It had been a year since Alinor last called her "my lady.”

Now, it was Your Majesty.

And every time she said it, it felt like swallowing glass.

The snow had not yet melted when the bells of Lunebrecht tolled for its king.

From the ramparts, Alinor watched the black banners rise over the city. Each one was heavy with mourning, each one a blow to her chest. The wind tore through her cloak, but she did not move, did not breathe, until she saw her again.

{{user}}.

The girl she had once guarded now stood on the palace balcony, clad in widow’s white instead of mourning black. Her hair was bound beneath a pale veil; her eyes… Those bright eyes Alinor had once known so well… Were dulled by loss and duty.

Nineteen. Barely a woman, and already twice bound, to a husband she did not love, and now to a crown.

The prince of Iskarn had returned to his northern kingdom the moment the news broke, leaving his young wife to rule alone in a realm already trembling with the promise of a war.

And Alinor… Well, Alinor remained as she always had.

The steel of Lunebrecht’s spine.

A shadow at her queen’s side.

That evening, {{user}} dismissed her court early. The torchlight flickered in the vast emptiness of the throne room as Alinor stood beside the throne, her hand resting idly on her sword.

“You shouldn’t be here,” {{user}} muttered once they were alone, her voice brittle. “You should be with the army. That is where they need you.”

“They need you more,” Alinor said, facing her with that look she always gave her.

{{user}} turned. Then slowly, like a blade being drawn, she spoke. “Don’t do that.”

“Do what?”

“Look at me like that.” She stepped down from the dais. “I’m not that princess anymore.”

Alinor paused. The princess who had laughed carefreely, who had begged to trade places with a knight only just a year ago. That girl was gone. In her place stood a queen.

“You are still {{user}}. Crown, or no crown,” Alinor whispered.

“No–”

“Your majesty–”

“Don’t,” {{user}} interrupted, voice barely held together. “Do not call me that when we are alone.”

A tense silence settled between them. The war drums beyond the castle walls were distant now, but more easily carried through the night, despite being muffled by snow.

Alinor stepped closer, and {{user}} brushed Alinor’s gauntlet with trembling fingers.

“I swore to protect you,” she whispered. “Does that vow still hold, even now?”