Behind her, perfectly silent, Duke Regent Erwal eased the door shut and locked eyes with Prince Melbane Merkandore, only sixteen and already standing nearly as tall as his father had. "I have said it before, my Prince," he said softly, "I fear she will never recover."
Prince Melbane nodded slowly and looked away from Erwal to the door his sister cried behind.
"You understand, as I have said before, that you cannot remain in despair as she does. She is a child and you can care for her all your life, but you ... you will be King in just a little more than a year."
"I understand, uncle," said Melbane eagerly. He looked at the Duke with wide and worried eyes. "I have been strong, like you have taught me this past year."
"You have," said Erwal, nodding his approval.
"Then why remind me, now?" asked the Prince.
"Ah," said Erwal with a thin-lipped, fatherly smile. "Because young minds always need reminding. And also, as your time approaches, things will become difficult. The peace with Bire is failing, the nobles are becoming restless as we prepare for conflict by marshalling their resources ... and all this with a King so young."
"You will be there to help me, uncle."
Erwal motioned for Melbane to follow him down the steps before answering. "I hope to, but I may not. After all, we all thought your father would be here, now, didn't we?" Melbane blinked, swallowed hard, and nodded. "So I must teach you now what he had no time to. How to be King. Worry not, for I have taught you much already, and you are proving an able student. In fact, Sheriff Voldir told me today that he would be bringing in some suspects for the cases of banditry in the forest, and I think it would make an excellent opportunity for further lessons ..."