The Woman on the Throne

Aaron found himself only five paces from the woman on the throne. Through the gauze curtain, he caught a glimpse of the famed regent princess's beauty.

He had a vague idea why he had been allowed so close.

Suzail's palace had many unwritten rules. One of the less obvious ones governed where visitors knelt during an audience.

It was a favorite little trick of the chamberlain and his attendants.

For a popular, respected noble who tipped generously, the attendants placed the kneeling cushion near the throne. The king's voice carried clearly, making it easier to converse while preserving decorum and fostering goodwill.

For an unpopular, unimpressive noble who refused to tip, they set the cushion far away. The audience became awkward: the king could not hear the noble clearly, yet raising his voice would breach etiquette. Conversation grew much harder.

If the king could not hear, he could ask the noble to repeat himself or send an attendant to inquire. But if the noble could not hear the king, that was far more troublesome.

Was a noble supposed to say "Pardon?" before the throne?

Duke Kenness had solved that problem for Aaron. He had spoken to the attendants beforehand and asked them to put the cushion as close to the throne as possible. It would make answering easier for Aaron, who needed to perform well and leave a good impression on the regent princess during his first palace visit.

Beyond the gauze, the woman's graceful figure was faintly visible.

Alusair Obarskyr was the late King Azoun IV's youngest daughter, the regent princess, and the formidable woman who held Cormyr's government in her hands. She had accompanied her father to war since her teens and earned a fearsome reputation as a daughter of war.

Azoun IV had only two daughters: his elder daughter Tanaerasta and his younger daughter Alusair.

After Azoun IV died in battle, Tanaerasta naturally became first in line to the throne. She received the title of Crown Princess and prepared to take Cormyr's throne when the time was right.

But after leading the kingdom through the end of the Goblin War, the Crown Princess died in childbirth.

Cormyr then faced a serious question of succession.

Under Cormyrian law, if a queen died, her husband, the prince consort, automatically gained the regency. If they had no children, he could adopt a child of royal blood from a collateral branch of the family.

But the Crown Princess had never formally taken the throne. And under Cormyrian law, if she had no children, Azoun's younger daughter Alusair stood first in line to succeed him.

Whether Duke Caspar, the princess's widower, should govern as regent and adopt an heir, or Alusair should inherit the throne, became a loophole in the succession law.

The iron-willed princess had no patience for any of that. She had no time to argue with the kingdom's council or debate Caspar at court, a man whose ducal title was honorary and carried neither power nor lands. Backed by the Purple Dragons and the War Wizards, Alusair seized control of Suzail in a lightning stroke and declared herself regent without the council's approval.

The nobles grudgingly accepted it, but they remained deeply unhappy with her iron-fisted rule, her constant use of the Queen's Blade to issue decrees without the council, and her harsh laws. Duke Caspar, meanwhile, believed his rightful regency had been illegally stolen and traveled far and wide seeking outside support.

Aaron seized the chance to lift his head and study the regent princess's face.

The Child of Chaos found his thoughts in sudden disarray.

One brief look revealed a mature beauty in a long violet-and-gold Duskmoon Violet princess gown. Her golden hair spilled down her back like a waterfall, and her beauty was cold as ice. A chill gleamed in her wine-red, almond-shaped eyes, sharp enough to make a man shudder. When her gaze fell on Aaron's face, her eyes flashed with sudden brilliance—then she concealed it.

Aaron did not dare stare. He lowered his head.

He remembered that Alusair was several years older than him, though he could not recall whether it was seven or eight.

"Aaron Salian?"

"Present."

"This seems to be your first time coming to the palace alone," the regent princess said softly. "You've awakened Extraordinary Charisma. You truly are nothing like you used to be. When Hendry brought me the news, I knew I had to see you."

"It is my honor to be summoned by Your Highness."

"How is your family? Your aunt and uncle, your cousin, and that ten-year-old cousin of yours?"

"They're all well."

Aaron kept his composure, though he felt something strangely out of place.

He sensed two utterly different powers emanating from the princess before him.

The first was draconic presence. Like the family's heirloom suit of dragon-scale plate armor, Alusair gave off a faint draconic aura.

That was easy enough to explain. The regent princess had fought in the Goblin War against an Ancient Dragon. Supposedly, everyone who helped slay a dragon received the Dragon's Gift.

The second was stranger. Beneath the orchid fragrance surrounding Alusair, Aaron sensed an uncanny field like his own Slaanesh's Gift, enveloping her body. They were close enough that he could feel Slaanesh's power stirring within him, plainly resonating with her.

Why?

"Your mission failed. Volk and Hicks both died," the regent princess said softly. She shifted on her seat, crossing her long, straight legs in black stockings with a slight awkwardness that only heightened their beauty.

Her stocking-clad feet rested in black suede stilettos with red soles, their thin heels like two sharp swords. Fine black spider-silk stockings ran from her feet up beneath the knees of her gown. Soft, resilient, and neither too sheer nor too thick, they were a product of the Underdark. A faint hint of skin showed through the delicate silk, lending the shadowed black an irresistible allure across her smooth insteps and knees.

Stockings really are like ribbons on a Christmas tree. You can't do without them.

Aaron let his thoughts wander for a few seconds before beginning his "defense" with utmost care.

"It was a simple mission, Aaron. No one asked you to slay a dragon. You were only to investigate possible Cult of the Dragon activity in the King's Forest, yet two people lost their lives."

"I failed. Please punish me, Your Highness!"

"Enough. I don't intend to punish you for this. I've read your report. You did encounter circumstances beyond your control. On the contrary, I'm pleased for you. As of today, Cormyr has another Sorcerer with Extraordinary Charisma. That's why I summoned you here." The tall beauty on the throne spoke with easy composure. "Rise. Bring Viscount Salian a seat."

Aaron's eyes flickered. First criticism, then approval, followed by a favor beyond his station while she held the upper hand.

My intelligence was wrong. This tall beauty knows her way around court!

If the enemy doesn't move, I don't move. Aaron held fast to the wisdom of his ancestors and the lesson from his previous life's work: Bow more, talk less. He bowed his head again before rising from the cushion and expressing his gratitude.

An attendant brought over a small stool. Aaron sat down and admired the princess's slender calves in black stockings beneath her gown, along with her black suede, red-soled stilettos.

"I hear you're looking for a Sorcerer mentor?" True to her military background, the regent princess disliked idle talk and came straight to the point. "This is Cormyr. You're a Salian, aren't you?"

"Yes. I am your loyal servant." Aaron understood her implication: she was reproaching him for playing games with the royal family. "I simply hope not to run into another cloaked man in an alley."

The woman on the throne fell silent. From behind the gauze, her piercing gaze swept over him like a cold north wind.

She had understood his implication too.

"I know you're a Sorcerer now. Courage and ambition aren't bad things, provided you apply them in the right place." The regent princess gave Aaron a searching look. "Learn from Lady Alustriel, not Sammaster."

Alustriel Silverhand was a legendary Mage, the Second Chosen of Mystra, one of the Seven Sisters of the North, and the leader of Silverymoon. She ruled the city through her formidable magic and exceptional wisdom, earning everyone's love and respect.

Aaron knew less about Sammaster, another legendary Mage. He knew Sammaster had once been Alustriel's lover and was said to have had a romance with the second Goddess of Magic as well. Later, for reasons Aaron did not know, Sammaster fell into darkness, became obsessed with necromancy, and founded the infamous evil organization known as the Cult of the Dragon.

Aaron knew the name chiefly from some web novels he had read about Sammaster's battle with Lathander. Supposedly, hundreds of Clerics of Lathander ambushed Sammaster while he was traveling, hoping to eliminate this source of evil. They badly underestimated him. In desperation, the Clerics sacrificed themselves together to call upon Lathander.

Lathander answered his followers' plea, sending an avatar into the mortal world to fight Sammaster himself. In the end, he slew the fallen Chosen of the Goddess of Magic.

Some web novels called it an epic battle. Lathander's avatar supposedly expected an easy victory, only for Sammaster to leave divine blood all over the ground and nearly turn the tables.

But in this life, the version Aaron had heard from Lathander's church was that Sammaster never stood a chance. His strongest attack did nothing to the avatar. The only actual damage he managed was a tiny nick on one finger, thanks to a trace of the Goddess of Magic's divine power still lingering within him. That was all.

"Yes. I'll remember that," Aaron said, passing the question back to her.

His answer left the regent princess momentarily at a loss. Her wine-red eyes studied him again, her expression growing more serious.

So the Salian family produced someone like this!

"You came from Seabury. Was your journey smooth?" Alusair made her next move.

"Quite smooth."

"I know you signed a contract with a band of mercenaries and traveled with them," the regent princess continued. "And there was Miss Eleanor Dinefour, the 'Flower of the Sunken Sea.' They escorted you to Suzail and deserve credit for it."

"However," the regent princess went on, "while a Cleric of the Lady of Silver can be trusted, you should be more cautious with adventurers. You must know that mercenaries who live by the sword often care only about profit. They have no sense of responsibility or honor. We sometimes need such people to serve the kingdom, but you mustn't become like them. You are different."

Another lecture.

Aaron decided it was time to show some backbone. A Sorcerer needed a little temper!

"Your Highness, look at Suzail, our capital. It is a jewel beside the Dragonmere, magnificent and grand, bearing the glory of a thousand years of Cormyrian history. It is beautiful, solemn, and majestic..."

Confusion flickered in the tall woman's eyes. What was Viscount Salian getting at?

"But what does any of that greatness, all the splendor of this city, have to do with the mercenaries? They take a job, finish it, collect their pay, and leave. No matter how great the city or how historic our capital, it has nothing to do with them. Our armies may be powerful and our markets prosperous, but neither belongs to them. No matter how luxurious the mansions in the Upper City are, they aren't theirs. Why should they feel responsibility or pride in things that don't belong to them and have nothing to do with them? Your view is mistaken."

Aaron paused at precisely the right moment. Just as the regent princess was about to object, he declared with ringing conviction:

"I'm different from them, Your Highness. I really do have a mansion in the Upper City! And I firmly believe that before long, there'll be a room for me in the Royal Library!"

When Aaron finished, there was no movement behind the gauze. But those beautiful wine-red eyes remained fixed on him.

In a dozen short seconds, the regent princess's feelings had taken a wild ride.

From confusion to anger, then surprise, then contemplation.

Amid that turmoil, a strange comfort and satisfaction rose deep within her.

If that's how he feels, there's no need to say any more.

"Last of the Salians, if you truly mean that, Obarskyr will not let you go unrewarded." The regent princess's voice barely changed, but approval had entered her tone. "You needn't search for a mentor any longer. I've already found one ideally suited to teach you. Wait two weeks. The royal family will pay for your magical studies."

"Yes!" Aaron's heart leaped. The royal family's resources were beyond anything ordinary people could match.

He desperately needed a magic mentor.

He let just enough of his excitement show for the princess to see it.

Alusair nodded to herself. Then she delivered a second piece of momentous news.

"Although you're a Sorcerer now, don't neglect your training as a Purple Dragon Knight. Yesterday, three knight instructors expressed interest in taking you on."

"Here are their records. Choose one as your instructor and undertake six months of Purple Dragon Knight training."

"But if you fail the final assessment, you'll lose both your knight-in-training status and your regular stipend!"

"You wanted a chance, and I'm willing to give you one. Last of the Salians, make the most of it."

"...Yes." A chill ran through Aaron.

This was more than a warning.

He had only six months. The princess was giving him just six months!

He had won an opportunity from her, but everything he currently had was at stake.

For all her mature beauty and composed courtesy, she was a soldier to the bone.

The army had no room for dead weight!

That was the iron-willed princess.

The audience ended. The regent princess's wine-red eyes lingered on Aaron's handsome face, bright and fathomless as a distant sky. She had, of course, noticed him staring at her calves.

He's only just come of age... Alusair found herself an excuse not to punish him for sneaking looks at her and signaled that he could leave.

Only after leaving the palace did Aaron realize it was already past ten in the morning.

That audience had taken over an hour!

I don't remember saying much to the princess.

Not long after leaving the palace, Aaron happened upon Duke Kenness browsing wares in a nearby shop. The viscount hurried over. "Your Grace!"

"You're out? Looks like our Viscount Salian gained quite a bit from this morning's audience." Carthness Irlingstar teased him with deliberate humor. "If you'd stayed much longer, I'd have thought Her Highness had taken a fancy to you."

Seeing the duke laugh, the elite guards around him joined in.

Aaron could only laugh along, though he found nothing funny about it.

Six months. Only six months!

"As it happens, I've already arranged lunch!" Carthness hooked an arm around Aaron's neck. "Red Scarf Restaurant! Go, go, go!"

Aaron had no objection. He eased himself out from under the duke's arm, then asked a question that interested him as they walked. "You said Her Highness might have taken a fancy to me. Doesn't she have a boyfriend?"

"Where would Alusair find a boyfriend?" Duke Kenness was one of the few people in Cormyr who dared speak so casually about the royal family. "She started campaigning with the late king when she was fourteen and spent more than ten years that way. She's only been regent for a few months."

"I see."

A daring idea sprang into Aaron's mind.

A very, very, very, very daring idea!

Slaanesh's power surged as never before. It roared. It howled!

The ultimate hunter requests permission to engage!

I've found my prey!

What the hell is wrong with me?

I must still be asleep. That has to be it!

Ah Shui! Da Huang! Xiao Tian! I'm going to kill you all!!!!