Tears of Queens

9 - Leo

When we could finally see each other again, we were in a large office, across from a large mahogany desk, topped with many disorganized papers, pens, and a name plaque at the front that read, "Leila Khalili, RAS", and beneath it, something in a different language I couldn't read. Behind the desk was a brown leather chair and a beautiful painting of a landscape, with rolling hills and a palace in the background and a field with flowers and a stream with a bridge in the foreground. The painting had an ornate gold frame, and there was nothing else on the wall. To our right was a set of floor-to-ceiling windows with white and lavender curtains drawn. On our left was another wall, but instead of a painting, this wall had a golden sword and shield on display.

"Do you like the office? I just redecorated," a woman's voice came from behind us, taunting, her British accent making it all the more strange. Tala's face went pure white, a stark contrast to her brown skin. I reached a hand out to comfort her, but that's when I realized I couldn't move. I was tied to a chair with a silky rope, my hands and feet restrained.

"Who are you?" Tala asked, her voice shaky. The woman chuckled softly, almost kindly.

"I'm your Royal Advisor, of course!" she said, leaning in close to Tala's ear. Tala shrunk away from her.

"Let's try not to scare her, Lei," another voice, a man's, came from behind us. I heard footsteps and the man came to lean on the desk in front of us. He was tall with short black hair and wore a white button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, black slacks, and black dress shoes. "After all, she is our new Shah."

"Kamran?" Tala asked, incredulous. "What is happening? Where are we?"

"I promise I'll explain everything later. Right now, though, you need to get ready."

"Ready for what?"

Kamran didn't say a word. Instead, he walked over and began to untie us.

"Promise you won't run," he said quietly. Tala nodded as he continued to untie her until she was fully out of the chair. She stood still as Kamran untied Wyatt and I and then hugged the both of us as soon as we were standing.

"You're dismissed, Lei." he nodded to Leila, who rolled her eyes and left.

"I never get to have fun around here." she muttered under her breath as the door shut behind her.

"Now. You're probably wondering where you are and why you're here. Allow me to inform you. You are in The Holy Kingdom Navell, and you are here because Tala has been discovered as our new Shah. This is nothing to worry about, because myself and my staff will be here to assist you every step of the way. Tala, your training starts tomorrow." he turned to me. "Who are you?"

"I'm Leo. What do you want?"

"What I want is to make sure you know what your positions are in the Royal Court of Navell. Leo, you have been assigned as the head of our Royal Guard and Military. You start training with Tala tomorrow. Wyatt, you are to be the new Royal Advisor. Your training is less physical than your friends', so you will start in a few days. Any questions?" he asked. Wyatt raised his hand. "Yes?"

"I'm not the Advisor just because I'm Asian, right? 'Cause that's kind of racist." Wyatt asked. Kamran let out a small chuckle.

"No, that's not why. Now, if you'll please follow me to your quarters." Kamran said, and left the room, leaving us to rush after him.