Two days after the trial, Lyanna t with the eastern territories delegation for a formal eting. Lord Ashford, Naomi’s father, was leading the delegation.
"Your Majesties," Lord Ashford began. "Thank you for eting with us. We’ve gathered to discuss the proposed alliance expansion, but we need to address so concerns first."
"Regarding my recent trial?" Lyanna asked without hesitation.
"Yes." One of the other representatives said. "The eastern territories have built cooperation programs on principles of diplomacy and mutual respect. You ordering a village burned, even with strategic justification, conflicts with our values."
"I understand your concern." Lyanna replied. "But the Millhaven decision was necessary. But But I also know it makes look like a tyrant to others."
"Whatever may be the reason, we can’t enter into an alliance with soone who makes such brutal choices so casually."
"What are you trying to say?" Azrael asked, though he could see where this was heading.
"We need different negotiators."Lord Ashford replied. "We need soone who represents diplomatic cooperation rather than strategic ruthlessness."
Lyanna could argue with them and defend herself but she could tell it wouldn’t matter. They had already made up their minds.
"I understand." Lyanna said. "You need partners who align with your values and I’m clearly not that person."
"Lyanna..." Azrael said.
"No, it’s fine." Lyanna looked at Lord Ashford. "I’ll step back from the negotiations. You can work with soone who aligns with your principles. I won’t mind."
"That’s very gracious of you, Your Majesty." Lord Ashford said.
They bowed to both of them and left.
"You didn’t have to do that. You could have fought for your position in these negotiations." Azrael said, turning towards her.
"And alienated the eastern territories completely?" Lyanna said. "No, Azrael. This way, the alliance can at least proceed.
Moreover, I need so ti away from council politics and alliance negotiations. I need ti to focus on myself."
"Sure. I know the last few weeks have been very hard for you. You do deserve a break. But are you sure about this?" Azrael asked. "Stepping back from everything you’ve built?"
"Azrael, look at what just happened. I was cleared by one vote. The eastern territories rejected . Half the council thinks I’m a monster. Maybe I’ve indeed beco too ruthless to lead cooperation programs effectively. So I need ti away from the constant pressure...ti to just be myself."
"I’ll support you whatever you decide." Azrael said. "If you need ti away from politics, take it. I’ll handle everything."
"Thank you," Lyanna said and hugged him. "I know it looks like I’m giving up but I genuinely need ti to process everything that has happened."
"You don’t have to justify anything to . Take all the ti you need. I’ll be here with you always."
Over the next few weeks, Lyanna withdrew from the council etings. She still attended formal dinners and official functions as queen, but she distanced herself from policy debates, strategic decisions, and alliance negotiations.
Instead, she spent her ti on simpler things. She worked in the castle gardens and visited the southern villages where she had done agricultural work. She read history, philosophy and poetry and spent ti with Azrael.
While Lyanna had found peace in her withdrawal, Lord Cassius beca furious at her decision. He t with his faction in a private chamber to discuss their future strategy.
"This is unacceptable." He said. "Queen Lyanna has stepped back from when we need her ruthlessness the most. The eastern territories need strong leadership, not diplomatic weakness."
"She stepped back because the territories rejected her thods." One faction mber replied.
"Exactly!" Cassius said. "And instead of fighting for her position, she gave up. The ruthless queen I supported during the trial is disappearing."
"What do you want to do then?" His closest ally asked.
"I want to force her back to ruthlessness." Cassius said. "I want to remind her of her duties, remind her what’s expected of a queen."
"How?"
"By asking the heir question."
"The succession question?" One of them asked.
"Yes." Cassius replied. "King Azrael and Queen Lyanna have been married for almost two years now and they have no child. The council needs to ask this question."
"But didn’t His Majesty already say that this is their personal matter and the council has no say in it?"
"But it’s been too long now and they’re answerable to the council. Maybe Queen Lyanna doesn’t want children and is too focused on her own issues to fulfil her duty to provide heirs. That’s a legitimate council concern."
"You want to pressure her about children?"
"No. I just want to remind her that queens have duties beyond personal comfort and taking ti for ntal health."
"What if she refuses?" The ally asked.
"If she can’t fulfill basic royal duties like providing heirs, can’t handle the pressure of leadership then maybe she shouldn’t be queen at all."
One of them smiled viciously.
"How do you plan to raise the succession issue?"
"We can’t make it look like harassnt. We need to fra it as a legitimate council concern about Thornfield’s future."
"His Majesty will defend her." One of them said.
"Let him." Cassius replied. "His defense will only highlight the problem."
"This could backfire." One mber warned. "Pushing too hard on personal matters..."
"Succession isn’t personal. It’s political. It’s our duty to ensure Thornfield has stable future leadership. If the current queen can’t or won’t provide that, we have every right to demand answers."
The faction mbers nodded, so reluctantly, while others in agreent.
Three days later, the council session agenda was posted. It was standard things with territory reports, trade agreents, and security updates.
But a new section was added at the bottom:
"Discussion of Royal Succession Planning and Tiline for Heir Production."
Clara was the first one from Lyanna’s support group to know about this new agenda, thanks to the castle gossip.
She imdiately ran to the garden where Lyanna was working.
"Your Majesty, you need to see this." Clara said, looking concerned.
Lyanna took the paper from her hand and read it. Her expression didn’t change, but her grip on the paper tightened.
"Succession planning? Cassius is raising the heir question again?"
"What will you do?" Clara asked.
"I need to discuss this with Azrael first."
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