The Dragon King's Heart

"Commander Nyx," Ethan called out to her. 

He was now the King of Kinshearth and she was under his command. She clenched her jaw as she came up to him. Just as she was about to dip and bow, he stopped her. 

"Have you forgotten your place, commander?" Ethan snapped, "Kneel before your King."

Nyx gritted her teeth. Her knuckles turned white from her clenched fists. She unwillingly got down on her knees. 

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" 

"That's more like it," Ethan added, "I want you and the knights to go look for  Lady Laina and escort her out of the palace.

She can take her belongings with her, but nothing more."

"How generous of you, My King," Nyx replied sarcastically, "I will do as you command."

Nyx left the throne room with her knights. She headed towards the Royal Quarters at a slow pace. Alum realized something was amiss with her, but he did not dare to ask. But as they continued to stroll down the walkway, Alum could not take it any longer. 

"Commander, is there a reason why we're walking so slowly?" he asked. 

Nyx stopped in her tracks, everyone fell in line. She turned to him and glared. Alum gulped as he took a step back. That look on her face was unmistakable. 

She was not happy. 

"I do not need to explain all of my actions, Alum," she replied before continuing down her way. 

By the time they got to their destination, Nyx ordered all of them to stand guard outside Laina's room. She let out a sigh before knocking on the door and entering. 

"Your Highness," Nyx greeted her as soon as she entered. 

She walked up to Laina and got down on her knees. Laina turned to meet her, gasped in shock to find her on her knees. She immediately dropped what she was doing. 

"Nyx what are you doing? Get up!" Laina said as she attempted to pull her up to her feet. 

But the commander refused to budge. She shook her head, unable to meet the Crown Princess's eyes. As her knight, she had failed in her duty. She could not bring herself to look at her. In Nyx's mind, there was only one person she was loyal to. Laina. 

"Your Highness," Nyx mustered the courage to look up at her as she declared, "I have failed you."

"That's not true."

"I was unable to protect you at your coronation! Now your seat is taken from you, I..." Nyx gritted her teeth as she lowered her head, "If you would allow me to atone my sins. I will resign from my position as commander to follow you. I-"

"No, absolutely not," Laina replied coldly. 

She could see the rejection in Nyx's eyes. Laina's words pierced through her heart like a knife. She cupped Nyx's face, making eye contact. 

"Nyx, do you remember what I told you when I appointed you?" she asked, "As part of the Queen's Order of Knights, you serve the crown, the people of Kinshearth. Not me.

No matter who seats on the throne does not matter. The safety, well-being, and happiness of the people. 

That is your mission. 

That is the mission I bestowed to you."

Nyx gritted her teeth, her eyes were filled with conflict and agony. 

"But Your Highness, you're the only monarch I wish to serve. Not that slimy new King!" Nyx protested. 

Laina sighed. It was an unfortunate circumstance, but it was a done deal. She could forgo the many unruly traditions Kinshearth had, but that was one that she could not. It was a clear checkmate. 

But this was not the end. 

"If you wish to follow me, then hear my decree," Laina said as she got up on her feet. 

"I will do as you command," Nyx replied with vigor.

"I want you to remain as commander and watch over Kinshearth in my stead," Laina declared. 

"But-" 

"You said you would do as I command, did you not?" Laina asked. 

"Yes."

"Then do as I have asked. Do what I can't do."

Perhaps it was the determination in Laina's eyes, or Nyx finally understood. She resigned to her fate and relented. Nyx hung her head low. 

"I will do as you ask," she replied. 

Laina smiled and gave her a pat on the shoulder as she got back up on her feet. Nyx informed her that Ethan had sent her to supervise her packing. 

"He did, didn't he? And he said to ensure I only take what is mine?" Laina asked as she continued to pick the items she wanted to bring with her. 

"Yes," Nyx replied. 

Laina nodded, "Good. I was hoping to leave a few things for him... but since he has made himself clear, I will respect his wishes."

After everything in the room was packed, Laina moved it all to her spatial storage and headed out of the room with her entourage in tow. 

"Now, we go to the vault," she declared to them before exiting. 

"The vault?" Nyx asked as she gulped. 

She did not say a word, simply following Laina as she made her way there. The royal vaults were located in a separate wing of the palace. Three large bolted doors guarded the wealth of the crown, the kingdom, and the princess's personal wealth. 

As the vault door opened, Nyx and everyone dropped their jaw when they caught a glimpse. Laina smiled as she looked at the wealth she had gathered over the years. Her hard work had paid off handsomely. 

Laina turned to Nyx with a grin on her face, "Ethan said I am to only take what is mine, right?"

Nyx nodded. 

"I will respect his wishes," Laina grinned as she raised both of her hands. 

A large spell circle formed within the vault. In the blink of an eye, the vault was emptied. Then, she moved on to the next vault. 

"Your... Your Highness," Alum attempted to protest but Nyx held him back. 

"The King's orders were for Laina to take what is hers, remember?" she said to him with a smile of her own. 

"But...."