One for Cards

Chapter Two

7/7/19: Wow, this has actually taken forever. A thousand apologies — but I hope you enjoy this!! (The story really gets going now.) Hit me up with a vote and/or a comment if you do, and share this story with your friends! <3

MRS SMITH REFUSED TO REVEAL ANYTHING ELSE AFTER DIVULGING THEIR destination. She promised that all would be made known by the right person when they arrived, and so the ride to the royal residence was one had in tense silence. There was no hiding Addie's annoyance now – after years of perplexity, her mother had finally seemed ready to tell her the truth about things, but was, nevertheless, clearly not truly so. There was something in the way, and she wanted only to know what.

"Mrs Smith." The palace footman – well, one of many – offered the two a stiff, practiced bow. "Miss Smith. Welcome to the Royal Palace."

"Thank you." Though her mother provided naught but a silent nod, Addie did not forget her breeding and answered for both of them, bobbing a slight curtsy. "It's a pleasure to be here."

He nodded back at her. "If you would follow me, please."

Together, they were led through vast courtyards and winding corridors, past talking nobles and busy servants alike. Nobody paid them any mind. This was unsurprising – after all, as members of the gentry in the Palace, they were not high enough in rank to be recognised, but not low enough in position to be noticeable. Addie found herself rather enjoying the way she was able to tour through the building in such anonymity. She felt invisible, and though most young women would balk at this, it was something she quite liked. She'd heard so much about the Palace, and read so much about it in books; it was wondrous being able to see it in person without having to be aware of how others perceived her.

Finally, they arrived at an ornate door. There was another man standing outside, and he bowed to them also. "Mrs Smith... Miss Smith. His Majesty will see you now."

His Majesty—? She had barely had the opportunity to express her shock when he pulled the door open, revealing a room with all four walls lined from floor to ceiling with books upon books, a weighty-looking desk right in the middle, and behind it a similarly weighty-looking man in a throne-like chair. He was not particularly large in size, but there was just something commanding about his aura. Something very kingly—the moment the thought struck her Addie realised how this was, quite evidently, something to be expected.

He had grey hair and hazel eyes and features that looked like they'd been carved out of stone. His shoulders were broad and his gaze sharp and she recognised him immediately: from paintings, from books, and from one glimpse from the roof of her house years ago, when he'd passed by in an open carriage with throes of eager Altarcans waving flags on either side...

The King of Lastyria.

He smiled at them. It was not what she expected from him. She had never seen his smile before – from what she knew, anyway, it was not one he gave away easily.

It was there nonetheless. "Come in."

Her mother entered, seeming more comfortable than Addie was comfortable with, but she followed meekly as the door closed behind her. She found herself in too much shock to remember to curtsy until her mother offered one to the monarch, and swept into the deepest one she could muster, cursing herself for freezing. She hoped the King hadn't noticed. How many people got the opportunity to meet the King?—And here she was throwing it all away.

"Rise – please, rise." There was an affection to his voice that surprised her. "There is no need for such ceremony."

As she straightened herself, one thought crossed her mind. Was her mother—?