Poise and Grace
Matilda pressed her lips together, visibly restraining herself as her seamstress complained under her breath. She was aggravated but could hardly blame the vampire woman who’d spent tedious days and nights constructing her gown.
“If you breathe any louder or mumble one more word under your breath, then I will toss you from the tallest height of the castle,” Belzara growled at the seamstress. Matilda didn’t think it was possible, but the woman’s pale face became whiter. “Apologize!” Belzara commanded.
The seamstress bowed her head graciously and offered a swift, “My apologies, my Queen.”
Forgiveness was at the tip of Matilda’s tongue when Belzara interjected.
“Your apology was not satisfactory. Grovel, woman!”
The seamstress’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Vivian? Do you mind giving me and my lady-in-waiting a moment?”
“Y-yes, my Queen,” she whispered before scampering off to parts unknown.
“Belzara.”
“Yes?”
“Can you cease behaving like a donkey’s ass for a moment?”
“She was being a disrespectful pig,” Belzara exclaimed.
Matilda rolled her eyes and couldn’t help but think Belzara’s new status had gone to her head.
“Belzara, as my lady-in-waiting, you must carry yourself with poise and grace.”
The orc snorted. “Says the huntress who doesn’t have an ounce of poise and grace.”
“I admit, I’m a work in progress, but we mustn’t alienate them.
We need as many subjects on our side as possible, and making them grovel is not the way to go about it.
It was not long ago I made my living massacring their people.
I must earn their trust before I earn their respect. Do you understand, Belzara?”
“Yes, my Queen,” the orc grumbled.
“There is another matter I must address with you, Belzara.” Matilda fixed her gaze on her longtime friend, needing to drive her message home.
“You are not exempt from the rule. I have been lax with you because of our history and everything you have done for me, but how can my subjects respect me if my lady-in-waiting speaks to me as if I am beneath her?”
“I—”
“Let me finish.” Matilda was satisfied when Belzara clamped her mouth shut.
“I know we jest, and the words you say to me are not meant to be malicious; yet, others are not aware of the intricacies of our former relationship. Perception is everything, and they will perceive your jesting as disrespect, and I will be seen as weak. What kind of queen would I be if my lady-in-waiting spoke to me so brashly? Luka detests the way you speak to me, and despite my interventions, he is not convinced that your place is by my side. He will send you back to the tavern, and that’s if he is in a pleasant mood.
I love you and want you here with me because you are familiar and feel like home, but you must behave accordingly. Do I make myself clear, Belzara?”
“Yes, my Queen,” Belzara responded quietly like a scolded child.
“Please apologize when Vivian returns.”
“I will.”
Matilda refocused on the mirror and rubbed her stomach, which doubled in size overnight.
According to Dr. Blackwood, the child’s rapid growth was due to blood intake.
He assumed she would continue to experience intermittent cravings throughout her pregnancy and to only consume when she had intense cravings.
For now, the child was satiated. Unfortunately, her increase in size warranted a trip to the seamstress for an adjustment to her wedding gown.
The couple had wished for the pregnancy to remain a secret until after the wedding, but their fortune and good luck had run out.
A knock at the door prompted Matilda to invite her guest in.
“Is it your wish for my return, my Queen?”
“Yes, please. The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can attend training.”
“It may not be my place, Queen Matilda, but the training field might not be agreeable with your condition,” Vivian stated.
Matilda shifted anxiously on the platform as the sound of swords clanging echoed outside the window.
“I will only spectate. The dress is ravishing, and your skills are impeccable, but I yearn to wear britches.”
Vivian chuckled and resumed her position. “I will see to it that I prepare another pair of britches for you to accommodate your expansion.”
“That is the polite way of calling you fat, my Queen,” Belzara whispered in her ear.
“I can hear you, orc,” Vivian drawled in annoyance.
“Then hear this—” Belzara started, gearing up for battle before Matilda settled her eyes on her with a warning. “—I apologize for my behavior earlier. I still have much to learn about poise and grace.”
“Hmph. Much to learn, you say? It will take you a vampire’s lifetime to achieve such a status,” Vivian said, scoffing at the apology. Matilda held her breath and waited for Belzara’s response.
Belzara gritted her teeth and clenched her fists by her side.
“Perhaps… you are correct, but I will try my best,” she said, slowly enunciating each word with controlled measure. Vivian raised a brow at Belzara, astounded by her change in demeanor, and said, “Perhaps,” before continuing the alterations.
The tension fled Matilda’s body. She did not have to seek a new lady-in-waiting—at least not so soon.
***
Luka watched the sparring match between Ezra and David from his office window, wincing each time Ezra landed a particularly vicious blow that sent David stumbling.
The once brawny and boastful beta was sluggish and weak from weeks of torture and near starvation. Not only was David ailing, but his wolf as well. That was clear when he couldn’t shift.
His eyes flicked towards his beloved, who was perched on a log several feet too close to the battling vampire and werewolf for his liking. He knocked on the window, capturing her attention. “Move,” he mouthed, pointing to a seating area further from the action.
“But I’ll miss everything,” she mouthed back.
“Return inside at once.”
He hummed in satisfaction when she moved as he asked. He sucked his fangs when she shot him her middle finger but found himself chuckling when he mimicked her childish taunt. Her stupefied look was priceless.
“Get up, David,” Luka muttered when Ezra effortlessly knocked him on his ass. “We are fucked,” he drawled when David surrendered.
“King Alesi, I have urgent news,” Advisor Johansson announced, rushing into the room.
“Is it regarding the moderate-sized army marching this way that boasts House Bryne’s colors?”
“Yes, my King. I have the troops mobilizing as we speak!”
“No need to panic, Lord Johansson. I have been expecting them. They have not been secretive about their intent. We will intercept them before they make it to the castle walls.”
“I will have updates provided to you from the battlefield.”
“Updates are not required, for I will be joining you,” Luka responded, throwing open the window. “Tilda?”
“I moved as you have instructed.”
“I am aware. However, I call to you for an unrelated matter.”
“Oh? Should we cut our losses with David?”
“Most likely, but again, an unrelated matter. How would you like to help me dress in my battle regalia?”