You adjusted the collar of your black suit, feeling the soft, unfamiliar fabric under your fingers. It was sleek and tailored to perfection, hugging your figure in a way that combined elegance with a hint of power. Your hair was piled into a loose, messy bun, with a few stray blonde strands framing your face. You took a deep breath, squaring your shoulders as you approached the grand doors of the council hall. This was your first official meeting with lexa and the ambassadors of the other twelve clans, and the weight of the responsibility sat heavy on your shoulders.

the doors opened, and you stepped into the hall, your heels clicking on the stone floor. You could feel the gazes of the ambassadors on you as you walked in, each of them assessing you in silence. You met each one with a steady gaze, but when your eyes landed on lexa, your breath caught for just a moment. lexa stood at the head of the table, her usual armor polished and her gaze as sharp as ever. But there was something in her eyes as she looked you up and down, an intensity that felt as though it cut through the air between you.

“clarke of the sky people,”

lexa greeted, her voice calm and commanding, but her gaze lingered on you a moment longer than was strictly formal.

“thank you for joining us.”

you dipped your head respectfully, trying to hide the flicker of nerves you felt under lexa’s scrutiny.

“thank you for inviting me, heda.”

lexa gestured to a seat near her, and you made your way over, acutely aware of every step. As you took your seat, you could feel lexa’s eyes on you, and you felt a strange thrill at the silent attention.

As the discussion began, one of the ambassadors questioned your presence.

“What makes Skaikru worthy of a seat here?”

he challenged, his tone laced with doubt.

before you could answer, lexa’s voice cut in, calm but with a steely edge.

“Skaikru has proven themselves as allies. And clarke has proven herself—repeatedly.”

when the room was empty, you approached lexa.