Page 9 of Crown of Hearts
Chapter 3
Elara
The chill morning breeze swept into my chambers through the open window.
Anesta, my lady-in-waiting, noticed the goosebumps form on my skin. The sun chose to remain hidden behind the clouds, casting a shadowy feel over the land of Everness with its dark forests and long winding rivers. The hills rested beneath their cloudy blankets, and the gloominess suited my mood.
“Are you cold, Your Majesty?” she asked.
“Cold, nervous, thinking about jumping out of that window — does it matter?”
She couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “You really dread meeting the Darwicks, don’t you?” Anesta walked over to the window and closed it.
Of course I dreaded meeting them. I wasn’t sure how other royals handled these kinds of situations, but I was never not going to feel awkward discussing the prospect of marriage like I was discussing what to have for dinner. I knew I couldn’t exactly avoid them for ever. As Rhen had mentioned, they were a very influential and popular family. And if I wanted to remain Queen of Everness, I needed the strong noble families on my side.
“Have you met the Darwicks before?” I asked, meeting her gaze in the mirror as she placed a pearl necklace around my neck.
I should have been used to wearing expensive jewellery by now. Still, I couldn’t help touching a fingertip to one of the pearls. I’d held plenty of expensive jewels in my hand as a thief, but I never wore them. They were a means to an end, not a decoration meant to flatter me. And yet, I couldn’t help but like the way it looked on me.
My dress was more comfortable than I’d thought it would be. The light blue silk trailed past my ankles to where my shoes laced up my calves.
“No, I haven’t,” she admitted. “But I’ve heard plenty about them.”
“Well, once you see them, you might understand my mood.”
“I’m sure Lord Edgar’s not as horrid as you remember.” She tidied up the room by putting the brushes, ribbons and hairpins back into the drawers.
“You should have seen him the first time we met back at the Darwicks’ estate. He kept looking at me, and I can promise you now, he wasn’t thinking, ‘Hey that’s a nice dress she’s got there’.”
“Well, then go out there and be the queen I know you are. Show him who he’s dealing with,” she reminded me. “Besides, you should get used to men’s eyes falling out at the sight of you. You are now the most desired woman in the kingdom.” I could almost have snorted at the preposterous thought. If they knew who I really was underneath all the glamour, they probably wouldn’t be that interested.
“You know, sometimes I wish I possessed the confidence you have in me.”
Anesta talked like I was fully capable of ruling a kingdom. I wish I could believe it.
She tweaked a few strands of my hair once more. “The more you act like a queen, the more people will learn to respect and even fear you.” And then she added, “Your Majesty,” with a grin.
I watched her fuss over my hair in the mirror, making sure not a lock was out of place.
Acting. That’s exactly what it felt like I was doing. Temporarily filling in a role until someone better came along and replaced me.
I stood up, taking in my reflection. With Anesta’s talent, I looked like a blue fairy. And not the childish kind, more like the enchanting, ethereal kind.
“Just remember that you are the prize. The Duke of Darwick is here to make a proposal which you can deny at any time. He cannot force you into marrying his son.”
“One thing I’ve learned,” I said, brushing down my dress and taking a final glance at my reflection in the mirror, “is that it’s a dangerous game to underestimate people.”
“And that will be their mistake should they attempt to underestimate you.”
I gave Anesta a knowing look. “Perhapsyoushould have been queen. I think you’re much better suited for the role than I am.”
She shut my cupboard and brushed a stubborn strand of hair out of her face. “Goodness, no. It’s too much responsibility. I make a daily prayer, giving thanks that I’m not you.”
“Hey!” My eyes widened at her blunt comment as I pretended not to be offended.
“I’m kidding,” she assured me. We both knew she was not. I turned to the row of crowns before me. There was the one that I’d inherited from Lance, a smaller pearl one that might suit my jewellery better, and then there was another large diamond one, definitely more intimidating.
“You know what I mean,” Anesta continued. “Though I wouldn’t be opposed to being a duchess.” She gave me a wink. I’d specifically asked Rhen for a lady-in-waiting of a much lower station. Someone I could trust and who wouldn’t gossip about me at court. I also requested having only one lady-in-waiting. This wasn’t entirely conventional, but the last thing I needed was a train of people running after me.
