The Battle for the Throne

The men, women, children, and servants of the royal family were dragged out, brought before the palace square.

Raymond glanced at the terrified, sobbing royal family members, but there was no intention of holding a trial. There was no need for any more effort.

His eyes grew cold, and with no mercy in his voice, he gave a chilling order: "Kill them all. Leave no one alive!"

At this merciless command, swords flashed, screams filled the air, and blood poured like rivers across the square. The pungent smell of blood permeated the atmosphere. The once-proud royal family was obliterated in a brutal massacre, vanishing into the dust of history.

Noblemen and ministers across the land, upon hearing the dreadful news from the palace, turned pale with fear. Though shocked and terrified, none dared to rebel. Like birds caught in a hunter's trap, they huddled together, whispering in hushed voices, yet none could fathom the full extent of the Holy Light Church's plans. They could only wait, uncertain of the fate awaiting them.

For centuries, the influence of the Church had far surpassed that of the royal family in Lann kingdom. The will of the Holy Light Church hung like the sword of Damocles over everyone's heads. No one dared to defy its authority.

As anxiety swept through the nobles, an official notice arrived, reaching every noble and minister's hands. The notice declared that everyone must continue their duties and ensure the smooth functioning of the court. Chaos or negligence would not be tolerated. Furthermore, three days later, the Holy Light Church would host a meeting to elect a new emperor.

The news sparked a faint glimmer of hope amidst the dread.

The Lansk family, the second most powerful noble house in the kingdom, received the momentous news with an overwhelming sense of excitement. In the dimly lit family hall, Duke Lanskar's eyes sparkled with burning ambition. He thought to himself:

"This is the opportunity the heavens have given me! The royal family has been destroyed, and now, within the entire kingdom, who is better suited to sit on the throne than I? My chance is as good as it gets!"

Unable to contain his growing excitement, Duke Lanskar quickly set plans in motion. He dispatched trusted family members, bearing rich gifts and tempting promises, to begin forging alliances with other nobles.

Under Duke Lanskar's active efforts, other powerful figures in the kingdom also began to stir. In no time, the entire noble circle was in a frenzy, with various factions secretly reaching out to each other. Everyone was plotting in the shadows, trying to push forward their own preferred candidate to claim the throne.

Meanwhile, Rowan, gazing at Evelyn—still two months away from her due date—looked at her with deep affection and gentle anticipation. He softly spoke, "I plan to make you the new emperor."

Evelyn, startled, glanced down at her pregnant belly and furrowed her brows. Hesitantly, she responded, "Can I really do it? After all, this is a matter of the entire kingdom's future…"

Rowan smiled and walked over to her, gently taking her hand. "Don't worry. We can wait for the coronation until after the baby is born. For now, let's just make the decision and move forward."

Evelyn, though comforted, still felt nervous. She bit her lip, visibly torn. "But... I've never done anything like this before. Can I really be a good emperor? Can I manage the kingdom? I'm afraid I'll fail, letting everyone down…"

Rowan's smile softened, and he reached up to gently brush her hair, offering quiet reassurance. "Darling, don't worry. It's just a small kingdom. It's not as complicated as you think. And you won't be alone. I'll be there every step of the way. Think of it as a warm-up for what's to come. Our future will be much bigger than this."

Evelyn exhaled slowly, her anxiety gradually easing as Rowan's soothing words settled in her heart. With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, and for the first time, she began to feel a glimmer of hope and excitement for the challenges ahead.

In the grand hall of the palace, invited nobles and ministers gathered in an atmosphere thick with tension. Rowan, dressed in the opulent robes of the Pope, sat at the high throne of authority. His gaze swept across the room, and after a moment of silence, he spoke with calm resolve:

"Everyone knows by now that the royal family has committed unforgivable crimes. They betrayed the God of Light and abandoned the people of Lann. They have been justly punished. Now, we must elect a capable ruler to take the throne and govern the kingdom."

He then subtly gestured toward Raymond, who immediately stepped forward.

Raymond, clearing his throat, declared in a strong voice, "After a thorough consultation with all the churches across Lann, the followers of the God of Light have unanimously chosen Evelyn as the new emperor."

The words dropped like a bombshell, stirring an uproar in the crowd. Shock and confusion spread like wildfire among the nobles. Many were secretly cursing under their breath. Duke Lanskar's face turned livid with rage.

"This is a joke! We're all called here, and the only candidate is the Pope's wife, a young woman barely twenty! What is this nonsense?"

Some of the nobles had never even heard of Evelyn, let alone expected her to be chosen as the new emperor.

One of the nobles, uncertain of who Evelyn was, asked Raymond, "Excuse me, Bishop, where is Lady Evelyn? Has she arrived today?"

Raymond, unfazed and calm, replied, "Lady Evelyn is with child and near her due date. She is unable to attend today."

The room erupted in a buzz of whispers, voices rising in disbelief. The grand hall seemed to explode with questions and murmurs.