Council-member Armas’ P.O.V. Boaz finally returned from his assignment last night and we filled him in on everything that happened. To say the least, he was furious and I can’t blame him. Boaz had been Izabella’s tutor and they had had a strong bond. He had been devastated after she had disappeared, it had taken some time before he had come to terms with it. After he had heard everything last night, he had taken me aside and asked if he could tutor Taliyah. He wants her to learn more than what is in the books, he wants her to know about her Mother and he feels obligated towards Taliyah. I told him that we would leave that up to Taliyah, that others had made more than enough decisions for her. But from what I heard about her Mother’s Guards and her maid, I have a feeling that I will not be tutoring our future Queen. Right now, I am on my way to the Council’s Chamber to meet with the others. We need to make a decision on the charges against Eva and I asked Nakoa to join us. “Goodmorning, it is good to see all of you back here. Nakoa, thank you for sitting in on this discussion and for stepping in on my behave.” I say as I sit down at the head of the table. I put the file we have on Eva in front of me and I look around the table at the familiar faces of my friends. “The first decision we have to make is on what the exact charges will be against Eva. Will she just be charged with attacking a Royal and attempted murder on a Royal or will she be charged with attacking the future Queen and attempted murder on the future Queen?” I let my words settle between us and I let everyone think on what they have to say on the matter. “If we decide to charge her involving the future Queen, then we also have to chance the charges against Sofia.” Nakoa says and everyone agrees with him. Vivyanna and Atlas want to charge her involving the future Queen, while Dayanah and Finlay don’t want that and through all of it Boaz keeps quiet. Kaysley is looking out the window, but I can see that her mind is racing a mile a minute. I agree with Vivyanna and Atlas and then Kaysley says she agrees with Dayanah and Finlay, so it is Boaz that will have the final vote in this. “Sorry, Armas. It is not our decision to make. You told me yourself that enough people have made decisions for her, so I am not going to make this one for her.” Boaz says and for a moment I am to stunned to say a word. “Boaz, you are right. Princess Taliyah should be the one making this decision. If we put future Queen in to the charges, it will become public knowledge and that might become a problem if Talon or Ayden try to hide behind her title.” Nakoa says. “Nakoa, even a member of the Royal Family is not above the Law. Hell, not even the King as we all know.” I reply. “It may prolong the trails, but it won’t do either one any good trying to hide behind it.” Vivyanna has a frown on her face and we are all patiently waiting until she speaks her mind. “Beside asking her on the charges and explaining what her Father and Brother might do. You also have to explain to her that Alaric will have to involve her in most of his decision making once it is out in the open. She has to be comfortable with that, she has to be surrounded by the right people to help her when she needs it. We have to assist her in any way we can if she chooses to make it public. After all, no one ever knew that her Mother was the rightful heir. No one knew that she was the first-born.” Vivyanna says. Boaz gets up and starts pacing up and down the room, it seems as if something is brewing in that head of his. Usually that means he comes up with something that most of us can live with. A knock on the door makes him stop pacing, he opens the door and within seconds he closes the door again. “They are on their way up.” He says. Alaric’s P.O.V. I know why Armas called us in early and I don’t know how I feel about it. Taliyah will take over from me, there is no doubt about that. I just don’t know if she will be ready for this, right now. I had been studying and training for years, when I had to take the throne and I remember that I second guessed myself constantly the first few years. Luckily I could rely on my Betas, Gammas and my Grandfather, without them I wouldn’t be the King I am today. Taliyah has her Mates and suddenly I burst out laughing, because just now Camden’s remark hit home. “Sweetheart, will you let us join in the fun too?” Anayah asks me and I nod my head as I try to catch my breath. I look at Barin and Aurora, but I have a feeling none of them realized what Camden had meant. “Do you remember that Ward said he wanted to know how Taliyah would react when she found out she would be Queen?” Xandros is the only one that wasn’t there, but he knows his Sister and her feelings about titles. He snickers at my words and suddenly his eyes widen, he starts laughing because he solved the puzzle. “Well, I think there is something none of us figured out, until today that is. Did anyone hear what Camden said?” I ask and they are all nodding their heads as Xandros is doubling over. “Well, Taliyah is not the only one who has to learn to deal with the term Your Highness.” Barin is the one that opens mouth and blurts out “My Sons.” and then he starts laughing uncontrollably. Aurora smacks him in the chest, but I can see that she is trying to hide her laughter. Anayah looks at me and says “And they were so happy that you had to deal with that crap, as they called it.” By the time the elevator door opens, we have settled down a little and we are at least able to talk again. We only have to wait a few minutes before the door of the stairwell opens and Malachay walks out with a wicked grin on his face. He lowers Taliyah to her feet and kisses her before thanking her for whatever she said or did. Her Guards don’t look to happy and I wonder what happened in the stairwell, but I don’t get the chance to ask as the door to the Council’s Chamber opens. I see Boaz walking out and I am glad that he is back from his assignment. “Taliyah, this is Council-member Boaz. He has been away on assignment for the Council. Boaz, this is Taliyah, Princess Izabella’s Daughter.” He quickly bows his head, than extends his hand and says “Taliyah, I have already been informed on your dislike of protocol. It is a pleasure to meet you.” Taliyah shakes his hand and smiles at him as she says “It is nice to meet you too, Boaz. I hope your assignment went the way you planned.” He tells her it went well and then he invites us in to the Chamber.