The First Queen

5 - Future King

Once the words had sunk in every puzzle had seemed to have been fit perfectly into place.

The apprehension. The hesitance. Not to mention the constant remarks Julius had made. I knew Athena was not of nobility and that no one referred to her as 'Athena Summergarde' but I certainly didn't expect Athena to come of a House such as Dawnstar.

"I... I'm sorry-- I shouldn't have pressed--" I stammered but she cut me off.

"All is well, Your Regency." She assured me with a wistful smile.

I rubbed the back of my neck in embarrassment. Of course, I couldn't keep my mouth shut...

As more time passed, I felt less guilty for asking such a brash and brazen question and far more frustrated and infuriated by Duke Julius' words. How does one have such impudence as to speak about Athena in such a way?! House Summergarde has not even seen the horrors that Dawnstar has!

Granted, I do know very little of The Houses of Azumond but I know enough to recognise the insolence that Julius possesses. Ugh! Why was I thrown into the deep end of all this lofty and entitled nobility?

"Something on your mind, Your Regency?" Athena asked me, jovially bumping her shoulder against mine.

"I... It's nothing, Captain... I think I should speak with my father before The Hunt..." I sighed and Athena nodded.

"As you wish."

. . .

Athena had dropped me off in the Blackstone Quarter of the Palace and I gently rapped on my father's door.

"Enter.", his voice was raspy but still as powerful and regal as it once was.

I opened the door and as his eyes landed on me, all hopefulness was drained from them which sparked a sudden burst of anger through me.

"Oh... It's you." He grunted and I rolled my eyes.

"I came to check in on you, Your Highness," I growled and I swear I could see the hint of a smirk on his lips.

"Well, here I am." Father groaned, taking a glass of water from his nightstand and drinking the contents.

"How are you feeling?" I asked him, shoving all of the animosity to the back of my mind.

"Like I've been poisoned." He sighed, "Have you found a suitor as of yet?"

"None that exactly brighten Azumond's horizon..." I mumbled and he chuckled, low and deep.

"Remiel was the only good thing to come out of this new generation of Azumond nobility. Who are the plausible ones?" Father demanded and I seated myself in a chair beside his bed.

"Aramil Valenlor, Elton Marehart and... Julius Summergarde.", I hissed his name and Gabriel cocked a brow.

"Summergarde has achieved many great things... The birth of Duke Julius is not one of them, I empathise your distaste. If the laws weren't so unamenable then I'd rather that the Captain of the Royal Guard be the Head of House Summergarde but wishful thinking only gets you so far." He told me and I found myself smiling at the idea.

Despite the mutual slight dislike for each other, my father and I share a common ground for many other things.

"I hate to say it, but... If you're going to act for what's best for Azumond, then choose Julius." Gabriel groaned, "Elton has a guilty pleasure for spending long nights in The Winking Woman 'Inn' and, despite Aramil's smarts and logic, he hasn't the slightest clue on how to rule a kingdom. Julius, on the other hand, may be an arrogant, egomaniacal fool but he knows how to get things done."