I was surprised we were able to enter the castle with no issue. The guards never even saw me, their gazes of awe towards Sir Kahlin, snapped them into attention. We walked through dizzying streets filled with people before we arrived at the church.
Sir Kahlin pushes the heavy oak door and they let out a large groan as they open. It looks like we must be the last ones here as nearly every pew is full. Everyone turns our way.
The others look at me with anger, they despise me. Of course they do. I smell and my clothes are rags. Still, I've never seen this many people. A certain excitement takes hold in my heart. My cheeks flush with red. I calm myself and begin to follow Sir Kahlin.
We stride through the center alleyway with no intention of taking seat. In front of us, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen turns to face us. She is the last face to turn. She meets our presence with a warm radiance I have never felt before, her face breaking into a smile that sparkles and dances. At once, Sir Kahlin drops to a knee. I follow his lead, awkwardly mimicking his gestures.
We bow our heads and I can hear her approach us. Her heels clacking off the old wooden floors. She extends a gloved hand to Sir Kahlin and he takes it and kisses it.
He says, "My Queen, I had no idea you would be in attendance today. What a marvelous treat for the 3rd prince's coronation to be honored with your presence."
She says, "And the 8th Hero of Valdale, my 2nd son must be blessed beyond hope."
THE QUEEN?? There is no wonder her beauty has no other. From her gemmed crown lacing the top of her head to her beautiful black hair, long and straight as a pin, flowing all the way down to just above the floor. Her gown is beset with only the finest gems glittering in a rainbow visage that leaves no question but to obey her every whim.
And her presence too. I had always thought nobles would be haughty and insufferable. And they were. I had only had the misfortune twice but each time ended with multiple of my bones breaking due to their villainous whims. She was nothing of the sort. Her grace and virtue clear as day in each movement she made.
The Queen moves her eyes to me. I cringe in anticipation.
She says, "And Luther... who might this be? She looks... like an uncut gem. What use might Rythel have with...". She trails off before grabbing onto my face. She feels my chin with her thumb, rubbing across the coarse stubble. People gasp. "How unimaginably unpolished, the poor child does not even know who she is."
She??? My mind races before it goes blank. Warmth grows in my chest, light flashes before my eyes. A large and stupid grin appears on my face. What is this? What are these feelings?
Sir Kahlin steps in and says, "His name is Lucas. He will be Rythel's magician." A dozen of so people laugh, a dozen more gasp. My eyes begin to well with tears. Confusion and terror alike overwhelm me. Suddenly a green dust comes from the Queen's breath. It covers me, calming me, and dampening my emotion.
I finally figure out, she did this because I must speak. Finding my voice, I manage to say, "My Queen, I am here to serve."
She smiles brightly. She says, "Then you shall. Rythel come here."
A youth appearing to be my age swankers up beside his mother. Where there was grace, there is now judgement. Where there was peace, there is now a storm. Golden hair sat taughtly on his head shaved evenly into a mop top. It made him look childish, but mostly it was the sneer. And the expressed hatred.
Rythel moaned, "But Mom, I don't want a queer like that to be near me. Especially a useless one."