The battle was over but a lot of blood had been spilled. Before allowing the evacuated civilians to return to the city, orders were given out to clean up the streets. The dead were identified and the injured were tended to.

Princess Isla and her unconscious brother Isaac did not make it out of Palace grounds before they were surrounded and forced to surrender. The remaining soldiers stood down after receiving orders from their Princess.

Prince Henry was unfortunately found dead within his chambers. It seemed as though his room was broken into in the midst of the battle as his door had a broken lock that had been bashed in from the outside. There were clear signs of struggle with broken furniture and blood everywhere. His body was absolutely mutilated to the point that he was unidentifiable. If it had not been for his clothes, one would have assumed it was someone else.

No one spoke of Prince Henry's treachery as not to further soil the Royal family's name after word came out of Lord Patrick. Richard was also covered up. The monarchy was already under pressure with one soul surviving member left.

Vorn had no choice but to take on the title of Crown Prince. A title he was much reluctant about but nevertheless fulfilled this role to the best of his ability and established order within the kingdom.

Within the first three days of Prince Vorn's rule after the battle, managed to form a treaty which would soon be an alliance with the Princess Isla.

Isaac had not yet regained consciousness and had the best physicians and doctors that the kingdom could offer tending to him. Unfortunately during the final part if the journey back to his kingdom, he was once again lost. This news was devastating as many were sacrificed to retrieve him.

Although Princess Isla now had to deal with this, she never stopped offering aid where she could to the Eastern Kingdom and in return, Prince Vorn offered as much help as was available to find her brother.

Four massive boulders were cut into slates and erected near the destroyed Western gate to honour all those who lost their lives including the kingdom that attacked's soldiers. Near the top of one boulder was Warren and Alice's names and at the bottom of the last boulder in engraved in small was Skyler Black.

The royals including Tyron as his ashes had been retrieved and excluding Patrick were all cremated and placed in the Royal tomb to lie at rest with their forefathers. Patrick's body was also cremated and Prince Vorn gave his ashes to the wind on a hill on the outskirts of the city. Prince Vorn once respected his father and although he was a bad man in the end, he knew that his father must have been once a long time ago a good person until his mind was corrupted.

The kingdom mourned their dead and the days seemed grey. It was not easy. Prince Vorn had it the hardest with his duties and the major losses he had regarding his friends and family but he tried his best to keep it locked inside when he was in front of his people to allow them to gain strength and surety from him.

Behind closed doors he did mourn in his own way. He mourned for his brothers. He mourned for his aunt and both his cousins. He mourned for his fallen comrades and he even mourned for Skyler although he did not know her for long.

A nearly a year had passed and the kingdom had almost completely returned to normal. The long awaited day of the coronation had arrived. Unfortunately due to the immense pressure and strain Prince Vorn had taken while he fulfilled a position he never wanted, he had stepped down and handed over the thrown to whom he believed was the best candidate for it.

The chosen individual had taken all the necessary steps needed to take on the role such as finding a spouse to rule beside him. Said individual now stood before a mirror as he was currently being dressed in the finest of robes.

"I cannot believe your first name is Timothy and this whole time I've been addressing you by your surname. I feel wronged!" The newly appointed Commander Jessie walked in and slumped down on one of the couches in the room behind him.

"Don't worry Jessie, I was in the same boat when he asked me to marry him. I only heard his name on our wedding day as a soft whisper from the priest." A beautiful women walked in, she too was adorned in robes and looked absolutely breath taking.

"Can't you see that I'm busy getting dressed?" the man grumbled.

The other two just chose to ignore him.

"I think Timothy is a great name. It's disappointing that you never go by it." Commander Jessie added.

"It was my father's name. It's a bit weird when two individuals in one household go by the same name so I simply opted to go by my last name." The soon to be king sighed knowing that he would not win and just joined in the conversation.

"What is this about names?" A new voice popped in. It was the former Crown Prince Vorn.

"Did you know his name is actually Timothy?" Jessie responded.

"Oh course I did. Didn't you?" Vorn let out a laugh, "But I think Timothy is a cute name. We could have called you Timmy for short."

"You are one to talk Vorn or should I rather say Vornick." The man let out a sly smile.

"What?!" a bewildered Jessie looked at him.

Vorn blushed in embarrassment. "Shut up Ivor, I gave you the throne and this is how you repay me?"

Ivor scoffed but remained smiling letting out a laugh in the process which the others soon joined in. This was the first time in a while that they had all laughed together. It felt nice.

Unfortunately the moment was soon interrupted as a servant entered the room bowing their head respectively at the occupants before walking up to Vorn and informing him of an urgent matter that he needed to attend to. Vorn looked surprised but nodded dismissing the servant in the process.

"I will see you at your coronation." Vorn said before leaving the room.

Jessie took this as his que to leave as well leaving the future rulers together.

"You know I believe you will make a great king." The woman walked up to Ivor and wrapped her arms around his waist giving him a small peck on the lips.

Ivor looked down at her a now sad smile on his lips. "Not as great has Edward would have been... But thank you anyways." He looked back in the mirror.

"I believe in you and so many others do as well. Don't compare yourself to him-" She tried to comfort him but he interrupted her.

"He was a great man."

"You are great too. Your greatness may be different from his but you will still make an excellent King." She smiled at him grabbing his chin in the process and turning it towards her.

"And you my dear Nathalie will make a excellent Queen."

She let go of his chin, a sad look graced her features. "It should have been her at your side..."

It was now Ivor's turn to comfort his wife.

"Don't say that. You are the only one that I want, the only one that I need. I have told you this before. Its true I may have loved Skyler but I soon discovered it was not the romantic kind of love, she was like a best friend or rather a sister to me. I confirmed this when I tried to kiss her, it felt wrong but a part of me at that time wished that it had not. That part was soon silenced when I learnt the true meaning of love. You own my heart completely and I would not want it any other way." He bent down and sealed his words with a long deep and passionate kiss trying to convey all his sincere feelings through it which Nathalie accepted and returned with just as much passion.

Meanwhile before Vorn within a quiet study stood a very tired looking old lady with a young girl no older than nine years hiding behind her peaking out slightly in shyness.

"Your Highness, I know it may be hard to believe but my words are true." The old lady pleaded. Vorn furrowed his eyebrows.

"Come on out Jane. Don't be afraid." The old lady coaxed the little girl out from behind her.

She slowly moved out, her brown hair was in two neat braids but what was most shocking was her eyes when they slowly and cautiously rose up to meet Vorns. Vorn gasped a little and suddenly felt saddened. She looked just like him.

Almost an exact copy except a girl version with more feminine features. Her eyes were the same shade of stormy grey as her fathers. Her appearance alone simply confirmed that the old lady was telling the truth.

His eyes shot back up to the woman. "Tell me everything." He signalled for both of them to take a seat, taking one his own.

"I had a young girl working for me and helping me around the house. I was very depressed you see as my husband had passed away and I could not cope anymore. Her name was Joselyn. A lovely sixteen year old girl who had no place to go so I offered her refuge. She had only been working for me for a few months when she met him. He was obviously passing through our village. I do not know the full story of their encounters but I do know she discovered she was pregnant a while later. I did not reprimand her and rather I chose to support her in the journey. She was young and in love and sweet Jane was created due to this." The old lady stopped as a servant entered bringing some tea and refreshments.

She noticed Jane eyeing a piece of cake on the tray with wide eyes. The old lady smiled and passed her a piece placing it on a small plate and handed her a pastry fork. The little girl smiled happily and silently started eating it.

"Now where was I? Ah right. Joselyn never told me who the father was and she often spent countless nights crying when she thought no one would hear. It broke my heart to see her like that. She tried to hide it but I could always tell. She never contacted the father. She raised Jane like a good mother and never once let her pain get to her little girl..." The old woman stopped for a bit.

Jane had stopped eating the cake and was pushing a piece of it around with the pastry fork. Her sad little eyes watched the movement as she fought back tears at the reminder of her mother.

"My dear Jos...Joselyn got very sick. She... She passed away... A few weeks... Ago." The old lady started to cry a little and she too was now fighting back tears.

Jane remained silent. She placed her plait on the table and put her hands on her lap dropping her head right down.

" It's okay. Take your time." Vorn comforted. A few minutes passed and the old lady finally calmed down a little.

"In her last few moments she told me who Jane's father was... She... She told me to bring her little Jane to him... Joselyn knew that I am to weak to take care of her alone..." the old lady placed her hand on Jane's head comforting the little girl who had gone through a traumatic experience at a young age.

"Can we please meet him? Can we please speak with the man named Tyron?" the old lady asked.

Vorn looked down. Tyron's death was still a sensitive topic for him but they deserved to know.

"My brother passed away nearly a year ago." Vorn lifted his head as he spoke.

There was silence. No one spoke as they let the news sink in.

"My brother was a good man. I am sorry he never knew about his child. I believe that if he did, he would have taken care of her and accepted her and her mother completely. Because he is no longer with us, I would like to take on the responsibility on his behalf. If you will allow it, let me offer you a home here in the castle with me for the both of you." Vorn finally spoke again breaking the silence.

The old lady's eyes widened in shock.

" Do you really mean that?" she asked. Her voice quivering slightly.

"Of course. I promise to give you and Jane the best home and support you will ever need. Your quality of life will be my top priority." Vorn sincerely promised.

"Thank you." The old lady cried.

"No need to thank me. You two look tired. You have travelled far. You need rest. My servant will guide your to your new quarters." Vorn signalled the servant to enter and gave him some instructions.

The servant obeyed his orders and soon the two females were escorted out. Before Vorn could ponder any longer in his thoughts, another servant entered and informed him of the time.

The coronation was about to begin. Many nobles of neighbouring kingdoms were invited and even Princess Isla herself attended with a few of her advisors sending her apologies as the King and Queen could not attend. She unfortunately still had not located her brother.

When the new King and Queen were crowned they moved outside to greet the anxious civilians. There were cries of joy and celebration throughout the kingdom.

"All hail the King and Queen!" was chanted through the streets.

Parties were thrown and people danced and sang throughout the kingdom. The atmosphere was full of laugher and joy.

When the sun began to set the partying never ceased, in fact it got stronger. Red, orange, pink and purple hues danced across the sky creating a beautiful scene.

A slight breeze went by catching on a loose red ribbon from one of the decorations in the streets carrying it up into the air catching it every now and then when it began to fall and pushing it further.

The wind carried all the way to the castle and into one of the gardens. In a hidden yet exquisite place underneath an old oak tree the ribbon landed. Up against the trunk of the tree, a small carved rock rested. The name Skyler Black engraved on it.

Someone who was remembered for her great role in the war. Her tales whispered in old stories. The daughter of Gerard of the Iron Soul, the step daughter of a Baron, the only survivor of the fire that killed her whole family, the only successful person in history to steal the royal jewels which the current king and Queen now wear, the only female to risk her life by going against the law and joining the Royal army...

The thief.