Garden of the Lion and the Dove

Chapter 13

For the first time in a month, Hakuno awoke to an empty bed. She blinked slowly and stared at the spot next to her, not really believing it. Ever since her coronation, which occurred the day that he asked her to be his Queen (he did not want to wait any longer apparently) he was in her room every night. Thankfully a few of the nights she actually got some sleep as he was content with just sleeping next to her.

She thought there would be a backlash against Gilgamesh for making her the Queen but unlike the nobles, who were a little leery, the people adored her. Despite her new position she still did not have much to do besides her usual duties of helping Ekur. She had been allowed to sit on Gilgamesh's audiences with the people every now and then. On those days the line seemed to go out the door and Gilgamesh had started complaining that they were coming to see her more than to see him.

She slipped out of bed and grabbed a fresh dress from her chest and slipped it on. Now clothed, she located her dress from yesterday and clicked her tongue when she saw the tear in the back. Gilgamesh just had to be rough, didn't he?

"Breakfast!" Shub's voice was loud and cheerful as she entered Hakuno's bedroom with a tray in hand.

Gilgamesh had insistence on Hakuno moving into his room but she refused. Having her own space made it easier for her to work on text translations. Even if she was Queen, she was the only one able to translate the texts. She was not going to let that knowledge go to waste. After that conversation, Gilgamesh just kept visiting her every night. At this point, he was pretty much living in her room.

Shub set the tray with breakfast on the small clean corner of the table. "Did he ruin another one?" She held out a hand. "Give it here."

Hakuno clutched the dress to her chest. "No, it's alright. I'll take care of it."

Shub blinked slowly. "You do know that you cannot hide it? I'm sure everyone is quite aware of what was happening last night."

Hakuno groaned and shut her eyes. "Please do not remind me." Since she was Queen, there were always guards posted outside her door and when Gilgamesh was here, his guards were here as well. He might be used to everyone knowing his business, but she was nowhere near that point.

"I'll sew it right now while you have breakfast." Shub pulled a needle and thread from a pocket of her dress.

Hakuno sighed and surrendered the dress while she sat at the table and ate breakfast.

"Why, the King was very frisky last night."

Hakuno's face burned. "I need to stop teaching you new words," she grumbled. Louder she asked, "Where is Gil anyway?"

"I saw him go into the council room with Paebal earlier this morning. Hurriya-she's one of the kitchen slaves- served them breakfast and apparently, it is very tense in that room."

Hakuno frowned. What was Gilgamesh doing with the captain of Uruk's soldiers? And why was she not at this apparently important meeting? She hated to think it, but it was times like this where she wondered if she would be better off as a concubine if he was not going to include her in the meetings she should be a part of.

Shub coughed. "Uh oh, the King's in trouble isn't he?"

Hakuno finished the last of her breakfast and put down the bowl. "Just a bit. I assume Ekur is in this meeting as well?"

Shub shook her head. "I am not sure."

"Well if he isn't and he comes here looking for me, these translations are the ones he's waiting on." Hakuno pointed to the finished pile on the table.

Shub nodded. "Oh wait! Don't forget your necklace!"

Hakuno stopped halfway out the door, turned on her heel, and grabbed her amulet from the edge of the bed. Usually, Queens were adorned with jewelry, but she felt incredibly uncomfortable. If it was an important event, sure, she would dress up, otherwise, just the amulet stating her Queen status would be enough.