Kazia sat in one of the private rooms of the palace, a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. As soon as the shock of an arrow piercing her chest faded, panic quickly took its place as Anatol rushed her inside. She was waiting on a cup of tea, reading one of the books the priests had arranged for her on short notice on the subjects she had to learn quickly. She was reading about Saint Yuri, the first king when a hand gently placed the tea in front of her.

“Thank you Priest Hunyadi.” She took it without looking up and sipped it.

“Actually,” a familiar voice sounded, “I’m your brother, not your confessor”. Kazia immediately looked up as she stared at her older brother, who smiled softly. He reached out, gently petting his sister’s red-gold hair. She instinctively leaned into his hand, wanting the comfort of a family member. Gabrelius smiled softly.

“I know many are against you right now, Kazia, but I will not be one of them. No matter what, House Jadoga will guard its own.” Kazia hugged her brother tightly, hiding her face in his shoulder. His black hair fell out of his ribbon, framing his face as he kissed his sister’s head. “I have you, Kazia. No matter what, I will protect you.” She wanted to trust him fully but she also knew that people would skin their mothers for power. She would put some trust in her flesh and blood.

“Please know that I cannot grant favor to our house. I must be impartial.” Gabrielius chuckled, sitting.

“I mean, technically you don’t. Many kings before you have favored their immediate family lines. But I see that you are determined to be impartial and just. Admirable but remember, no matter what the other houses do, no matter how they pull at you, House Jadoga always embraces her own.” Kazia nodded, knowing that she had to be ready for hell to rise against her.

“Of course” Even if this was just a threat her brother was making, she wanted to believe that he would guard her. Gabrielius gently kissed his sister’s head.

“Study well and rule us all with an iron fist, dear sister.” With that, he left the room. Kazia sat there, watching the door. Very carefully she took a sip of her tea. She made a face.

“Bastard gave me bitter stem tea.” She knew that it was filled with beneficial nutrients and the likes and was impossible to poison but she still hated the taste of it.