Chapter 7
We arrived at the palace. It seemed bigger than I remembered. It's grand architecture screamed the kingdoms great wealth. A shiny and prickly stone was used for it's construction, it looked magical, the ironically large build, with drawbridge and moat. Their huge palace was built on the side of a steep mountain.
The entire island is covered in thick green vegetation and exotic plants,animals and fruits.
When we reached the moat the guard yelled to another in the watch tower and the bridge was lowered. It creaked but it came down smoothly. The arrival party entered the fortress and the bridge was cranked up again I felt claustrophobic. Before we entered, we went through another safety gate.
Finally I could see the courtyard. It was massive and beautiful. Everything about Claytos seemed so small at first. Highly mistaken.
Mother and I were escorted to the throne room where we'd be met by the royal family. Luckily for me Malik and Mercutio were out with the hunting party and their arrival was unknown for the most part.
The massive oak doors haven't changed this much I remembered, Malik and I used to test our strength by seeing who could one of these doors open. He was stronger but always had some reason to let me win. I didn't understand, but now I do. Well I guess I did.
King Thesius and Queen Aurillia entered the room hand in hand. As romantic as ever. King Thesius wore his crown proudly, paired with loose white shirt, brown leather overcoat and breeches and Queen Aurillia was drapped in long flowy beige square neckline dress and on her head, a matching thin gold crown with green emeralds.
The king was a tall man with shoulder length brown hair and stormy grey eyes that had a strange calm to them, Aurillia was of medium height and met Thesius at his shoulders. She was the apittimy of beauty the high cheek bones, long wavy raven black hair and light green ocean eyes. They had that power couple look about them. They smiled warmly at us.
Malik was a pure mixture of his parents, he had on unmistakebly unique difference about him. His deep chocolaty brown eyes. He had wavy hair that rested in the top of his head, the sides were faded. A unusual haircut no one else in the entire kingdom had except him. He was twelve years of age the last time I saw him, that was ten years ago. Thoughts of him ran through my mind so rapidly I hadn't even realize the king embraced me and lifted me into the air.
"Ruqqayah" he chuckled,
"King Thesius," I smiled warmly and hugged him back. I gave a respectful nod to Queen Aurillia and she hugged me equally as hard, I was surprised at how similarly strong she was to king Thesius.
They greeted mom and then we took a walk through the palace gardens and sat down for tea. It was really relaxing.
We sat at a circular family table, King Thesius on one side his wife to his right and I was opposite him, mom to my right, in the middle of the royal garden under a Willow tree that was next to a sparkling stream. As fish swam past, they flickered droplets into the air that looked like liquid diamonds the light caught them during their trip into the air. And then they dropped back. Beautiful, I took in the fresh scent of lillies.
"Claytos' beauty never ceases to amaze me King- I mean uncle Thesius," I because of our kingdoms close relationship with theirs formalities weren't necessary.
"And you are quite beautiful yourself my dear. Malik and Mercutio will be so excited to hear about your stay here."
"I too am excited uncle, but are they not on a hunting party?" I asked genuinely curious, I took a huge gulp of the Jasmine tea.
King Thesius took a hearty laugh, one I didn't understand even though he was a obviously cheerful man, this laugh held sarcasm.
"They return tonight to be in time for the ball we are hosting in your honor!" He smiled at me, specifically and questioning look was undeniable. I choked on my tea and my throat burn with the sudden hot intake of tea.
"Ha ha, slow down my girl," uncle laughed, chuckled actually as mom gently hit my back.
"Aah yes, uncle it's just I'm very excited to be back after so long," I had to lie.
"Mmm yes my dear," he combed through his beared with his hands thoughtfully, "unfortunately this is all the time we have for now, we have to prepare for tonight." He took queen Aurillia's hand, they greeted us and left.
Mom and I chatted for a short while till a servant came to escort us to our chambers. Mom's room was I'm the west wing and mind to the east. Something felt familiar about the East wing that I couldn't get.
I reached my old room and pushed open the doors. High ceiling with depictions of King Thesius' grandfather's conquest of Claytos, all in three-dimensional intricateness. Breathtaking.
Somethings had changed but it was exactly how I left it, with a more mature feel now. My large four-poster bed and pastel green walls. The air felt fresh and clean. "It has been maintained well," I muttered under my breath.
Yes my lady, I put your bags in the closet and leave you to get settled in. I will come to get you two hours before the ball to get ready. Please don't hesitate to call if you need anything, it's about four hours before then, you have two hours to do as you wish,"
"Thank you, Serena" she beemed at me.
"Thank you my lady I'll leave now." She left and closed the door behind her.
I took off my boots and plopped onto the bed and fell asleep. It was too soft and comfy to resist and besides my body needed the rest after not sleeping on the ship after my nightmare. I welcomed the sleep whole heartedly.
I wake up rested and energised after two hours of sleep. I stood and went over to the large window seat. Filled with cushions of the softest feathers. The sky's plastered blue was fading now, into pinks, oranges and reds. Night time.
After a few minutes came in Serena, a big smile on her face.
"You seem oddly happy Serena, out with the gossip..." She sat next to me on the window and chatted for a few minutes. Serena became a friend of Zain and I. We also played together when the boys went looking for crickets.
"Ruqqayah! I mean my lady we're going to be late, And primve Ma k ha co ba..." She muttered under her breath.
"Urh what was that last part Serena?" I questioned.
"My lady remain calm," I was annoyed now, but I masked it with curiosity.
"The hunting party led my Prince Malik and Mercutio have returned..." I fell off a cliff in my minds eye.
"Malik!?"oh no, what do what do I say ?
That part came out loud as Serena put a firm hand on my shoulder and jerked me into reality.
"My lady, breath, just relax and be yourself. Also there will be a few surprises at the ball, I can't say much but just be calm, enough now we need to dress you now."
I undressed and climbed into the bath tub, it submerged my entire body into the water and came up again. "Aah." I said as I blew bubbles into the air. Serena was on edge now.
"Enough playing now my lady. Come let me wash your hair." I smiled from ear to ear as she approached. She knelt down next to me and massaged my scalp with vanilla flavoured soap. When she finished she handed me coconut cream. Now that bathings done. Clothes.
I sat on the bed as I waited for Serena to pick out an outfit for the evening. She really enjoyed herself now. She chose a navy blue A-line dress with a rounded neckline with silver buttons along the top to my waist and silver swirls at the length of the dress.
Next was a lining of coal on my eyes, with a small dab of cherry juice on my lips. My hair she made ringlets and added diamond and sapphire pins to it. I was done now, finally. "Not yet my Lady," she gently pulled out my necklace from under my dress a positioned it in the middle of my chest. Muttering a quick thank you she usherred me out of the room and I was escorted by one of the guards to the throne room.
I took deep breaths as I descended down to the steps where the guard will leave me and announce my appearance.
We reached the bottom steps and told the announcer which I could only guess was good things and my name and title.
He smiled and in loud voice said
"Lady Ruqqayah-Selena, Royal Diplomat from the city of Ascalon!" I grabbed my skirts in bundles in my fist and I hoped not to trip and fall. The crowd of people started clapping and cheering as I made my way down.
Urgh I hate crowds I thought all the while plastering an appropriate smile on my face. I waved gracefully to the crowd.
