Descendants of the Kings (Book 2)

Ch 63: Fortress of the sea

Ella was happy. Content. Light and carefree as a feather.

She traipsed through the halls humming a lively little tune under her breath, something she'd heard at the ball last night. It was midday. The latest she'd allowed herself to laze in bed in a long time. It felt like the height of indolence.

"Oh, Miss, good morning," Poppy called as Ella approached the dining room.

The small phouka maid carried a giant vase teeming with flowers. It obscured nearly her entire vision.

"Good morning Poppy," Ella answered, amused. "Do you need any help with that?"

"No need Miss, I was just about to leave these in the dining room."

Ella opened the double doors for her, following after. As she entered, she paused, staring in astonishment.

Half of the long dining table was crammed with all sorts of items. Woven baskets full of ripe fruit, beribboned parcels, fanciful boxes of sweets, and even more vases dripping with flowers.

Ella touched a fingertip to the tiny pink blossoms of a winter heath. "Poppy, what is all this?"

"Gifts for you, Miss," she beamed, settling the vase on the over-filled table. "They've been arriving all morning."

Ella let out an incredulous huff. She picked a thick card attached to a basket full of luxurious sweetmeats. It was from Lady Fia of House Grier, a kind older woman from Caelum whom she'd had the pleasure of conversing with.

"Isn't it wonderful? Your Highness seems to have made a grand impression at the ball," Poppy happily continued, toying with a giant red ribbon on one of the boxes.

"I don't recall the last time we received gifts at the palace, if ever." She paused, her little pink nose twitching in distress. "Once, however, His Majesty received the still-warm head of a boar."

Ella stifled a titter. "Well, thank you for bringing these over. Here," she offered her one of the largest baskets full of candied fruits and chocolates. "You may help yourself to these."

Her yellow eyes widened. "But Miss, they are your gifts! I could not possibly!"

Ella waved her off, pushing the basket into her arms. "I insist. I won't be able to eat them all by myself. Share them with the others."

Poppy beamed, a little flustered, but gratefully accepted. She toddled towards the entrance, dwarfed by the sheer size of the basket. Before Ella could help open the door, it was opened by Aedion.

"My lord," Poppy acknowledged, dipping her head, walking past him and closing the door.

Aedion stared at the table, eyebrows raised high. "Have I accidentally wandered into the temple? Is it a holy day and I forgot to bring an offering?"

"They're all gifts for me, it seems," Ella said, still surprised.

She'd received gifts before. It was customary to send a lady small, etiquette-appropriate presents for certain occasions. On her birthday, she'd often gotten many sent to the manor by couriers. It was a matter of pride for aristocratic families to pay their regards. Not so much for her, but to please Harrion.

However, the sheer volume of them was a tad overwhelming.

"Well, this is a first," Aedion said, picking up a card poking out from a bouquet of pink camellias. "From the Lord and Lady Terren. They were not too fond of Callan if I recall correctly." He chuckled, shaking his head. "It seems you've charmed them."

"It seems so," she murmured, pleased.

It appeared her efforts had paid off. Not too shabby of a job, she congratulated herself, rounding the table to take a seat. She made a mental note to send out thank you letters later.