Damokles moved up the steps watching as Kolina stopped giving him a smile. “Have you seen Sophia?” Kolina eased up her hand. “She’s on the palace wall reading her favourite scroll from Athens along the rumour scroll.” She bowed her head. “Highness.” Damokles sighed aloud. “I wish you wouldn’t call me that I am not king yet not until the fall of the next moon, when Kleitos hands me the crown.” Kolina looked up. “To us you’re our king.” Damokles rolled his eyes catching her smile as he walked up on to the castle wall where his wife to be was reading away. He wouldn’t lie the first year had been very difficult for Sophia, after her father had begun to hand over his power to her. The people in Illyria didn’t like her.

She had, had to work hard to gain their trust the trust that she’d lost with her previous actions by ignoring them and treating them poorly. She hadn’t given up though despite how difficult it was she had tried so hard and she had come to have not only their trust but their love as well. They now trusted her judgement completely and she’d started her mayor city wide rebuilding project. She had spent over a year toying with the idea of rebuilding certain parts of the city, like tearing down the temples and building new ones and adding new wash faculties and making area’s more hygienic. She’d also had plans to tear down her grandfather’s run down coliseum which had been used for gladiatorial sports and build an open theatre there instead.

The timing was for the best in a way, six months ago her father had become seriously ill. Though his condition was now stable he knew that he wouldn’t be well enough to rule again, the illness meant he’d never be fully healthy again and it had left him very weak. So he had seen fit to give his throne up and from the rising of the next moon he would be the next new king of Illyria. He wouldn’t lie he was nervous despite that Kleitos had spent time a long time teaching him the ropes. Heli on the other hand loved every moment of this since he had been his prodigal student. Now his best friend was basking in the glory that his friend would be king, which gave him the excuse to drink and throw celebrations in the palace. It also gave him an excuse to woo Kolina who he had come to like very much because of her nature which could be quite fire some.