13. THIRTEEN
THIRTEEN
Mina
Nerves coil in the pit of my stomach like a nesting snake as I rearrange the refreshments for the fourth time. Everything ends up exactly how Jaime placed it originally, but I need to do something with my hands while I wait.
Sitting patiently and quietly has never been my strong suit.
After Katherine left yesterday, I rearranged my sitting room to be more inviting. A large cobalt couch and matching chairs sit around an intricately carved wooden table. I place my chair at the end, the only spot with a clean route to the exit.
They all face a fireplace built into the north wall. The days are still hot, but this high in the palace, a mountain chill seeps into the stone and doesn’t let go. I instruct Jaime to keep the fire small and cozy.
So much is riding on this first meeting.
The women of Veloria I’ve met so far are quite different from back home, but that does not mean they aren’t dangerous.
I have to set the tone for our relationships, assess them for threats, and prepare for potential backlash against the changes I have planned.
Basic equality is not groundbreaking, but here we stand.
Doubt that I can sway them to my side gnaws at my nerves, but I hide it behind a relaxed smile. I must be like Fareena for this meeting. Charismatic and sociable, not stubborn.
A queen.
How did she and Mother handle this pressure with such ease?
I force myself to leave the tea and snacks where they are and straighten my skirts. My dagger is a comforting weight against my thigh.
I take a deep breath to steady myself, thankful for the ability to do so. Jaime helped me shred the fluffy sleeves on the red dress and modify the bodice enough to forgo a corset. I refused to purchase the one that Trisha wrangled me into.
Under no circumstance will I wear that impractical garments again, nor will any woman who does not fancy them. Surely I’m not the only one who finds them suffocating.
“It’s nearly time, Princess Mina,” Jaime says. Her confident smile eases the pressure in my chest. I’m not alone, at least. The intelligence she gathered will push today in my favor.
The timepiece on the mantel chimes at the hour.
Jaime opens the door, revealing a trail of beautiful women, each regal and draped in a unique dress color. They fan out in a semicircle like a small rainbow. No obvious weapons, but full skirts do conceal them well.
“My name is Princess Mina Ardeshir of Kalisham.” I nod to Jaime as she takes her place at my side. “This is Jaime. Thank you all for sacrificing your time to assist me going forward.”
The first woman, dressed in an understated but expensive pale-yellow gown, steps forward. “The pleasure is ours. I’m Lady Elena.”
She bows her head a fraction lower than I did, but nowhere near the deep curtsy she would have shown Darius. The attendant who worked for her was spot-on about her personality. Lady Elena may not have the title of princess anymore, but she holds herself with the authority of one.
She probably fancies herself the next queen already, given how she boldly introduced herself first. I admire her confidence.
The rest introduce themselves with a respectable curtsy, and I invite them to gather around the refreshments. I claim the seat at the head of the group and take in my battleground.
Jaime pours fresh tea for each of us. Lady Elena sits in the chair to my immediate right. She’s fair with rosy cheeks, and her long flaxen hair is artfully arranged in a braid resembling a crown.
Next to her is Lady Natalie, the palest of the bunch due to her northern home, with piercing blue eyes and dark brown hair. She keeps her gaze glued to her tea, fingers circling the rim in steady motions.
Ladies Hunter, Kailani, and Victoria share the spacious couch.
Lady Kailani’s dress is a deep orange that complements her medium-brown skin tone and curly black hair.
The eldest of the group by a few years, she reminds me the most of home.
The warmth of her smile when our eyes meet seems genuine.
She is definitely the most relaxed of the group.
Lady Victoria’s honey-brown hair is as straight as mine.
Her sun-kissed beige skin reflects her southern homeland, where people work the docks all day.
I can still smell the sea on her. Salt and freedom shine in her warm brown eyes.
She studies the details of the room when she thinks my focus is elsewhere.
Observant, but I sense no ill will from her yet.
Lady Hunter’s warm white complexion is a bit pink, burnt from the sun on her face and neck. Her dark blond hair is in a simple, dull braid, her beauty muted in comparison to the bold women around her. Perhaps she wants to blend in, given her history with Darius.
The speed at which Jaime was able to unveil Lady Hunter’s sparse history was impressive. She’s the cousin of a fallen monarch. Darius spared her since she was studying abroad in another country at the time.
Given his reputation, I am surprised she was allowed to live at all. No other monarchies that chose war were offered the same leniency.
I can’t fathom how she can work so closely to the man who killed her family. I would rather die than align myself with Zala. I relax my death grip on my cup and smile.
The urge to fill the silence nudges at me, but I refuse to carry the conversation. Perhaps these women will be confidants one day, but today I am their future queen, whom they need to impress. I let the silence pressure them into doing so.
Drawing my shoulders back, I summon the posture Mother used in her court as I sip my tea. Jaime did not add any sugar, but a subtle sweetness dances across my tongue. Like honey stems that grow by the lake on the southern border back home.
Familiar yet unique, and quite delicious. An unexpected little piece of home that has me smiling into my cup.
“What kind of tea is this?” Lady Natalie breaks the silence.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. It was a gift from the emperor. I only received it this morning, so this is my first time trying it as well.”
“The emperor gifted you a fine tea. Thank you for sharing it with us,” Lady Kailani adds.
“You’re welcome. I couldn't think of a better way to show our gratitude to you all.” Not the subtlest of messages, but at least it’s clear. They will not take my place so easily.
Lady Victoria stares at her cup intensely and takes a long sip. “This isn’t a tea harvested here in Veloria.” Another sip. “This brew is from north of the mountains. My father traded a few rare cases of leaves, and I got close enough to smell it once. This tea is a dying breed.”
Murmurs break out as we taste the tea again, and I blame the drink for the warmth spreading through me.
I told Darius that I did not need his help, yet he set me up for success with such a bold gesture.
The desire to defy his unwelcome chivalry wars with the desire to thank him.
A small part of me enjoys his little surprise, and it’s fortifying to have such an ally at my side.
“Thank you for identifying it. I had no idea he honored me with such a gift.” The blush stinging my cheeks is far too sincere. Don’t be fooled by his kindness. “Your father is the head of the Merchants’ Guild in Coryntha, correct, Lady Victoria?”
“Yes. The emperor’s been very kind to our family. Coryntha has only grown more prosperous under his rule.” I expected a spoiled, pampered daughter of vast riches, but her gratitude appears genuine. Her clothes are finely crafted but not screaming wealth like Elena’s. Interesting.
“With such a keen eye for goods, surely you’d rather be there learning the family business.”
An awkward silence descends upon the group. I let it fester, curious to see who will have the courage to correct me. They share a glance until Lady Elena speaks up.
“Women aren’t permitted in the Merchants’ Guild.” Her tone is polite but masks a sense of haughtiness at knowing something so simple, while I did not.
“You have brothers?” I ask, feigning shock. Lady Victoria nods. “Are they more talented than you at the job?”
She hides her emotions well, but bitterness creases the corner of her smile. “They like to think so.”
“And what do you think?” I ask, placing my teacup on the table.
“Forgive my forwardness, Your Highness. My brothers are very capable merchants, intelligent and insightful. But even they can be wrong.”
My laughter is not echoed by the others. “The Merchants’ Guild is missing out. I suppose their foolish loss is my gain. I hope you’ll guide my knowledge of Veloria’s economics. Tutors are fine, but I prefer knowledge from the source.” Not that I have any tutors lined up yet.
I have much to learn about the true history of this continent.
“It’ll be my pleasure. Thank you, Your Highness.” Lady Victoria sets her cup down with the force of an excited child, then blushes. Her rough edges and obvious passion are incredibly endearing.
The conversation flows easily after that. We converse about their travels and homelands. They speak with one another, directing stories at me.
Nearly an hour passes, and I have a firm grasp on each woman with the exception of Lady Hunter. She’s spoken the least, and while I heard about her life, I don’t feel as if I’ve learned anything. A smart tactic I employ myself.
She wasn’t a queen candidate originally, which makes her appointment all the more suspicious. Unless she isn’t the council’s choice...
Darius reviewed the list of women before approving it.
Darius, the master strategist.
A spy in enemy territory is the oldest trick in the book. Perhaps he chose to place eyes and ears in my space. I would do the same in his position.
Mercy is not his legacy, yet he let Lady Hunter live. Miraculous or fictitious?
I study each of the women as they chat. One is most certainly a spy for Darius. A knock at the door interrupts my assessment, and Jaime pokes her head out for a moment before the door swings wide.
“Mr. Sergal, head steward of the palace, is requesting an audience,” she announces.
“Let him in.”