iron will for the ask game?
that's actually an Elara one . . . young!Elara from Newblood Queen specifically
basically all the Silver Houses got overthrown by Newbloods almost a hundred years ago and most fled to the Lakelands, but a few stayed while laying low (with House Calore staying in the shadows bc Lakelands AND the Newblood Crown will kill them), but they're still holding a mock queenstrial with the three eligible contestants (Coriane Jacos, Elara Merandus, and Harriette Haven). anyway
(sharing it all cause im proud of it)
Could you love him? The question came on the third night, a pesky, strange thing she had no choice but to answer. Robert had taken her out for a stroll, a feeble thing compared to the palace gardens she’d glimpsed. She tossed her hair. “I don’t see how that’s relevant.” He sighed. Behind him, the wind rustled through the trees, the branches bending and twisting in what they were too weak to fight. “We want strong children, of course.” His words were careful, measured. “But with the crown still out of reach . . . “ Exhale. “We want him to be happy, too.” Elara stiffened. For once, she wished she had one of those lace parasols to hide her face beneath. “Really.” Her lip curled. “Is that truly so important?” Robert raised a brow, in that infuriating way he did when he thought he was better than her. Try me, silk. She almost spat. We’ll see how far you get. Instead, Elara huffed. “Does Her Majesty think I’m too powerful?” She eyed him, barely holding back her contempt. “That I seek to usurp her before her time is up?” Robert shook his head. “You never learn, do you?” Not this again. “We want what’s best for him. And you need to show us you are that path.” She whipped around, sneering. “What more could you want? My parents are gone. My house is dead. My ability is yours for the taking.” “Yes.” Robert paused. “But is it enough?” The two stared, wind ripping through the path, the night stars winking like this was all a private joke. Elara stepped back. “It will be.” Air hissed between her teeth. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Iral.” His fingers twitched. “That’s Your Highness to you.” She sniffed, turning away. Mother and Father flashed before her, their faces blue from the flood, from the Osanos spy wielding the fierce summer rains. They shouldn’t have been able to sneak past the border. Shouldn’t have been able to find where they lived. She grit her teeth. So what if the queen didn’t want her? She’d prove her worth eventually. Prove there was no other choice but her. She clutched her shoulders, breathing hard. I have nothing left but my wits. Nothing left but my pride. _____________ Meals were always a tricky thing, uncertain and precarious in the best of times. Her parents had died a month ago, leaving her with no one to turn to. She’d tried to sneak into the Jacos household. Jessamaine had driven her out with a stick. Her hair blew every which way, flying in her mouth as her eyes darted about the square. Whispering was a delicate art, one she hadn’t yet mastered. If she tried it now . . . who knows what the punishment would be. Her teeth almost tore into her lip. Ugh. To think, if she only grew up in a different age, she might’ve been a prodigy. Might’ve been the strongest Silver of all, if only she were properly trained. She exhaled, steadying herself on the wall. No matter. She may not have been the best, but she was still a Merandus, still the highest of houses save for the crown.