The Heiress

Chapter 2 - The Ladies

 In a flash, she was on her feet again, and rushed out the door without delay, hurtling down the hallway to her private quarters. She looked left, then right: her heart leaped when she saw her friend leaving it at the same time.

– Captain Herzeben...! She called, controlling the panic in her voice as much as she could.

The young man turned around, as did the two ladies who were now walking down the same corridor. Surprised, Ashen swallowed her emotions nonetheless, and resumed an upright posture, clasping her hands in front of the skirt of her dress. She lifted her chin, frowned slightly, then took a few steps forward, as he joined her.

– Yes your Majesty? He said, his eyes widening.

– I'm afraid there was a slight misunderstanding between us. Ask for the proper welcome of the messenger, and pass the word on to Marquis Lehyo, so that he summons my council as soon as possible, please.

Hanz found it hard to hide his astonishment, but he understood the sovereign's sudden about-face when he himself saw the women heading towards them. He would have liked to question her more but did not wish to put her in an awkward position. He bowed down, before straightening up.

– Very well, your Majesty.

He left with those words, and although Ashen noticed the confrontational expression he had displayed, she could not take care of this for now. With a thin smile, she turned to the two Elves who accosted her, leaning in turn in front of her. The first was a young woman with short blond hair and light green eyes, wearing a light blue taffeta dress, the second was much older, with long black hair graying in places and slight wrinkles surrounding her dark eyes, dressed in green.

– My Queen, you are resplendent today! Exclaimed the younger girl.

– You flatter me, Countess Zeyen, Ashen replied, gesturing back. This dress looks great on you, my dear.

– Oh, but what about yours, added the second. It suits you perfectly!

– Very kind of you, Duchess Inaya. Did you want to talk to me, ladies?

The two of them looked at each other for a moment, before finally letting their playful looks appear to the Queen. This intrigued her, and she cocked her head, awaiting their response.

– Yes, we had a favor to ask of you, Your Majesty, said the Countess.

Ashen nodded before gesturing to another room.

– Of course, she replied. Let's go to a living room, we will be more comfortable there to discuss.

Taking the lead, she guided them to a small room with walls entirely of red felt, decorated with paintings representing diverse and varied landscapes. Four tall windows stood there, and were partially obscured by cream curtains, of a shade similar to that of the upholstered silk armchairs, between which stood a finely crafted wooden coffee table. The Sovereign waited for her hostesses to take their seats, then sat on the opposite sofa, hands resting on her knees.

– So I am listening to you, my dear ones, she declared, in a calm tone.

– Well-... started the Duchess.

– We thought that having friends would do you a lot of good!

The younger's abrupt phrase caught Ashen off guard, and she couldn't hide it. Her relaxed expression of a few seconds ago tightened, her fingers clenching on her dress.

– Friends? She repeated, astounded. What do you mean by that, Countess Zeyen?

– O-oh, forgive her clumsiness, my Queen, the elder stammered. You know very well what young people are like... What we wanted to say is that a little company could not hurt you.

– I hear it well, but what was the service you were asking of me, a few moments before?

She was fretful: from the day she had acceded to the throne, rumors had started to ring out everywhere. Many nobles criticized her for being unsociable, or at least for only having unranked soldiers, with nothing to do with nobility. Then, was this clumsiness really one? She hesitated, but the confused and desperate look of the blonde made her tend to believe them.

– My apologies, Your Highness, said the latter. I did not wish to offend you... I myself am indignant of all the gossips that some people do-...

– Melinna!

The Duchess stopped her while giving her a dark look, but she didn't stop that easily.

– I am outraged, and that is why we have come to meet you. We are organizing a party at Madam the Duchess Inaya's castle in a few days, and we intended to invite you, my Queen. But we figured we could kill two birds with one stone, and take this opportunity to silence the rumors about you by becoming your friends.

The young Elf with long brown hair blinked: were they offering this just out of kindness and compassion? The sincerity she could read on their faces made her believe it, but the word service still nagged her. She nodded, then stared at them both.

– And what do you want, she asked, in return for this favor you could do me?

– But, my Queen... This is all the service we want you to give us, added the older one.

– I beg your pardon?

They smiled at her, as the phrase confused her even more.

– We would like to have the honor to be the very first to invite our new Queen, replied the Countess, just as we would like to get to know you better.

– They all say you have a good heart, Your Majesty, continued the second, and we believe in it. We look forward to supporting you as a Queen, but we would love to help you as a woman too.

For a few seconds, Ashen didn't know how to respond, finding herself there moved by their intentions. When she was still a Princess, rare were the ladies who deigned to take an interest in her, if only to say hello, but she remembered perfectly that Countess Zeyen and Duchess Inaya never forgot her at their visits to the castle, and sent her presents on each of her birthdays. She finally relaxed, and smiled back at them, nodding.

– It will be with pleasure, dear ones. I-...

She could not finish her sentence: three sharp knocks resounded on the door, making them all turn around. She raised her voice:

– Come in, please!