Page 27 of Crown of Hearts
I toyed with the ring around my finger, which bore the royal crest. Not wanting to appear overbearing, I didn’t wear a crown today. The guards were clad in blue and gold uniforms as they approached us. I straightened my back and tried to keep my expression neutral. The palace guards looked uncertain while Rhen spoke to them, but eventually, one hurried off inside. I eyed the large doors, the clean stone steps and perfectly cut hedges.
Finally, two of the guards led us towards the throne room. The halls were long and wide with more guards stationed around each corner. They stood so still — one could almost mistake them for statues. I attempted not to let my eyes wander too intently over the décor and architecture. It was a distraction, and I needed to mentally rehearse the words I was going to say.
However, once those two doors were opened with a heavy, hollow thud, my thoughts were temporarily forgotten. I had once reckoned the throne room of the palace of Levernia was majestic and intimidating enough to make you feel as though you were shrinking. But that was nothing compared to the vast stature of this great hall. Massive windows lined the walls, allowing heaps of sunlight to sweep into the room as it reflected off the white surface of the marble floor.
I was stuck taking in the canopy of the arched ceilings above when I heard my name and words sounding vaguely like “Queen of Everness” being announced. Bringing my attention back to the people in the room, I made sure my mouth was clamped shut. A few courtiers stood close to the large fireplace and all eyes landed on me as the throne room fell slowly silent. My heartbeat rang in my ears. I was sure everyone in the room could hear it.
It wasn’t difficult to spot Cai’s mother. She looked so much like him, and I wondered what features he had shared with his father. At the mention of my title, she turned away from the conversation she was in.
“Do my ears deceive me or has the Queen of Everness graced us with her presence?” The queen mother’s face formed a smile as she approached me. Though graceful, her steps were slow, and she appeared somewhat fragile. The illness must have affected her quite seriously.
I bowed my head in acknowledgement.
“Please call me Elara. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Well, I admit, Elara, I’ve certainly heard plenty about you.” Her smile remained soft, and I wasn’t sure what she meant by the comment. My cheeks flushed. What kind of news about my reign had reached across the border of Everness? And even worse, what had Cai told them about me?
Don’t flatter yourself. He probably doesn’t even mention your name.
“And here I had come, hoping my reputation didn’t proceed me,” I admitted honestly, trying to hold up my brave facade.
“Good things only, my dear.”
“You must be surprised by my abrupt visit. Especially with no prior notice. I must apologise for this. But you see, I come to Norrandale with a most serious matter, which I’m afraid I could not delay.”
It was an effort not to fidget with my hands.
Stand still, head up high and keep calm.
“I see.” Cai’s mother took in my travelling party before glancing at the throne-room doors. “I’m sure my son has been sent for. Perhaps we can arrange some refreshments for your company. Everyone must be tired and hungry after your journey.”
“That would be very kind of you.”
The rest of the room had returned to their hushed conversations but kept eyes on the two of us.
“Did you have a good journey? Especially across the border?”
I can still remember the feeling inside my chest when Rhen had told us we were crossing into Norrandale. So many times had I planned that very moment, my escape to freedom from Everness. And there I was, riding into the kingdom with a carriage and a royal guard, not as a bandit but as a queen. I could almost laugh at the irony.
“Yes, we did, thank you. The nights are definitely getting colder for travelling, though. I think I’m already starting to miss summer.”
“That’s good to hear. I’m glad you didn’t come across any bandits on your way here.”
I let out an awkward laugh. Oh, if only she knew.
“Thankfully that problem seems to have eradicated itself.”
“I am sorry to hear about the attack in Levernia, though.” She gently placed her hand on my arm that carried the small scar.
“I suppose it comes with the territory.” I tried to shrug it off casually.
“Still, it must have been such a horrid experience. No young woman should have to go through such a thing.” Her sympathy provided me with a sense of comfort, and I was starting to see why Cai cared for his mother so much.
“It was definitely not my finest hour as a queen,” I confided. “But I can only hope such a thing will not happen again.”
With every passing moment, I anticipated Cai walking into the room, and I could feel my nerves growing.
“Yes, let’s hope,” the queen mother agreed. “Everyone’s had more than enough tragedy in the past few months.”
