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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 395. The Queen First Day I
🕑 Added 2025-05-02 18:13:13 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 395. The Queen First Day I
Down the hall, deeper inside the castle, another day was beginning for someone else, too.
Rose woke up late. Well, late for her. The sun had already climbed up enough to warm the windowsill and light up the polished stone floor of her chamber. The curtains were drawn halfway, letting in that soft glow that made the room feel almost dreamy—like something from a painting. She blinked once, then again, realizing the spot beside her was already empty.
She sat up slowly, brushing her hair back with her fingers. “Of course he’s gone,” she muttered.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed and let her bare feet touch the cool floor. The sensation made her sigh, grounding her a little. Somewhere in the distance, she could already hear voices echoing faintly through the corridors. Pages running about. Servants prepping something. A horse braying from the far stables.
Today was her first day as queen.
And no one had let her forget it. Not yesterday. Not last night. Not even the dress she’d been forced to wear to sleep—light, satiny, but with the kind of embroidery only someone “of status” would ever consider appropriate sleepwear.
Rose stretched, stood, and crossed the room to the washbasin. The water was already fresh, no doubt changed by her maids at dawn while she was still sleeping. The scent of herbs and dried flowers clung to the air—lavender, mostly. Something calming. Meant to keep the new queen relaxed.
She splashed water on her face and blinked the last of sleep away.
Then the door opened gently.
Claire stepped inside, already dressed and holding a folded stack of parchment. Her hair was pinned up, her steps purposeful, her expression as calm as ever. Rose didn’t know if she envied that or appreciated it.
“Good morning, Your Majesty,” Claire said, the corner of her mouth twitching in the barest ghost of a smirk.
Rose groaned and waved one hand. “We’re really doing the ‘Your Majesty’ thing now?”
Claire tilted her head. “You’re the queen now.”
“Unfortunately.”
“Would you prefer I bow every time I enter a room?” Claire asked, all dry sarcasm.
“That will be unnecessary.”
Claire smiled and held out the papers. “Your schedule. Your first task begins in an hour.”
Rose took the pages and scanned them. “Of course it does.”
There was a tea meeting with the steward in charge of city construction. A visit to the small orphanage near the south wall. A review of supply documents from the lower farms. It wasn’t grand or political or anything that screamed queenly glory, but... maybe that was the point. But before all of this started, she needed to meet up with the chancellor.
She liked that, in a way. Starting small. Getting a feel for what the people actually needed instead of playing games in court.
Claire moved to the vanity and began organizing a few things, then paused. “King Angelus’s already started the day.”
Rose nodded. “I figured. Let me guess—he’s been working since sunrise?”
“He was already dressed when I walked past the study,” Claire said. “Cley looked... mature. It was unsettling.”
Rose laughed. “Gods, that is unsettling.”
She pulled on her robe and sat near the window for a moment while Claire prepared the rest of her wardrobe. Outside, the city was starting to stir. She could hear it. Feel it. The heartbeat of Euphorion. It wasn’t the same rhythm as Zephyrus—it was heavier, older, but steady.
It didn’t feel like a stranger anymore.
It felt like hers.
Claire handed her a simple but elegant gown—cream with soft blue accents—and helped her change. No corset. No crown. Just something dignified and practical. Queenly, but approachable.
As Claire fixed the last pin in her hair, Rose looked at her reflection. She barely recognized the woman staring back. But for once, that wasn’t a bad thing.
“Do you think I can really do this?” she asked, voice quiet.
Claire met her eyes in the mirror. “You already are.”
And with that, the new queen rose to her feet, adjusted her sleeves, and stepped out into her first full day of ruling.
Far across the castle, Angel glanced up from his newest report, eyes flicking toward the distant door for no real reason.
He smirked.
She’s awake.
