C H A P T E R S I X
The knock on her chamber doors woke her from her deep slumber. Her handmaiden walked in and started a flame for the fire pit. She walked over to the balcony and drew the curtains, letting the natural sunlight into the dusty room.
"Milady, it is mid-day." Her handmaiden finally spoke.
She poked her head out from the duvet and groaned, "Are they here yet, Espn?"
Espn nodded. "Sir Gregory has accompanied them to the Throne Room."
She stepped out of bed and Espn rushed to help her with her corset. "Of course he has."
Lady Ford had always refused to leave the chamber room until Espn had finished with the morning chores. It had always made Espn extremely nervous; she was always worried that Lady Ford would always critique her if she'd done something wrong. Ford never wanted Espn to feel as though she was her maid, although it was in her description, Ford would've hated it if she would be left to clean up after someone while they go off and mind their own business. Ford had respect for Espn, so much that she'd occasionally help her if they were in a rush.
After tidying up the room, Espn aided Ford as she put on her dress and accessories. Ford had only met the Commander once, and that was at his Titling. And she had only gotten a glimpse at her Grace.
Espn was giving Ford pointers at Shadow Lands' traditions and respects, etc., as they walking down the corridors of the castle towards the Throne Room. "Only the Commander and her Grace have last names, it is respectable to refer to Nola as your Grace—"
"I've never met a Queen before, Espn, how am I supposed to act?" Ford nervously interrupted.
"She was only prophesied Queen two weeks ago, milady. I don't think she is even fully aware of her power."
"She is Nola Staanguard, of course she is fully aware of the amount of power she holds." Ford's eyes widened in shock as she entered the Throne Room to see the Sha'anders wardrobe before her eyes landed upon Enoch Staanguard who was having a heated argument with Laurel Glaser.
Ford was about to turn around and return to her room when Sir Gregory approached her and announced to the crowd of people of her arrival. Ford curtsied to Nola and insisted that all of her people change into Westland decorum. Trying not to seem disrespectful, Ford just felt that since they were in her land, they would dress as her people would.
Nola hastily agreed. "Will there be pants?"
Ford shook her head slowly. "No, a dress."
"A dress?" Nola echoed.
"Yes, your Grace."
Nola forced a smile while Espn escorted her and Ace to their chambers. "Remind me to slit my wrists before dinner."
-
Uriah walked down the corridor of the Shad-Tuns and entered the Strategist Wing. He unlocked the door and Hoover, sitting across from Beatrix, turned around in his chair.
"Yuria." Hoover said, in all most a question.
A tall, young, man with dark hair walked in from the back hallway. He gave Uriah a curious look. "Chon yu bilaik?" he asked.
