Page 19 of Untouched Queen by Royal Command

‘Wonderful.’ Sera thought about curtseying again, but the memory of the pain involved gave her pause. She turned and headed for the door instead, opening it for her companion.

‘So you’ve been working with Augustus and his assistant. Have you met our head of household staff yet?’

Sera nodded. ‘And the chefs, function waiting staff, and the head gardener.’

‘Have you met my father?’

‘Only briefly, Your Highness. He came to view the work of the stonemasons. He didn’t stay long.

‘He tends to leave things to Augustus these days. Do you have family?’ Moriana asked.

‘No, Your Highness. My mother died in my early teens and I have no brothers or sisters.’

‘And your father?’

Sera paused. ‘He is unknown to me.’

‘It’s just…the accord says you are of noble bloodlines.’

‘My mother’s ancestry,’ said Sera. ‘The Order traces its bloodlines through the female.’

‘How unusual,’ murmured the other woman. ‘And when you leave here, once Augustus marries and gives the country an heir, what will you do? More courtesan work? Or do you get to become something else then?’

‘There are many forks in my road. Some of them lead to high places and some of them don’t. I have contacts the world over and a good education. The opportunities available to me after I’ve discharged my duty here are truly limitless.’

They’d reached the round room doors. Sera opened them and stood back to allow Moriana to enter. Augustus had not cared for the artwork on display or the comforts on offer; he’d barely glanced at them. Perhaps his sister would show more interest.

Moriana stepped inside, her gaze instantly drawn upward towards the sunlit glass dome. ‘It’s still stunning, that roof. But the sun doesn’t always shine in Arun. I grew up here and I should know. Are you warm enough in here?’

‘There’s oil heating in the side rooms and alcoves for when the sun doesn’t shine and warm the stone in the central dome. It’s enough.’

‘And far too big for just one person,’ murmured Moriana. ‘In times of old, how many others would have attended you here?’

‘Dozens, Your Highness. But the Lady Lianthe will visit on occasion. And others might also venture here, with your brother’s permission. Friends and tutors, other members of the Order.’

‘How many members of the Order are there?’

‘That I couldn’t say. But I’ll show you where the journals are. By your leave, I’ll make myself presentable while you look at them.’ Sera was very aware of the sweat on her skin and the sawdust still clinging to her trousers.

Moriana nodded. ‘Shall I ring for tea?’

‘I don’t ring for service, Your High—’

‘Call me Moriana.’

‘I don’t ring for service, Lady Moriana. I’m the one who serves.’

‘Then we shall both serve ourselves,’ said Moriana easily. ‘You get clean; I’ll make the tea. Shall I sit in the middle of the room once I’ve explored the art on the walls and discovered your journals? Is that appropriate?’

‘Of course. The journals are in the glass case in the library alcove. They can’t leave here, nor can they be copied. You’ll understand why once you begin to read them. Of the other books in the library, I’ve left some on the table that might be suitable to place on display in the palace reading rooms and libraries. I haven’t forgotten your earlier request.’

A visitor, finally, and an important one. Sera shed her clothes and combed out her hair. Not as swiftly as she would have liked, but it couldn’t be helped given the state of her ribs. Nothing broken, no, but there was bruising already and had she been alone she’d have iced the area. As it was, she took a soft cotton scarf and wrapped her torso tightly and wished for painkillers. Maybe she’d find some later, but right now she had Moriana of Liesendaach to make welcome.

Sera chose a simple linen tunic and stretchy leggings to wear over her makeshift bandage. Loose enough to hide the torso wrap, embroidered enough to show her respect. She wound her hair into a bun, slipped her feet into backless high heeled sandals and swiftly applied eyeliner, mascara and soft, moist lipstick.

By the time Sera returned, almost ten minutes later, Moriana was standing at the edge of the floor tapestry that had so captivated Augustus, a fragile porcelain cup in her hand.

‘This is quite something,’ she said as Sera approached. ‘Does it tell a story?’

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