“Is that the last one, Consort?” the demure Affiliate Bitta asked.

Daufina pushed the last piece of paper away from her and nodded. “Yes, I believe so.” She stood regally and surveyed all of her hard work.

The Eos holiday was exceptionally important in Byern festivities. It was the day the Creator had first walked the earth and blessed Emporia and also the day of Byern’s independence from the dreaded Doma. Each year, they would have a celebration for the entire country. People would travel far and wide to see the famed Bursts go off overhead and to eat, drink, and be merry.

It was also significant for all the Second and Third Class children who had turned seventeen that year, officially coming of age in Byern. For those individuals, a Presenting ceremony would be held at court to determine their Class as well as to be assigned to their Receivers. This day would determine their entire future. Since so many children came forth, it would be slightly different than for those children of the First Class, who could afford an entire ceremony for one person, but it was still held to much importance.

Part of her key duties as the Consort was to work with the King on placement for all of these children. It was a long process, and many advisors would be brought in to lessen the load. They still had a country to run after all.

“Shall I deliver these to His Majesty for the arrangements this afternoon?” Affiliate Bitta asked.

“Yes. All, save for the First Class ones,” she instructed. She glanced over at High Order Ceron, who had been patiently awaiting orders. She passed a small stack of papers to him. “Take these to High Order Garrison. He’ll know what to do with them.”

“Yes, Consort.”

He procured the paperwork and left at once.

There were so few this year. Even less than last year. But Presenting letters would need to be written for those who would change into First Class. It was tradition.

Affiliate Bitta retrieved the rest of the letters and carefully filed them to be delivered to the King for the ceremony.

Daufina left her work behind and strolled leisurely to her chambers to get ready for her part in the ceremony today. After a good, long soak, she changed into a tiered purple dress woven with diamonds. Her hair was arranged into silky waves that flowed down her back, and her face was artfully painted. The Presenting was a big show, and she needed to look the part.

A contingent of guards escorted her to the chamber where Kaliana and Edric were already waiting. Kaliana was practically glowing in her blue dress. She had even let her hair hang loose over one shoulder instead of wearing it in the sharp bun she usually preferred. Edric looked as regal as ever, and it was truly shocking to see him standing by Kaliana’s side with one hand on her shoulder. Kaliana adoringly gazed up at him.

“Are we waiting on Prince Kael?” Daufina asked.

Kaliana flinched slightly, and Daufina narrowed her eyes. Kaliana had been doing very strange things indeed since the Prince had returned home from Aurum. Daufina wouldn’t even consider what the reasons were for Kaliana’s odd behavior.

“He should already be here,” Edric said. “But he is frequently late, and if he does not arrive soon, we will start without him.”

Daufina nodded and sat down just as the door opened again. In walked Prince Kael. He wore an all black doublet, and his dark hair had been swept back from his face. It appeared he hadn’t been sleeping much as dark circles were painted under his vivid blue-gray eyes. Daufina gauged Kaliana’s reaction to his arrival and didn’t like what she saw.

“Were you waiting for me?” Kael asked with a sneer at his brother.

Their interactions had been even worse since Cyrene had left. Daufina had never believed one girl could cause so much unrest.

“We hadn’t planned to,” Edric said. He was smiling though. Kaliana’s pregnancy had left him more jovial than he had been. He reached out his arm to Kael, who clasped it with his own, almost to the elbow. “Brother.”

Kael nodded and then released him. “Well, let’s get this show on. So much to do, so much wine to drink, so many beds to warm.”

Edric sighed and then held his arm out for Kaliana. She took it without looking at Kael again, and they strode to the entrance.

Guards opened the doors, and in went the King and Queen of Byern. Daufina followed next with her head raised, and Kael brought up the rear. He slipped into a seat in the first row while the three of them sat down on immaculate gold thrones on top of the dais in the throne room.

One by one, children came forward and received their Class information and Receiver positions. Each one swore allegiance to the King, the throne, and the country. Then, they were sent on their way. A select few—only five this year—moved up to First Class. Joy broke on their faces at the declaration, and their expressions would be forever ingrained on Daufina’s mind. And of those chosen few for the First Class, only one had been given over to be made a High Order, the highest rank he could have attained. Daufina thought the small Third Class boy, Aubron, from the mountain town of Fen, had been about to faint at the news.

But, in due course, everyone was selected into their proper stations, and until next year, all would be well for the Second and Third Class families. Thankfully, she thought the First Class Presenting was planned for much later next year, which would give them a reprieve from the work.

Once all but the Affiliates and High Orders were left in the room, Edric stood to address them with a smile, “My fellow countrymen and women, thank you so much for celebrating this blessed Eos holiday with me. The Creator herself once walked on our earth on this day. Byern is forever grateful for her blessing, and I encourage you to celebrate this gift.” Edric raised his hands as his enraptured crowd cheered. “I do have one announcement before we leave this hall and enter the streets for merriment and a special presentation of Bursts, prepared by Master Barca, all the way from Albion.”

A hush fell on the crowd as they awaited his announcement. Daufina even waited with bated breath to hear him.

“It is with great joy that I announce that Queen Kaliana is with child!”

There were some gasps and faint whispers, but Daufina suspected that most people had already guessed why the Queen had been acting differently lately. Why the King and Queen had been acting differently together.

“Soon, we will have a Dremylon boy fit to rule as my heir. I could not have asked for a better blessing from the Creator on this great day. Go forth and be merry, for your country is the greatest on earth.”

The Affiliates and High Order cheered his bold statement as Kaliana stood next to Edric, beaming up at her husband.

For some reason, Daufina let her gaze shift away from the smiling couple and over to the shadow in the corner of the room. Kael looked like a thundercloud, dark and ominous. Her stomach twisted. He could not even conceal his distaste for his brother at the announcement of his own baby nephew. What must he be thinking…plotting?

Kaliana would never…Kael would never…

No, Daufina wouldn’t even think it. Her hand went to her stomach as she forced down the thought.

This was a day of celebration, and she had every intention of enjoying herself. Politics could be left for another day.