ELORA
After ensuring my siblings were safe, I headed back to my room, all thoughts of getting a good night’s sleep completely gone now. In my shock, I had run out to my siblings dressed in a night robe. Walking back, I burned in embarrassment as I tried to ignore the stares I got.
As I stepped outside into the courtyard, I let myself enjoy the colors the setting sun painted across the sky. Sunsets in the palace were beautiful. It was magical, an experience one would like to share with a lover. The air was cool as a light breeze rustled the trees and shrubs. It would have been lovely to grab a book and read but I was too tired to think straight.
On getting to my room, I dropped onto my bed and closed my eyes. In a few moments, sleep had captured me, bringing me into a world of dreams where I saw my family reunited and happily living in the islands of bale.
A rap on the door jilted me awake and I looked outside my windows to see I hadn’t slept long. It wasn’t even dark yet. I felt myself slipping back under the haze of sleep but the knocking continued. I grumbled, standing up to open it.
“Lucy? Is that you?” I asked sleepily.
Someone cleared their throat.
“Palace guard, ma’am. I have a message for you.”
I opened the door to see one of Skye’s personal guards.
“Good… day.”
“Ma’am, you have been summoned by the general to Red River.” He said, bowing.
“Oh. Alright. Please tell her I’ll be there soon. Thank you.”
He bowed again then walked away, leaving me holding the door.
I shut the door, leaning against it with a sigh. To think I had hoped I would be able to retire early.
I didn’t bother wondering why Skye needed me at Red River but walked towards my armoire. Even though I joined in the rescuing of slaves, I was still a slave and could be summoned at any time.
Now I needed a dress to wear.
It was the Red River and nobody needed me to show skin so I picked out a long silk dress with flower swirls as designs. It had a round neckline with puffy sleeves. I added a pair of white gloves and a diamond jewelry set I had found in my dresser. I left my hair down but decorated it with a few pins. Giving myself one more thorough glance in the mirror, I set off for the Red River.
The walk was gratefully not exhausting even though I could still feel some degree of fatigue. I took careful steps and slowed down when I needed to. I didn’t know what to expect from this meeting.
As I neared the river, I heard people chattering over the chirping of birds and the rustling of trees. It sounded like a small party.
I was invited to a party?
Small torches lined one of the small paths to the lake, so I knew exactly what path to go through.
It was indeed a party. A small orchestra played softly in the background and there was more cheerful laughter than I have heard in a while. I walked into the clearing to see it has been transformed from a simple lake clearing to a scene right out of a fairy tale.
Linen streamers, in a dark blue colour the King favoured, hung from branches of trees and poles along the edge of the clearing and water line. Torches bathed the scene in an array of gold light. There was a long table, similar to the one in the royal dining room but less magnificent, piled with more food than one could find at a banquet. Like all royal furniture, there was an animal sculpted on it.
My eyes went round the clearing, landing on the head of the table where I spied the king reclining against his chair with a glass in his hand. Even without his arresting ginger hair, the domineering aura he emitted drew all eyes to him. His head turned and his eyes found me, trapping me in his bright blue gaze. He sent me a nod that broke me out of the trance I was in and had me stepping into the clearing. His eyes followed me as I walked to the table, somehow managing not to trip as his unwavering eyes made my legs wobble and my hands shook.
“Elora!” Someone from the table called out in glee.
“Good day… Your Majesty.” I greeted when I reached him.
He sent me a nod in response, eyes not wavering from mine.
“Good day, Elora.”
He looked away from me and turned to the woman sitting beside him.
I had never seen her before and by the way she was almost leaning his bicep, she seemed very close to the king. She looked elegant in the dark green evening gown she had worn with shimmering brown hair she had also worn down. Her face was delicate and looked effortlessly pretty with small pouting lips, bright hazel eyes that was lit up with laughter and framed with long curving lashes.
She laughed again and leaned close to the king, suggestively pushing a strand of hair to the corner of her ear. She leaned past him to pick up a piece of fruit from his plate, showing off her cleavage.
I fought off the wave of jealousy that shot through me and took my seat to the left of the king and admired the array of dishes on the table. My stomach growled as I eyed the duck stew and potatoes. Everyone was eating and some had even cleared their plates already.
“Yes, Elora, you’re allowed to eat here.” Someone said, laughing.
I turned around to see Noel. He took a seat beside me and offered a very toothy grin.
“You have been eyeing the food for a while now.”
“Good day, Noel.” I nodded and gave a shy smile, “Ah, I was deliberating on what to eat. There is a whole lot here.” I rubbed my stomach, willing it to stop the grumbling.
“Well, I recommend the duck stew and potatoes for a starter.” He winked, “They taste delicious.”
“Just what I wanted to pick.”
His eyes shone with boyish glee.
He was dressed in his usual suit but this time the monocle was nowhere to be found. He styled his hair back and was clean-shaven. I almost didn’t believe he was just at the infirmary treating the rescued slaves. He looked like he was fresh from vacation and was very put together.
He pulled out a plate and handed it over to me. “Here you go, ma’am.”
I almost snorted at the word ‘ma’am’. He really didn’t need to ma’am me. I served a plate and dug in. As Noel had said, it tasted heavenly. I almost moaned as the flavors teased my taste buds. “Wonderful…”
“See?” He chuckled.
I glanced at the king wondering if he minded mine and Noel’s exchange. Noel seemed to be a little too friendly to me. Because I didn’t think it’d be right for any male to be acting so casually with the king’s mistress in the king’s presence. But the king didn’t seem to mind.
“I have been meaning to appreciate the wonderful role you played in rescuing the slaves.” He smiled, taking a sip from his cup.
I waved it off.
“I didn’t exactly do anything but tag along.”
“No. No. You helped them get into the carriages. Many of them were still hesitant but your presence encouraged and comforted them. Some of them couldn’t even let me touch them and I saw your work in the infirmary… Cleaning wounds and ensuring that the rescued slaves were comfortable. Don’t downplay your efforts.”
Wow. I sighed.
“Thank you. It’s an honor for me, really.”
“You should finish that before it gets cold.” He said, pointing at my plate.
“Thank you…”
“Oh my. Is that Elora?” A lady asked, walking over to me. I looked up to see it was the woman who had sat by the king earlier. “Oh, are you Elora?”
I stared at the pretty woman in confusion.
The last time I checked, I wasn’t remotely famous. Or perhaps she had heard I was the king’s mistress and wanted to know who I was.
“Uh. Yes, that’s me…” I cocked my head slightly.
“I’ve heard so much about you!” She looked oddly familiar but I was distracted by the memory of her touching the king casually.
Her hazel eyes danced in delight as if she could read my thoughts.
“Oh, really? All pleasant things about me I hope?” I smiled.
She chuckled, planting herself on the seat beside me. Her smile was oddly familiar and when she quirked one of her eyebrows, the gesture vaguely reminded me of Teriel, the king’s advisor. I looked closely, noting the soft curve of her jawline and the elegant arch of her nose. She was indeed the female version of the quiet man. It was weird how much they looked alike.
The man in question walks up to me just as his sister glides away.
“Elora, there you are. I wondered if you’d have rested enough to join us.” He said, smiling kindly.
Like I had a choice.
“Ah yes. I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.” I was not used to this kind of attention. Eyes were on me like I was someone to be celebrated.
“Might I add; you did a lovely job at the raid.”
“Oh. Thank you.” I said, smiling shyly at him, “You did great too.”
“Oh, that’s my job,” He answered, then turning to the king, “Your majesty, you look exceptionally dashing. Your hair…”
A teasing smile danced on his lips.
I turned to the king, watching a lopsided smile play on his lips. This was the first time I’d seen anything other than a frown or blank look on his face.
Dashing?
No. He was breathtaking.
The king leaned back and placed his two hands at the back of his head.
“Where did you get the dye? I spent the evening trying to wash it off. I’m afraid my hair has started falling out in bits.”
There was a hint of playfulness in his voice.
That was strange.
Teriel and everyone at the table laughed. I didn’t know whether I was allowed to but it was rare to see the king so relaxed. This was a far cry from the last royal dinner we had. His jaw wasn’t clenched and the aura he exuded was refreshing. Everyone present smiled and laughed freely and I didn’t sense any undertones of threats or insults.
“You should try this,” Noel said, placing a lobster on my plate. “This is it, trust me…”
He winked, smiling knowingly at me.
At the rate I was consuming food, I was going to explode soon but I was grateful to Noel for keeping me company. I couldn’t imagine how awkward it would have been without him.