Being a prospective queen was rather exhausting.

Kiara Lyns thought she’d anticipated it and prepared herself for it, but she had to admit rather quickly that she might just have underestimated the headache her position would cause her.

Not that she would give it up for the world, but it still needed to be said.

At least some of the noble lords (and a few ladies) who’d joined her with their soldiers were genuinely loyal to her, like Duke Bluegrass. She had already had good relationships with them and they were content to accept her leadership. Others, of course, had only grudgingly given in and didn’t do much to hide that fact. She knew it would be like this, but it was still disheartening to be met with mistrust and thinly-veiled condescension. Even some boys younger than her barely appeared able to wrap their heads around the idea that a woman could be an able leader and ruler.

It would have been enough to deal with in a more peaceful setting, but unfortunately, they were at war, and the army she had to fight it with was disorganized at best. It took double the original estimate Duke Bluegrass had brought her before they were even underway towards Cera at a decent pace.

More lords had joined her side than she’d feared, although less than she’d hoped in her more optimistic estimates. It still meant that the army was split into large parts, and salvaging something from it was not easy. They had captured a few of the noblemen and the soldiers following them had been integrated into the rest of the army, but they would need to be watched. Others had managed to escape. For those who had died, it was sometimes unclear who the heir to take their position would be or where he (sometimes she, Kiara hoped) stood.

Many conscripts and levies, and some hired swords, belonging to one of the lords set against her had simply left the camp after the battle, deserting. She wasn’t certain if they would simply melt into the countryside or rejoin her father’s forces. Those who still had their leader to guide them would most likely do the latter, but she knew many men were tired of the war, too.

At least a significant part of the mercenaries — hired mostly by Regina’s gold, she thought bitterly — had simply sat out the fighting and were now eager to fight under her banner, as long as the coin kept coming. Kiara didn’t foresee a problem with that. Regina had seemed unconcerned about giving her as much gold as necessary. Although she did seem reluctant to let any more gold trickle into the economy of Cernlia than was necessary, concerned about inflation and the damage it would do in the wake of the war. Kiara would not pretend she understood it as well as Regina did, but her own understanding of economics and what she had learned was enough to emphatically agree with the sentiment. Getting some of the coin out of the country by trade or investments in more stable endeavors would be a good thing.

By the time they finally saw the city walls rising in the distance, she was ready for it all to be over. At least I’m going to see Margaret soon, she thought, staring at the imposing sight slowly becoming visible. Her friend had made it out of the city, freed by Regina’s - friend? Mentor? She was not entirely sure what they were to each other — and through the mockery of an attack the Hive had launched at the city. They had been taken to join the Hive’s main forces, she knew, although it was possible Madris was no longer there. Kiara did not care as much about her as about Margaret.

“Planning your triumphant conquest?” Duke Bluegrass asked, slightly teasing, riding up beside her.

She glanced at him, petting her horse’s neck. Of all her things she’d lost and regained with this army, she was surprised to find her what she’d missed most. “Thinking about your daughter,” she answered honestly.

“Ah.” The Duke’s expression darkened a little, although he smiled. “I am glad that she is safe.”

“She is,” Kiara assured him.

“Well then, let’s keep it that way, shall we?”

Kiara gave him a small smile. “At this point, I do not truly believe my father or his men could do much to harm her, or any of them,” she admitted.

Bluegrass nodded. “They do seem rather in a tight spot, don’t they? But at least for now, they still hold the capital. That counts for something. And I find it hard to estimate how the people will react, where they will stand.”

“I do not think they will necessarily choose a side,” Kiara mused. “They’re glad the late king is gone, that much I have heard and I have no trouble believing it. I am not sure they will have much desire to get involved in choosing which noble will be their new king, even if they could.” Unfortunately, her inner voice whispered.

She wondered if she would have thought so before the war, before she met Regina and Janis and everything else? But right now, she could not help but be sad that the common people would have so little say in something that affected all of their fates. Of course, maybe she was simply presuming things that weren’t true.

“Some know of your efforts of distributing rations and making sure refugees are looked after,” he said. He caught her raised eyebrow and shrugged. “People do talk, my princess, and some of our men were in the capital even if the army did not stay there. But you are right; your father is popular as well. They will accept whatever the outcome shall turn out to be.”

Kiara nodded, winding the reins around her hand in a nervous habit she knew she should abandon. “Are the men prepared, Milord?” she asked, her tone stronger and cooler.

“Yes, Your Highness.” He bowed slightly in his saddle. “I have been overseeing the supply train, which has moved entirely to the back according to your command. The vanguard has formed up, and every lord has received orders on how to spread out as we reach the city.”

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“Good,” she said absently. “You are a capable general, my lord duke. I trust you to oversee things until our next war council.”

Recognizing the implied dismissal, he bowed his head again and turned his horse to ride back along the marching army.

Kiara kept her gaze on the walls in front of her, watching the city draw nearer. She remembered visiting it several times. As direct relatives of the king, they had been well received at the royal court, but it had been obvious even when she was a child that the king had little love for them. Their welcome might have been courteous, but it was never warm. And later, even the courtesy had worn thin. She had caught the king eying her with distaste several times; with distaste and something she wasn’t able to name. As an adolescent, she had not understood it, but now she thought she was beginning to. Even if her father had not had his long-awaited male heir, he had at least had a healthy child. An heir. And June, of course. Rumor had it the queen had been barren. She supposed the king had not been wrong to be concerned at the lack of children, given recent evidence (although she still maintained he had brought the rebellion on himself).

It was rather ironic, all the parallels she could recently draw between the two men, if she went looking for it. At least Kiara was confident that June — and it would have to be June, there was no one else left — would not usurp her place.

Kiara shivered lightly and pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders. It was richly embroidered, in the royal colors, not that of the house of Lyns, and had been a gift. She glanced at the fields. It had not snowed yet, but she knew it was only a matter of time, and mostly due to chance that it had not yet. It was certainly getting colder.

Of course, all of her soldiers were strong enough to deal with a little cold. They all had decent Con stats, with most of them having gained some levels in the recent wars. She knew that in some parts of the world, the winter was considered something like a second campaign season, with no need to till the fields or bring in the harvest. Winter would at least pose problems for mounts and draft animals, and winters in Cernlia could be harsh enough to not allow much warfare, anyway.

Hopefully, by that time the war would be over, or brought to enough of a conclusion that they could manage in winter.

Kiara was brought out of her thoughts by the sounds of horns and drums. The signals were a bit eclectic, but at least everyone should be able to understand. Still, it was another thing that could bear standardization, she thought. She already had some plans for a centralized, professional and standardized army in the back of her mind. It was something that the country could have done with for some time, as June had pointed out to her previously. Visiting the Hive had only strengthened her resolve, although she knew they would have to be careful. Still, she had a vision of a force that could rival and stand equal to the Hive’s own armies, and she was not going to give up on it. Hivekind might have natural advantages, but so did humans’ diversity.

For now, she would have to win the fight ahead with the men she had, though.

Kiara finally turned away from the city and went to ride alongside the soldiers, trying to gauge their morale as she watched them prepare for what lay ahead. The sight of the city was greeted by cheers from many, and she smiled and waved when they acknowledged her, trying to maintain the cheerful mood. She could tell that in too many cases, it was plastered over the tiredness of war and the grief of having lost brothers, but at least they didn’t seem too afraid of what lay ahead. That was all anyone could hope for, really.

Kiara dismounted and walked with a few groups of soldiers, sharing some words with them. She was offered a drink of ale or beer a few times and declined as politely as she could. She didn’t want to return to her lords stinking of cheap alcohol, even if she did appreciate the gesture.

Finally, the army’s siege camp was almost ready. Kiara returned to where the commanders had gathered to oversee the final preparations. They would not have to stay in it for long, gods willing. Only until the Hive’s forces reached them.

A few knights and commanders had spoken up for trying the city on their own. Maybe they wanted to get the glory of winning without having to share with the Hivekind and Delvers. Kiara had put a stop to it, however. They were not so pressed for time, and besides, the more allies she had with her, the better.

Right now, Duke Bluegrass, who had taken over rather competently as acting general of the army, had the men put to work digging trenches and raising a palisade. It would not be easy to encircle the entire city, and she privately doubted that it was necessary or a good goal, but she let him have his way. It wouldn’t hurt, after all.

She could have probably taken over and insisted on leading the army by herself, but Kiara found she had no desire for it. She had learned enough in the recent war that she felt she was a decent commander, but even when her father had still been training her as his heir, he had not focused on leading an army. Maybe because he knew there was no way the king would ever make him general of his armies, or me either. She had learned some strategy, of course, and she thought she would do an acceptable job, but it was not going to be her role. She would be queen, and while leading her armies was a good skill to have, she would most likely delegate it in most cases. Bluegrass was experienced and loyal, she didn’t mind shoring up his position with the appointment, and besides, it was best to have the men stick with a commander they knew, right now.

He seemed to know her thoughts without ever speaking about it, smoothly stepping in to take over the aspects of the job that he could best fulfill while still asking her wishes for the important matters. Kiara wondered how often they would have to rely on the experience they developed now in the years to come.

Of course, most likely it would all involve the Hive, and that would change everything, anyway. She shook her head and read over the latest messages again. Their army was still a while out, although the gathered flying drones were already ready. Or so Regina had said the last time she’d seen her. It made sense, anyway.

She strolled up the hill near which they had decided to raise the command tent while a group of soldiers put up the tent, and stared at the city again. A few flags waved in the wind. She was fairly sure there had been less of them the last time; maybe her father was making a statement.

“Enjoy your peace while it lasts, Father,” she whispered. “Soon enough, your sanctuary will fall and your vaunted crown with it.” She smiled sharply. “I am looking forward to seeing it.”

Then Kiara whistled the beginning of a song she had heard in the city as she descended from the hill. The king takes our gold … the king raises tall walls … the king, oh he holds, what all falls …

Kiara smiled to herself and considered how she could change the last verses. There was something about the king having no heirs, which wasn’t exactly appropriate anymore, but surely there was a way to change it to a more pointed reminder.

She had to do something to pass the time besides wishing she could watch her father squirm in person, after all.