Chapter 28 Ushered In
~ brEN ~
The next morning, sitting outside the queen’s parlor where I’d been told to wait until I was invited in, I stared at the ceiling, praying, wondering if this whole idea was a mistake.
I won, I reminded myself. She knows I won. And she offered to help me.
But what if it was some petty plan?
The ornately paneled door creaked slightly as it opened. My heart leaped into my throat as I shot to my feet, yet it wasn’t the queen on the other side, but a footman who stared down his nose at me curiously.
“Please, follow me,” he said quietly, bowing only his head, then turning on his elevated heels to walk into the room.
I hurried after him, pausing to close the door, then I stepped inside and took in the room beyond.
The floor space was almost as big as Donavyn’s apartment, though I’d been told this was the queen’s private parlor. The place she received personal visitors.
The ceiling soared to double-height. The ornate panels on the doors extended throughout the room, highlighted in gold trim, with thick, velvet drapes framing the windows and draped into deep sweeps where they were tied with gold cord.
Although the windows were tall to allow in a great deal of sunlight, there were also lanterns and mirrored candles in sconces around the room, blazing despite the bright morning light.
The queen would not suffer for light to read any of the hundreds of books that filled the floor-to-ceiling shelves on two sides.
My mouth dropped open at the sight of all those books. And this was only her private room, not even the library?
“Most women who enter this room are taken with the gold, but you stare at my books. Interesting.”
I startled, suddenly realizing the room extended into an alcove along the righthand wall.
It appeared the queen had been standing at the fireplace which was marbled in white, and large enough for Donavyn to walk into it without stooping.
I hurriedly bowed—then turned it into a curtsey when I faltered, uncertain what was correct when attending the queen in a jacket and trousers.
“I apologize, your Majesty, I didn’t see you there.”
“It’s no matter. And the bow is fine when you’re in uniform. Curtsey when you’re in skirts—but no more without them, please. Dear, Lord, the men would riot.” I frowned, but she continued before I could ask. “Can you read, then?”
It took a moment to remember she’d commented about the books. “Yes. Yes, I love to read,” I said, trying to draw myself up and keep my chin high.
She was my Queen. I wouldn’t disrespect her. But she also tried to hurt me and Donavyn. She was human. I watched silently as she glided gracefully to the opposite wall, her skirts trailing behind her. No dust on her shining floors, apparently.
She ran fingers along the spines of the books, then apparently found what she was looking for, because she pulled it out of the shelf, opened the cover, nodded to herself, then turned to walk back, extending it to me. “You’ll enjoy this one, I think,” she said with a wink, which surprised me.
I took it, thanking her awkwardly, but she’d already moved on again, settling herself on the wide, prettily carved settee.
The upholstery on it boasted large flowers that seemed hand-painted onto the fabric.
As she seated herself, she nodded towards one of the smaller chairs. “Take a seat. We don’t have much time.”
Of course, she’d have many duties. I nodded and slipped into the chair, pressing my knees together as my mother had taught me when we sat in the wagon-seat, and clasping my hands in my lap.
“Oh, please, dear. I know this has all been a great mess, but we have so little time. Please, let’s put aside the challenges we’ve faced.
I am thrilled to assist you. I want to see you succeed.
And I want to see Donavyn appropriately supported.
I would only complain that I’d offered to help you a week ago, and he resisted.
Men can be so stubborn. But still, we’re here.
So, we should begin before the maids arrive.
I can see your mother taught you manners,” she said dryly, nodding towards my posture.
“But, you’ll soon discover that among nobles the etiquette is rather more complicated.
I’ll offer what I can, but given that we have only a few hours today, I’ll focus primarily on your conversation.
Leaving you somewhat rough around the edges will work in your favor, I think.
If you were too polished, the Court will suspect a plant.
Donavyn is cultured, but not polished. It wouldn’t be unnatural for him to choose a companion who is the same.
So, do your best with the manners, but leave the rest. Now, tell me, what was it that spurred you to ask for my tutelage? ”
I swallowed hard. “The men are training me. Physically. But I believe as a woman I’ll need to use much softer weapons.”
The queen’s lips pulled up into a sharp smile.
“You show wisdom. I find it exasperating that they haven’t seen this for themselves.
But then again, they are men,” she said, fluttering a hand as if shooing away a fly.
“Of course they see the world through masculine eyes. The strong ones never understand how it feels to walk into a room and know that any man there could snap you in half, given the motivation. Yes, they can teach you how to fight with your fists. But very few of them are skilled to teach you how to never have to fight.”
“That’s exactly how I hoped you might help me.”
“Good. Because I agree, it will be needed. But tell me: Have you lived in skirts before? When you’re at the palace in Fyrehold, you’ll be expected to appear in skirts unless you’re on your way to or from the dragons.”
I grimaced. “Yes. I grew up in skirts. But it’s very difficult with the riding—”
“No matter. It will keep them on their toes to see you in your leathers—in fact, I’d encourage it.
But you cannot appear at dinner, or for drinks wearing them.
I’ll make certain you’re provided some dresses that are suitable.
But don’t be afraid to ask for the services of a seamstress.
Donavyn is a guest of honor, and they will accommodate him and his companion in any way necessary. ”
She had a sly smile when she said it that made the skin on my neck go cold, but I nodded, though I doubted I’d ever presume to ask a stranger to give me clothes. If the queen provided one or two, I’d just wear those.
“Now, please, humor me,” she said, gesturing toward the chair on the other side of the low table between us. “Rise from that chair as if you’re wearing a skirt, circle the table, then take your seat on the other side, so I might see how you move.”
It felt strange, but I put my hands on my knees the way my mother taught me, then rose to my feet, walked to the other side of the table and sat back down as she’d asked.
Her smile grew tight, but she nodded. “You’ll definitely be a curiosity, particularly on the evenings you attend the royals. They’ll all ask themselves who this lady is that captured the General’s interest.”
“But, I’m not a lady.”
“You are a servant to those in power. I would be very surprised if you weren’t addressed as a lady, at least in his company. But your strength will keep them on their toes. They aren’t accustomed to women who walk like they have a dragon at their beck and call.”
“Akhane isn’t at my—”
“There’s no time, dear. I’m simply informing you: At least make the effort to move less like a soldier, and more like a servant. We need the men to believe you’re a curiosity—but a harmless one.”
“Do you think they’ll be suspicious of me?” I asked her honestly. “I don’t have a lot of time to change. I can try, but—”
“No, no. That’s why I don’t want to train you how to move. Just mimic those around you at any given event. They’ll notice that you’re doing it, and they’ll find it telling. You’d rather they know you’re lowborn, than suspect you as an agent attempting to appear so. Do you understand?”
I frowned. “I’m not sure—you’re saying that it won’t hurt for me to appear as if I don’t know what I’m doing in noble circles? That they’ll see me as less of a threat that way?”
“Yes. Well done. That’s it exactly. Be yourself—it’s why we chose you.
Your very natural bearing and humility will make you stand out.
But in doing so, you’ll be underestimated in precisely the right way.
Don’t go reading books in front of the men, though, for goodness sake.
Let them discover your intelligence. Don’t declare it to the room. ”
“I understand. But I had hoped… I don’t feel ready to mingle among those kinds of people. I hoped you could help me navigate—”
“There isn’t nearly enough time for me to make you ready for the machinations of the Fyrehold Court.
But I believe that will work in your favor.
If you treat them with the same frank, unassuming demeanor that you treat me, they’ll be unable to decide if it’s a clever act, or you are that simple. It will keep them on their guard.”
“But, I don’t want to offend anyone. I want to draw them in.”
“Oh, you will. And I’ll prove it to you. I’ll introduce you to some of my friends,” she said with a tight smile. “Women of the Court here in Vosgaarde. I rarely patron the young, and never a commoner. They’ll be very curious. I want you to use that: I’d like you to plant a rumor for me.”
“A rumor?”
“Yes. But only when you’re able to connect in private conversation—and for each person who speaks with you alone, the rumor should be different. Remember their names, and what you told them. Then we’ll listen.”
“To see who gossips?”
“Oh, they’ll all gossip,” she said with a low, throaty huff of unamused laughter. “The question is whether they’ll speak to me, or someone else about me.”
“About you?”
“Yes. I’ll introduce you—which tells them that I hold you in some regard, or consider you valuable.
Which will intrigue them. Then you’ll tell them that I’m secretly unwell, and hiding it from them.
But you’ll give a different reason to each person with whom you’re able to plant the rumor. Do you understand?”
My head spun. “Yes.”
“Very good.”
Then she clapped her hands, and suddenly one of the panels in the wall near the window opened, and three women hurried out into the room, curtseyed to the queen, then took my hand and pulled me from the chair.
“Quickly, my lady. Quickly please.”
I was baffled and instinctively pulled my hands out of theirs once I was to my feet, but the queen waved me off. “They’ll prepare you. You can’t appear at tea in your fighting leathers.”
“They’re flying leathers,” I said faintly.
But the queen only waved me away again. “Let the maids prepare you. I’ll come for you in half an hour.”
The women squeaked, then grabbed my sleeves and dragged me through that hidden door and into the next room, nudging me behind a set of screens in the corner.
“Take your clothes off, leaving on only your undergarments, and pull out that braid. We don’t have much time,” the oldest of the three women said, stepping away so I was left behind the screen, alone, hurrying to unbuckle my belt, and wondering if I’d made a huge mistake.