Azurill
Shaking my head, I made my way over to where Zumra was eyeing me, as indiscreet as Elvenly possible. I needed to get the encounter with Lady Jacinth out of my head, and the superficial conversation this particular lady would provide would undoubtedly not help much.
The moment she’d walked into the throne room earlier was like flashing back to the past. Her hair and eye color were so alike those of the prior ruling family of Pearl that it was uncanny. It felt like the past was haunting me for a moment before reason finally caught up with me.
Those from Ruby Court had ended up with pink eyes and hair before, after all. Red wasn’t so far from pink, and all it took was one pairing of red and white for it to happen. The variation had shown up in other courts before.That was totally normal, I reminded myself.
What was more concerning was that she was here on behalf of Lord Carnelian, whose snakelike eyes were glued to our every step on the dance floor. Ruri’s warnings echoed in my head, despite trying to tell myself there was no reason to believe them yet.
But my heart ached for my lost brother, and I couldn’t rule out that Carnelian might have donesomething.
Even if he hadn’t, it was clear he wanted to. Either this girl was a spy, or she was a lure, trying to win a crown and get a member of Carnelian’s bloodline on the throne. Whichever it was, I had to resist. I wouldn’t allow Carnelian’s machinations to ruin what my forefathers had built.
But those pink eyes…there was something haunted about them that drew me in, wanting to know more. And her personality was indeed as charming as I’d expect of Erodite herself. Perhaps I should have compared her to Fortuna, since she was from Ruby Court, but the pink hair screamed Pearl, and I found it an apt comparison.
A beautiful lure was a distinct possibility. She was undeniably gorgeous, with wide eyes, delicate features, and a body that sculptors would ache to replicate. But her conversation hadn’t seemed contrived at all, and I had to admit that she was much less proper than I’d expected of a lady from Ruby. Faiza had even seemed to enjoy being in her company. Perhaps I could get her to tell me more, and figure out what exactly Lady Jacinth’s plans were, and how worried I should be.
Emerald-green banished my thoughts of cotton candy-pink as I approached a practically vibrating Lady Zumra. She didn’t speak, honoring the court custom of the king having to make the first move. I nearly rolled my eyes at the ancient rules, appreciating more when those little ones were ignored. The newer generations were more apt to do so, but some nobles refused to advance with the times.
“Lady Zumra,” I greeted her, holding out a hand reluctantly, and putting on a facade that would make me seem less displeased as I did so. “Would you honor me with a dance?”
“Your Majesty,” She curtsied, emerald-green eyes glittering with satisfaction as she took my hand, “I would be honored.”
I walked her onto the dance floor and placed my hand around her waist while hers found my shoulder, our other hands clasping together. We began to move, and she, of course, perfectly danced each step, but yet I couldn’t help thinking she lacked the natural grace in her movements that my last dance partner had possessed.
“I’m so thrilled to be representing Emerald Court in this competition, Your Majesty.” She smiled up at me, some cross of sultry and polite courtliness that didn’t quite achieve either. “I confess I have long wished to be able to get to know you on more…familiar terms.”
“It’s an honor to have you among the competitors.” I smiled blandly. “I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you better.”
“I know you’ll find me a most adept choice of Diamond Queen, Your Majesty.” She squared her shoulders, looking determined. “I have been trained to be a perfect wife since I was a child. I have the looks to stand beside you and create a child that would carry on the traditional look of the highkings. Not unlike your own mother. Your father chose well, ensuring his wife’s coloring would not taint his own.”
Her words left me speechless. While women had often tried listing off their many characteristics to me in the hope of being chosen as my queen, none had ever brought my parents into it, claiming my father chose my mother for such a ridiculous reason. Unfortunately, my silence only allowed her to continue.
“Her sapphire hue certainly darkened your own, but it maintained the blue-green coloring perfectly.” She smiled, looking pleased with herself. “My own emerald coloring will balance that sapphire with green and ensure another generation.”
“I appreciate your perspective, Lady Zumra.” I finally forced myself to say politely, despite wanting to walk away without another word. “Though, I will consider all competitors equally, regardless of coloring.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” She smiled, but her bearing screamed her insincerity. Her shoulders were stiff as we danced, but she forced herself to relax after a few moments. “I know you will choose the correct wife. After all, you will have to spend the rest of your life with them, and trust them to run your household.”
I nearly sighed miserably. I had hoped to trust them with more than that. To have a partner who could help me with everything. Someone who could be an equal. My only hope now was finding someone in this competition who could be that. Sadly, with only eight competitors, one of whom wasn’t a real option, I didn’t have much hope to work with.
I knew Faiza and I would never work. She was more like a little sister to me than anything else. Not to mention that she had no desire to be queen. She’d only agreed to this for lack of any other options from Diamond, but I’d never force her into something that would make her miserable.
Listening to Zumra go on and on now, I was surer than ever that my own misery was guaranteed.
When the song ended, I had to hide my gleeful smile that it was over, “Lady Zumra, I thank you for the dance.”
“It was an honor, Your Majesty.” She smiled, but it dipped as I kissed her hand as quickly as possible, moving back and nodding at her. Arianell found me right away, leaning in to whisper in my ear.
“After your dance with Lady Jacinth, you need to put a bit more effort into not looking miserable, I’m afraid.” She sounded amused, her expressionshowing that even more clearly as I pulled back to look at her, my eyebrows creased in confusion.
“What do you mean?” I asked, tilting my head to the side slightly.
“You seemed to enjoy the dance with her. Laughing, smiling, and whispering into her ear.” She raised her brows with a growing smirk. “Your interaction with Lady Zumra by comparison was quite obviously cold.”
I groaned, tipping my head back in aggravation. “It wasn’t like that. I’m trying to figure her out.”
“Oh, I bet you are,” she replied sarcastically, opal eyes shimmering with mirth.
