3

Elodie slid off the saddle and handed the reins to the horse's steward, who turned and led both animals back into the stable.

Bishop brushed himself off, and then extended his hand to Elodie, who took it, and then continued back towards the castle doors.

"You seem much brighter," Bishop said, squeezing her hand gently. "You looked so miserable this morning."

She hummed in agreement. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"I see. Are you sure, dear?"

She nodded. She could feel him watching her as they walked, but he seemed to decide to leave it be as he pushed open the door, and allowed Elodie to go in ahead of him.

She went right to the stairs, and then turned and looked back at him.

"Thanks for coming with me."

He smiled, holding up his hands innocently. "You don't need to thank me. I'm at your service, your Highness."

She watched him approach, and waited until he stood at the base of the stairs to extend both arms towards him. She placed both hands on either side of his face and turned his head this way and that, then grinned at him, receiving a confused smile in return.

"What?" He questioned.

"Nothing," she replied. "Just looking. You're old, Bishop, did you know that?"

Bishop burst into laughter and took her by both hands, carefully taking them away from his face. "No, I wasn't aware. Thank you for informing me."

She spun her finger in a circle and he turned his back to her, allowing her to climb onto his back. He hooked his arms under her knees and took on her entire weight, wandering down the hall towards his office.

"Have you thought about what we talked about yesterday?"

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Don't be that way," he scolded. "You know it's not about you, and it's not about them."

"I don't much care, to be entirely honest with you. I thought you said I would be Queen when I turned 18, and no sooner."

"To be fair," he began, allowing her to slide off of his back. When he turned back to face her, she had crossed her arms stubbornly. "I did say that several months ago. A lot has changed…"

She began to shake her head. "No, Bishop. No, no, no. Not today, not tomorrow, not this month, not this year! I will not do this, not when the grass has yet to grow over them."

"I understand you're upset. I know this can't be easy," he soothed, smoothing her unkempt hair down around her cheeks. "You need to do this. I hate to be the one to tell you, but you don't exactly have a choice."

She glowered at him. "I'm an Ashking!"

"I know. And that comes with obligations that you can't say no to, princess."

She made a displeased sound, almost a snarl, and shoved open the door to his office, throwing herself dramatically over the side of the plush green couch. She spread out over the leather and continued to grumble stubbornly under her breath, watching Bishop round the side of the couch and sit down beside her.

"I'm sorry." He said. His voice was so earnest, she turned and glared at him. "I really am."

The look softened. He really did look sorry.

"It'll be hard, but you don't have to do it all by yourself. You won't be a Queen alone, Elodie. But you need to start now. We only have a week or two to prepare."

She crossed her arms again. "This is ridiculous."

"I know."

"I'm very cross with you."

"I know."

"I'm going to be very unkind to Faustic when I see him."

Bishop smiled. "I'll let him know. I'm sure he'll live. Are you agreeing, then?"

She gritted her teeth, tightening her arms against her chest. She studied his face, looking for a way out, but he had said there was no other choice. Reluctantly, she loosened her crossed arms and shrugged.

"Fine." She admitted. "I'll do the stupid coronation."