The room rattled with the whispers of the royal council. Each man had served the former Emperor for most of their lives, and just a few minutes ago, he had been announced dead. Now all these old men could do was argue on what their next move was..

At the head of the large wooden table was an empty chair; a little lower sat two young women. One had barely left formal education, whilst the other had barely started it. The daughters of Emperor Hexilth.

“We shouldn’t be making any decisions until Laymirith is present.” A thin man covered in medals spoke first, cutting through the gossip that had filled the chamber.

Another let out a booming laugh at this, his large stomach bounced with each breath “You really are going senile, Wintos!” He let out another laugh before coughing just as loud.

“The boy prince has left us, he was never going to be enough man to take over from his father, at least he admitted that before it was too late.” The fat man continued.

“That’s treason!” A third lord rose to his feet and jabbed his finger up the table.

“The truth is treason now, eh!?”

“It is coming out of your fat mouth, Carris!”

“Come here and say that to me, fool!”

The room erupted into shouts and insults. The younger of the princesses coward in her chair, bringing her knees up to her chin.

“Why are they being so loud, Cecilia…” She whispered before she looked to the floor, holding back tears.

Her older sister smiled warmly, “Shall I make them stop, Dia?”

Dia didn’t respond, she merely nodded.

Cecilia rose to her feet. The room fell silent in an instant.

“Gentlemen, please.” She paused, “You’re scaring my sister.”

A moment passed, before the room exploded again into argument. Cecilia's face scrunched up as she slammed her hand on to the table

“Maybe I was not clear” She spoke louder this time, but not yelling. Never yelling.

“That meant shut up.” Cecilia added before she placed her hands behind her back pushing herself forwards, a loud crack was heard as she adjusted herself with a wince.

“Out of respect for your father I won’t throw you out of the room for that girl.” Carris spoke through his teeth.

“You’re too kind my Lord,” Cecilia smirked, “Do you believe this arguing is producing anything of value my Lord?”

“I doubt you’d understand even if it did, Princess” Wintos butted in.

At least Cecilia was able to unite the Lords against her with a few words, that was progress.

“No going back now” she whispered to herself.

“My lords, my dear brother isn’t coming back. That much is clear.” She started to slowly walk down the table, behind each lord she stopped for a moment before taking another step.

“We need to pass the crown to another of my blood, my uncle maybe? The drunk who lost his mind at the battle of Wrot? Or my cousin, Delore, the boy of four.” She took a deep breath and smiled, standing next to a large wooden door which had her family slogan engraved in it, this is where she would make her case.

“Or me.” she let her words hang for a minute. And then another. And another. The room sat silent, each man processing what she had dared to suggest.

Wintos spoke first “My Princess. Please do yourself an honour and pardon yourself from our court.”

Another of the lords laughed “Maybe we should push Princess Dia to the purple too!”

“Come on Dia stand up and make your case” Another mocked grabbing Dias arm.

Cecilia clenched her fist “Do you forget yourself my lord!” she called down the table.

“Release her now.” She ordered.

“What are you going to do about it, wench?” He gripped the young girls arm tighter.

“Nothing.” Cecilia responded, opening the door behind her and stepping to one side. A young man dressed in formal military uniform stood in the opening, behind him stood ten men, each armed with rifles pointed into the room.

“What is the meaning of this?”
“Who allowed this commoner into the court of lords!”

“You’ll hang for this boy!”

Each man panicked, trying to make excuses for why reality before their eyes was fake.

“Release Dia my lord.” Cecilia ordered again, this time the lord was far more susceptible to the command, pushing Dia away from him.

“Cover your eyes darling.” Cecilia smiled at her sister again.

“Do it.” She added as gun fire filled the room.

Screams and the sound of bolts.

Panicked pleas to various gods.

Silence.

The smoke cleared as Cecilia was able to observe the carnage she had caused. Bodies were laid around the room, covered in burn marks and holes.

She walked over the graveyard she had created and took her sister's hand.

“Don’t open your eyes, just follow my lead and step when I say to step.” Cecilia slowly started leading Dia out of the room, making sure to avoid any damage that could hint to Dia what had just happened.

Cecilia handed Dia to one of her guard and leaned down to hug her

“Go with this man now, he’ll take you somewhere safe.” She squeezed her sister once more.

The formal man approached the Princess and bowed.

“Princess Cecilia, it’s an honour to serve you once more.” He spoke with a forced posh accent, clearly trying to mask his common background.

“Enough of the formalities, Gabriel.” Cecilia smirked at him and gently hit his arm.

“Not a bad day's work, Eh?” Gabriel responded looking around the room. “So, what do we do now, Princess?”

“Find me a news crew, Admiral Catash and General Isinghower.” She reeled off orders as if she was born for this. Walking around the room as she did picking up medals from the fallen Governors.

“A brutal display of power by my brother has caused destruction amongst our most high powered lords.” She grinned and walked to the body of Carris gently closing his eyes with the palm of her hand. Gabriel bowed and turned with his men to leave the room before freezing at the sound of Cecilia's final order.

“And it’s Empress now. Not Princess.”

Hexilith

Hexilith

Part 1 - Princess

Dialogue