The Lady of the Hive has Arrived

Chapter 2: The Former Queen

"My queen, did the attendant not offer any further explanation regarding tonight's dinner?" Eleanore asks me while delicately combing out my long hair.

"Should he have?" I asked, looking at my handmaiden through the window with wide eyes. "Yes, I was surprised that the prince had requested my attendance tonight... I haven't seen him since the funeral..." A dark, lonely feeling filled my stomach. "But... Is it... strange that my step son would eventually wish to share a meal with me?" Something flashed across Eleanore's face, almost too fast for me to be able to recognize. But it was gone almost as quickly as it had gone, a sweet albeit cautious smile resurfacing in its wake.

"Oh... Not at all... My apologies for implying otherwise... Dining with you is a delight, I am rather jealous of him I suppose," she spoke in tender, cautious way. I smiled at her through the mirror and her smile felt more natural and at peace than it had been moments ago. We sunk into a comfortable quiet, the only sound was of the comb being pulled through my hair. Eleanore was completely entranced with her handiwork, while I studiously observed her.

There was no finer handmaiden than Eleanore. That much had been long decided, perhaps from the first moment she entered my service two years ago. Since then our friendship has blossomed into something I have come to cherish above anything I have ever experienced. Eleanore was trustworthy, gentle, sweet and loving. She was the picture of the ideal woman, and that would mean she would be married well off.

"Pardon me for interrupting your thoughts again... I just..." Her smile twitched downwards briefly. "Are you going to wear the dress the prince had delivered? Have you ever worn anything like it outside of your chambers?" She asked hesitantly.

The pace of the brush slowed almost to a complete stop. Eleanore's beautiful, soft brown eyes flickered off to the side, towards the bed my new dress was laid upon.

"That is my prince's wishes, so I will gladly oblige him. It is a fine piece, made of high quality silk. However, you are not incorrect in your assumptions. I have several nightgowns similar to it," I turn my gaze to the dress as well, the material so thing I could barely distinguish where my bedsheets ended and it began.

"It will be revealing, I cannot imagine that you could possibly feel comfortable walking in front of men in such a fashion," she said, looking back at me with concern.

Again, she was not incorrect. The material was so fine and delicate, it would fit against my curves and shapes in an exposing and probably indecent manner.

"Fashion is rarely comfortable, Lady Eleanore. I am sure he did not consider this while he was purchasing it," I said.

My handmaiden, clearly not convinced, laid her brush down and walked over to my dresser and removed a corset from one of the drawers..

"Are you sure you do not wish me to speak with one of his attendants? If the prince has made an error then you both will be embarrassed for nothing," She said, pulling the device around my torso.

"I couldn't reject such a lovely gift, it is a sign of good intentions and I intend on wearing it because of that," I said smiling softly as I stretched my arms up to the ceiling. Eleanore obediently began lacing my corset with deft fingers.

"Afterwards you will have to tell me all about the supper, okay?" She asked, grunting as she tightly tied the straps.

Feelings of affection and warmth soothed my voice. 

"I could never keep anything from you," I said. She stopped and I no longer felt her pulling at my laces.

I looked over my shoulder, confused, at the head of pale blonde hair. Her hands were trembling. I spun to face her, clasping her hands in mine.