Evergreen [Book 1 of the Hierarchy Series]-Revising

Chapter 5

 Her feet ached, walking in high heals burning her feet and ankles. A white rose on her left shoe caught on the bottom of her white embroidered dress, the traditional flower of all the female descendants in the family, the patterns across it gold and purple. With hair pinned in place in a rose-like bun high on her head, she felt fake, head pounding it yanked her scalp. She marched towards the main hall, the most significant room in the castle. Her personal servant quickly trailed behind, quiet as a mouse. The tiara dug into her head, and the long chain necklace lay heavily from my neck to below the collar bone. The pendant hid between her breasts, under her gown. She ran her fingers through the charm bracelet around her left wrist and over the wolf charm, her favorite. It reminded her of her mother.

She lingered as the servants opened the enormous doors, Olivia standing beside her. The massive doors crackled as the guards opened them, revealing a high ceiling and the room's entirety decorated with paintings. They glided into the gigantic room towards the seats accompanying the throne. Olivia crept into a chair without a sound. Cassia shifted into the one on the opposite side of the throne.

She glared at the ceiling in complete boredom. Her father entered the room, quickly sitting in the throne between his daughters before the servants bowed and presented the first citizens. As they approached the throne, she glimpsed at the top of the dome, studying the rune inscriptions telling a story of the first men on Tyre.

Stirring back to reality, she descended further into her seat as the guards declared Senior Doreen and his wife. They looked similar; the man tan and leather-skinned, scraggly with a grey beard and long hair. The women's frizzed grey hair sat low on her head in a messy bun. They genuflected before the throne until her father spoke.

"How may I serve you," he articulated in a booming, raspy voice. The deepness of his voice echoed within the room, Cassia shivering with gooseflesh.

"My home was destroyed, and we hoped you could help us rebuild," the senior responded. Cassia watched her father; a drop of sweat on his temple dripping down his neck. She could see trepidation in his pinpoint gaze, full of taciturn emotions shrowded by his obligations. She wished her mother occupied in the throne instead, resting beside her with a sympathetic wrinkle to her eloquence.

"Yes, we will grant workers to help restore your home," he said with a vacant expression. "Your house shall be restored within the moon cycle."

"Thank you, King Gerald," their wide eyes and elevated tone sent shivers up Cassia's spine. They were escorted out moments later. She glanced at Olivia. She saw creases of boredom and embarrassment in her expression.

They greeted more commoners, but Cassia's attention swayed away and the sounds of their voices muffled. She wanted to help her people, yes, but she couldn't here. She knew no help would come with sitting in a chair. Her rump began to lose feeling, and she felt weak as they continued for hours without end. No nourishment, no interim. Consistent blabbering of things indifferent to a king, but essential to serve the people.

"Send in the next person," the king shuffled in his seat, just as uncomfortable as they were. As the doorman withdrew, Cassia stuck her tongue out, catching Olivia's attention as Cassia stared. Olivia giggled with amusement, but the king quelled them with a scowl. They both paused, shifting further into the seats. Face flushed, Cassia turned her gaze to the floor.

"Sir, Daniel and Stephen Wöllem wish to be in your presence," The doorman announced.

He shifted, soundless and thoughtful. He trembled the hairs on the back of his neck straightening. "Granted," the king cleared his throat, massaging the nape of his neck as he stirred, sitting erect. The doorman inclined before reopening the door. Olivia and Cassia shared an anxious glance, wondering why he seemed disheveled. When Olivia turned to gaze upon them, Cassia noticed a shift in her expression; recognition. She remembered her conversation with Radu. She should recognize them, but their features were unfamiliar.

The two men walked in and knelt down before the throne. The twin to the right offered Cassia a crooked smile as he straightened, his green eyes shimmering somewhat familiarly, almost like Radu's. His light brown hair made them shine a brighter lime color.

He escorted the twins towards the study adjacent without greeting. As they disappeared into the other room, Cassia overheard the muffled roars of her father. "It's dangerous for you to be here. Do you understand the risks you are putting all of us in? This better be important."

She could not hear the reply, but her father's voice softened beyond recognition, she knew he inquired enough to convince her father.

They immediately exited, reforming in front of them. Once the king settled, everyone appeared to relax.

"Now what did you need to speak to me about? I am sure you are here for a good reason." Cassia's brows furrowed, confused. He presumably desired Cassia and Olivia as witnesses.

"We're here on request of Lord Coren," the other said, the darker one, his blue eyes deep and qui vive. "He wants your daughter to meet with his son. H wants a reconciliation of the heirs."

"Is it Cassia," the king avoided their gaze, his anxiously adhered to the floor. There was more. He peered at Cassia from beneath eyelashes.

"Yes," the green-eyed man stated, watching Cassia keenly. He knew her, but she did not know him. Radu knew they would appear, someone who would return her memory. The king considered for a long moment as Cassia gazed with curiosity. He gathered the past in his mind, racking for something for incentive to refuse. She knew Lord Coren's children were old friends, but the king insisted they died in a horrific fire a year after her memory loss. There was a big group of heirs she talked to when she was younger without recollection of doing so. Her mother always brought her, but since her death, nobody met up again. She knew they intended to try again, try to bring Cassia's memory back.

"Alright," the king sighed, unsure of his decision. "Give her time to prepare for the journey. I make one request. Let no one lay eyes on her."

Cassia cleared her throat, gaping wide-eyed at her father. How could he trust these men with her life if he desired them gone only minutes earlier? "My King, I do not concede. I should be here, aiding with our commitments. Now you want me to go with two strangers to a country I can't remember?"

The green-eyed man's head dropped at the word stranger. She grumbled as her father glared at her. He refused. "I assure you, Cassia, you will not be harmed on this course. You must go, it is an opportunity for you to recover your memory." The man's head popped up again, a spark of hope in his gaze. Cassia sighed, slipping back into her chair. She expelled a breath, covering the grumble in a whisper.

She knew it was a unique opportunity, but she feared her life was in danger.