He breathed for another week, but never woke from his fretful sleep. Luna sat by his bedside holding his hand as much as she was allowed and wept every time Jaeger or Amelia drew her away. She became a ghost of a child, eating what was put before her and listening absently to stories that were read to her. All the while the snow fell.

The funeral was small - with a larger service planned once travel became possible again. They traveled through tunnels dug in the deep snow to the chapel and the graveside. The handful of dirt Luna threw atop her father's coffin was muddy with ice and splattered. Beside her princess-consort Serena's face might have been carved from marble - her makeup so skillfully applied that the redness of her eyes was barely noticeable. Luna held her cold hand tightly beside the coffin.

Luna barely found the energy to eat breakfast after Amelia coaxed her out of bed with her favorite tea and the Cook’s rare sweet nut buns. She’d lain awake half the night weeping, only to exhaust herself and wake again in the small hours to cry more when she realized she couldn’t run to her father and tell him about the terrible nightmare he’d died. Because the nightmare was her world.

Amelia was chattering silly gossip as she moved around the room, her limbs long and gangling. She went on about which cats the stable boys were betting had fathered Lady Fusset’s pampered feline’s litter, or how the maids were organizing two seperate groups to gather holly and pine boughs for the midwinter celebrations. Luna’s breath caught in a little sob. Midwinter was her birthday and her father had promised that he would take her on a sled ride through the frozen forest just the two of them. Amelia heard the noise and turned, her eyes widening as she realized her misstep l. But she didn't get a word out befote the bedroom door was flung open. 

Jaeger hurled himself into the room, already dressed for a day in court. His face was red from running and he bent double, a hand braced on his knee to suck in air. Amelia stilled, hands at her sides and watched the young man with intent eyes. Luna looked up from her tea, clutched to her chest, barely noticing the hot liquid had slopped onto her night gown.

“Jaeger?” her voice wobbled, “What’s happened?”

It had to be something terrible, but he didn’t tell her. Instead he looked to Amelia.

“Get together the finest outfit that Luna can put on quickly.” Amelia nodded, eyes narrowed as she turned on her heel for the wardrobe. Jaeger moved to Luna, kneeling at her side. He took the teacup from her trembling fingers. “The princess-consort has called the Council together to petition them for a Regency. She’s claiming you’re not ready to be Queen.”

Queen. Luna hadn’t even had time to think of her coronation in her grief over her father’s death. But yes, the preparations would have begun today. And Serena was already closeted in with the council.

“Amelia!” she yelped, looking at her maid, the young woman's teeth bared as she pulled out a heavy dark gray gown and the rest of the things that would remind the Council who now ruled. She met Luna’s gaze and said firmly, eyes flashing.

“Eat, your Majesty.”

“I’ll be in your sitting room to escort you.” Jaeger squeezed Luna’s hands, drawing her attention back to tea and the plate of food. Luna’s throat felt tight but she nodded and let him go to pick up a bun.

In an amount of time that would have shocked most of the court ladies, Jaeger took Luna’s arm and they walked through the royal wing to the public part of the palace. Her spine was straight with rage and the tight lacing of her corset. Talk died as she and Jager passed, leaving only the sound of their footsteps.

He squeezed her arm before releasing it to push open the heavy doors to the council chambers, his deep voice cutting through the conversation already taking place, “Her Royal Majesty, Queen Luna!”

There was a brief pause and then the buzz of conversation in the chamber resumed, the council discussing the fate of the Kingdom in low strained voices as Serena presided from her father’s seat at the head. Serena avoided Luna’s gaze, looking instead down the table as the discussion continued.

Luna took in the discussion as she paced to her father's seat. Seven councilors kept glancing at Serena for her approval, three seemed unsure and two rose to bow to her with murmurs of grave greeting. She took their hands and pressed her fingers into them firmly, meeting their eyes and nodding.

Then she was at Serena’s side and she raised her voice, trying to keep it from breaking or shaking. “You have no right to that seat, princess-consort. You have no voice on this Council.”

That silenced the council for a moment and Luna turned, hands clenching at her sides. Now her voice broke, but she couldn’t help the words that spilled out.

“How dare you! All of you! My father has only just been laid in his g-grave! How dare you,” She rounded on Serena, tears on her cheeks. “Grab for power like this when the kingdom is in mourning. Did you even love him!?”

The princess-consort’s face paled, bright spots of red appearing on her cheeks. “The kingdom is in disarray and that must be dealt with, Princess. But you are right, this seat is not mine. Nor is it yours. And I think you have shown the council exactly why you are unfit to take it at this time.”

Luna’s stomach twisted, and she turned to the faces of the council, the people who had advised her father and helped him rule. There was grief and compassion on some faces, disapproval on more but it was clear that not one of them would voice support for a girl of thirteen to assume the throne. Her throat closed as Serena called Jaeger to take her back to her rooms. His expression was mulish and for a moment Luna thought he would lose his temper on the council. But he just took her arm and they walked back to her rooms in the same bubble of voices falling silent that they had come with. A quiet decree hours later announced Serena as the Princess Regent. Luna did not bother to leave her room for it.