The Heiress

Chapter 10 - Royal Ones

 With these words, the young woman abruptly got out of the tub, wrapping herself in the white silk robe that was waiting on the armchair next to it, and hurriedly joined Hannah in the living room. She had no idea what it could be, but when she saw the wax seal affixed to the two envelopes she was handing her, she understood, and sighed in relief.

– What is it? The younger asked her impatiently.

– Nothing bad, quite the contrary, she replied. These are the invitations to Olopia's Annual Banquet.

She pointed to the design of two leaping wolves in the silver wax.

– It is their symbol, she explained. The odd thing is that there are two... Who else does the King of Olopia want to invite?

– It's not two invitations, Ashen. The messenger who gave these letters to Hanz did say that you were to be the only one to read them, at the request of King Xelkeon.

– The only one?

She frowned, tied the belt of her dress around her waist, picked up the letters and went to sit on one of the sofas, quickly joined by her friend. She opened a first envelope: inside was an official invitation addressed to Queen Ashen Behôrn, along with seven other people of her choice, all written in blue ink on silver paper. At the mention of the seven people she would have to invite, she sighed, suddenly thinking of the Prince. Hannah, worried, put a hand on her shoulder.

– What is it, big sister? She questioned her.

She looked up at her, and her maid immediately noticed the flush on her cheeks, and restrained herself as best she could to say anything about it.

– Do you think Prince Wranarhea would agree to come with me?

– Where? At the party at Madam the Duchess's?

At the memory of this event which had completely gone out of her mind, she growled in frustration, leaning her neck against the back of the sofa.

– I had totally forgotten about this evening, she cried. And to think that I have to go there accompanied once again!

Nevertheless, Hannah suddenly laughed, which surprised her. She frowned and crossed her arms, watching her.

– What is so funny? She grumbled.

– Well, your maids – including me – had bet that you would go with Viscount Wilyo, she laughed. I think I won!

– Why should I go with the Viscount? He does not interest me in the slightest.

– But the Prince does interest you, am I right?

Ashen looked away, blushing, and the redhead laughed harder.

– Damn, I didn't think I hit it so right, she laughed. Does he affect you so much?

– Oh, please stop! It's quite embarrassing enough like that! So give me the other envelope.

Hannah did so, and the brunette opened it quickly, eager to change the subject. The paper of this second letter was much more classic, and the sovereign began to read aloud:

– Your Highness, she began, I suspect that such a letter may seem incongruous to you, but please do not ignore the good thoughts I've put in this one. Rumors run through many Kingdoms that mine welcome and protect within it some of Khardûll's enemies, the Jarkhan. I tell you and you alone, quite frankly: these rumors are true. I am all the more opposed to Khardûll and his King as the woman I love is threatened with death by him, for the simple affront, however involuntary, of having been born of controversial origins. I cannot reveal more to you than that through a letter, but I promise to answer each of your questions in person. This is why I insist that you come to the Olopia's Annual Banquet, accompanied only by people whom you blindly trust, so that we can discuss this, as well as other business your late father – shaa nâ ûlhuha – and I unfortunately did not have time to conclude.

She finished reciting the polite phrase, her hands shaking at the mere mention of her father. She did not know what to make of all this, these rumors and facts and this whole story, and looked up to Hannah's eyes as if to read the answer to her question: what to do? She was much less confused than she was, and smiled at her, but that was not the answer she expected:

– This is quite romantic, don't you think?

Without being able to restrain herself, Ashen laughed, until tears welled in her eyes, and sobs clenched in her throat.

– If you only knew, she sighed, how I would love to rediscover the innocence and carefree life of our childhood... You haven't changed, Hannah, while I ...

– You became Queen, Ashen. Your choices no longer impact you only, but your entire Kingdom. You carry Bôrn on your shoulders like Keshen did. So with such a weight, you have the right to doubt, you know.

They hugged each other for a moment, then the Sovereign put the letter in the envelope, let it down, then stood up, wiping her tears with the back of her hand. Within seconds, her distressed expression had reverted to the one of the strong Queen she was, now.

– But now is no longer time to doubt, she told her. So get Baron Luko, he alone will know the nature of the affairs between my father and the King of Olopia. After that, tell Prince Wranarhea to come here this midday, because I desire to see him. And finally, have these seven invitations written. One will be in your name, the others in the name of Hanz, Tristael, Linah, Countess Zeyen, Duchess Inaya, and the last...

Ashen seemed to hesitate for a moment, and her maid got up too.

– Should I put the last one in the name of Baron Luko?

– No. I want Prince Wranarhea to go with me.