tripped over a knight kneeling before her. She stumbled back, catching herself on the railing. She had not heard him approach her.
It was the bronze helmeted knight that dropped the apples earlier. "Sir Link, was it?" He kept his position and nodded to the floor.
"You may rise." He did. His scabbard scraped the floor as he got to his feet. Zelda was almost knocked speechless by his eyes again. They were flooded with concern this time.
"You are worried. Are you seeing if I'm upset?" Link nodded again. Zelda sighed again, she was doing that a lot this evening. She couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her lips when she focus on his messy hair. "I am fine." Another nod.
He doesn't speak much. She studied him again. Though he was on the shorter side compared to many of her other knights, he was well defined. The armor he wore did hide some of the muscles she knew he had. Only hard work got you accepted into the Royal Guard.
Zelda fought down a blush at her ready assessment of Link. His demeanor did something to her. She felt safe with him with no real explaination. His eyes continued to pierce her. They no longer held concern but the gaze was still friendly. Knights didn't normally hold her gaze like Link did. Zelda found it strangely comforting.
"Would you like to escort me back to the party?" Link stepped to her side and offered his arm at once. She couldn't help but smile. It was her first real smile in days.
After a few more hours of accepting gratitude from her guests, Zelda wished to lay in her soft bed. Fortunately, she wasn't required to dance anymore and tucked herself into a shadowy corner when she found she was free of people coming up to her. Link followed her around like a lost puppy. She had a feeling that Sir Evans made him trail her because of the clumsy episode after dinner.
She tried getting more than a "Yes, your Majesty" or "No, your Majesty" out of him but he was not the talking type. Questions that required more than a yes or no only got her a deliberate blink from his blue eyes and slight cocking of his head.
When the sun peaked out over the horizon, Zelda declared the ball over and her guards ushered the stragglers from the castle and finally retired to her rooms.
~§~
Bridget had taken pity on Zelda and let her sleep until early afternoon before rousing her.
"I don't remember celebrations lasting that long when I was younger." Zelda mumbled as Bridget led her to the bath.
"The king always sent you to bed early, Lady." Bridget giggled as she helped Zelda out of her bedclothes and into the warm bath.
"Hmm," Zelda sank into the soothing water. "Father did me a favor then."
Bridget giggled again and left Zelda to soak. "Call me when you've finished."
Within an hour, Bridget had Zelda cleaned, dried and dressed. She was just putting the finishing touches on her hair when there was a knock on the door. Bridget went to answer it.
"I have been sent to tell her Majesty that the advisor's council is ready to begin once she is ready." It was Sir Evans' voice. There was a thump on the door and Zelda heard his voice murmur words she didn't catch. Bridget replied low as well, she ended her words with a good humored snicker.
Zelda did a final adjustment on the circlet. The missing weight was going to take a bit to get used to. When she approached the door, Bridget bowed and stepped back. Sir Evans had an annoyed look but immediately bowed as well. "Are you ready, your Majesty?"
One final nod and they were off, Sir Evans escorting Zelda as Link trailed behind them. "Just one other guard today?" Zelda couldn't help the gibe at the Captain and bit her lower lip to hide her smile.
Sir Evans tutted. "I am training this young one to be silent but it seems my lessons are not working." His arm twitched under Zelda's grasp, the only outward sign of his irritation. "And as we are in the castle around trusted staff, I felt no need to bring more than the knight that needs to learn as quickly as possible."
"Of course." Zelda replied, clearing her throat to keep her voice even. "As I was not informed, I assume that the guests were directed out of the castle with no incident following the end of the Crowning Ball?"
"Yes, your Majesty. Everyone was in good spirits."
Zelda knew that Sir Evans meant that no one seemed unhappy at the thought of her taking over the crown and bloodline. No attempts were made on her life last night but she still had her whole rule ahead of her. Her father was a kind and just ruler and she knew most of her guests from last night were waiting to pass judgement until she made her first decree. Right now, all they could judge were her dancing skills and the way she dressed.
Before she was ready, Sir Evans had finished escorting her to the Advisor's Hall and knocked on the door after receiving Zelda's curt nod.
A Royal Guard knight opened the door from the inside and Sir Evans stepped back to stand behind Zelda on her right side. It was important that she walked in alone. Link moved in front of the doorway once they had stepped inside and pulled the door closed. He was to make sure the meeting was not disturbed.
"Ah, your Majesty. Welcome to the hall." Chancellor Graves put on his best demeanor, no doubt extra cheerful in light of the conversation they had last night.
The Advisor's Hall was longer than it was wide. A table in the center fit the room. Graves was already seated at the end closest to the door, he had temporarily vacated his seat to bow in welcome.
Zelda began her trek to the other end of the table and took her place at the head. Her chair was more elaborate than the other in the room. Those waiting for her presence by standing at the edges of the room took their seats as well and Graves banged his wooden gavel for silence.
"I hearby state the first official meeting of newly crowned Queen Zelda and her advisors to be in session. As always, the most important matters are to be brought up first." Graves shuffled the papers in front of him. On both Zelda's and Graves' immediate left sides, court transcribers had already begun to scribble on their parchments.
Zelda stayed silent. She knew Graves needed to speak first. If he failed to bring up the issue of last night, then Zelda could force him to leave the room for withholding information. She knew that this was a meeting that Graves did not want to miss.
The silence was almost comical. The advisors seated between Graves and Zelda turned their heads from one to the other, waiting to see who would break first. Zelda almost smirked, she would not be the one to forfeit this match. Graves had made a mistake in letting Zelda know about the treatment of the Sheikahs so she had time to process the situation and calm down. It would have been much more effective if he'd sprung it on her during this meeting. She was not proud to admit it but Zelda knew she could act rashly if provoked enough.
Graves cleared his throat. "Your Majesty, as we discussed last night, we have had many reports of the Sheikah terrorizing our smaller villages. This includes the ones closest to the hidden village that they call home. The citizens of those villages are requesting our aide to stop them."
"Yes, so you said. But per our conversation last night, you wanted to raid the Shiekah's hidden villlage and wide them out. Effectively ending a race older than the Hylians."
"I feel that if we cease the problem at its source, we will be able to control the damage and prevent further damage to the country."
Zelda narrowed her eyes. "Violence done to us does not mean we have to be violent in retaliation. I will not sign an order ending their lives when a new peace treaty can be forged."
Some of the advisors were nodding in agreement with Zelda's words. The man on Graves' left, Advisor Clement frowned and leaned over to mumble words in Graves' ear. Zelda eyed the man until he hastily leaned back into his own space. Graves mirrored the frown Zelda knew was on her face.
"We have been in council about this problem with King Rhoam for about six moons before he became ill. We are wanting a solution for this problem." The speaker was short man name Gibbon. He shrank back into his chair once Zelda turned to face him.
"And I was not notified of this problem until last night, mere hours after I was presented to the public." Zelda turned her cold gaze to each of the thirteen advisors in turn. "I have been attending these meetings for a week and nothing was ever said to me. Withholding this information when I could've already made a decision to help our knights might have cost some lives."
Advisors Gibbon and Kane shifted in their seats. Graves and Clement showed no emotion as she spoke. "As I have just been made aware of this situation, I am going to need every report containing any information concerning the Sheikah attacks. I want everything, including attacks that we initiated."
The room echoed with the scratches from quill to parchment. "Am I understood?" Zelda looked to Graves.
Graves had leaned over to reply to Clement and Zelda had enough. "Chancellor Graves, is that something you want to share with the rest of the council?"
Both Graves and Clement looked affronted at being addressed like children. "Please your Majesty, we only want the protection of our people."
"As do I." Zelda cut across him cleanly. "You will bring me all the reports, Chancellor."
Graves glared at her but nodded his head. "Yes, your Majesty." He looked through his notes. "I also want to report that your plans for building a citizen shelter are moving forward. However, you have received some formal complaints about your plans for allowing non-titled men to join the castle guards."
"They would only like bluebloods to join? They are men, just like you."
"I beg your pardon!" Clement burst out. "I am titled."
"And I am a queen, Advisor Clement. You know I am skilled with the sword and bow. I wish to give men that want a different choice for his life to be available that was not previously offered to him. We could be missing out on a master bowman or strategist for nothing else than being born without a title." Zelda knew she was going to get resistance but she felt the time was right for a change. "I believe the selections of able men have already been underway."
Clement scoffed. "And how do you propose to weed out the good from the bad. You cannot be considering letting any man that expresses an interest to join the knighthood. And what of women? Would you let them join too?" He gave Zelda a smug smile that made her narrow her eyes.
"Men that want to join will be trained in the basics. After a time they will be tested on skills they have learned, including temperament. Commander Jowl and Captain Evans will make the final approval. And I'm glad you mentioned women as I believe we should be able to let them join after we have sorted out the untitled men."
The silence was deafening. Even the scribes paused in their scratching on the scrolls.
Celement folded his hands together in an attempt to keep them from shaking in anger. "A Captain will be part of the final? Surely Commander Teal will be invloved as well? As he ranks higher." He ignored the addition of women, to which Zelda decided to let go for now. As she was about to disorganize the ranks, she wanted that settled before adding more stress.
Zelda mimicked Celement's geture but gave a perfect picture of complete control. "Commander Teal will be training the new recruits personally. All three will be involved in the process."
"But why a Captain?"
Zelda smirked slightly. "As you know, Captain Evans is the leader of the Royal Guard. He and his squad protected my father for years. As a close protector of the royal family, I felt that his input would serve well to decide who has the skills to serve the crown. He decides who is in the Royal Guard and only the top knights are even considered."
Clement glowered at her but said nothing. Graves handed the complaints to the scribe seated next to him. The scribe rushed over to place the scrolls in front of Zelda. "When do these complaints demand an answer?"
"In three days time." Graves said, taking over for the scowling Clement.
"Will we be inviting the issuers of the complaints to the castle to hear the final say?"
"If it pleases you, your Majesty." Clement leaned back into his chair. Zelda knew that he was done speaking for this meeting. Graves' pile of documents was significately less now that the letters of complaints were in front of Zelda.
"Please set it up. Will all the issuers be able to travel to the castle in three days?"
Graves flipped over a document. "Yes, your Majesty."
"Very well. Any other reports that need my input?" Zelda glanced around the table for any fidgets. She could normally get the advisor to talk if she gazed at him long enough.
"No, your Majesty." Graves rolled up the remainder of his scrolls and tied them together with a red string. He lifted the gavel to end the meeting.
Zelda waited until all the other advisors left and caught Graves at the door. "May I have a word?" Zelda said. Graves shuffled his paperwork and turned to motioned for Link to close the door after the last adviser left. Captain Evans stayed as well.
"We will need the room, Captain." Graves said pointedly.
"He may stay. I have a request for you."
"A request?"
"I know that my father had a room filled with his personal documents and books. A secret library only available to him and those he chose. I want access to this room."
Graves merely looked confused. "A secret library, your Majesty?" Graves replied.
"Yes, my father told me of such during his bed rest."
"I assure you, there is no such place."
"Pardon?" Zelda felt her body flush with anger she knew would travel to her cheeks. Her father told her who knew and had access to the room. Graves and Clement were two of them. Only four people total had permission to enter. Zelda was unsure of the identity of the last person. Why was Graves denying his knowledge of the room. She was the ruling monarch, no place was off limits for her.
"All documentation and books of a sensitive nature are located in the library, next to the—"
"Yes I know, I have visited that part of the library already. I am speaking of a different room." Zelda struggled to keep her voice calm.
"Perhaps His Majesty was confused as the illness took hold. The only place where only the advisors and you would have access is the locked room located at the back of the library."
Zelda had given Graves enough chances to reveal the room to her. She was purposefully being kept in the dark. She did not forget the extremes that Graves took to try and convince her to abdicate the throne in favor of the closest blood relation. Graves' father was Zelda's grandfather's sister's child. He was a Duke himself and would've taken the crown if Zelda refused. His major complaint was that the stress of running a kingdom would be too much for her as she was a woman.
She would never forget that. Clement and Tabios of her advisors had agreed with him. It was why Clement scoffed at the idea of women joining the palace knights. Zelda knew that if it wasn't for her bloodline and the law that her grandfather passed allowing a female decendant to take over the crown if first born, that Graves would have been crowned before her people yesterday.
After Graves blinked confusedly at her for a few moments, Zelda realized that she would need to play dumb. "I apologize Chancellor Graves. My father must've meant that hidden section."
Graves looked taken back for a second before recovering. "Yes, your Majesty."
"Good day, Chancellor Graves."
"Good day, your Majesty."