Chapter 6 #2
“Over the course of the day, you will be put through a number of assessments. These interviews will help King Vastion determine which of you is most deserving to serve as queen.” Lord Elek spoke slowly and carefully, his tone ensuring we understood that these tests were to be taken seriously.
My family and I had tried to uncover what they would entail in advance of the Harvest. Little was known from prior iterations, so we were operating mostly on rumor and assumption.
Likely, the other Tributes would do their best to improvise and perform poorly, while I would need to excel at whatever they threw our way.
“The king will now write a private message for each of you. You are to read the note provided and keep its contents to yourself.”
“And then?” Roxelana questioned with the same curiosity I had.
“That is all the instruction I am providing,” Elek answered cryptically.
We sat there silently, watching Vastion take an ink and quill and write short notes on tiny pieces of parchment.
He handed the first to Mircea at the end of the table, farthest from me. She unfolded it and stared at it silently. I could tell her nerves were beginning to take hold when she finally spoke, and her voice cracked through her confession.
“My apologies… I am unable to read this; my vision has always been troublesome for me.” Her lip quivered as she continued, “Would it be possible for you to read it to me?”
Lord Elek snapped at her in frustration. “You cannot read? A queen must possess such a skill! Has Enud really brought us an illiterate Tribute?”
Elek’s beratement of Mircea, who had tears forming in her eyes, was interrupted by King Vastion. A deep growl rose from his chest, unlike anything I’d heard before. He slammed a fist on the wooden table between us causing each of us to straighten in our chairs.
“Stop! She did not say she cannot read, she said she cannot read this,” he clarified, pointing to his handwriting on the piece of paper. “Lady Mircea, tell me about your eyesight,” he asked gently.
Mircea looked up from the piece of paper, trying to hold back tears and conceal her embarrassment. She sniffled and pushed a stray lock of her long white hair behind her ear.
“I can read. However, I struggle with small script and low lighting.”
“I understand. Thank you for explaining.” Vastion eyed Elek with annoyance.
“My King, the queen must be able to handle royal and private correspondence—”
Vastion cut off Elek’s drivel. “Accommodations will be made, if necessary,” he snapped. Not another word was spoken on the topic.
Roxelana reached to take her note from Vastion then proceeded to open it and read it quickly. She then folded it before handing it back to him. He took it and nodded silently. Was that what we were all supposed to do? Simply read it and hand it back? Or were the notes different?
Alius opened hers, and the jingle from her numerous metal bracelets was distracting. From my periphery it looked like it was longer than Roxelana’s, just by the sheer amount of ink on the page. I tried to get a better glance, but there was no way to do it inconspicuously.
“My King, I can read three of the four,” she said confidently.
Elek looked pleased and gave a reassuring nod to Vastion.
“Lady Alius, that is quite impressive. You’ve mastered three languages?”
Oh no, I thought. I didn’t know any languages outside of the common tongue. I was now certain the notes were each unique, but anxiety settled in as I contemplated whether mine would allow me to showcase my strengths.
Her response to Vastion was spoken in words I had never heard, and he smiled and replied in what I assumed to be the same language.
The flirtatious energy between them vexed me and I wanted to kick her beneath the table to remind Alius of her role in all of this.
I turned to glance at Ari over my shoulder, hoping he could see my frustration and concern.
Their silence indicated that it was my turn, so I returned my focus to the table and gave my full attention to the king. Vastion handed me a small piece of parchment and I held it close to my chest, away from the prying eyes of others.
Pay me a compliment or admit we met privately yestereve.
I reread the note three times; my jaw tight as I weighed the risks. To disclose the king’s unscheduled visit would invite a storm of whispers and raised eyebrows behind my back.
On the other hand, failing to compliment His Majesty at his own assessment was a gamble I might not survive. If I insulted him too severely, I might make it impossible for the others to look worse than I did. I’d be handing one of them the crown and shattering the script.
I looked up to see the delight dancing on Vastion’s face. He was savoring this. He wanted to watch me squirm over a choice that, for anyone else, should have been effortless.
I quickly sputtered the first thing that came to mind, trying not to waste any more time in fueling his suspicions. “King Vastion, you are a gifted dancer. I should like to discover what other talents you possess.”
Vastion’s smile could only be described as the kind one wears when they know they’ve won over their opponent.
He paid no mind to how awkward our isolated interaction must have seemed to the rest of the individuals surrounding us.
I was beginning to feel mildly embarrassed since he’d cornered me into unabashedly flirting with him in front of everyone.
“That is so kind of you to say, Lady Esiree.” His response dripped with sarcasm.
“I was lucky to dance with many adept partners last night,” he said, looking at the other Tributes and deflecting any moment we may have shared.
Our pairing on the dance floor had been easily the most passionate.
We both knew it. Downplay it all you like.
Elek looked at Vastion for confirmation before declaring the conclusion of the first assessment.