The following weeks settled into a rhythm that both Lilith and Atheline gradually came to appreciate.
Life within the palace no longer revolved around investigations, emergencies, or preparations for war. The attack at the High Elven Kingdom had reminded every nation how fragile peace could be, but it had also forced every ruler to continue doing what rulers had always done.
Govern.
Every morning before sunrise, the palace slowly came to life. Lilith and Atheline continued sharing breakfast together before beginning their respective duties. It had become a habit neither of them spoke about.
The white fox had also developed a habit. Every morning, she appeared precisely when breakfast was served.
Atheline narrowed his eyes at the little creature.
"...You’re doing that deliberately."
The fox blinked innocently. Lilith took a sip of tea.
"It has learned the kitchen schedule."
"I noticed."
"It also knows you’ll feed it."
"I noticed that too."
The fox slowly rested its chin on the edge of the table, her large silver eyes remained fixed on his plate. Atheline lasted nearly an entire minute before sighing.
"You win."
He offered another small piece of fish. The fox accepted it proudly before jumping onto the empty chair beside him as though it had earned a seat at the table.
Lilith simply shook her head.
"It has you completely under control."
"I choose to believe this is mutual."
She couldn’t argue with that. These simple routines were what kept them going.
Soon afterward, they entered the throne room together. Lilith sat upon the throne while Atheline occupied the seat placed beside and slightly below hers.
The throne represented the sovereign of the Dark Elven Kingdom, while his position reflected his role as her equal partner in governance rather than a separate monarch.
The councillors were already waiting. The noble elder stepped forward.
"Your Majesties. Today’s agenda consists of six primary matters."
Lilith nodded.
"Proceed."
The first issue involved a dispute between two noble families. A stretch of forest near the eastern border had become valuable after surveyors discovered several deposits of moon crystals beneath it.
Both houses claimed ownership, but neither possessed sufficient evidence.
The older noble bowed respectfully.
"My family has governed those lands for generations."
Before he could continue, the younger noble interrupted.
"The borders were redrawn after the last census. The deposits fall within my territory."
The argument threatened to continue. Lilith raised one hand, and silence immediately returned.
She turned toward Atheline.
"What do you think?"
Several councillors quietly looked at him. Although he had already earned their respect, many still found it interesting that Lilith regularly sought his opinion before making difficult decisions.
He studied the maps laid across the table. Rather than focusing solely on the disputed land, he looked beyond it.
"The villages here."
He pointed toward two nearby settlements.
"They rely on the same river."
The Head Councillor nodded.
"They do."
"If we give ownership entirely to one house, the other loses access to the road leading toward the mines."
Several ministers exchanged glances. He continued.
"So don’t."
The younger noble frowned.
"Your Majesty"
"The moon crystal deposits belong to the Crown."
Both nobles froze. He calmly continued.
"The surrounding farmland remains under your respective control. The mines themselves become royal property. The profits are to be divided; forty percent to the Crown and thirty percent to each noble house responsible for maintaining the surrounding infrastructure."
The room fell quiet. One Councillor slowly smiled.
"...Interesting."
Lilith looked toward him.
"Your reasoning?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Moon Crystals are strategic resources. They should never become the private wealth of one family. At the same time... The local nobles still benefit by maintaining the roads, villages, and workers. No one loses."
The Noble elder considered the proposal. After several moments, he slowly nodded.
"It is fair."
Lilith looked toward both nobles.
"Do either of you object?"
Neither spoke. They had clearly hoped for complete ownership; instead, both walked away with something.
She gave her judgment.
"Then it is settled."
Both nobles bowed deeply.
"As you command."
After they departed, the Noble elder quietly leaned toward another councillor
"His Majesty has a practical mind."
The councillor nodded.
"He sees the larger picture."
Neither comment escaped Lilith’s hearing. She said nothing; instead, a small smile briefly appeared.
The second matter involved trade. Merchant representatives from several large trading companies entered the throne room carrying maps of the southern highways.
One elderly merchant stepped forward respectfully.
"Your Majesties. The reopening of spring trade has significantly increased caravan traffic, however..."
He pointed toward one section of the map.
"The mountain road remains too narrow. Larger caravans are forced to wait several days before passing, and the trains cannot go to those routes."
Atheline studied the route. He remembered travelling along the route with Lilith in there many walks. The merchant wasn’t exaggerating.
"If we widen the road..." He asked. "...how much will trade increase?"
The merchant immediately answered.
"Between twenty and thirty percent."
Another merchant added,
"The coastal cities and the minority cities would also receive supplies much faster."
Lilith looked toward the councillor in charge of Construction.
"Can it be done?"
"It can, but it will require approximately four months."
Atheline thought for a moment.
"Use earth manipulators"
The councillor blinked.
"Your Majesty?"
"Assign them alongside ordinary workers. They’ll complete the dangerous excavation while the labourers finish the road surface."
The councillor’s eyes brightened.
"...That would reduce construction by almost half."
The Queen immediately gave the order.
"Approved begin preparations, and if an assigned manipulators refuses, they will be punished with complete removal of their core."
The meeting continued. Military reports came next. The Commander of the Eastern Army approached, carrying several documents.
"The coastal patrols continue without incident, and the corrupted remain active but manageable. The largest beast group numbered twenty-four, which we eliminated before they reached civilian territory."
Atheline nodded thoughtfully.
"What about the soldiers?"
"No casualties, just a few minor injuries."
"Good."
He looked toward Lilith.
"The patrol rotations are working."
She agreed.
"We’ll keep them unchanged."
The commander saluted before returning to his place.
Next came the moon crystal distribution. Several overseers responsible for mining operations presented detailed reports regarding production.
Lilith carefully reviewed each document.
"We are maintaining expected output."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"The next monthly distribution to the councillors can proceed as planned."
One councillor hesitated before speaking.
"There have been... additional requests."
Lilith looked up.
"For larger shares."
Silence. Several councillors suddenly became very interested in the floor.
Atheline almost smiled. Some things truly never changed. Lilith calmly closed the report.
"The answer remains no. The distribution system has already been decided. If additional crystals become available... they will be distributed equally. No exceptions."
No one argued. Experience had taught them such discussions rarely ended well.
After the formal meeting concluded, most councillors departed to carry out their assigned duties. Only the Noble elder remained behind.
He bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesties, I wished to say something."
She gestured for him to continue.
"The council has noticed the changes introduced over the past months."
He looked toward Atheline.
"Many initially believed your ideas reflected human methods, but they do not. They are... practical."
Atheline smiled modestly.
"I simply dislike wasting resources."
The Noble elder chuckled quietly.
"A quality more rulers should possess."
He bowed once more before taking his leave.
The throne room gradually emptied. Only Lilith and Atheline remained. Sunlight streamed through the towering windows, illuminating the now quiet chamber.
He leaned back slightly.
"I think they’re finally getting used to me."
She looked toward the closed doors.
"They were never opposed to you; they were cautious. There’s a difference."
He nodded.
"I suppose there is."
She stood from the throne and slowly moved towards in front of him. When she reached him, she gently adjusted the collar of his formal robes.
"You handled today’s council well."
"I’ve had an excellent teacher."
She looked into his eyes for a brief moment before allowing herself the smallest smile.
"You learn quickly."