Storm's Rapture | Storms Series: Book 1 (This is a Co-Write)

Chapter 87: Rosanna

AN: The Piarari Key is below for reference. Be sure to drop some comments as you read. Enjoy!

Piarari Key
Vasia (vah-sia): snowflake

Siotas (see-oh-tass): dewdrop

Kodavi (ko-da-vee): beautiful

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I walked into the throne room the next day. I wanted to join Cyris for morning audiences with the Court of Espor since I was going to be crowned Queen at some point. As I walked through the doors, I recalled just how intimidating this room was. I was sure I'd get used to it eventually, but still... The fact that the King's throne was the only seat in this room made the sight a bit nerve wracking. Cyris was sitting on the black marble chair, wearing his crown. He looked relieved to see me. I guess this court full of nobles asking him for various things was annoying him. I approached the throne and smiled at him.

"I've come to join you in the throne room today," I told him. He nodded and smiled at me, his eyes sparkled with love. I looked around and noticed that there was no chair for me to sit on. "And where am I supposed to sit? There's only one throne," I stated.

"Traditionally you'd sit on the steps of the throne, Princess Rosanna," one of the nobles replied.

I frowned. Part of me should have expected this. After all...Espor wasn't exactly known for accepting women in power, and Cyris' mother, Nerida Castellan, was a perfect example of that. But that didn't make it any less awful for everyone to expect me to lower myself and sit at Cyris' feet. I wasn't any lesser than he was just because I was a woman. I was going to rule Espor beside him. I wanted to. And while I respected the Esporians and their traditions, I also knew that I couldn't go ahead and follow this one. My eyes fell on one of the armrests of Cyris' throne and I got an idea.

"I suppose there's another place I could sit," I stated. I walked towards Cyris' throne and perched myself on the armrest. The nobles all gasped at my bold move. Cyris smirked and leaned back, letting me get comfortable and wrapping an arm around me. He took one of my hands in his and brought it to his lips, kissing the back of it.

"Your Majesty, I know she is your consort now, but by law she's still required to sit on the steps of the throne..." a minor Lord stated.

"I know the law, Lord Olivier—" Cyris voiced.

"I'm not surprised she chose to sit there...after all, she's nothing more than the King's harlot," another noble declared.

My hands trembled, but I tried my best to keep my composure. I wanted to show these nobles that they couldn't intimidate me. I needed to prove that I was worthy of being Queen.

"She's way more than my harlot! She is my wife!" Cyris scowled. I squeezed Cyris' hand, both for my own comfort and trying to calm him down.

"The power hungry ice witch is probably just after our King's wealth and stature!" a voice exclaimed.

I swallowed hard. This was getting more difficult. To think that people believed that I was only with Cyris for his power was unbearable.

"Riofaltan trash doesn't belong in this throne room!" another voice shouted.

That did it. I got up and walked briskly towards the throne room doors. I couldn't handle it anymore and I felt tears welling up in my eyes. I could hear Cyris shouting faintly as I continued to rush out of the room. I wasn't going to let myself cry in front of the Court. I made it out of the throne room and went down the hall, ignoring the maids and guards who stopped to curtsey or bow.

I reached Cyris' study and wrenched the door open. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I entered and a sob escaped my lips. I looked at the marks on my arm. The falcon and the rune of royalty...marked me as a Riofaltan Princess and I wore them with pride. I was proud to call myself a Princess of Riofalt, but to think that the Esporian nobles hated me just for the simple fact that I was a Riofaltan hurt a lot.