nicholas stood in the empty ballroom, his blue eyes glinting in the sunlight filtering in through the mesh curtains. his fingertips brushed over one of the columns as he walked around it, looking up at the portraits hung over the tall walls. his father, his grandfather, and so on. all of the past rulers. his would be hung in a few weeks. part of him didn't want that. he didn't want to accept it- his father being gone, and all.

he drew in a deep breath, sighing. there hadn't been anyone in here for a long time now. it was dusty, quiet. eerily so.

his blond hair caught the light, glowing in the sun as he brushed aside one of the curtains to look outside. the fields were green. the forest still looked burnt, as did some of the pastures. the sheep were still frolicking, though. that was good.