Mercenary Queen: The Complete Series

Welcome to Court

“Cassarah, would you please stop moving, or we will never get you ready in time,” my mother snapped.

While I’d let my thoughts wander far from here, I’d all but forgotten the myriad of women running around my room getting me ready. I was finally going to be presented at court later today.

I stood on a small round pedestal in only a white floor-length chemise.

I heaved a heavy sigh and frowned at my mother’s back as I watched her walk over to grab my corset, also known as my archnemesis.

I battled with that thing every day. I was forever grateful I’d missed the fashion era when having the smallest waist was considered beautiful.

Mind you, they still didn’t like over-indulgent women—hence the corset—but you no longer had to have your waist be the same size as your neck.

I quickly swept my thick, curly black hair up and out of the way so it wouldn’t get caught in the strings. I knew my mother wouldn’t be careful.

I took my last deep breath of the day as the all-too-familiar fit of the corset was wrapped around my waist. I had to place my feet shoulder-width apart so I wouldn’t be pulled off the pedestal as they strapped me in.

I vowed that someday I would find a way to outlaw the use of these torture devices.

There had to be a better way to get the same look without worrying about breaking ribs if it was too tight.

I exhaled as my mother suddenly pulled the string taut. It caused me to grunt at the sudden constriction, and I had to stop myself from glaring over my shoulder at her as my body followed the pull from her brisk action.

“Sorry, Mother, I wasn’t ready,” I said, grabbing my bedpost to hold myself steady.

“A lady should always be prepared,” my mother chided. “Remember… without pain, there is no beauty.”

“Who came up with that rule anyway? Why do I have to be in pain to be beautiful?” I mumbled under my breath so my mother couldn’t hear. I’d been lucky to avoid her swift skill with a switch thus far today.

“Stop that! It’s unbecoming. A true lady always speaks clearly and never complains. We ladies must suffer gracefully in silence.”

I sighed. “I’ve already had my decorum lessons today, Mother.”

“Well, clearly it wasn’t enough if I still need to remind you how to be a proper lady.

We are presenting you in court today. You must be found without a single fault, Cassarah.

I will not let your father’s tainted blood ruin your chances at marrying up in the world,” she reminded me for the millionth time.

“I understand, Mother, but why do I need to worry about getting married when I haven’t even been to court?” I countered.

My mother looked at me like I’d just slapped her. “Do you think I haven’t been talking relentlessly to the ladies in court to find you a suitable husband?”

“I’m sorry, Mother, I didn’t know,” I said, gritting my teeth at the idea. “You never mentioned anything to me.”

Keep calm! Don’t say anything else! Just keep your mouth shut! I told myself as my mind furiously whirled with visions of my mother planning my wedding. And all this before I’d even met the man I was to be stuck with for the rest of my life.

One of the maids draped a full, blood-red skirt over my head, securing it into place.

Then she helped me slide my arms into a snug, embroidered black overdress.

The overdress had long sleeves and a square neckline that accented my full chest and pale white skin.

If I had my way, I would’ve picked something a little less flashy, but that wasn’t an option.

Once I was fully dressed, I was seated on a low stool and then set upon by two women. One worked on taming my hair into some sort of style, and the other worked on placing all my jewelry on.

“It’s a mother’s duty to her daughter to prepare an advantageous marriage. It shouldn’t have to be said,” my mother answered as she directed the ladies. “No, not that circlet, the other one. We need to make her copper eyes more noticeable.”

“I don’t think that’s a problem, Mother. They’re hard to miss,” I interjected.

“We must make the most of each of your assets. This will be your first impression on the king and queen, and I plan on making it one they will never forget.” She smiled as she looked over my form.

“Don’t you think the fact that you’re having me presented late will do that for us?” I asked. “Not many families wait ’til their firstborn is twenty-one.”

My mother narrowed her eyes at me to let me know I had crossed the line. Damn! I had been doing so well.

“Becka,” my mother called.

My handmaid and only friend walked up to my mother, keeping her eyes downcast. “Yes, m’lady?”

Without warning, my mother slapped her hard across the face, leaving behind a perfect red impression of her hand.

I flinched, knowing how much that hurt. My heart broke for Becka.

If I weren’t going to be presented at court today, I would’ve been the bearer of that welt.

Waving Becka away, my mother turned back to me with her thin lips pursed.

“Don’t think that because you can’t have marks showing on you means that I won’t demand discipline for your behavior. This is exactly why you haven’t been presented in court before now. You are far too wild. I blame your father and his tainted blood. I should have never agreed to marry him.”

My anger burned at her words. This cold, bitter woman before me was a viper dressed in silk. Try as I might to rein in my tongue and keep my thoughts to myself, I couldn’t seem to do it at the moment.

“I’m not some silly little doll you can dress up and parade around for your own benefit,” I snapped, giving in to my anger.

“Oh, you poor, silly child… of course you are,” she said as she tweaked a few small things into place. “When you get married and have a family of your own, you’ll do the same thing for your daughter.”

Just then, I heard the clatter of horse hooves on the cobblestone in the courtyard below my bedroom window.

“Looks like we finished just in time,” my mother said, clapping her hands to dismiss the maids from the room.

I froze in terror. Being alone with my mother was never good. As much as I wanted to stand up for myself, I’d learned it was always more painful for me to fight back. I watched as my mother glided over with a dangerous look in her eye. I had nowhere to run.

“Cassarah, I don’t need to remind you what will happen if this day doesn’t go well, do I?” she purred, letting her nails caress my cheek.

“No, Mother,” I whispered, accepting my fate.

My mother placed a feather of a kiss on my cheek where I could still feel the bite of her nails. “We will meet you at the palace later, Cassarah.”

Becka hurried in once my mother was out of the room and walked over to me. “Are you okay?”

I looked up at my friend’s face, still marked with my mother’s anger. It was almost as red as her hair and on skin so pale it shone like a beacon. “I should be asking you that. I’m so sorry. I had no idea she would revert to doing that after so many years.”

“It’s fine. I can handle it,” Becka said, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Come on, we shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

I took one final look in the full-length mirror, then made my way downstairs to the front hall.

“You weren’t thinking of leaving before you said goodbye, were you?” my father’s deep, rumbling voice called out from behind me.

I looked back in his direction and smiled.

I’d always found comfort in my relationship with my father when things with Mother got bad.

I thankfully took after him in looks—we shared the same copper-colored eyes and dark curly hair.

The only thing I acquired from my mother was her pale white skin.

My father had a much darker complexion. He wrapped his strong arms around me and hugged me.

He was much taller than me, and my head only reached the middle of his chest.

“Honey, you will ruin her appearance by hugging her so tightly,” my mother’s sharp tone interjected, cutting our hug short.

My mother was the opposite of my father in every way.

She hated displays of affection and scolded him every time it went too far.

Her soft blonde hair was always pulled tightly away from her face, hidden by an elegant hair net.

Her dark brown eyes always seemed to be moving, watching, and making sure she never made a misstep.

When standing next to my father’s massive frame, she looked so small and slender.

However, I’d learned long ago not to mistake her for being harmless.

“Of course, my flower, I should have known better. I just was so overwhelmed with pride at our beautiful daughter,” my father said, gently releasing me and giving me a wink.

My father, for some reason beyond my understanding, loved my mother.

Even though he would comfort me after each of my mother’s punishments, he never prevented them.

I didn’t know if it was because she had control over him—just like everything else in her world—or if it was his love that blinded him.

I was the only thing in her life she couldn’t seem to completely bend to her will, and it wasn’t from lack of trying.

“I better get going, I don’t want to miss my name being called,” I said, winking back at my father, then bowing my head slightly to my mother.

Oddly, they both waved farewell as I rumbled out of the courtyard and onto the open road. My mother was only doing it to show what a perfect family we were to the castle staff.

As we began the hour-long journey to the castle, I let my mind wander to the palace and what was coming next.

The king and queen would meet with all of us, gauging if we would be fit material for court life.

They would also unlock your family’s magical Birthright if you were blessed enough to have one.