Cassarah #2
Gavin walked up with a goblet and handed it to me. “It’s not wine since I wasn’t sure your stomach would like that right now, so instead, I poured sweet fruit juice. The fruit can only be found here in Creisal. It’s a bit tart but incredibly refreshing.”
Leaning in, I kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you, my love. It sounds wonderful.”
“Come sit. I know you’ve been flying, but I’m sure the babies will want to remember what it feels like to have their feet on the ground,” Dayson ordered, pointing to a soft-looking armchair.
The second part of our plan was to play up the fact I was with child and was fulfilling my role as a noble woman to be at rest, hidden away while I completed the demands of creating an heir.
“Goodness, you act as if I’m made of glass. I move about just fine, but if it will make you feel more at ease, I will rest,” I said with a sigh as I took my seat. “I think it would be lovely to take a stroll around the kingdomside to get some fresh air and sunshine, don’t you agree, Becka?”
“Oh, don’t get me pulled into this picking-sides nonsense.” Becka chuckled. “While I do agree with you, the eight grumpy possessive males you have might not.”
“Someone needs to be on my side, fending them off from keeping me in bed all day. I came out here to rest, but also it will be good for me and the babies to exercise,” I pointed out. “What do you say, men? Can we take a tour of the kingdomside?”
They all grumbled and muttered to each other, then Jade spoke up. “Tomorrow. Today you will rest after the stress of journeying here. Maybe take a turn in the gardens for that fresh air to keep it close today as we get settled.”
Hmm, he had a good point. Better to know what was going on around us to avoid issues later.
“You make a good point. Today, we will investigate the castle and then explore the lands around it at a later time,” I conceded.
So that is what we did. We relaxed, used the bathing chamber to clean up after our travels, and I helped Becka unpack all my things.
We requested that the palace staff remain out of our space unless we needed them.
More people underfoot was the last thing we needed.
We found three more doors in the common rooms, leading in but not out.
Part of me believed that, at one point, they were normal servants’ entrances that have since been altered.
None of us found anything suspicious in the bedrooms, which helped me breathe a little easier.
Lady Blanch found us in one of the sitting rooms, the men playing card games while I read some reports that had been sent to me from Sheca. Things back home seemed to be going well, and Alsten had implemented the changes I requested before I left.
“Your Highness… and consorts,” she greeted with a bow of her head. “The queen would like to invite you to dine with her and a few friends from the area.”
“That would be lovely. When does she plan to have the meal?” I asked.
Lady Blanch blinked at me in confusion. “Now…”
I rose from my seat and calmly walked over to her.
“So am I to understand that the queen has just requested my attendance? Could it be that you’ve known and neglected to tell me?
While I am here to rest and see this pregnancy through, there are still matters of decorum that need to be attended to.
When you look at me, do I look ready to join the queen of Creisal and her friends for dinner? ”
“I… I assumed this is how you dressed in your kingdom and wouldn’t be following the standard of decorum we have in Creisal. I beg your pardon, Your Majesty,” she stuttered, bowing low before me. “Let me inform her of the situation, and I’m sure she will understand.”
“Becka, would you please run back to my room and bring my crown back for me? It appears that everyone here already assumes I lack propriety, so why deny them that experience,” I requested, then turned back to Lady Blanch.
“You will not say a word to the queen because I know she isn’t the one who led you to believe this was true.
I will deal with the twittering court ladies who have nothing better to do than stir up trouble to entertain themselves. ”
May stepped up and used her dagger to lift Lady Blanch’s head. “It would be wise to treat our queen with the respect that she is owed, or you might find yourself without a job… or maybe a head.”
I could hear the woman swallow at May’s threat, her eyes wide with fear. I reached out and placed a hand on May’s arm, urging her to lower it. “Easy, May, it’s our first day together, and people do not know much about us who hail from Sheca. I’m sure Lady Blanch has now learned her lesson.”
May grunted as she dropped her dagger, sliding it back into the sheath on her thigh. “Don’t test me again, m’lady.”
Becka returned quickly, settled the crown on my head, and fixed my hair to help hold it in place. Then we were off, but Lady Blanch stopped us just before leaving our wing. “I do apologize, but this meal is for women only…”
All of my men started to argue, but I cut them off. “Stop,” I barked. “Becka and May will attend with me. Two of you can come and stand guard outside the room while the rest of you remain here. I’m sure there is something you can come up with to entertain yourselves for a few hours.”
Begrudgingly, they let us leave with Izel and Paxton in tow, muttering to themselves.
I hoped they would take this time to do some exploring since the attention would be on this dinner.
We were led to the castle’s first floor and into a more lavish dining hall, where the twittering of women could be heard.
I groaned internally, having always hated these kinds of events when Mother forced me to go to them.
The difference this time was that I outranked these women, but it was clear from Lady Blanch’s treatment that might not matter.