Alone in the bedchamber, the child placed the crown on her head and used pins to hold it in place. It was a bit loose, but Rani supposed she would grow into it. King Rian Sword Born, had died suddenly leaving one heir. Was she up to the task? She had expected years of training by her father’s side before this day. She had even envisioned becoming a mother first. Queen Rani looked at the crown on her head. This was not the formal crown placed on her head at the coronation. This was the working crown. At least, that’s what King Rian had called it.

She placed two daggers in their sheaths somewhat hidden within the folds of her cape as her father had taught her. From the age of six, Rani had been taught to wield weapons. As she grew, so had her weapons. Kaiden, the Master-At-Arms, and her father were the only two who knew of this special training. With her father dead, Kaiden was the only person she trusted.

Twelve-year-old Rani, Queen of Greenvale, looked at her reflection in the mirror. Dressed as an adult, she still looked like a child. The court, especially her mother, would underestimate her.

Before walking out of the chamber, she dropped a small axe into a special pocket in each boot and smiled. By this evening she suspected she would be Queen Rani Axe Born. 

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