POV David
It had been a week since my conversation with the Queen and I'd been dreadfully busy. Between refusing her invitations to lambasting marriage proposals to getting ready to meet the forgein dignitary while avoiding sabotage of my temporary position and role. Not only had I had to prepare for our quest who all we knew was an individual of high standing within the dragon lands of the south, I also had to prepare for the spring fertility festival.
But the day was finally here. I'd made all the preparations I could given my lack of connections. I stood just off to the side of the thrones where the royals sat. Several dozen nobles with far more influence than I were gathered to meet this dignitary. I had such little faith in the other nobles that I'd had my bodyguard prepare to act as armed escorts.
I glanced at the royals to see most of them looking at me, expressions varied. The King seemed hateful while the Queen was playing with her hair as she cast glances my way. Veria seemed to be watching my every move with intense scrutiny while the younger Princess Phoebe lazily watched the crowd as a whole. I was most surprised by the young Prince. He was staring at me with rapt attention, like I was some famous celebrity he'd always wanted to meet.
"Soxera, Queen of the dragon lands enters." The crier shouted as a young woman wearing an azure dress waltzed in. Her lips pursed disadfuly as several nobles tried to subtly hint at wanting to form closer ties. Meanwhile I wished I could die. I'd thought it was supposed to be some nobody figure and I could use the visit to display my prowess. Oh I'm so screwed.
"Greetings your majesty." She spoke with sarcasm dripping from her lips, mirth seemed to flit in her sky blue eyes.
The Queen nodded. "It's so kind of you to join us, but was Kargos not the ambassador?"
Soxera chuckled darkly. "He sustained a great wound in the tournaments and is still recovering. I was bored and took his place."
I took a deep breath, how much worse could this be? Not much… I had a few schemes in the background so I shouldn't be too bad off if something goes amiss.
"I do hope you'll enjoy our hospitality, your majesty. My good friend Baron Fulton will be taking care of your needs." The Queen introduced us as I bowed respectfully.
"Please let me know if you have any requests."
"I would like to be shown my rooms," she yawned dismissively. "It was a long way to this backwater."
I glanced apologetically at the Queen but performed my duty, leading the Queen of the dragons to her room in the quest wing. Being responsible for the quest meant her safety as well so my guards were patrolling the wing.
I went back to my room and fell into a chair with a huff. I'd let her majesty know to call for me if she needed anything. Hopefully I'd be able to get some sleep tonight… I almost regretted thinking the words as I heard yelling outside my door. Hopefully Tullio would…
The door slammed open as several knightess burst into the room. "Don't be too rough ladies, the Queen likes him." A voice sneered from the doorway. I clasped my hands on my lap.
"What can I do for you?" I asked cheerily.
"Hand over the responsibilities of ambassador to me." She said with an arrogant sneer. She thrust out her hand like I was supposed to pay her or something.
"I'm sorry. Who are you?" I feigned ignorance.
"Don't." She stopped one of her goons from striking me. "Why would a man know? They're all dumb and ignorant anyway. I'm Mazi Yil Luthor, Marquess of Guldo." She puffed her chest out with pride.
She had reason to be proud, Luthor was a distinguished name in the Queendom, going back almost to its founding. But she seemed to be overestimating something. I slowly rose to my feet and smiled.
"Handing over responsibility of Ambassador at this time, without the request of the visiting party, would only snub them, are you sure you want to anger their majesty?" I asked in a diplomatic tone as I clasped my hands behind my back.
She gritted her teeth. "It's already too much of an insult that a man holds the position. Now you dare back talk me?" She stepped forward to slap me but I caught her hand.
"There are more people watching than you give credit for." I said with a sly grin.
"An observant one… how distasteful." The Queen of the dragons dropped through the window.
She didn't even spare me a glance, I knew full well she didn't care for me. But this was a matter of pride. Thankfully even the dragons of this world valued their pride, and judging from how the Marquess and her goons paled it was quite a lot.
"Do you dare insult me worm?" She grabbed the Marquess by the chin and stared into her eyes. I took the tactically sound option of retreating into the corner of the room near my desk.
"No… your majesty." She croaked.
"It's a shame this isn't my own lands…" Soxera mimed a hangman's noose. She let go of the marquess and she and her goons scrambled from the room.
"Thank you, your majesty." I bowed my head.
"Silence worm." I bit my lip in displeasure but didn't say anything as she looked around.
"This room is not indicative of one who is serving a forgein Queen, get accommodations with an antechamber, I would rather use yours to entertain such stupid guests." With a dismissive flourish she disappeared back the way she came.
Oh, this will be fun. With my evening plans now scattered to the four winds I sought out her majesty to relay my charge's request. Such arrangements were unheard of, a Baron getting the same accommodations as an Earless? The audacity!
Such was the protests of the nobles when I relayed the request of my guest that I was forced to accede to a compromise instead. I at least had the satisfaction of being granted the liberty of Marquess Luthor's antechamber and meeting room and meeting room for the occasions they would be needed.
The marquess grinned at me triumphantly, happy to put me in my place, I on the other hand questioned what she knew about the dragons. I had made a few concessions to be able to appease my guest, such as giving Marquess Luthor the privilege of seeing to her majesty's morning schedule, which I would take over after eleven thirty.
I'm not sure how she thought of this as a win, Soxera was very obviously not a morning person. I doubt she'd even wake before ten. Much less want to be in some tea party before seven with some pompous noble lady.
This was going to be an interesting few weeks leading up to the festival. I could almost say I was looking forward to it being over already.