Elijah's footsteps echoed across the room as he carried the tray of tea into Audrey's chambers. As usual he stops at the door, leaving one of the chamber maids to bring it further in. She drops the tray on the table and as she picks up the tea kettle Audrey notices the subtle trembling of her hands as she pours some tea into the two cups.
From the corner of her eye she could see the Oracle watching the poor chamber maid with annoyance, as if waiting for her to drop the cup for at the rate at which she was trembling it wouldn't be long before she actually drops it. Without giving it so much as a second thought Audrey reaches forward and takes hold of both cups, the one for herself and the other for the Oracle. With a warm smile Audrey dismisses the maid who looked so relieved she saw her let out a heavy sigh before scurrying off. Audrey gently places one cup into the Oracle's hands and takes her cup.
She sips from it, staring at the suddenly very interesting floor design as she felt the Elder's gaze on her. Had she done something wrong by helping the maid? Was I considered uncultured? Elijah had mentioned previously that royals are not to associate with the commoners nor palace workers, that it in his own words 'taints the stainless, untouchable and unattainable image of the Royal's
"Audrey" her voice came, sharp and demanding as usual but this time it held a hint of warmth to it. "What do you believe is the most important trait in a ruler?"
Audrey turned to the Elder, admittedly caught off by the question Audrey simply gaped at her, partially open lips and all.
"Do not leave your mouth open child, it is uncultured" she scolds, her piercing gaze narrowing in on Audrey's lips and immediately they snap shut.
Audrey swallows, falling into a thoughtful silence. "Compassion and the possession of a good heart" she hesitates, awaiting the Elder's reaction but she remained still, digesting Audrey's words.
Perhaps she had misspoke or spoke too quickly. She waited, shifting uncomfortably under the intense silence, Audrey was no stranger to the Elder's mysterious ways.
The Elder slowly took a sip from her cup before she turned to Audrey "Compassion will not nearly be enough if you wish to rule this kingdom"
"Making life changing decisions for millions of people is no small feat, all their lives are in your hands. One misstep and it will all come crashing down, the pressure is maddening"
Audrey inhales a shaky breath, her palms becoming clammy with anxiety. Was she trying to scare her away?. She had shown support for their alliance in the past but maybe Audrey had read her indifference wrongly, maybe she just did not wish to upset Darius with her dissaproval. Maybe she was finally showing how she truly felt about everything. Audrey sat there, her mind racing and the screws in her head turning, she wondered what do I say?
"I do not believe you are ready for this, for what is in store for you. Do you wish to leave now I will not stop you, rest assured. I will speak to his majesty and he will go on, however heartbroken he will do what is best for the Empire"
Audrey gaped at her, wondering if the words she had heard were truly coming from the Oracle's lips. She was advising her to run away, to leave everything and just go. To leave Darius and all their memories. Was this some kind of threat under the guise of concern or was this a subtle threat? Audrey was uncertain.
Audrey pushes herself to her feet, placing the cup down on the table she turns to the elder, her face a mixture of confusion and hurt
"I am unsure if I should be offended by your words. Maybe you only wish to protect your kingdom and ensure prosperity but you will have to get used to me being around because I will not be going anywhere, ever. I am here to stay with Darius and beside him I will stand."
Her expression stiffens "I know what lies ahead and I will face it head on with compassion, strength and perseverance because I refuse to allow anything" She meets the Elder's eyes, ensuring every word stuck, deep
"Or anyone seperate me from My king and mate"
Audrey turns to leave and in that moment Elijah walks in. He takes notice of the tense atmosphere and Audrey's sagging features but says nothing on it which she is thankful for.
"Your Majesty, the noble women are here to have dinner with you. It has been arranged in the garden"
"They await your presence"
"I will be there shortly" she responds and Elijah walks out of the room. "I trust that you can see yourself out Elder, it is always a pleasure to sit with you" and with that Audrey leaves.
"The pleasure has been all mine" but the words of the Elder reaches no ears.
The sound of heels slap against the tiles, echoing throughout the castle, the rustling of fabric and gentle chime of jewelry that hung around her neck filling the halls with presence. Distant chatter and giggles can be heard on the other side of the walls as Audrey makes her way to the garden. It had taken her by surprise to hear that the women of High born nobility wished to have dinner with her in the castle. Although she was not quick to get ahead of herself, she knew there were just trying to cope with the changes and wanted to associate themselves with the Empress in waiting in order to win favor. Elijah had warned her all about them, sharks he called them.
The rumors that Audrey must be performing some kind of black magic on Darius had not failed to reach her ears. It was expected, the people were restless and confused, they wanted answers. It is the first time they will have an Empress so their lack of composure would be normal. All she hoped was her presence would not be met with disdain and rejection rather with eagerness and the usual initial distrust for she didn't mind having to gain their trust. And now as she walked out into the garden and her gaze landed on the four women already sitted, whispering to themselves, she began to feel a trickle of fear slowly trail down her spine and settle in the depths of her bones.
They did not look so menacing but something about them left her with an uneasy itchy feeling. She gulped down nervously, trying her best to calm her racing heart and compose herself. She was the Empress in waiting, now was the time to act like it. She hastened her steps and the more she inched closer the more the whispers quieted down into nothing more than cold, harsh silence.
"Your Majesty" they all greet, rising to their feet to curtsy. Audrey smiles in response, greetings them warmly before she asks them to take their seats again.
Cautiously she sits down, noticing how all eyes were now on her. Who would speak up first? She wondered as they all seem to do nothing but observe her.
"We are so grateful to your majesty for accepting us into your castle. We are greatly pleased" one of the ladies speaks up, her hair was braided and styled to perfection like she was going for a ball, her dress going with it perfectly, the materials were the latest in the market. She looked poised and elegant, everything Audrey herself aspired to be and she couldn't help but admire her.
"I am pleased as well. I would love to get to know each one of you" Audrey exchanges glances between the four women, waiting for one of them to speak up.
"Please grant me the honors to introduce everyone" the woman who first spoke takes charge "I am Marchioness Cordelia Vladimir, my husband is the Marquese of Austaria" she gestures to the woman on her right who had peculiar red curls that seemed foreign to Audrey's eyes, her pale blue icy gaze also added to her distinct look. She didn't look like she was from here. The woman directed a smile towards Audrey, her smile lines becoming very prominent "This is Demeter-"
The rest of the women's words blurred into the background, sounding like the distant incoherent lamentation of drunken men. Thoughts of that book clouded Audrey's mind, surely that book must have held some truth to it, if not it would not have been stored in the castle's library. And surely if the book was as useless as Alistair made it seem then why did he give it to Darius? There must be more to this, to everything. As Audrey's mind began to twist and turn in all possible directions memories of her earlier days swarmed her mind. The memory of the day her and Lord Mark Anthony had gone to the palace library came to her mind. The tapestry they had seen was unnerving and odd she could never forget the sight. Could that perhaps be the tapestry mentioned in the book? Could all this be leading to something or was she just making things up in her head?
The women had turned into real gossip mongers, bringing up issues Audrey's had never heard of.
Talia adjusts closer, leaning in and shuffling her chair, damaging the quiet with the violent noise "I heard the Duke finally realised his mistress had been stealing from him and threw her out"
"I heard he still kept her and demanded Duchess Stephane start paying her a monthly allowance" Cordelia counters, scrunching up her nose in disgust.
Dorothy's eyes widened to the size of salsas "This cannot be. The poor Duchess, she loved the Duke with all her heart" sympathy hangs off her words.
Who could this Duchess Stephane be? Why hadn't Audrey heard of her?
"Sadly love is never enough. We all know that after the honeymoon phase they run along to go carry another woman, one who is younger, more attractive and we the wives are just used to appease rumors and the-" Demeter is cut off by an elbow shoved into her forearm. She frowns and tries to locate who did it but as her eyes meet with Cordelia's it is as if they send each other a wordless message and they all turn to Audrey.
Heat rises beneath her skin, tainting her cheeks. She looks between the women who seemed to be giving her guarded sympathetic looks.
"My apologies your majesty. We speak out of term, we forget you are still in your honeymoon phase" Cordelia's cheeks are round with an apologetic smile.
What was she to say to that?
"It is fine" she tries to brush it off but can't help but admit their words had sunk deep into her skin. The thought of Darius taking in another woman brought a deep ache in her chest and a nauseated feeling to her stomach. She couldn't even stomach the thought then how would she handle it if Darius actually took in a mistress. Was it like this in all marriages? Even between mates?
"I have a question to ask if you ladies do not mind it?"
"Of course not your Highness, speak your mind" Talia props open her fan and begins flattering against her hot cheeks
Audrey clears her throat, trying to relieve herself of the sudden lump that had formed
"Are all marriages like this? Do the husbands always pick mistresses? Even marriages between mates?"
All the women exchange glances as if conveying secret messages on what to or what not to say. Audrey disliked this feeling, the feeling of having people walk around on egg shells whenever they spoke to her, afraid to say something out of term and risk the wrath of the king, it had been happening a lot. Times like these really caused her to miss her ladies back at the palace, Greer was always honest with her even Anaise.
"Not every man is like that" Dorothy speaks up, stirring the cedar in her cup.
"There are a few exceptions, the ones who actually marry their mates" Demeter grumbles the last part under her breath as if they were not to hear but at the same time she did not care if they did.
"What do you mean?" Audrey questions
"Well you see your majesty, most-"
"I hope I am not interrupting ladies" a husky masculine voice came, a voice Audrey knew too well. All the women's gazes flickered behind Audrey to where Lord Anthony stood and instantly it was like they had seen a god of some kind. Their eyes were filled with admiration as they gazed at him shamelessly.
Audrey shifted uneasily as Lord Anthony took a seat beside her. Long gone was their conversation and instead all attention was on the Lord who sat at the table of women, women with husbands.
Audrey clears her throat, bringing them all back to their senses. "Lord Anthony, what brings you here?" She asks, feigning ignorance.
He tisks, reaching over and grabbing a plate of cake and pulling it closer to him. He takes his time, cutting through a piece and slowly bringing it to his lips. With even less speed he wraps his lips around the utensil, dragging it out of his mouth with the same sloth movements. Audrey watches on in indifference and partial annoyance. Meanwhile the other women had their eyes glued to the Lord like he alone held the key to their salvation. It wouldn't surprise Audrey if she heard later that there was a scandal involving the Lord. He was known for his numerous lovers and his sexual escapades.
"We have an arrangement for tea your majesty. Please do not tell me you forgot, I am much too lonely to have tea all by myself"
Shock washed over Audrey at his boldness and audacity. He was giving the gossip mongers something to talk about and relay to their members, it would be a scandal if they thought she was having an affair with one of the King's Court members. She had to put an end to him.
"Unfortunately Lord Anthony I am occupied right now" she tries to fake a smile.
"I can see that. Well I best take my leave and bid you beautiful ladies farewell" he pushes himself up, his gaze locked on Demeter whose eyes never left his before he saunters off.
"I had heard stories of the Lord Anthony's charisma and charm but I never knew it was this- powerful" Demeter sighs, dramatically fanning herself with her hand.
"How do you manage in a castle with him my lady?" Cordelia asks, the tone of her voice as if hinting to something else, something Audrey did not want to be found close to.
"I am too occupied to notice" she shrugs, hoping the women drop the matter but unfortunately she is not so lucky.
"If only I could live on the same Wing as him" Demeter stares off into the distance, lips twisted and eyes glazed over as if she was imagining something.
"Enough with all this" Talia scolds.
"We all know the rumors surrounding all the lovers he invites to his bed"
At that Audrey's attention is peaked and she listens attentively.
"They are just rumors Baroness Talia" Demeter dismisses
"But they have not been dissaproved" Dorothy chimes in
Audrey seemingly the only person who doesn't know what they are talking about asks
"What rumors?"
"Her majesty lives in the same Wing so maybe she has seen something" Demeter points out
"Rumors spread among the maids that any woman whom Lord Anthony takes to his bed chambers is never seen again" her voice grows softer by the second. "The maids say they hear screams before it all goes quiet and they never see the woman leave his chambers"
A chill runs down Audrey's spine. These rumors were beginning to sound more like a horror story than anything else. Audrey tried to shake off the feeling of fear that tried to take over her, rumors are almost always wrong. Maybe this was one of it, in any case if such activities were transpiring surely she or Darius would have heard about it. It sounded exaggerated but it was worth looking into.
Talia leans in close, placing a hand on Audrey's "So your Majesty, have you heard anything?"
Without wasting any time Audrey shook her head, wishing the thoughts would rid themselves from her mind the more vigorously she shook her head. "No"
Their faces dropped in disappointment and they resumed their meals. Audrey picks her cup and watches the red liquid slush around as she plays with the cup, too lost in thought to care. Darius was the only one who could answer her questions on everything, even the history she needed clarification on. Maybe it was about time she told Darius about everything, including her dreams. There had been no news from Nostradamus since his arrival at Brailer, maybe he was busy or was intentionally avoiding her, either way she had to get answers somehow.
Perhaps she could set out tomorrow under the guise of going shopping and meet with him but getting away from Elijah would be a problem, he wouldn't let her out of his sight and he might find out what her and Nostradamus were discussing and report back to Darius.
The light will expel the darkness on the ancient soils of ruine. The words rung so deep in her mind it could bit be forgotten. It felt like she was holding onto different misplaced pieces of some puzzle and all she needed was a big piece to tie it all together for it to make sense. Originally Audrey had contemplated speaking to the Oracle but now she was thankful she did not follow through, goddess only knows how that would have ended. She had to watch her back and be careful from now on. She would speak to Darius about the Oracle when she gets the chance. She missed him dearly and wanted nothing more than to feel his warmth engulf her in a safety blanket that was his love and make her forget all that plagued her mind. Only him had that much power over her and she needed him to help dispel any thoughts of him taking a mistress.
♡♡♡♡♡
Hi piccolas!
Hope you enjoy this extra long chapter!
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