LYDIA'S POV

　　"Do you think they will come?" I questioned, my voice tinged with uncertainty. The weight of tomorrow's meeting pressed heavily on my shoulders.

　　"Why wouldn't they?" Evan countered, his tone reassuring yet firm.

　　"They don't have any more reasons to say no to you. You passed the assessment, and you are the royal heir to the throne." Brandon added, his confidence in me unwavering.

　　I nodded, trying to absorb their reassurances. Tomorrow, I would be organizing my first meeting with all the nobles, ministers, and even warriors. The enormity of the task ahead made my stomach churn with unease. My plan to renounce my place in the kingdom as the heir felt right, but the unsettling feeling in my gut persisted, as if something ominous was on the horizon.

　　"You know you should rest for now. Don't think too much," Evan advised, his eyes softening with concern.

　　"Yes, tomorrow is a big day for you. Just rest. A lot happened today, and after what you experienced in your hallucination, you need to rest," Brandon added, his voice gentle yet insistent.

　　I nodded, appreciating their concern. They both walked out of my room, leaving me alone in the enveloping silence. The quiet was a stark contrast to the chaos and turmoil of the day.

　　Despite their comforting words, I couldn't shake the anxiety gnawing at me. I knew the nobles wouldn't sit idly by; they would likely scheme and plot to undermine me. I had seen their disdain and felt their skepticism. They wouldn't accept my decisions without a fight.

　　As I paced my room, my thoughts raced. What if they try to overturn my renunciation? What if they challenge my authority in front of everyone? I had to be prepared for every possible scenario. The memory of Jason's betrayal was still fresh in my mind, a reminder that not everyone in the kingdom could be trusted.

　　I approached the window, staring out at the moonlit landscape. The night was calm, but my mind was anything but. I knew that Evan and Brandon were right; I needed to rest. Yet, I couldn't help but strategize and plan for tomorrow. Every possible outcome played in my mind like a relentless reel.

　　I sat on the edge of my bed, taking deep breaths, trying to calm my racing heart. "You can do this, Lydia," I whispered to myself. "You've faced worse, and you've come out stronger each time."

　　Finally, I lay down, forcing myself to close my eyes. The faces of the nobles, the weight of my decisions, and the lingering shadows of the day's events swirled in my mind.

　　The morning came, but a few hours of sleep did nothing to soothe my insides. I could feel it—something big was about to happen. Yet, I steeled myself, knowing that I had to face the day head-on. I took a long, hot bath to ease the tension in my shoulders, the warm water soothing my taut muscles and momentarily calming my racing thoughts.

　　After drying off, I dressed in my regal attire, each piece a reminder of the responsibilities and power I now held. The weight of the crown felt symbolic of the burden I carried for my people. I prepared meticulously for the meeting, ensuring that every detail was in place as a queen should.

　　Arriving at the meeting room early, I found it empty. Even Brandon and Evan were not here yet. I looked around, the room's grand decor and heavy silence amplifying my solitary presence. I walked slowly to my rightful place at the head of the table and sat down, trying to envision how I would rule this kingdom.

　　Just like my father.

　　I closed my eyes, drawing on memories of his reign. I remembered his strength, his unwavering sense of justice, and his dedication to the people. I would follow in his footsteps, removing the corrupt individuals who plagued our kingdom and putting an end to the illegal trades of special drugs manufactured within our borders. The kingdom needed a firm, just hand, and I was determined to provide it.

　　A creak at the door pulled me from my reverie. Brandon and Evan entered, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. They took their places beside me as the royal betas, and offered their silent support.

　　From minutes to several hours, we waited, but no one showed up. The room remained empty, the anticipation turning into a gnawing unease.

　　"What's happening? The announcement was pretty clear, then why no one showed up?" I questioned both of them, frustration seeping into my voice.

　　"Let me go and check," Evan offered, rising from his seat. I nodded, watching him leave with a sense of foreboding.

　　Brandon and I waited in tense silence. When Evan finally returned, the serious look on his face confirmed my fears.

　　"Lydia, maybe you should step out and take a look for yourself," he advised, his tone grave.

　　"What's wrong?" Brandon questioned before I could.

　　"Nobles refuse to step inside the room as long as you are sitting there. They are accusing you of many things, one of them being involved with the witches," Evan explained.

　　"Being involved with the witches? So, if Jason does that, it's fine, but if I do it in self-defense, then it's a problem," I said, anger flaring up. I rushed towards the exit, my steps quick and determined.

　　As I stepped outside, I was met with a large crowd, not just of nobles but of commoners from the kingdom as well. The air was thick with tension, murmurs spreading through the crowd like wildfire. So, this was their plan—to create a scene in front of everyone and accuse me publicly.

　　"Lydia," one of the nobles began, his voice loud and accusatory, "how do you explain your association with witches? How do you defend the use of dark magic?"