Whispers of Gold (GxG)

Part 1

A/N: Welcome back! I hope that you will enjoy this chapter. Things are gonna start to become a little bit dramatic. But hey, who doesn't love a good drama? I certainly do. 

-

Lady Lauri T'neius was one of those nobles that people looked up to. She has a wonderful family, four children, and a dutiful husband, and Lauri herself has always been close to the Empress Dowager. They were what the commoners would call best friends. Nuru needed someone she could rely on during her troubled marriage, and Lauri was a noblewoman with an outstanding reputation. It did not take the two ladies to form a strong bond, and even after the death of Kalayavan, Nuru kept her friend close. Way too close, in some people's opinion.

"It is a beautiful evening," Nuru said. It was already quite late, but the two women often enjoyed tea together during these hours. "The Empress was born on a night like this. The air was warm, and the stars were shining like never before. Well, from what I was told. I was too busy giving birth," She added with a chuckle.

"Those were blessed times, indeed. The Empress was the most well-behaved child, unlike my own daughter," Lady T'neius recalled those carefree times with a smile. She has known the Empress since she was just an infant, and although they were never quite close to each other, Lauri thinks of the sovereign fondly.

"But Zareen is a woman now," The Empress Dowager commented, and Lauri couldn't help but feel uneasy. There was a topic that tended to come up from time to time during their little chats. Surely, Nuru would never arrange Zareen's marriage. She was her mother, but Zareen was the Empress, which meant she outranked everyone else. Despite that, the Empress Dowager does have the right to choose the Empress's spouse by law. "She should focus on other important things like finding a Consort. May my daughter live a long, content life, but we can never know the Goddess's plan. The throne can't be left without an heir, and knowing Zareen, she would never start looking for her suitable match."

"Do you plan on playing matchmaker, Your Majesty?" Lauri asked with a hint of uneasiness in her voice, then she reached for her teacup and took a sip of her drink.

"If I have to, then yes. And I'm afraid I have no other choice." She stopped for a moment and turned her full attention to Lady T'neius. "Lauri, you've been a loyal friend to me, and your family is most respectable. You were always there for me during my marriage to the late Emperor. He was a cruel and foolish man, but you stood by my side, and I found comfort in our friendship. I may not hold any real power other than to choose my daughter's spouse, and Zareen respects me. By uniting our families, I would be able to repay your kindness. And you do have children of her age, don't you?"

Lauri was too stunned before she could gather her thoughts and finally speak. "Why, yes, I do. My first and secondborn sons are both married, but my youngest son and only daughter are available. Mehnem is a soldier here in the palace, but I assure you, he is not quite interested in marriage at the moment. As for Roe, I believe she is still young for such a thing. She has much still to learn."

The Empress Dowager let out a short laugh. "It seems like your Mehnem is much like Zareen." Neither of them wished for marriage, that was the only thing in common, but it seemed like Nuru had made her decision. "They might not want to get married right now, but such alike minds might eventually learn to care for each other. It is settled, then. I shall join you for tea tomorrow and meet your son."

One more time, Lauri raised the teacup to her lips. I should be glad, I suppose, she thought to herself. But parents very rarely arrange their children's marriage, and despite knowing that this union would come with many perks, Lauri couldn't help but worry about her son's happiness. It was much preferred to marry for love, and that is what Lady T'neius had always intended for her children. To be with someone who truly makes them happy. And what would Zareen say? She wouldn't dare to anger the Empress.