In the kingdom of Aeziris, a rebellion is rising, but its reins are not in the hands of its citizens. With a fine string entwining her heart with that of its chieftain, Esméralda must walk a knife-edge while navigating her way through a palace of ma...
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E s m é r a l d a A l b y
"You look wrecked, I'm-not-a-lady Esméralda."
I gasped at the abrupt interruption, but managed to keep a hand over my heart, then turned my eyes away from Aedric, and to Andros. He was wearing a casual shirt and trousers instead of his guard's uniform. I shook my head. "Just tired, busy day. How was yours?"
"Same. Boring. Standing half a day with nothing happening. Just got off my load. That didn't sound right, not right at all."
"You're crazy."
"At least it made you smile itty-bitty, I'm-not-a-lady Esméralda."
"You have to stop calling me that."
"That what?"
It brought back our conversation from today morning.
"You know, Andros."
He laughed. "I'm-not-a-lady Esméralda is sticking around until it changes to Queen Esméralda."
I looked back to Aedric. They were still dancing. I had tried, on several occasions, to think of myself as Aedric's Queen yet the words Queen Esméralda felt foreign to an extent it felt as if that Esméralda wasn't me. Loving him wasn't enough. Someday in the future, maybe I would be his wife, but a queen was so much more. It was true, if I could, I would do everything in my power to ail Aeziris' plight, but would I ever be truly accepted by this kingdom, by their nobles? I wished to stop thinking.
Eirik. We were perfect.
If it was him, I wouldn't have to sit here and watch him dance with one of the women he was supposed to choose his bride from. This feeling of worthlessness wouldn't chase me like an undefeatable predator. There wouldn't be whisperings in my head telling me I was the lowest option of the women he could possibly marry. I pulled up my knees, and buried my head, sobs shaking me. I wanted my Eirik back. I wanted to forget my father's words. I wanted to feel worthy. I wanted to be his pride, not a humiliating burden to have.
I worked as a lowest paid handmaiden in a palace he ruled. That was no pride. That was shame.
"Lady Esméralda," Andros's hand on my shoulder was gentle. It made me cry harder. I was such a weakling. "What's wrong?"
I shook my head as best as I could without looking up.
"Did something happen between you and Prince Aedric?"
I denied.
"Is it because he's dancing with a lady of The Thirteen?"
"I know he loves me."
"Then?"
"I just... I wish he were Eirik instead of Prince Aedric. I would feel... equal."
Andros didn't speak for long. "He treats you like his equal, doesn't he?"
