The Aftermath (Queen Caroline)

Lord Gregor and a hundred winter knights stormed the ballroom and captured the fire mages. Lord Rafael knelt beside King Casimir who laid unconscious his body covered in lesions, the vine must have been poisonous he thought as he quickly summoned the palace healers. Two winter knights bowed to Queen Caroline and in soft tones spoke to her.

"Your Majesty we must escort you back to the Winter Palace there is much work that needs to be done."

"We will have the Chancellor Vance and spymaster sift their minds to find the mastermind behind this whole disaster."

"We must make haste."

"I will come with you, but I will also return here to see that justice is served for the sake of my father." Queen Caroline arose and left the ballroom.

The ashes of her father were collected and placed inside an urn.

She clutched the urn and got into a carriage that awaited her, and back to the Winterlands she returned.

As the towers of the Winter Court Castle came into view, she felt peaceful, finally she would be home but this time she would find out those who stood with her and those who would be against her from within her own court.

The next day, all the nobles assembled and the people waited outside the palace gates, as news of the King Allan's death spread.

The high priest anointed her the next Queen placing her mother's heavy white diamond crown upon her head. 

"Do you solemnly swear to uphold the good cause of your court and your people. Ensuring our borders are safe and our people's well-fare preserved."

"I do." She replied.

"I crown you Caroline Eira DeWynter, Queen of the Winterlands," said the high priest.

"Long live the Queen, Long live the Queen," the nobles and the people cheered.

As the cheering faded, a moment of silence was observed before Queen Caroline said:

"As many of you know my father King Allan died in the ballroom of the Summer Palace willing to trade his life to the flames for mine. I am here to declare that he did not just die as a king, he died as a hero. My hero, and as his daughter I too hope to be willing to make the same sacrifices he made to see this kingdom flourish.

With that said, I must emphasize that the Summerlanders are not the enemy and will not be our enemy. As my father strived hard to maintain peace with all the neighboring courts, I too shall make the same efforts. Anyone caught standing against me or trying to disrupt the peace will either be executed or face banishment from these lands.

For now we do not know the state of affairs the Summer Court is in as their king is unwell and severely injured. We must hope they recover as for the union of marriage promised between our courts it will continue to stand, unless King Casimir deems it null and void. I trust you will all adhere to what I am saying and to that which I stand for."

There was an applause as some nobles stood up enthusiastically, while some furrowed their brows at her speech.

She would meet with her nobles once again to discuss matter of the land and how to deal with them.

The coronation ceremony ended, yet she still sat on the sapphire throne after every single noble had left the throne room was empty.

The tears fell as she wished her father was still with her guiding her on.

She promised to herself his death would not be in vain.

Her stepmother Queen Lysandra stepped out from the shadows and approached her throne.

Doing a deep curtsey, she said.

"I wish to return to my home, Your Majesty as I fear you have no use of me here."

"I just lost my father and now you want me to release back to your homeland?" Queen Caroline asked dejectedly.

"Yes, I mean to be of some use to you in the Spring Court and I wish to see my own children."

"Yes, you left them for father, I forget you had a another life a long time ago."

"Very well, your request is granted."

"You will always be welcomed here, Mother." She said softly before she got up and left the throne room.

Queen Caroline removed her heavy crown, changed into her nightclothes and fell into bed.

She was fast asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

She had not gotten any sleep since she left the Summer Palace.

Her body was thoroughly exhausted, her mind refused to think and her heart was too worn out to feel anymore.