Chapter 9 - The Seven Crowns
Seven crowns appeared above the kingdom.
One over every region.
The priests called it a miracle.
The nobles called it disaster.
Tomas found the explanation inside the third Charter.
WHEN ONE CROWN BECOMES A WEAPON OF OWNERSHIP, DIVIDE ITS BURDEN.
Cassian stared.
“The crown was never meant to remain one forever.”
The seven crowns represented seven regional Stewards.
No ruler would command the entire kingdom alone.
Elara grinned.
“I like Queen Amara.”
Tomas laughed.
“I thought you might.”
But supporters of the old monarchy reacted violently.
They formed a group called the Black Seal.
Their slogan:
ONE CROWN. ONE KING. ONE LAW.
Then Captain Dain disappeared.
Rowan believed he had betrayed them again.
Elara disagreed.
Two days later a package arrived.
Inside was Dain’s badge.
And a warning.
THE BLACK SEAL WILL ATTACK THE CHOOSING OF STEWARDS.
Rowan asked:
“Do we trust him?”
Elara answered:
“No.”
Everyone stared.
“Then what?”
“We check whether he is right.”
Mara smiled.
“That may be the most adult sentence you have ever said.”
Investigators searched the assembly routes.
They found hidden explosives beneath two bridges.
Dain had told the truth.
Rowan found him wounded inside an abandoned aqueduct.
Dain whispered:
“I thought loyalty meant obeying the strongest man.”
“And now?”
“It means warning people even when they hate you.”
The Choosing proceeded safely.
Seven Stewards were selected.
A farmer.
A physician.
Two nobles.
A teacher.
A merchant.
A former soldier.
And a judge.
Different people.
Different interests.
No single crown above them.
Then the central Star Crown appeared above Elara again.
Everyone waited.
She raised both hands.
“No.”
The crown stopped.
Cassian whispered:
“Elara?”
She stared at it.
“I don’t want to wear you until I understand what you want.”
The crown slowly descended.
Not onto her head.
Into her hands.
For the first time—
May you like
a crown obeyed a question.
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