To Command the Doubtful

"You don't need their trust to lead, only their obedience."

Throughout the rest of the night, Kane didn't speak a single word to Soraya. Soraya, radiant in her role as the new bride, was showered with gifts and attention, drawing the eager eyes of nobles who clamored for her favor. Meanwhile, Kane stood at the edge of the room, bracing herself against the constant barrage of glares.

Women flocked to her, drawn by the same intensity that had made her legendary on the battlefield. They admired her strength, her mysterious silence, and her newfound status as Soraya's husband. But the moment they remembered Kane's new station—married to the highest-ranking woman in the kingdom—they pulled back, eyes tinged with frustration and envy. It wasn't just the men who despised Kane for her position beside Soraya. The women burned with jealousy, furious that it wasn't one of them who had captured the knight who had become a symbol of power and prestige.

Men, too, regarded Kane with venomous glares. Their jealousy seeped through every stolen glance, every whispered conversation. To them, Kane had stolen not just Soraya, but the life they all dreamed of—power, honor, and proximity to the throne. Their resentment was palpable, like an unseen force pressing against her.

Kane ignored most of it. She spent the evening in silence, leaning against the balcony's cold stone railing, a glass of wine in hand. The cool night air offered a brief reprieve from the suffocating atmosphere inside. Occasionally, she would dance with Soraya, their hands briefly brushing as they moved together under the watchful eyes of the court. But no words were exchanged. Both knew that this wasn't the time to understand each other—there was an unspoken agreement between them, a recognition that they would remain strangers tonight, despite the ceremony that bound them.

This is my life now, Kane thought, staring out into the darkness beyond the castle walls. This is the path I've chosen. But even as she thought it, doubt gnawed at the edges of her mind. She wasn't sure if she could play the role expected of her, or if she even wanted to.

The next day arrived all too quickly. It was Kane's first morning in her new chamber—the largest in the castle, second only to the king's. The room was grand, with vaulted ceilings and walls adorned with rich tapestries, depicting the victories of the Eldorian royal family. Kane felt out of place, a warrior in a room fit for a king.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at the door. A young maid stepped inside, bowing politely. "Your Highness, I'm the head maid, assigned to serve you. It's my honor to be here," she said, her voice formal yet tinged with nervousness. Kane studied her for a moment, noting how young she seemed for her position.

Kane nodded in acknowledgment, watching as the maid began preparing her clothes for the day. "His Majesty made sure to prepare a vast wardrobe for you before the marriage," the maid explained, pulling out an intricately designed outfit. "This is the uniform for today's military meeting with the highest commanders, scheduled in two hours. There's also a separate room connected to this one for any personal needs."

The maid moved efficiently, helping Kane undress and change into the military attire. The sensation was strange, intimate in a way Kane wasn't used to. No one had ever undressed or dressed her before—it was an oddity of noble life that she found disconcerting. Why can't these people dress themselves? she thought.

Dressed in her new uniform, Kane glanced at the breakfast laid out on the table but felt no appetite. The tension of the previous night lingered, making her stomach churn. Food can wait, she decided, heading out into the royal estate. The morning air was crisp, and Kane welcomed the solitude as she wandered through the castle's grand halls, taking in her new surroundings.

Kane entered the war room, her gaze sweeping across the table lined with nobles and commanders. The tension in the air was palpable, thick as the smoke from the torches that lit the high stone walls. Everyone turned toward her, glares shooting from all directions, suspicion and unease visible in their eyes. Yet, as tradition demanded, they all rose when she stepped inside. Kane paused, feeling the weight of the crown prince title pressing against her chest. They hate this, she thought, but they'll stand up, because they have to.

The men and women seated at the table remained silent until Kane took her seat at the head, where the king would usually preside. The leather-bound chair felt stiff, imposing—a throne of command she wasn't sure she was ready for. But I chose this, she reminded herself, and I'm not turning back now.

"Show me the current military plan," Kane commanded, her voice cutting through the low murmur of the room. One of the senior commanders, with a face weathered by years of combat, handed her a rolled-up map and a series of detailed reports. Kane unrolled the map, her sharp eyes tracing the positions marked out on the parchment. Her heart sank as she took in the layout. This is what they've been working with?

She couldn't hide her disbelief. "We'll need to completely change that up," Kane said, her voice cold and steady. The murmurs began immediately, commanders exchanging nervous glances as they shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"Ka—Your Highness," one of them stammered, clearly struggling with the title, "are you certain?"

Kane's eyes flickered over the room, reading their unease. She leaned forward, her voice firm. "If we continue to rely on outdated tactics, we're simply inviting disaster. We need to adapt or risk losing everything." The confidence in her tone masked the swirl of thoughts racing in her head. They'll never respect me if I hesitate now.

"Sire," another commander protested, "those are not outdated. These are our finest strategies."

Kane folded her arms across her chest. "I respect your experience, but times have changed. If we remain anchored to the past, we'll sink with it."

The room fell silent, the commanders processing her words. The tension was thick, like the still air before a storm. Kane could sense their hesitation, their mistrust of her—an outsider who had once been their enemy now presiding over their most critical decisions. But she didn't flinch. If I'm going to lead, I have to prove them wrong, she thought.

One of the quieter advisors, a man who had barely spoken throughout the meeting, finally spoke up. "Your plan assumes they'll fall for the same old tricks, but we've seen how cunning they've become. We need a new approach, one that keeps them guessing."

Kane turned her gaze toward him, nodding in acknowledgment. "Exactly," she said, pushing the map forward, pointing to the northern flank. "What if we feign weakness here?" Her finger traced a thin line across the northern border. "Let them think we're vulnerable, draw them out into the open. When they move in to strike, we'll hit them hard from the south."

The murmurs grew louder, some nodding in agreement, others shaking their heads.

"That tactic is risky," another commander said, his voice gruff with doubt. "We should play it safe."

Kane's jaw tightened, the frustration creeping into her voice. "I understand your concerns, but playing it safe is what's cost us so much already. We can't afford to hesitate. Lives are at stake, and the old ways won't save us this time."

"Sire, we've already lost territory," another argued, his tone almost pleading. "We can't risk losing more."

Kane leaned forward, her eyes fierce. "I've led men into battle before; I know the weight of command. I've seen what hesitation costs. Trust my judgment, and I promise we'll reclaim what we've lost."

The room fell into an uneasy silence. Kane could feel their doubts hanging in the air like smoke from a dying fire. Finally, one of the older commanders, a veteran with scars marking his face, broke the tension. "I know you're our new commander now, but we can't trust you yet. You were an enemy before. And your ideas… they're reckless."

Reckless. The word stung like a blade, but Kane didn't let it show. She straightened in her chair, locking eyes with the man. "Reckless?" she repeated, her voice low and steady. "Tell me, how many battles have you fought on the frontlines? I've been in the thick of it, facing death head-on. Sometimes, the most daring moves yield the greatest victories."

Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, the room was dead silent. She could see the recognition in their faces, the quiet shame of men who had never bled on the battlefield the way she had. They can doubt me all they want, but they can't deny the truth, Kane thought.

"In my experience," she continued, "the enemy is never where you expect them to be. They won't fall for predictable strategies. We need to outsmart them, not just overpower them."

A few heads nodded, some of the initial resistance crumbling away. Kane pressed on. "If we're going to win this war, we need to evolve. We need to be more than we've been. Who's with me?"

The silence stretched once again, but it was different this time—less of a challenge, more of a consideration. Slowly, one by one, the commanders nodded, some begrudgingly, others with a newfound respect in their eyes. The old ways were falling, and Kane's vision was starting to take root.

The king wasn't there to guide them. It was all on her now.

This is it, Kane thought as the weight of leadership settled onto her shoulders once again. This war won't be won by clinging to the past. It'll be won by those who dare to think beyond it.