The sunlight filtered softly through my chamber windows as I sipped my morning tea, still bleary-eyed from last night's strenuous jousting training. Fiora had just stepped out when I heard a polite knock on the door.
A footman handed me two neatly tied letters—one sealed with Marian's delicate crest, the other bearing Mr. Leo's emblem: a hawk perched on a pickaxe. I took a deep breath and broke the seal on Leo's letter first.
His handwriting was bold, slanted—efficient like the man himself:
**"Lady Diana,
I bring you news from Cion, soon to be the Celestial Land.
The mining efforts have yielded astonishing results. We've discovered an abundance of copper, iron ore, limestone, quartz, and—rather unexpectedly—a small deposit of silver near the northwest cavern. Our miners, all eight of them, have already begun excavation. They're skilled workers from the edge of the region, and I've made sure they're compensated fairly, provided with food, water, tools, and lodging.
The resources gathered so far can easily fund the construction of your central keep. You need not worry about coin—not for now. But, Diana, it is important that you make your appearance soon. The people must see you. You must become real to them. No more whispers or shadows of a queen. They must see your face, your stride, and hear your voice claim the Celestial Land.
A name like that deserves a legacy. I understand now why you chose it. It is poetic—familiar from your rising influence through the Celestial Salon, yet noble enough to demand respect.
Come to Cion soon.
—Leo"**
I smiled. He was right.
In my reply, I scribbled swiftly:
"Good job. I'll be there in two days. I must finish the Pastime Competition first."
Even though jousting was absolutely not my strength, Rebecca had forced me into it. I didn't even recall signing up. When I saw the roster, my name was already there under the heading Combat – Jousting. There were also options for singing, painting, weaving—more elegant, refined displays.
But truth be told, I was rather dreadful at those too.
Still, I couldn't help but sigh in mild betrayal.
I opened Marian's letter next. Her penmanship was floral, as always, and laced with warmth.
**"My dearest Diana,
You'll be happy to know that I've met Emily, Emilia, and the darling little Ellie. I've helped them begin construction on their new cabin. It's small, but strong—built from real timber, not scraps. Emily still cherishes the gown you gave her. She wears it on Sundays as a token of hope.
Emilia, sweet but quiet, can't speak much. But there's potential in her. She's a natural apothecary. Her medicines are sound—crafted from herbs she forages herself. She's already trading basic salves and ointments. If you ever visit, bring medical books, picture-based ones too, so she can learn the words.
I now have twelve workers under my wing, many of them women. We've introduced proper tools—hammers, saws, chisels, wood planes, brick molds, and even a pulley for heavier beams. The workers are thrilled to see such innovations. It's like watching someone light a fire in the dark.
I'm assigning them different trades: weaving, pottery, grain farming, basket-making, and textile dyeing. We're still early in the process, but it's progress—and good news.
With affection, Marian"**
Tears brimmed in my eyes.
I clutched the letters close to my chest. Everything was working. The little spark of Celestial Land wasn't just a dream—it was beginning to flicker into life.
But there was no time to daydream. Rebecca was waiting.
The training field was already alive when I arrived. Horses neighing. Practice swords clashing. Rebecca stood in the center, arms crossed and wearing a smirk.
"You're late."
"I was crying with joy. You can't rush feelings," I teased.
She ignored the jab and tossed me a helmet. "Put this on. Today, we advance. The joust is in two days."
My knees nearly buckled. "Two days?!"
"You'll live," she said with relish.
We began immediately. She made me practice my posture, the balance of my lance, and how to time the horse's gallop with my breathing. Every second was a lesson. Every mistake was punished with a sharp command or a glare.
But I was improving. Slowly.
"You're learning," Rebecca admitted as I landed a clean hit on a training dummy.
I couldn't help but beam.
Then her tone darkened. "Your opponent for the Joust will be Amara de Fiore."
My heart sank. I'd seen her. Perfect curls, sharp tongue, and a hunger for winning that left no room for civility.
"She's not an expert," Rebecca said. "But her trainer is. He's Baron Fenix du Gale. He was once the champion of the Northern Jousts."
That explained the confidence.
"Be cautious. If she can't beat you in skill, she'll try in tactics."
I nodded. "I'll be careful."
Rebecca grinned, brushing some dust from her sleeve. "Besides, since I'm the finest teacher in the kingdom, you must protect my reputation."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why weren't you part of the ranking?"
She laughed, a dry sound. "Oh, dear girl. I used to be. Years ago."
My curiosity flared. "What happened?"
"The king dumped me."
I blinked. "What?"
"It's no secret," she said, stretching her limbs like a soldier. "Back then, I was as bold as I was beautiful. But my family's history—tainted, rebellious—wasn't fit for a queen."
"So this is revenge?"
She looked at me then. Not angry. Not bitter. Just... thoughtful.
"No. This is redemption."
A silence passed between us.
"You chose me for a reason, didn't you?" I asked quietly.
Rebecca looked away. "Too early for you to know. But yes. I have my reasons."
I let it rest. For now.
---
That evening, I returned to my room, exhausted but determined. I reviewed Leo's words again. Marian's kindness. Rebecca's hidden pain.
The pieces were moving.
And so was I.
Two days left until I would ride into battle. Not just with a lance—but with a name, a kingdom, and a thousand hopes riding with me.