Lieutenant Catalina came to meet us at the antechamber of the main palace. She led us through the hallway, the walls adorned with gold decorations and on them hung also the banner of the royal family, a white outline of an oak tree surrounded by the elements upon a red background.
We walked without a sound, passing through beams of colorful sunlight that pierced into the stained-glass windows. The lights shattered into a festive prism upon the marble floor.
Often times, we would encounter courtiers. I would curtsy, just as Erilyn would do, and they'd offer us their congratulations in return behind ornate fans and well-trimmed beards.
"This is exhausting," I said. How is this palace so big? I couldn't bear to smile at another palace resident, my cheeks were going numb.
Nikolas nudged his elbow at my side and raised his brows at me, giving me a look of warning.
I ignored him. No one would hear and the lieutenant already knew of our secret, anyway. There was no use with keeping up at playing pretend.
As a reply, I widened my eyes at him in challenge. Try me, Nikolas.
He sighed in surrender, muttering that he would rather die than deal with my inappropriateness. I wouldn't care less about what he thought. I could complain whenever I wanted.
"Spoiled brat," I heard him say.
My feet ceased moving. I was rooted to the ground. How dare he—
I blinked. The lieutenant and Nikolas had reached the door that led to the queen's private gardens. I shook my head and breathed, letting the heat cool off. I wanted to kick his head so bad but this was an ill-fitting place to do it.
I kept up with their pace, eyes front as I fell into place beside Nikolas again. I straightened my shoulders and maintained a neutral expression.
We followed a pavement, with a golden gate right at the end. On each sides of it were royal guards, fixed into position. As we got nearer, they opened their gates for us. They gave a salute to the lieutenant, hands straighter than a measuring stick. She nodded to the two guards as a response.
It was a very spacious garden. Our own at the estate wasn't even half of this. At the sides were hedges, some cut into animals and humans and elements. Various plants were scattered on carefully-tended flower beds, their sweet scents wafting in the brisk air brushing gently against my face. Marble statues towered over us, as well, some sculpted so mimic Templars. It captured the movement of the wielder almost too realistically. For example, a Fire-wielder was in a stance wherein she was about to shoot blazing fires to her enemy. The flames were so detailed they looked real, too.
Erilyn would have loved and appreciated this scenery more than I did.
At the distance, where the path ended, a pavilion rose into view. Behind it was a clear pond that reflected the sky perfectly like a mirror. On the edges of its curving roof, strips of silk dangled, dancing along the wind with their own music. Behind the silks, the queen of Carnelia sat. Before her was a tea set, set on a white cloth draped upon a circular table.
There were only three chairs. This meant…. That the lieutenant was leaving us to our own devises.
I gulped, attempting to strengthen my resolve. If anything, the queen's demeanor appeared calm.
I dipped into a curtsy before the steps and Nikolas bowed next to me.
"Sacred be the royal jewel of Carnelia," we uttered in chorus. "We bow before the daughter of the nation, Her Royal Majesty Queen Valerie."
"Rise, my dears." We did. Her voice was like a stone glazed with honey. There's roughness and depth in it, but they sounded pleasant to my ears. "I see you've done your homework."
She was laughing, so sweetly in fact. Her voluminous auburn hair flowed down her olive skin, grey eyes shimmering with innocent mischief. A diamond circlet lay above thin brows. From my view, she looked younger than I saw her last. Without the entourage, the officials and the Quartet near her, she seemed like a fairly normal girl. And that's because she was. The queen wasn't even in her thirties yet, merely halfway her twenties.
"Valerie, I'll leave them to you," said the lieutenant.
I heard these two were close. But I didn't expect that they were close enough to be on first-name-basis.
"Like dumping off children for me to babysit," the queen grinned. "You're way too serious, Cat. Loosen up."
The lieutenant inhaled, then exhaled. "I can't loosen up. Not when there's—"
She stops herself and immediately the queen speaks so the lieutenant wouldn't have to.
"I understand," the queen says with an almost sad smile. "You are dismissed, Lieutenant. Thank you for bringing these two to me."
"I'm only doing my job," replied the lieutenant. She bowed, turned and went back the way we went.
"Have a seat, Lily, Nikolas." She raised her delicate palm toward the chairs waiting for us. Silver rings surrounded each of her fingers.
We followed what she said. Between Nikolas and me, the air was suffocating and stiff. I was sweating. And Nikolas was as rigid as a tree. However, the queen's aura was cozy and airy.
I supposed she wanted us to be comfortable. So I released the tension on my shoulders, following the lead. I felt Nikolas relax, too.
But the panic shot back up again when the queen picked up the teapot and poured tea into our cups.
I jolted, hands in the air. Although I saw that there was no way to stop her I still tried. "Oh please no, Your Majesty. Forgive my manners, but you shouldn't do this. We are your subjects."
In my peripheral vision, I caught Nikolas turning my direction with surprise. It was brief, but I saw him.
"Nonsense," the queen said as she finished. "You are my guests, and I the host. I owe you my hospitality."
"We thank you, Your Majesty." Niko cleared his throat. He had squeaked out of nervousness. "Truly."
To show respect, I picked up the teacup. It smelled of hibiscus, strong and fragrant. I savored the aroma before taking a sip. The tea felt satisfying as it landed on my throat, warm and soothing to the senses. Nikolas had done nothing but copy everything I did.
"How is it?" Her smile was very captivating. Such beauty should be placed on a pedestal for all to worship. But I suppose she was already on a pedestal of her own, being a young queen of a powerful nation.
"It is delicious, Your Majesty." I returned the teacup to its saucer. "I am grateful that we are able to start off this discussion with a good mood."
Her lips curled upward in a sly manner. "Yes, Lily, we will need it."