This must be one of the few times we cross paths, of all places in this large castle, she chose to be here, now. If speaking her name ruined my aunt's mood, I wonder what seeing her face would do. Her face still as bitter as ever, we hadn't crossed paths in a week, so why was she here?
"Your grace, be welcomed, I did not expect you here, is there something you need?"
Okay maybe that was too nice, but I always tried to be as cordial and respectful as possible could, she is the queen after all, and if anyone is going to be verbally insulting, it wouldn't be me. "From you princess, nothing" she replied, voice stern.
"I heard the princess Asterlayna had arrived and I wondered why she didn't alert the crown of her coming or at least make her presence known at court, perhaps she would care to inform the court why Lord Navalis has not been seen at any council meeting in weeks" Asterlayna still seated, gave the queen an unbothered look, took a sip of her wine and then finally stood up and met face to face with the queen.
"I did not make my presence known at court your grace because I did not come here on crown business, being that the king is absent, I came to see my niece, and as for my husband, he will happily explain his reasons as to why he has been absent when the king returns, till then the meetings will have to hold without him"
I was lost for words, I never knew my aunt had a sharp tongue, and to the queen of all people, I choked on my laughter "If you would excuse us your grace, the Anessa would like to show me to my chambers so I may rest, it's been a long flight" we exited the courtyard without so much as bowing, my guard few feet behind us, I've never seen the queen so lost, she had no idea what to say and I must admit, it was the most impressive thing I've seen this week.
"The queen won't forget this" I whispered, she gave me a mischievous smile "Good, that would give her something to think about. It would appear she had nothing better to do than to show up here and demand to know why I didn't let anyone know I came to see my niece" we laughed about it as we made our way back to the castle, I turned back and threw her a glance, when our eyes met, she snapped out of it, and went back the way she came, her guards in tow.