"Are you ready?" Natalia asked.
Evelina nodded against the inferno of doubt raging within her. In front of the long mirror, she ran trembling hands down her silken dress, smoothing already-perfect ruffles, and then reached up to adjust her gleaming silver circlet.
Biting at her lip, she asked, "How do I look?"
"Perfect," Natalia smiled. "Relax, you're only observing the introductions this evening – you hardly have to speak to any of the visitors. A mere acknowledgement, that's all."
She took a step towards the door, gesturing for Evelina to precede her, but the Queen made no move to do so.
Natalia held out a hand in solidarity. "Besides," she added, "I'll be seated beside you the entire time."
Evelina managed a watery smile. "Thanks, Nat, that makes me feel better." She squeezed her aunt's fingers. "Gods, I'm more nervous than I was on the day of my coronation! What in the hells is the matter with me?"
"Accepting a crown and seeking a marriage proposal are two very different things," Natalia said sagely as she tugged her gently from the room.
They walked down the long hallway at a sedate pace – mostly to accommodate Evelina's jellied legs – but just shy of the last corner before the Grand Hall doors, the Queen stopped.
Reaching for the wall to steady herself, she whispered, "I… don't think I can do this…"
Natalia laid a hand on her back, rubbing slow, firm circles. "Deep breaths, my love. You CAN do this – you are the Queen of the Dawn Kingdom." As Evelina's gasps came fast and shallow beneath threatening tears, she repeated, "You are the QUEEN, Evelina."
As if on cue, approaching footsteps echoed from the direction of the Great Hall, and with a stunning effort, Evelina pulled herself upright. She released her grip on the wall to fold her shaking hands against her lap, and had managed to project some semblance of serenity by the time the herald rounded the corner.
"M-Majesty!" he stuttered as he almost collided with them, "My Lady! My apologies, I was merely coming to ensure all was well."
"My Aunt and I were simply chatting," Evelina said, only the barest hint of strain shadowing her voice, "But we are ready now. You may go on ahead and announce us."
He scampered back around the corner, and Natalia caught a comforting squeeze around Evelina's waist, only releasing her as they entered the final stretch of hallway. Evelina pulled a little ahead, as was proper, and the herald proclaimed her as she at last entered the Great Hall with all the dignity that befitted a Royal.
Somehow, she made it to the grand table set out upon the dais without giving in to her turbulent interior. There, a steward pulled an ornate chair out for her, and she sat stiffly down to avoid collapsing as her knees finally gave way. She heaved an inaudible sigh, and Natalia gave an encouraging smile as she accepted the chair beside her. At the door, the herald cleared his throat, and then the proceedings began.
By the introduction of the fifteenth suitor, Evelina's nerves were a distant memory, replaced by a hefty dose of boredom, and she was eager to move on to dinner. As the latest strapping lad bowed out to make way for the next, she leaned sideways to whisper in Natalia's ear.
"Are there many more?"
Natalia smiled indulgently. "Only two left now – Sir Redgar of Marshside, and Prince Lucian of Silver Peak."
"Prince Lucian? I though he was betrothed?"
"The arrangement must have fallen through," Natalia winked, "Luckily for you."
"Luckily?"
"Have you ever seen Prince Lucian?"
"Can't say I've had the pleasure," Evelina snapped, inexplicably irked by her aunt's approval of the man.
Natalia sat back in her chair with a wistful sigh. "He's a fine man, Evie. A fine soldier, and a genial prince. He's perfect."
Evelina huffed. "If you say so."
"Silver Peak is one of the wealthiest Kingdoms this side of The Spine," Natalia pointed out.
"I'm well aware," Evelina shot back.
Her aunt fixed her with a pained expression. "I though a rich prince with a skilful sword was rather the point of this whole exercise?"
Evelina swallowed her mutiny. After a moment, she exhaled, regaining control of her plunging emotions. "Yes, of course, I'm sorry."
Natalia reached to squeeze her hand, meeting her gaze with a soft understanding, but did not comment further.
At the door, the Herald cleared his throat again, announcing Lord Redgar – a tall, muscular man with a thick orange beard and a jagged scar across his face. He certainly looked like a warrior, and one with experience. Redgar strode across the room with sure steps, halting to bow before the Queen, and Evelina's eyebrows lifted in surprise – up close, he appeared to be a lot younger than she had first thought.
"Your Majesty," he growled, presenting his broadsword, and dropping to one knee with both hands atop its hilt, "It will be an honour to compete in your name."
"Thank you, Lord Redgar," Evelina replied, "I wish you fortune in the trials."
With a small nod, he rose, sheathed his blade, and spun on his heel to stride back the way he had come. At last, only one combatant remained – the living legend that was Prince Lucian.
The room fell to impatient silence as the Herald peered around the door, but then he leapt back and jolted to attention as the prince swept through.
Hurriedly, he announced, "His Highness, Prince Lucian of Silver Peak! And the Lady Isabeau, also of Silver Peak!"
The Queen's limp fingers almost dropped the goblet she was holding, her attention riveted – but not upon the man in gleaming armour. Mesmerised by waist-length blonde hair and a sleek sapphire dress, Evelina hardly heard the Herald's rattling off of Lucian's epic achievements as the pair crossed the room. For her, there was only silence – and the soft, approaching footsteps of the most indescribably beautiful woman she had ever seen. They came to an elegant halt, Lucian slightly in front, and as he presented his sword and dropped to one knee, Evelina suddenly found herself with a full view of the Lady's impossibly emerald eyes. Isabeau stared back with a calm detachment, untroubled by the gaze of a Queen, and Evelina swallowed beneath the intensity of her regard.
"Uh, Your Majesty?" Lucian cleared his throat, and Evelina crashed back to earth.
"Um, yes, My Lord – I mean, Prince – very good, I wish you favour – or, um, fortune – in the trials to come."
A blush crept up Evelina's cheeks, and Lady Isabeau's eyebrow curved with what could have been amusement. Or judgement, perhaps. Evelina dropped her gaze – something she never did – and mumbled under her breath, but couldn't quite seem to string any more words together. Lucian rose and gifted her a beautiful smile, leant confidence by her reaction to his presence.
"My Queen," he said, "It will be an honour to fight in your arena."
"Th-thank you," Evelina managed, waving him weakly away.
He winked and spun on his heel, but she hardly noticed; Isabeau's eyes had not left her face for an instant. They lingered now, taunting her. Evelina looked up, caught her breath to find the Lady still watching her, and then sank weakly back against her chair as Isabeau finally turned and walked away.
"Holy hells," she whispered, fighting the urge to press a hand to her thundering heart.
Natalia cocked her head with a sly expression. "Told you – a fine man, that one."
"Mmm," Evelina murmured, only half-listening as she watched Isabeau take her seat beside Lucian at the table nearest the door. The way she moved was effortless, enchanting, and a sigh escaped the Queen without her notice.
"I'll be honest," Natalia said, narrowing her eyes, "I didn't expect him to have quite so much of an effect on you."
"What?" Evelina said, trying to drag her attention away from the Lady throwing her head back with a tinkling laugh. "Oh, yes… he's a fine man, indeed."
Natalia's frown deepened as she followed Evelina's gaze. Her face flashed from confusion to surprise, and at last, to understanding. "Oh, Evie…"
The tone of her voice finally brought Evelina back from her reverie, and she met her aunt's concerned face with a helpless expression.
"Lucian's sister?" Natalia said quietly. "My, my, darling… That throws an imp in the works."