*Belinda*
After breakfast, Queen Belinda gathered her fellow ladies to have tea in her favorite room. The room was one filled with long windows that overlooked the gardens. It was a pleasant spot that Queen Belinda had always found enjoyable. And today was no exception.
Surrounded by her ladies, Queen Belinda's mood improved significantly. She was now in the midst of a conversation. Each was overlapping the next. Everyone was busy talking over who wore what and who did that.
It's all trivial nonsense. Queen Belinda was no fool. But still, it was sweet on her ears. It helped almost erase all that went on just before.
Almost. Queen Belinda clenched her dress under the table. It still irked her.
I am Queen here. Queen Belinda could feel the sting of being abandoned by both husband and son resurface. It was worse by how quick they were to leave. She ought to have deserved better than this.
Not that unwanted thing! Queen Belinda quivered with quiet rage. She forced a sip of tea down her throat.
Why must every man be obsessed with them? Both her and her damn mother. Empress Parsul… When will I be credited for all I do?
Queen Belinda could feel a hot sting of tears hit her eyes. But she refused to humor them. Instead, she pridefully sucked them back.
"And the cat gave birth all over my favorite dress." Lady Colten blurted out. Queen Belinda perked her head up at her voice. She threw on a smile.
"My, how distressing." Queen Belinda spoke without listening. It was just another boring story of Lady Colten's.
"Had I known, I would have stopped it. But now I have all these kittens to deal with."
"How'd I become a mother again?!" Lady Colten laughed at her joke. But it was only her. No one else was laughing.
What a dullard. Queen Belinda thought. She never liked the woman herself. Lady Colten was the type to speak loudly and often without having said much.
Queen Belinda mentally sighed. She wished she hadn't sat at the same table as her. But, unfortunately, she was running the party.
My tea is turning off. Queen Belinda sipped on her Almony tea. The taste was watered down somehow by the wrong company.
If only my civil upbringing didn't forbid me to tell her to shut her face. Queen Belinda sighed into her cup. As she put it down, her eyes crossed with another. She looked eager to say something.
"Lady Maribel, you seem to have something on your mind." Queen Belinda prompted. The young blond, recently married to a count, nodded.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Speaking of children, I think-" Lady Maribel paused to correct herself. She was still young and inexperienced in court life. But Queen Belinda found her boldness charming.
"Go on, girl." Queen Belinda smiled sweetly. It seemed to be just the right encouragement. Lady Maribel smiled.
"You handled the situation with Empress Anastasia graciously."
"Oh, yes, how unfortunate she has forgotten her shoes." An older woman, older than Belinda, Lady Slyvia added. She looked around the table to have others agree.
"Unfortunate, yes." Queen Belinda repeated while wary of Lady Slyvia. The woman was an enigma in her way. Her age left her with the power of experience. Nobles heeded her words because of it.
"Was she not tutored on Dawny's etiquette?" A young teen asked the table.
"She has her regents." Queen Belinda carefully answered. She was mindful of how she needed to word things. So many eyes were on her. Queen Belinda stroked the handle of her china cup.
"I imagine they would bring a specialist to teach her."
"My, do you suppose it was not thorough enough? It was such a simple mistake." The young one spoke again.
"You'd question her upbringing." Another Nobel chimed in with worry.
"In my opinion, any child without a mother is going to suffer in some way." Lady Slyvia sipped her tea. The women at the table nodded. Her words were again swaying them. But she then turned to smile at Queen Belinda reassuringly.
"I mean, natural mother, of course. A stepmother's position can never be easy."
"Raising another woman's child is a daunting task." Lady Slyvia looked quietly at Queen Belinda.
"Yes, it's-" Queen Belinda said as the teen cut her off.
"You did handle it with grace, your majesty. If only her Empress were to have your guidance. She'd be ideal for sure." The teen practically yelled even though she had just sat across the table.
God no. Queen Belinda almost gagged at the idea. She didn't want to imagine housing the child any longer than she had to now.
However, instead of being honest, Queen Belinda lifted her head. She looked over at her table. She could see everyone focused on her. It was time to put on another show.
"I only provide instruction where it's due. As I would for any of our children." Queen Belinda smiled sweetly. The ladies nodded under her spell.
"Of course, your highness."
"How kind of her majesty," Ladies smiled and praised her.
Everyone in the room seemed swayed by her mock benevolence. They were all fooled by her act and smiled and nodded. They all believed Queen Belinda could be nothing more than a mother to all children.
"Though, Your Majesty." Lady Mary spoke out. She looked about to see if the coast was clear. Her voice then lowered. "You are surely trusting to have her so near the prince."
"How so, Lady Mary?" Queen Belinda tempered her voice. Its voice would not carry to the father tables.
"I mean," Lady Mary stole another look around. "I would certainly hold some reservations."
"Reservations?" Queen Belinda repeated to have Mary nod.
"I understand she is his Majesty's daughter, but her mother was not…." Lady Mary trailed off for another to quickly catch on.
"Oh, yes. I, too, would be hesitant." A middle-aged widow agreed. "As she is not human."
"It is worrisome to have her so close to the prince." Lady Sylvia chimed in. She again looked to Queen Belinda, which made her straighten her back.
"Has she not had her first blood yet?"
"Oh no," Lady Colten spoke up.
"She's still too young. But I guess it could happen. Vampires are so unpredictable."
"They really could attack at any time." Lady Mary spoke dire. That seemed to spur the rest of the table.
Queen Belinda could feel their concern as they turned to look at her. They wanted her guidance. They needed it.
Lady Mary coughed with a look of regret. "No offense, your majesty. I do not mean to scare you. I would use caution."
"Caution?" Queen Belinda repeated. The idea was laughable. Caution was her motivation for everything. She was not the one who needed to be cautious.
It's my dear husband who is the blind one. But she knew that would soon change. Queen Belinda squeezed her cup with the quiet rage in her heart.
"I understand your concerns. But His Majesty wishes for an open relationship with Nochten and their Empress. I can only oblige and seek to maintain it." Queen Belinda spoke diplomatically.
"Your Majesty is so just." Again, a noble praised as others clapped. Then, again, they looked at her with renewed admiration.
Queen Belinda had carefully crated another image of herself as a dutiful queen and willingly obliged her king and kingdom. Perfect. Queen Belinda smiled mentally.
"But, I agree. Some things do not mix." Queen Belinda allowed just a little truth to slip out. But she didn't expect anyone to grow suspicious over that. And they didn't.
"Indeed, our king must be blindsided by his fatherly affection. He does not consider the whole idea. Vampires and humans fare better separated." Another woman voiced.
"Perhaps he's just curious?" A duchess answered. Lady Slyvia chuckled at her.
"You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don't you?" Lady Sylvia laughed again. Her laugh spurred the others to start and laugh with her.
"Cat, huh?" Queen Belinda, however, only moved for her tea. She was stuck on the thought. It reminded her of something.
What was that again- Oh, and Belinda smiled as she remembered. But just as she smiled, it thinned. It seemed the girl had yet to grasp the actual concept.
Perhaps there was a way to show her? Belinda lowered her cup as the idea of cats became much darker.
"Your majesty," Julia's voice lifted her from her thoughts. She hadn't noticed her approach. As she looked up, she noted someone standing in the hall entrance.
"Your majesty, Lord Mykhol seeks a short audience with you." Julia went on.
Queen Belinda lifted her head better to take him in. His clothes looked disheveled slightly with what looked to be dust. But his face was still as handsome as ever.
As she looked at him, he happened to look up to meet her. A seductive smile stretched over his lips. Queen Belinda felt her cheeks warm and turned to look elsewhere.
"Should I send him away, your majesty?" Julia asked, but she stood.
"What kind of host would I be to ignore my guests?" Queen Belinda voiced and smiled at her tables.
"Ladies, I'll return shortly." Queen Belinda excused and turned. But just before stepping off, she paused.
"Lady Colten, you mentioned you have a kitten problem?"
"Oh, yes, your majesty. Too many for me to handle." Lady Colten laughed loudly. Queen Belinda slightly twitched her lips but maintained her trademark expression.
"How about I help you with that?" Queen Belinda moved to touch Lady Colten's cheek. The woman instantly blushed at the touch. Any attention quickly overcame her.
Dullard. Queen Belinda labeled her. But that was good. She needed a fool.
"Kittens make sweet gifts for children."
"Of course, yes. Yes, they do. I- Of course. What a splendid idea, your majesty." Lady Colten stuttered and blushed.
"Julia?" Queen Belinda motioned for the maid.
"I'll want two."
"Your majesty." Julia returned and moved to work out the details with Lady Colten. Queen Belinda watched Lady Colton smile her head off as if she had done the Queen a favor.
I'll spare myself and not invite her next time. So Queen Belinda thought while moving. It would be the last time she would stomach another fool.
Fools and bastards, children alike. A smile stretched up her face at the idea. Queen Belinda left the room quietly. The gaggle of conversations died out as she met the teen in the hall. This close, she could see how dusty the teen was.
"Lord Mykhol, what have you been up to? " Queen Belinda began, but Mykhol seemed ready. Without pause, he moved.
Mykhol pulled the golden key from his pocket. Queen Belinda studied it a moment before gasping. Her eyes widened at seeing it.
"Where did you find that?" Queen Belinda breathed and reached to take it. She wasn't happy seeing him with it. That key would be very dangerous in the wrong hands. "Give it to me-"
"Nah-uh," Mykhol stepped back. A playful smile crossed his lips.
"You-" Queen Belinda watched him gently tap the key to his lips, purposely trying to bring attention to them. The sight of them made her blush despite herself.
"You," Queen Belinda breathed to pull up her mask. This boy was dangerous, indeed. But then again, so was she. "Where did you find that key?"
"The where isn't important," Mykhol's fangs peeked out of the smile as if holding in a joke. "It's what else I found."
"What else?" Belinda narrowed her eyes. "What else would there be?"
"Your Majesty," Mykhol only widened his smile before stepping in to whisper. "I've had quite the morning."
"What are you-" At first, Belinda flinched at the closeness between them, but as Mykhol spoke, her guard fell. The tickle of his voice on her ear faded as she listened to more, growing paler and paler. And by the end of it, Belinda was the one leaning in.