Enthroned Hearts : A Royal Romance [18+]

A Lesson in Royalty

I fidget with my fingers, pacing back and forth in a restless, oscillatory motion across my room. Sasha watches me, sighing before finally breaking the silence.

"Wasting your energy pacing like a wind-up doll isn't going to help, girl. Save it for when you really need it." She looks at me pointedly, her tone dripping with impatience. I stop and drop my shoulders in defeat.

"But it's Queen Charlotte! I can't even figure out what to say to her because I know she'll come back with something sharp, and I'll be left speechless." I throw my hands up in exasperation, feeling the weight of the impending confrontation.

Sasha rolls her eyes, dragging herself off the bed with lazy grace. "It's not about the Queen. It's about you," she says, giving me a look that demands understanding. I stare at her, waiting for further explanation.

"Look, you need to convince her you didn't sleep with her only son—which you did, by the way. Just pray she doesn't decide to run any tests, or I'll be seeing you in hell." She glares at me before giving herself a final once-over in the mirror, then heads for the door.

"So, we're already on our way to hell," I mutter under my breath, following after her with a sinking feeling.

It doesn't take long before we reach her office. We stand before the imposing doors, and just as I'm gathering my courage, a voice startles me.

"Are you planning on just standing there?" Amunet's amused chuckle cuts through my nerves, making my heart skip a beat.

Amunet's chuckle lingers in the air, and I force myself to turn and face her. She's standing there with her usual air of effortless elegance, one eyebrow raised in a mix of curiosity and amusement.

"Well, are you?" she prompts,  as she looks between Sasha and me.

"I... I'm just mentally preparing," I stammer, trying to regain my composure. Amunet's presence made me question if Im really ready or not. I can always run away so. Sasha, sensing my hesitation, steps in.

"Mentally preparing, or stalling?" Sasha teases, crossing her arms. "If you keep standing here, you'll never get it over with."

Amunet nods in agreement. "Sasha's right. Queen Charlotte values confidence, even if it's a bit misguided. If you walk in there like you've already lost, you might as well not go in at all."

I take a deep breath, nodding. "You're both right. I need to just... do it."

"That's the spirit," Amunet says with an encouraging smile. "Remember, she's the Queen, but she's also a mother. Speak your truth, and if you're honest—"

"—she'll behead you with a little more compassion," Sasha finishes with a grin, clearly enjoying the banter.

I can't help but laugh, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"We're with you, no matter what," Amunet says more seriously, placing a hand on my shoulder. "Now,  go in there and face whatever comes.

There were guards standing on either side of the door. I stepped forward, and they both bowed in respect before opening the heavy wooden door for me. I muttered a quick "thank you" and stepped inside... and here goes nothing.

The office was grand but not ostentatious, with a high ceiling and walls lined with dark mahogany bookshelves filled with neatly arranged books and scrolls. The scent of aged wood mixed with a faint hint of lavender. A large, intricately carved desk sat in the center of the room, illuminated by the soft, warm glow of a chandelier hanging above. The light created delicate patterns on the polished floor, and the room had an air of authority that was almost suffocating.