Hellebore had not spent much time with babies in Chymes, but it was nice to see that there were at least some similarities in the way babies conducted themselves across species.
“Your Highness,” the servants and seamstresses murmured as she strode into the room.
Hellebore kept her arm holding her book aloft, given the number of pins in the sleeve that was currently being sewn together while on her.
Like politics, decorum had never been Hellebore's area either, so since she hadn't been given a formal introduction to Taiyo’s sister, she was unsure what the expectation was.
“Alchemist, my brother has been unexpectedly occupied this morning, so I took it upon myself to facilitate our introduction.”
Hellebore was lucky the translation for “facilitate” was on the page she had open.
“I am Princess Haruko, His Majesty's older sister, your soon-to-be sister-in-law.” The way Haruko said it made it clear she did not find that to be a cause for celebration.
Was there anybody in Iubar who was excited about the union? Why had King Taiyo wanted her hand in the first place?
“Lovely to make your acquaintance. You already know who I am, so now we are on equal ground.”
Princess Haruko stepped farther into the room, the maids scattering to get out of her way. She looked at the seamstresses and said, “Continue on, we cannot delay.”
The seamstresses obeyed and continued sewing Hellebore into the dress.
Haruko came to a stop in front of Hellebore, just behind the seamstresses, and took her in. Haruko and Taiyo both weren'tas tall as some of the other elves, but both were taller than Hellebore and the average human.
Her eyes landed on the book in Hellebore's hand and she raised an eyebrow. “My brother said your Iubian was subpar.”
Hellebore's fingers curled in tighter on the dictionary. Oh, had he?
“His Chymesian has room for improvement. Actually, his communication in either language leaves a lot to be desired.”
There were a few stifled gasps from the serving girls who had been trying very hard to make it seem like their pointed ears couldn’t hear anything more than an inch away from them.
“Still, it is a pleasant surprise to see you deigning to improve your skills in our tongue. Not what I expected from someone like you.”
“Right. Because a human alchemist would have no interest in learning anything,” Hellebore sneered.
“I meant a relation of Palladia.”
Hellebore knew her aunt had met King Taiyo twenty-five years ago, and knowing now his age and the corresponding development of elves, Taiyo had been incredibly young for a king. Clearly her aunt had not left a favorable impression on Taiyo's sister either. But what could her aunt have done to give such a specific impression? She was an alchemist; the pursuit of knowledge was in their blood.
“Is there anything I can help you with, Princess? I'm a little busy today,” Hellebore said, pointedly looking at the seamstresses around her and lowering her voice. “Who knew marrying a king would besuchan ordeal?”
The elfling on Haruko’s hip successfully got the chain of the necklace into his gummy, toothless mouth, and Hellebore hoped she hadn't been planning on wearing it for the ceremony.
“I am here to make things crystal clear to you since my brother is far kinder than I am.”
Taiyo was supposed to be the kind one?
Hellebore couldn't help her snort, but Haruko ignored her and pressed on. “You are a necessary evil. You are—”
“A human. Worse, an alchemist. Thank you so much for reminding me.” Hellebore’s lips twitched into a sardonic grin, but she was completely empty on the inside. “Spending the night here and wearing your people’s clothes made me almost forget I’m not an elf.”
Strangely enough, Haruko wasn’t charmed. She adjusted her grip on her baby and stepped closer. “Don't get smart with me.”
“If my aunt and my reputation precede me, then you know I can't be anything less. I'm a most accomplished alchemist.” At least, Hellebore would maintain she was publicly even if no one else agreed.
“You are here to serve a purpose. You might wear the title of queen for a brief, fleeting moment, but you will not last. You will be a footnote, not a legacy.”
Hellebore glanced at the elfling and nodded. “And I take it I am looking at the one who will be carrying on the royal line if you have your way? He is a full-blooded elf, right?”
