“Although,” Queen Cora went on, the jewels in her dark hair glinting, “it is a little surprising that you are joining us so soon? And why weren’t you shown to your box?” She tilted her head. “Did you not arrive just today? I was expecting to give you and King Lukas a tour of the palace first before we began our negotiations. And speaking of…” She glanced around. “Where is your dear betrothed? Will he be joining us soon?”
My eyes narrowed. Before I could remind her that it washerorders that brought me here and that Lukas was currently being escorted byherguard, another unfortunately familiar voice cut through the air.
“Oh Cora, don’t expect too much of the girl,” the Hallshire Queen chuckled from her stand.
I whipped my head towards the farming kingdom’s box to see Queen Marigold and her bored-looking husband, King Thorian. The scowling man lounged in a smaller throne behind hers.
“She’s from that silly little village in the woods, remember? You can’t expect her to have an ounce of decorum.” My insides curled at her tone. “King Lukas is probably still recovering from his travels and his pet just decided to wander in here. Let’s not pay her too much heed.”
My lips parted in a scoff, but before I could retort, I spotted the same guard from the gate slipping into the Hallshire box and standing beside Queen Marigold. He tossed me a wink when he noticed me staring, and my stomach dropped.
“Where’s Lukas?” I demanded.
Everything made sense now. Of course, this was just some trick courtesy of the Hallshire rulers: separate me from Lukas, then make me look like a fool in my first proper appearance here.
Queen Marigold chuckled, her tight black gown straining with each laugh. “How would I know, dear? I’ve spent all morning in this meeting chamber.” She adjusted in her throne, huffing as she dug out a paper fan from within her skirt folds. “That being said, we best get back to it. Surely it’ll be time for dinner soon. You should run along, dear Naria.” She barely spared me a second glance as she fanned herself slowly. “Perhaps there’s some flowers for you to pick outside? Or maybe your king’s servants need help with the carriage?”
“How dare you!” I snapped. I’d never been a violent person, but in that moment I’d never wanted more than to show off how easy it was for a healer to inflict pain. “How dare you treat me this way, when I have just as much right to be here as every other ruler in this room.”
Queen Marigold cackled. “Naria you’ve just waltzed into a ruler’s meeting, dressed absolutely awfully might I add, and now you’re interrupting everyone here with your little tantrum,” she cooed while my cheeks reddened with anger. “Do you actually have anything important to say or did you simply wander in here whilst looking for a playroom?”
“You know perfectly well why I am here,” I seethed.
“Oh what a shame,” Marigold chuckled. “The poor girl is mad.”
Confused laughter rippled through the audience of advisors, but before I could speak again, the Ryntook Queen raised her palm.
“Clearly there is some context we are missing here.” She narrowed her eyes at Marigold.
Ignoring her, Marigold just fanned herself with a bored expression.
Queen Cora turned back to me. “I apologise if there have been any misunderstandings here today, Princess Naria.” Her words were soft, edged with sympathy. “My family have always valued the kindness of Corlixins, especially after your parents were able to save my own father from such a cruel illness.”
My anger settled.I never knew that…
“And yes, while wewerein an important meeting,” Cora shot a scowl at Queen Marigold, “we had actually just reached the end of a topic.” She turned back to me, straightening in her throne. “So please, if there was something today that you wished to discuss with us about your kingdom, then do not be afraid to speak your mind, Your Highness.”
An expectant silence settled over the hall as all eyes returned to me. The anger rocking my stomach immediately fizzled out as my mouth felt dry. What was it that Lukas told me to speak about again?
“I… Umm…” My voice wavered. In the corner of my vision, I noticed Queen Marigold smirking to her husband.
I cleared my throat. “I believe that—”
The door to Drothmore’s box swung open.
“Naria!” Lukas called out to me. Everyone’s heads spun to face my out of breath fiancé as he stomped to the edge of his box. Chest heaving, he whirled to face Queen Cora. “Your guard is an absolute menace,” he seethed. “He had me walking all the way to the other side of the palace then had the gall totry and convince me he was lost. You’re lucky he was cowardly enough to drop the act after a bit of persuasion from myself.” I didn’t miss the splashes of blood on his face as he spoke. It didn’t appear to be his own, though. Thankfully.
“Please forgive me, Your Majesty,” Cora said, rising from her throne. “I’m afraid there’s been some sort of misunderstanding. There was no reason for you both to be brought to this meeting. This was supposed to be just a short discussion about our trade routes with Hallshire.”
Lukas’s eyes narrowed, then he glanced at Queen Marigold and the familiar guard by her side. The Queen’s smirk had vanished, replaced by a nervous grimace as she fanned herself rapidly.
I couldn’t help but smile as he pieced it all together.
“Hallshire…” he murmured. “Of course.”
“Your arrival actually just interrupted Princess Naria,” Queen Cora said, redirecting the attention back to me. “I believe she was going to discuss with us something about Corlixir?” She passed me a reassuring smile before returning to her throne.
I glanced at Lukas. Concern was etched onto his tired face, but eventually, he nodded and somehow that gave me the courage to speak again.
