The throne room filled steadily as councillors, military commanders, and senior nobles took their places.
Unlike ordinary meetings, every seat was occupied before the appointed hour. Conversations remained subdued since everyone knew the subject.
Even those pretending indifference found their eyes drifting toward the large reinforced crystal chests positioned beneath the throne.
Inside them rested thousands upon thousands of Moon Crystals. Soft silver light pulsed through each one, illuminating the chamber with an almost sacred glow.
This time, Atheline entered first. The councillors immediately rose in respect. He acknowledged them with a slight nod before taking his place upon his throne.
A few moments later, darkness rippled across the chamber and Lilith entered.
Every voice disappeared.
She walked calmly toward the throne without looking at anyone in particular, her expression remaining composed, as always.
She sat, only then did everyone else resume their seats. Her eyes slowly swept across the chamber.
"I assume everyone understands why we are gathered."
No one answered since they didn’t need to. She continued.
"Two months ago I informed this council that the Moon Crystals recovered from the Ruin would eventually be distributed among the kingdom."
Several councillors nodded.
"I also presented another proposal." Her voice remained perfectly even. "I offered this council the opportunity to determine the distribution amongst yourselves."
Silence filled the room.
"I gave you complete freedom." She rested one arm upon the throne. "You were to return with a unanimous recommendation."
Her gaze settled upon the noble elder.
"Instead... you returned without one."
The noble elder slowly lowered his head.
"We did," General Thulem sighed. "No agreement could be reached."
A third spoke honestly.
"Every proposal favored someone and every compromise displeased someone else."
Lilith nodded once.
"Exactly."
She allowed several seconds of silence before continuing.
"So."
"You declined the responsibility."
Several councillors shifted uncomfortably. She looked at them one by one.
"You asked me to make the decision."
No one denied it, because it was true. For almost a full day the council had debated endlessly; military allocations, houses, border provinces, economic influence, population, contributions and prestige.
Every suggestion eventually collapsed beneath political interests. Finally, they had unanimously agreed on only one thing. Let Lilith decide.
She folded her hands calmly.
"I accepted." She gestured lightly toward the crystal chests. "My decision is simple."
Several nobles unconsciously leaned forward.
"The Moon Crystals shall be divided equally."
A murmur immediately spread across the chamber.
"Every councillor seated within this room shall receive the same allocation."
The murmuring grew louder, and one elderly commander rose.
"Your Majesty... "
She looked at him. He hesitated only briefly.
"With respect... The military houses have sacrificed generations protecting the kingdom."
Another noble stood as well.
"The oldest bloodlines have preserved our traditions for centuries."
A third added, "Some families contribute considerably more taxes than others."
Several voices began overlapping. Lilith patiently listened without interrupting. Only when the chamber finally quieted again did she speak.
"I have heard every argument," her tone remained calm. "I heard them over the past month, again this morning, and then now."
She leaned forward slightly.
"You misunderstand one thing."
Every eye fixed upon her.
"The Moon Crystals do not belong to your families. They belong to the kingdom."
No one spoke.
"They were recovered through my own efforts for this kingdom."
She briefly glanced towards Atheline.
"And our allies."
Then back toward the council.
"No single family possesses greater ownership, no single bloodline possesses greater claim and no single military house possesses greater right."
The noble elder frowned.
"But..."
She raised one finger. He immediately fell silent.
"You wished for this responsibility... You failed. I offered you the opportunity to settle the matter amongst yourselves... You refused. You personally placed the decision in my hands."
Her voice remained perfectly measured.
"So do not object merely because my judgment differs from your preference, every decision I make is for the betterment of this kingdom."
The chamber became utterly silent, no one could refute her words. She had, in fact, given them every opportunity, they simply hadn’t managed to agree.
Lilith continued.
"Each councillor bears equal responsibility for governing this kingdom. Each councillor’s voice carries equal weight within this chamber."
"Therefore... It follows naturally that each councillor shall receive an equal share."
The Noble elder slowly rose. He placed one hand over his chest.
"I support Her Majesty’s decision."
Several others exchanged glances. One after another... they stood as well. Some weren’t pleased but they all understood one thing, the decision had been reached fairly.
Without favoritism, hidden agendas, or rewarding whichever faction happened to possess the loudest voices.
Atheline quietly watched the room. A small smile formed. This, was exactly why she ruled so effectively.
She didn’t seek the decision that pleased everyone, she made the decision that preserved the kingdom. And once she decided, she never wavered.
The council meeting finally came to an end as the afternoon sun filtered through the towering windows of the throne room.
One after another, the councillors stepped forward to receive their allotted Moon Crystals. Palace attendants recorded every distribution carefully, ensuring each allocation matched the Queen’s decree exactly.
Although several nobles still wore expressions of quiet dissatisfaction, none voiced another objection. The matter had been settled.
The Queen had spoken.
As the final councillor departed, the heavy doors slowly closed behind them. Silence settled over the throne room once more.
Atheline stretched his shoulders before letting out a long breath.
"That went smoother than I expected."
Lilith descended the steps of the throne with the same composed grace she always possessed.
"They already exhausted their arguments and efforts over the past month.
"I suppose today’s complaints were simply habit."
A faint smile touched her lips.
"Most likely."
She glanced toward the attendants.
"You may leave."
The attendants bowed deeply.
"As you command."
Within moments, the vast throne room was empty save for the two of them.
Atheline walked beside her as they left through one of the smaller side corridors leading toward the private royal wing.
The formal atmosphere seemed to disappear the instant the throne room was behind them.