Page 36 of Crown of Draga

Adelina breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Giselle to the couch with her. The slight bounce and ruffle of skirts would normally earn her a scolding, but for this small period of time they were free to relax the insane standards expected of royalty.

“So, have you thought more on the idea of marrying Prince Nash?” the queen asked Giselle.

Adelina stiffened. The topic had died after Nash had escorted her to the ball, but it seemed they weren’t free of their mother’s incessant determination to wed them all off as soon as possible.

“I do not plan to marry any time soon,” Giselle managed. “I am being deployed tomorrow, Mother. Can we please talk about something else?”

Adelina took out her shreve and pulled up the design she’d created for Raena. She had drawn the necklace on a portrait she’d done of her. Adelina was slightly nervous.

Raena took the shreve and studied the portrait closely. “This is your design?” she asked in surprise.

Adelina nodded and then swallowed. “Yes it is. I also spoke to Joslynn and she has some opals in mind as the gem. I thought black opals. You could wear them for your coronation.” Her fingertips brushed the lines of delicate woven metal that would hold the gems like stars in the sky across Raena’s chest.

The opals would glitter from shoulder to shoulder, connecting to her dress. The necklace would wrap around her throat and thin strands of gold would dangle more opals down to her cleavage. The coronation gown Raena and her mother had designed was regal, but accentuated every part of Raena’s curvaceous beauty. The bare back of the dress allowed for the single drop from the clasp of the necklace to the mid-back. One of the larger opals would dangle and sparkle, showcasing Raena’s flawless skin.

“Black opals?” Raena asked over the continued bickering of Giselle and their mother. They were on to the favored topic of pants and why royal women shouldn’t wear them. “That would be perfect. Could you show me what that would look like?”

Adelina tapped the shreve and selected her choice of gems. The color of the gold would need to change to highlight the inner fire of each opal. She flicked back and forth between purple gold and gold. Finally she settled on a mix of both. The purple would frame each jewel and the golden yellow would hold them together. The colors would amplify Raena’s naturally dark, purple eyes. Adelina handed the shreve back to Raena.

“Purple gold?” she asked. “Isn’t that…unusual?”

“I prefer the term ‘unique.’ It is not a common choice, but you will be queen. No one will question you in this matter.”

Raena used the tip of her long finger to write in measurements. “I love it, Lina. Will you design matching pieces? Do you think they can be done by the coronation?” Raena smiled as she handed the shreve back to Adelina. “Make sure to send me the bill.”

Adelina made a note in her shreve to work on the new request after dinner, trying to hide her blush. “This is a gift, Rae. I will only charge for materials I cannot procure easily. I will start on the new designs today. I’ll make sure Joslynn has what I need to finish the pieces.”

Her sister smiled and patted her leg. “Thank you, Lina. It will be wonderful I’m sure.” Then Raena turned and addressed the whole room. “I would like to openly discuss a few options without reinstating protocol. I need your honest thoughts on these matters.”

Adelina set aside her shreve. Normally she kept quiet, but the solar was a sanctuary and it was only the four of them now. Speaking her mind was still new, but she could only improve with practice.

“Who shall I pick for a husband?” Raena asked with a laughing smile.

This was something both Giselle and their mother could do as a united front. “Oh, did you see how Marcel has grown since the last time we saw him?” the queen asked.

“Mother, Raena will not marry Marcel. That man is barely tolerable,” Giselle scoffed.

Adelina had to agree with her on that point. There had been a few official requests for Raena’s hand after her coming-of age party, but she’d turned them all down. As did Giselle, preferring to choose someone they loved to those that were offered. Adelina didn’t have that luxury any longer. And she supposed Raena didn’t either. The Choosing Ball was an ancient custom that Raena and King Orion had brought back after the sudden news of his sickness.

The marriage of the heir was meant to distract the people from her inexperience and age. A husband whom the people adored was key and Raena had to choose whether she loved one of them or not.

“I quite like Alock,” Raena said. “I think perhaps it’s the color of his hair. We don’t have turquoise naturally here on Draga Terra.”

“And Hayden?” Giselle asked. “I saw you dance with him quite a bit last night.”

Raena nodded. “There are quite a few fine specimens. The citizens are quite handsome as well. There are some who would look stunning in the right suit.”

Adelina couldn’t help but smile. At least her sister could be good-natured about her fate. It was something Adelina still struggled with. Her whole life she’d wondered what it would be like to fall in love and be courted by the right male, what diamond they would present and the wedding. Now she would have none of that. She would be lucky if she even knew the male before the wedding itself.

Their mother smiled with pleasure as Giselle and Raena chatted about who was more handsome – Alock or Hayden. No doubt grandchildren were on her mind.

“I really do hope you’ll make it in time for my Choosing Ball, Giselle,” Raena said wistfully.

Giselle’s expression grew serious. “I will do everything in my power to handle the matter quickly and return home with the traitors. I promise you that, Raena.”

Queen Adele grimaced at the idea of her second daughter in battle. She’d been trained by the dowager queen and the old ways were ingrained deep despite the equality they now enjoyed for decades. “Perhaps you should consider a husband,” their mother said quietly, soothing. She knew Giselle absolutely despised the topic. “You will be Raena’s heir until she has her first child. It would be best if you considered it.”

Giselle crossed her arms in a very unladylike manner. “If I were to marry, any future deployment would be denied if I became pregnant. I will not consider a marriage until after we have settled the issue of Draga’s future and safety.”

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