Heart of Fire

Chapter Forty Two

Shortly after the coronation, the crowd moved to the ballroom for a celebration. It might only be midday, but that didn't stop anyone from wanting to have a little fun. And get a little drunk off expensive wines.

I stand off to the side of the dance floor with the trio, talking amongst them like normal. I haven't gotten the chance to speak to Kenton or Hudson, seeing as though they've been nonstop talking to people who come up to them. I don't mind really, I'll get my chance to speak to them eventually. Their people should have their chance to thank them and appreciate their prince and new king.

"Miss Farrington." A small voice calls out to me.

I turn around, finding the voice to belong to Queen Evelyn. She's dressed in a beautiful gold gown, sparkling from head to toe. From the way she looks, one would never have guessed she lost her husband only last night.

I find my voice, "Evelyn," I say, bowing my head slightly in acknowledgement.

"Can I speak to you for a moment?" She asks politely, a small smile resting on her smooth face.

"Yes, of course." I sputter, a string of nerves running through my spine.

I did just kill her husband, deserved or not, she has every right to be upset with me. The least I can do is talk to her about it, if that's even what she wishes to speak about. I'm not entirely sure.

I follow her out of the ballroom, walking slightly behind her as she leads me to a separate room. When I step inside, it seems to be her office.

It's a quaint, tiny room, with paintings on every wall and one chair on either side of her desk. I follow her suit, sitting in the chair across from her own. Shifting slightly, I cross my legs, not wanting to come off as rude or uninviting to talk to.

"Is everything alright?" I ask, not being able to handle the silence any longer.

"Yes, yes of course dear." She reassures, waving her hand in the air. "I just wanted a moment alone to talk to you without the loud celebration around us." She explains, her voice polite and smooth.

"Yes, of course." I say.

"I know this may be odd, I haven't really had the chance to speak with you before this." She starts, suddenly looking regretful. "But I see how much Kenton and Hudson mean to you, how much you mean to them."

"Yes?" Is all I say. I find myself growing weary with where she's going with this.

"I was married to Bastian shortly after his first wife's death, the prince's mother, which you already know." She says. I nod my head, encouraging her to continue. "I wasn't the mother figure I was supposed to be with them. I was distant, quiet. Now, I regret not being there for them so deeply, I feel the need to make it right."

I blow out a breath, rubbing my sweaty palms on my gown. "I'm sorry if this comes out as rude, but what does this have anything to do with me?" I ask.

She laughs, the sound pleasant to my ears. "Because as much as I needed to be a mother figure to Hudson and Kenton, I needed to be a mother figure to you as well." She says.

"Oh," I say awkwardly. This is an odd, odd conversation. "It's fine really, I-"

"Hold on, let me continue." She tuts, cutting me off. I press my lips together, nodding sternly.

"I come from a land not far from here, just over the Rochford ocean." She says.

The Rochford ocean connects to Narva, but no one has ever dared to sail past the sealine due to how dangerous the waters were. Though I can't seem to find a reason why she's bringing this up.