A Kingdom Divided

The midday sun cast long rays over the city of Vespera, but the warmth of its light did little to ease the tension rising in the square. Hundreds of people had gathered at the heart of the city, their eyes fixed on the high balcony of the palace. Whispers filled the air, uncertainty, and suspicion weaving through the crowd like a restless wind.

I stood on that balcony, gripping the stone ledge as I looked down at the people of Vespera. My cloak billowed behind me, and beneath it, I felt the familiar weight of the dagger strapped to my side. My pulse raced, but I fought to keep my expression steady. This was my moment.

Beside me, James stood tall, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. He exuded quiet strength, but I knew this was my fight to lead. The people needed to hear from their princess. I took a deep breath, raised my hand, and waited for the murmurs to subside. The noise gradually faded, leaving only the sound of the wind as I began to speak.

"People of Vespera, you have been ruled by fear for too long.”
“Alec’s reign has come to an end, and today.”
“I stand before you as your princess.”
“I stand before you as your future queen.”
“I will take my place upon the throne to lead this city into a new era."


A low murmur of discontent rippled through the crowd, growing louder. Faces turned cold, eyes narrowing with suspicion and defiance. I saw some shake their heads, while others crossed their arms in challenge.

"You dare claim the throne?" a man shouted, his voice ringing clear.

His words emboldened others, and soon the square erupted in jeers and shouts.

"You were married to Captain Blackthorn!" another woman yelled, her voice sharp with accusation.
"You stood by as he murdered our king and queen!"

The crowd's anger surged like a wave.

"Treason!"
"A traitor's wife!"
"You belong to the past!"
"Your son is the son of a traitor!"

I felt their hatred like a physical blow, but I refused to flinch. My grip tightened on the stone ledge, my knuckles white, but I forced myself to remain still. I had anticipated this backlash. The people still saw me as Captain Blackthorn's wife—a symbol of all that had gone wrong in Vespera.

I was no longer bound to him. His death had freed me, and I would not allow his shadow to dictate my future, or theirs. I raised my hand once more, and the crowd quieted, though their anger simmered just beneath the surface.

"Yes," I said, my voice cold and clear.
"I was married to Captain Blackthorn.”
“I was bound to him by force, not by choice.”
“He is gone now. He was defeated, and the kingdom he sought to rule through fear is no more.”
“Alec is also dead, defeated in battle by the man who stands next to me, who will be king beside me."

Murmurs coursed through the crowd, but I pressed on before they could interrupt again.

"My marriage to Captain Blackthorn ended the day he died," I said, my gaze sweeping across the sea of faces.
"He may have taken your king and queen from you, but I will not let him take your future as well.”
“The king and queen spent their wealth on themselves.”
“I did not stand by his side out of loyalty, I stood beside him out of survival.”
“I survived so that I could stand here today, not as his widow, but as your queen."

The crowd fell silent. Doubt flickered in their eyes, mingled with suspicion and fear, that I could become another Alec. I was not him, and they needed to understand that.

"You question my right to rule.”
"You question my loyalty to Vespera because of the past.”
“I am no puppet of Blackthorn, and I am no mere widow left behind.”
“I have fought for this city, for its people, and I will continue to fight for you, no matter the cost."

Some of the gathered citizens began to shout again, accusing me of seizing power for myself, of being nothing more than a usurper. This time, I did not wait for them to quiet down.

"I know you do not trust me," I declared, my voice rising above the clamor.
"Trust is earned, and I will earn it.”
“I do not expect you to accept me blindly.”
“I expect you to watch me closely, to hold me accountable, and to see that I will not be the ruler you fear.”
“Vespera has been weakened by years of tyranny.”
“That will end today."

I noticed the people hesitating, their anger still present but beginning to shift. Some looked to James, others to the palace behind us, uncertain of what would come next.

"The throne belongs to those who will defend Vespera," I said, my voice steady as I held my head high.
"I am ready to defend it.”
“The future we build will not be shaped by fear, but by strength, unity, and justice.”
“I will lead you.”

A silence fell over the crowd. The resistance I had faced moments before lingered, but it was less fierce now. I knew this was just the beginning, that I would have to prove myself repeatedly. I was prepared for that. James stepped forward, his voice ringing out across the square.

"Isabella speaks the truth.”
“We will rebuild Vespera together.”
“The city’s strength lies not in its past, but in the future we will forge."
"Let the people see the ruler I am," I said.
"Let the future of Vespera begin today."

The crowd remained still for a long moment, uncertainty still clinging to the air. They did not erupt in anger again. I had said what I needed to say; now it was up to them to decide whether they would stand with me or against me.

I turned from the balcony. We left the square behind, knowing this battle was far from over. I would not allow the ghosts of the past to dictate my future. Vespera would have a queen, and I would be the one to claim that crown. Just then, the councilmen intercepted us on our way back into the castle, their faces etched with annoyance.

"We have called a council meeting for right now."