Chapter 60: Chapter 61: the gamble

Elara’s POV

I pulled myself back to the present, to Corvus sitting across from me in the evening light, waiting to see where this conversation would go.

“You gave me truth when you had every reason not to,” I said. “You risked your position on the council. You went against Malakor’s authority. You conducted an investigation you had no official sanction for.” I paused. “And you did it because you thought I deserved to know what I was actually facing, not what others wanted me to think I was facing.”

Corvus nodded slowly. “I did.”

“That’s why I chose you.” I leaned forward. “Not because you’re ambitious but because when it mattered, you gave me the information I needed even though it put you at risk. That’s the kind of advisor I need. Someone who will tell me the truth even when it’s inconvenient. Even when it complicates things.”

“Truth can be uncomfortable, Your Majesty,” he said quietly.

“I’m aware. But I’d rather have uncomfortable truth than comfortable lies.” I settled back in my chair. “I need to know, are you willing to serve as my Chief Advisor? Truly serve, not manage or control or manipulate?”

He was quiet for a long moment, and I could see him thinking through implications, weighing possibilities, considering what this meant for him and for the kingdom.

“I’m willing, Your Majesty,” he said finally. “But I have conditions.”

That surprised me. Not many people made conditions with a queen. They made requests. They made suggestions wrapped in careful diplomatic language. But conditions? Direct, honest, openly stated?

That was bold. Maybe foolish. Definitely interesting.

“Conditions?” I raised an eyebrow.

“If I’m to serve you effectively, I need your honesty in return.” His voice was steady, calm, like he’d thought this through carefully before coming here. “I need to understand what you’re truly facing. What threats you perceive. What goals you’re pursuing. I can’t advise you if I’m working with incomplete information.”

My hand wanted to move to my stomach again. I kept it on the armrest through sheer force of will.

“I can agree to that. Within reason. Some matters must remain private.”

“Personal matters are your own,” he said. “But if those private matters begin affecting your ability to rule, if they start influencing your decisions in ways that could harm you or the kingdom, I need you to tell me. Even if it’s difficult. Even if you don’t want to.”

He was asking me to trust him. To bring him fully into my confidence.

Could I trust Corvus that much? Should I?

Not yet. Not until I knew him better. Not until I was certain his loyalty was to me and not just to whatever position he could build for himself in this new order.

“Agreed,” I said carefully. “What else?”

“I need authority to act in your name when necessary.” He met my eyes. “If the council challenges your decisions, if there are threats that require immediate response, if situations arise where you can’t be consulted quickly enough, I need to know you’ll stand behind the choices I make.”

That was a substantial ask. Authority to act in my name was authority that could be turned against me if he chose. Malakor had tried to claim that authority without asking, making decisions he claimed were “in the queen’s best interests” and presenting them as done deals I couldn’t refuse without looking weak or foolish.

But Corvus was asking. Not taking. And there was a difference.

“You’ll have it,” I said. “With one condition of my own.”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“You consult me whenever possible. You act independently only when time or circumstances make consultation impossible. And you tell me afterward, immediately, what you did and why.” I leaned forward. “I will stand behind your choices. But I need to know what they are. No decisions made in my name without my knowledge unless there’s genuinely no other option.”

“Agreed.” He nodded. “Now, what are your immediate priorities? What do you need from me first?”

I thought for a moment. So many things. So many problems. So many threats closing in from every direction. But I had to start somewhere.

“My personal guard.” I kept my voice neutral, controlled, even though saying it out loud made something twist in my chest. “Like I said before I dismissed Captain Kaelen. I need a replacement. Someone competent. Someone with no loyalty to any council faction. Someone I can trust absolutely.”

Corvus was quiet for a moment. Then, carefully: “May I ask why you dismissed Captain Kaelen? He took fifty lashes for you. From the outside, he seemed… devoted.”

“Personal reasons.” The words came out flat, final. “Not relevant to finding his replacement.”

I could see him trying to read between the lines, trying to figure out what “personal reasons” meant. Trying to decide if this was important information he needed to know or a private matter he should leave alone.

“Of course, Your Majesty.” He paused. “Is there anything else? Any other priorities I should address immediately?”

“The council.” I leaned back in my chair. “Malakor’s removal will create chaos. His allies will be angry, frightened, looking for someone to blame. I need you to manage them. Reassure them. Make sure they understand that this isn’t a purge, just a… restructuring.”

“I can do that.” He nodded slowly. “Most of them will fall in line once they see you’re not coming for their positions. A few might cause trouble. I’ll keep an eye on them.”

“Good.” I stood, and he rose with me. “Then I believe we understand each other.”

He bowed. “I’ll begin immediately, Your Majesty.”

“Thank you, Corvus.”

He moved toward the door, then stopped with his hand on the handle. Turned back. “One more thing, if I may?”

“Yes?”

“Whatever personal matter made you dismiss Captain Kaelen, whatever you’re not telling me about that situation, I want you to know I won’t pry. Your private life is your own.” He met my eyes. “But if it ever becomes something that threatens you, something your enemies could use against you, please tell me. Not because I want to know your secrets. But because I can’t protect you from threats I don’t know exist.”

The words hit harder than I expected. Because he was right. The pregnancy was exactly that kind of threat. The kind that could destroy me if my enemies discovered it before I was ready. The kind I had no plan for dealing with yet.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said quietly.

He bowed once more and left.

The door closed behind him with a soft click, and I was alone again. The study felt bigger somehow. Emptier. Like his presence had filled more space than his physical body should have.

I turned back to the window. The sun was setting now, painting the sky in shades of orange and red. Soon it would be dark. Soon the palace would settle into night, and I’d be alone with thoughts I couldn’t share and fears I couldn’t name and a secret growing inside me that changed everything.

I’d just elevated a relative unknown to the most powerful advisory position in my court. Gambled that his neutrality and honesty would serve me better than Malakor’s experience and manipulation.

I was gambling with everything.

Again.

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