Melchoir sat next to the lagoon with his back against a rock, lost in thought. How did his demise managed to show Kira his past. She didn't even talk about it. Maybe she knew he doesn't want to talk about it but he regret everything he did back at Zephiyah. He even had other women goodness and still she wasn't annoyed.
Melchoir took a small amount of snow in his palm and he put it in his mouth. Normally the snow was cold but to him it was warm.
"Melchoir." He looked up and saw Ralph who was standing a few steps away from him.
"Oh, hey. What's wrong?" Melchoir asked and Ralph sat next to him.
"Nothing."
"I'm scared Ralph." Melchoir said.
"Why?" Ralph asked looking at him.
"About Kira." Melchoir sighed. "My demise somehow showed her my past. She saw how Azrael treated me and Mia."
"It's okay Melchoir. That doesn't say she should fear you. That doesn't mean she wouldn't trust you not to do something like that to her. She said she loves you already so there's no need to be scared." Ralph placed his hand on his arm. "The chiefs need you. You haven't addressed them since we came back from Zephiyah. And the ladies of the court should have been given permission to start work with her majesty."
"They can start. You should guide her to the court once she is ready." Melchoir replied and Ralph nodded. "Inform her immediately." .
"There is a court? Where is the court?" Kira looked surprised at Ralph's message.
"How can there ba a queen and she wouldn't know there is a court." Uma shook her head in pity but Kira totally ignored her.
Ralph chuckled at Uma's response and he replied to Kira. "There is a court your majesty. In the court we have the ladies court which is usually headed by the queen. You weren't told because his majesty asked us not to put all the load on you yet."
"Okay." Kira nodded. "Who are those people in this court and how does it goes and how come I never met anyone of them?"
"They were here on your coronation and they don't have any business on this side of the castle. They are only here if the king commands which he hasn't since you arrived, that's why you never see them." Ralph explained and she nodded. "In the Lords and Ladies courts we have the ambassadors who are mainly concerned with inter- kingdom relationships. The Zephiyah's negotiation was important to have you there so went instead of them. Then we have the nobles. They introduce their children for courting to his majesties. There are a few of them in the court but of course Melchoir just put them there for court filling sake."
When Ralph said the last sentence Uma and Kira burst into laughter.
"And then we have the courtiers. They are mainly on the court to make names for themselves. Then we have the resident military commanders....."
"Are there female commanders?" Uma cut him.
"Yes. They are always in contact with the Ladies court." Ralph replied.
"Maybe I can be one Kira." Uma looked at Kira pleadingly.
"Maybe when Ralph trains your butt off you'll be." Kira sneered. "Ralph continue."
"And we always have guests in the court. Those whom seek shelter in the court. They are usually those whom the king grants permission till they find resident of their own in the village. They are mostly refugees. There are also semi permanent guests who stay for a long time. And we have royal Lords and Ladies like me and the other Lords. Normally our wives should be your lady but I'm the only one married and you know..."
"I get you. You may proceed." Kira smiled.
"I can be one of your ladies. I can deal with history." Uma chipped in.
"I'll think about it." Kira pat her hair before turning to Ralph.
"Then we have the crown's favorite. They are usually close to the crown and they enjoy favours because of their status. Like Uma now, many people will take her as your favorite. His majesty doesn't have time for things like that. Then we have the artists, like the painters, designers, writing, performing and so on. They are mostly in the court to show off. Then we have the guards. Only skilled and professional guards are in the court. Each person's with titles are assigned one or two guards." Ralph explained.
"So how many guards are there? I thought you wanted to recruit guard." Kira said.
"The reports from the king's chiefs the other day are fake. They just wanted to test you." Ralph smiled.
"Seriously? Geez? Why would they even?" Kira rolled her eyes.
"They are curious why Melchoir wouldn't marry a lady from the court. Since he was the crown prince before his uncle's death he didn't even pay attention to them, he was waiting for you. His uncle had lots of concubines and young girls from courtiers." Ralph smirked and Uma giggled, Kira could only cough. "Then there are the servants. They are divided into two groups, one for the ladies court and one for the main castle because female servants are mostly used in the castle. Men are the servants in the male court. There are cooks, head cooks, laundress, messengers, seamstress..."
"The royal seamstress who made my wedding and coronation dress is in the court?" Kira asked and he nodded.
"We have the gardeners among them, the children's nurses and others."
"Are there places for children in the court?" Kira asked.
"Yes but only the concubines kids and the guests kids, the guest kids and the Nobel kids. No servant kids." Ralph replied as if knowing what she wanted to ask next he added the last sentence. "In the harem, we have the concubines. The previous king's concubines."
"How long has Melchoir been the king?"Kira asked.
"Six years. The former king died six years ago." Ralph replied and she nodded. "So there are small kids belonging to the former king but you've never seen them because they don't really leave the court. And yes, this part of the castle is out of bound unless they are given permission step into the upper part of the castle. Are you interested in other people there?"
"Sure." Kira nodded.
"We have Butlers, cup bearers, master of ceremonies, master of robe for your dresses for important events and the falconers who are in charge of messenger birds. That's for the Ladies court and the rest are for the Lords court." Ralph closed the book he has been using to explain everything to her and she nodded. "So when will you like to visit the court to take full control?"
"Tomorrow will be fine." Kira said.
"Your court lady will begin work today and your ladies-in-waiting. She'll be with you by this evening and she'll tell you what you need to know. Right now I think you should rest, you haven't recovered from yesterday's trip back." Ralph said not wanting to talking about her journey to the underworld before Uma.
"I am fine. I had enough sleep over night. Can you tell her to start work after lunch?" Kira asked.
"Your wish is my command. I'll be taking my leave, his majesty must need me now." Ralph bowed before walking out of Kira's study.
"I thought the few matters I handled when I just started work was much but this is more. I have to manage a whole court. Geez." Kira sighed falling into her chair.
"It's okay. I know you'll be a good queen. But just don't neglect your best friend too much." Uma sighed.
"Don't worry. I'll decide which position you should hold by tomorrow when we visit the court." Kira smiled.
"Really? Thanks Kirana." Uma beamed.
"It's nothing. Really." Kira smiled.
"When is she preparing to start?" Melchoir asked Ralph as he walked into his study.
"Tomorrow. She even looks eager to start." Ralph informed dropping some files on his table.
"Didn't Xander and the rest do anything while we were gone? This work is so much." Melchoir groaned looking at the heap of paperwork before him. "I don't even feel I have assistants."
"These are those matters you need to handle yourself. You know we're having a hard time bringing Vitalia back to shape after your uncle spoiled everything." Ralph explained as he sorted some papers.
"Kira's work will be more. No one has been tending well to them for over six years. I kinda blame myself for her having to sort six years stuffs." Melchoir sighed picking another paper to read through.
"And how did you suggest you would have dealt with it? By replacing her?" Ralph asked.
"Not exactly. The only place I didn't search for her was the ocean. if I did maybe she would be sorting only a year or two things." Melchoir sighed and Xander walked in with a couple of file. "And what are those?"
"Works you ought to deal with yesterday." Xander replied making room for the files on his table.
"How much is the work Kirana would have to deal with?" Melchoir asked.
"No need to worry. She just need to check all the accounts from six years ago if they are truly correct and if they can't affect the future." Xander replied.
The door gave way and Achilles walked in with some files too. Melchoir groaned looking at his filled table.
"Today's work." Achilles said.
"So much for being a king. I just want to be in my wife's warm hug right now." Melchoir groaned as the files settled on his table.
"It's barely nighttime." Xander rolled his eyes. "So much for not having a wife."
"You know he didn't sleep next to her last night, fearing he was going to make love to her after she has been in you know where for three days." Achilles replied.
"He's avoiding her because she knows about his past already." Ralph said and Melchoir groaned.
"Thank you so much, I would appreciate it if you leave now." Melchoir rolled his eyes and they all nodded walking out of his study.
After Kira and Uma had lunch together, they returned to her study where she has been since morning going through some files and Uma was helping her.
"My queen, the court lady and the ladies-in-waiting are outside. Should they be letted in?" Yuna asked and Kira nodded.
Not long after a middle aged woman walked in with eight other women. The middle aged woman bowed immediately they halted before Kira. Her hair was braided and decorated with gold and silvers. Her dress was very elegant as it matched her jewelries and eyes well.
"I am Lady Zeena, my queen. I am your court lady." The woman said with her head still bowed.
"It's okay you can all stop bowing." Kira said and they all looked up at her. "Please sit my lady."
"I wouldn't dare sit while her majesty is sitting." Zeena bowed again.
"It's okay. You can sit." Kira smiled and Zeena obeyed slowly. "So my lady."
"Zeena is okay my queen." Zeena said.
"No. I'll rather call you Lady Zeena. You're old enough to be my mother so I can't just call you by name." Kira frowned. "Anyways. I am visiting the court tomorrow and I want to know a few important things about the court."
One of the ladies-in-waiting stepped forward and gave Zeena a scroll.
"Here my queen." Zeena handed the scroll over to Kira. "The court is being ruled by the late King's favourite concubine, Lady Amelia. She has been the one in charge of the court since the late queen died. And the ambassadors are Duchess Susan, Lady Darama, Lady Esther and Lady Tori. We have Nobels who were sent here by their parents mostly in the court and they are up to fifty my queen."
"Okay?" Kira asked giving Uma the scroll to look at.
"We have some courtiers too. Presently we have about forty guests and twenty semi permanent guests. Your chiefs are also known as your ladies my queen. Then in the harem, we have fifteen concubines from the late king and two of King Melchoir's concubines." Zeena informed.
"Melchoir has concubines?" Kira screeched. She stood up immediately and walked towards the door. "I'll be back."
Kira strode towards Melchoir's study. As soon as she entered he looked up.
"Kira?" He looked at shocked at her expression. Her eyes was filled with jealousy and her face didn't miss out too.
"How come you never told me you had concubines Melchoir." She grabbed his shirt and pulled him up. "Not only have you been avoiding me, you've been keeping things from me."
Melchoir grabbed her hand and pinned it to her sides lifting her on his table filled with papers which flew into different directions due to the air her dress made when he placed her on the table.
"I did? Is that why my wife had to neglect her meeting to come to me? Are you jealous?" He asked raising his brows teasingly.
"Jealous?" She scoffed. "Me jealous? Never."
"But your expression says opposite." He smirked moving his face closer to hers inhaling the soft scent of rose oil. "Are you jealous?" His hands trailed from her hand up to her shoulders and to her bare neck making her shiver slightly. His lips trailed up the other side of her neck. He blew gentle air over the skin between her neck and shoulders making her shiver again.
His lips caught hers in a light but desire filled kiss. A moan escaped her lips as his tongue parted her lips and slid into her mouth. His tongue played teasingly with hers as he thrusted his tongue slightly into her mouth.
His lips left hers and trailed down to her neck. A moan escaped her lips as his tongue flicked teasingly over her throat. His lips sucked the spot between her neck and shoulder slowly making her moan even more. She bit her lips to stop the moan but it was of no use.
Melchoir's hand slowly tugged her lace and he slowly loosened the lace of her dress, tracing her back slowly with the tip of his fingers making her arch her back.
The lace was soon off and he pulled her dress down her shoulders leaving him staring at her chestband. He slowly pulled it down and her breasts popped out. He stared at her pink and erect buds with a wicked smirk. His hot tongue suddenly flicked over her bud, a moan escaped her lips and she arched her back. His tongue slowly and sensually danced over her buds till he started sucking with more speed.
Kira couldn't control her moan anymore, he was driving her crazy with his hot mouth. His tongue was swirling around her stiffened buds and he tugged at it frequently. Her hands unconsciously moved to the back of his head pulling him even closer as she arched her back and raising her chest to let him savour her body more. Her mind was totally shut and all she could think about was this sweet pleasure.
Suddenly he let go of her breasts and a displeased moan escaped her lips.
"Now look at my shameless queen. She came in the middle of a meeting to have he pleasure her. So lovely." He smirked and her cheeks burned with embarrassment. "Don't worry, once I'm done with all my work I'll properly pleasure you."
He pecked her lips slightly and pulled up her chestband. He helped her put on her dress and helped her down from his table.
"Of course I have concubines but as Ralph told you earlier.. it's just for having sake. I never share anything with them and so the harem won't be empty after my reign."