The Queen Dowager’s sitting room smelled like milk, rose, and old paper.
Low fire in the hearth.
No guards inside.
Just her, and king Zareth Zareth didn’t sit.
He stood by the window, still damp from the bath, hair loose.
The blood was washed from his body.
“She is fragile!” Queen dowager said.
“Years of maltreatment shaped her into bowing her head.” “She will adapt!” Queen Dowager took a sip of her tea.
“She arrived safely.” His voice was flat.
“That’s the good part!” “I know.” The Queen Dowager poured tea.
“You ensured that!” Zareth’s jaw tickled.
“I guess!” She pushed a cup toward him.
He didn’t take it, he stared at it.
“I’m still angry at you” Queen Dowager chuckled.
“Tell me about the journey.” He looked at her and smiled, he didn’t forget his mother was never the type to say sorry.
“King of Eldarsh sent an attack twice.
He was trying to break me.” “And?” “And i will remind him what happens to men who touch what belongs to Nebuzza.” Silence.
The fire popped.
“Is she hurt?” “No.
Tired.
Scared of the wrong things.” He finally looked at his mother.
“She thinks she’s a concubine.
A peace bride to be hidden.” The Queen Dowager set her cup down.
“Isn’t she” “Mother, do you think I will make the same mistake that father made?” “His blood runs through you Zareth.
Same as his personality.
What should I expect?” Zareth blinked, “I am nothing like him and you know it mother!” “Then prove me wrong” the queen Dowager said, a dangerous smirk playing on her lips.
“I will.” Another pause.
“I kept an eye on Maren, he’s aided with the king of Galdor against you.” Queen Dowager said and Zareth chuckled.
“I know he would do that, I’m always two steps ahead mother.” “I know Zareth, but sometimes it’s otherwise.” Zareth’s expression went cold.
“Maron sent me a later while I was still in Elarion.
He’s asking for my approval to marry the princess of Galdor.” “It’s a trap!” “I know.” Zareth’s voice dropped.
“Galdor is a great kingdom.
Maron wanted me to go after the princess as a greedy bastard he thinks I am then I’ll be the bait for their plans.” “Did you reply?” “I approved it, and gave him my permission.” Queen Dowager chuckled.
“Concubine Nadira visited me, she said she came to know how I’m doing.
But I knew she came to see if the sickness has break me,” Zareth from “she is as vile as his son!” “Just keep Elira safe from him.
Maron will use her against you!” Queen Dowager said.
“Maron won’t hurt her now.
Not with half the court watching.” “He won’t need to.
A rumor, a whisper, a cup of wine….” Zareth turned.
“Mother, if anything happens to her …” “You will burn this palace down.” The Queen finished for him.
A small, sad smile.
“I raised you.
I know.” “I haven’t seen Darius!” Zareth said, “That boy is just Immature.
Always innocent.” She stood, and for a moment she looked like she wanted to touch his face.
But she whimpered in pain instead.
“Mother!” Zareth rushed to her side and caught her before she could hit the cold floors.
“The sickness is acting up again” Zareth looked frustrated.
“I’m fine.
I just need to have my medicine this night and I will be better.” She smiled.
Zareth carried her towards the bed.
He fetched her a cup which contained the herb the physician had prepared earlier and fed it to her.
“You don’t have to stress again mother, I will take care of the Harem.” He said and queen Dowager laughed.
“The Harem is for the women Zareth, don’t worry, the medicine will help me refresh before morning.” She smiled.
“And as for Elira, Let the girl rest.
Tomorrow, we present her properly.
And Zareth.… treat her good.
She’s lonely enough.” “I know mother!” “Now go to sleep.
You look like you carry the whole world on your shoulders.
Or are you?” He didn’t answer.
He just bowed his head once, kissed her hand and left.
**** **** Sunlight.
Elira woke to the smell of rose flooding her nostrils.
The hearth was low and the room felt a little cold.
“Arise and shine my lady, for the time has come.” Nasha said, pushing the curtains aside that the room felt exposed.
“Let me sleep a little more Nasha please….” “No!
You have a lot to go through today” “I feel sore.
I really need some rest.” “What!” Nasha exclaimed, “did the king come in here and pounce on you when I left?
Hope he wasn’t rough on you?
Hope he didn’t…” “NASHA!” Elira screamed.
The sleep running away from her eyes.
“I was sore from traveling a long journey.
My muscles ache.” Elira explained and Nasha almost laughed while looking at her pink face.
Nasha understood her, but she wanted to tease her a little, not expecting Elira to get very shy.
“The servants would be here to get you ready for the day.
First, you would be having tea with the queen Dowager, then I will tour you round the palace.” “Is the tea part necessary?” Elira asked.
Since she got pregnant, she had hated the smell of tea.
And now she was afraid the queen Dowager might find out.
“Yes it’s necessary.
But you can still turn down the tea offer, but it’s a rule to visit the queen Dowager.” Nasha explained.
There was a knock on the door.
It opened and Corin and Hana stepped in.
Elira was ready to cry her soul out when she saw Rosa and Lillia coming behind!
“Rosa!
Lillia!” She wanted to rush forward and embrace them, but Nasha held her hand and gave her a meaningful smile before whispering to her ears.
“Behave like a lady that you are, princess Elira.” Nasha winked but Elira glared at her as excused herself.
Hana and Corin helped her prepare, dress blue silk this time, with silver thread at the cuffs.
Simple and royal, but not too much.
Nasha was already waiting in the antechamber, in light armor and a linen wrap.
A sword at her hip.
No pretense today.
She was dressed in what Elira called Armor dress.
Not far sat Lillia and Rosa, waiting for the princess also.
“You look delicious!
I bet the king will drool when he sees you.” Nasha screamed immediately Elira stepped out.
“Ready to see Nebuzza?” Elira nodded.
They stepped out.
The palace was…
alive.
Servants moved quietly.
The walls were thick like a castle, but everywhere there were flowers.
Ivy on stone.
Fountains.
The air smelled like cedar from the halls and citrus from the courtyards.
“Since I arrived at the palace, it smells like cedar and citrus.” Elira complained and Nasha chuckled.
“Well, the king is allergic to pollinated air and environment.
He only acknowledges the smell of cedar and citrus, it calms him instead.” Nasha explained and Elira nodded as though understanding.
“No wonder he has always smelt like that” she thought, remembering him as Adrian.
Soon they arrived at the queen Dowager’s wing and walked across the polished corridors which looked like it deserved no standing to the waiting room.
The queen Dowager sat by the window with an embroidery on his lap.
On the table were already a jug containing hot tea and two cups were already set up on the table, indicating she was already expecting them.
“Your grace!” They bowed and she gracefully look up at them.
Then with almost a stiff nod she went back to her embroidery.
“Sit Elira!” She ordered and Elira sat opposite her.
Nasha and the servants bowed once again and excused themselves, leaving Elira and her pounding heart behind.
“You seem better than yesterday!” The queen Dowager spoke.
“I have cleaned up and rested your grace.” “Good!
So tell me, does Nebuzza suit your taste?” The queen dowager asked as a servant hurried over to pour tea.
“Yes your grace.
It surpassed my taste” the queen chuckled.
“Careful kid, I might believe you have grand taste.” Elira felt it.
The words.
The queen Dowager was mocking her.
Was that a trap?
“You grace won’t have a problem with a kid having a taste!” She replied.
The queen Dowager fell silent, but the smile on her face deepened.
“Anyways, the palace welcomes you child.
But you should also know that the palace walls has eyes and ears.
It watches and calculates your every move, you must be careful!” “I will be careful , your grace.” “Drink before it gets cold.
It’s more testier when it’s hot.” The queen Dowager urged and Elira swallowed hard.
Gently, she picked up the cup and brought it to her lips, expecting the nausea, but instead, it gave a different aroma that captivated her soul.
She took a sip of the tea and the herbs tasted heavenly.
Without thinking twice, she emptied the cup.
The queen Dowager gracefully poured another for her.
She wasn’t angry rather amused.
“You will be taking meals with me twice a week Elira.
You will learn court and the royal Harem.
You will learn each woman to avoid and the one to use.” Elira nodded.
“And finally.
Their are people who should never be close to you.” “Yes, your grace!” The morning visit to the queen Dowager had not lasted as Elira imagined.
Rather, it was brief and simple.
Nasha showed her around the palace.
It felt like the worst day of Elira’s life, especially with Nasha being the tutor.
The palace castle was so beautiful.
The long hall held perfect paintings of past kings.
They stopped at a particular painting.
Zareth’s father.
His painting stood out perfectly.
“That’s him.” Nasha pointed.
“The father of Nebuzza.” “He’s a lot like Zareth” Elira said and Nasha nodded.
Nasha showed her the corridors which led to different places, the servant wing and whatever she could not remember.
The way to the kings quarters and finally, the courtyard.
This was… hers.
The one from her window, but bigger up close.
Red roses, White roses, Lilies, Lavender paths.
Jasmine on the walls.
A stone bench under an arch.
The great fountain.
“You can plant whatever you want here.” Nasha said.
“The garden answer to you now.” Elira touched a rose petal.
Her fingers didn’t shake.
Then Nasha led her to the library.
The most interesting part of the tour for her.
Sun through tall windows.
Scrolls and books.
Smelled like old paper and lemon oil.
“This is where the King reads when he’s not at war.
But he has his own private sturdy.” Then, Nasha pulled her towards the dining not giving her time to look around the library.
Empty now.
Long black table.
“Formal dinners are here.
Mostly when the king invites you for a meal.” “I see!” “Yes!” Just as they turned to leave, a man stepped into the hall.
Tall, tall like king Zareth.
Same black hair.
But where Zareth was sharp, this one was soft and smiling .
“Well.” His eyes landed on Elira.
Slow.
Assessing.
“If it isn’t the peace bride.” Nasha bowed slightly.
“Prince Maron.” Her voice was….flat.
“General Nasha.” He grinned.
“And you must be the princess of Elarion.” He turned to Elira He looked Elira up and down.
“Prettier than the letters said.” Elira bowed.
“Prince Maron.
It’s a pleasure to meet you!” He laughed.
“Oh, it’s indeed a great pleasure.” “Welcome to Nebuzza, Princess.
General Nasha is doing a great job showing you around.Try not to get lost.” Then he walked away, like nothing happened.
Nasha exhaled.
“That was the devil.
The kings Elder brother.” Elira’s laughed a little.
“He doesn’t look scary” “The devil never looks scary my lady.” Nasha choked.
“Don’t answer him directly again.
And try not to be alone in halls with him.” Nasha took her arm.
“Come.
Let’s get you back.
I know you’re tired.
Look at the way you’re panting like a pregnant donkey.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Mickeywrite Have some idea about my story?
Comment it and let me know.