The First Queen

6 - The Grand Feast

Athena's head snapped to me as I spoke those two tiny words and Julius' accursed grin grew somehow even larger than it previously was and I shuddered.

Time to leave--

Julius' hand curled tight around mine and I saw Athena visibly grimace out of the corner of my eye.

"We shall announce our marriage at The Grand Feast, then?" He smirked and I sighed dejectedly.

"We shall." I declared and Julius immediately turned to Athena.

"This is wonderful news, isn't it, Captain? I can finally deliver on that promise." He smiled knowingly and I fought back a hiss.

"I do have one condition, though," I growled at him and he looked at me with a shocked expression.

"A condition?--" He started.

"That Athena continues her role as Captain of the Royal Guard," I demanded and now both of them gaped at me.

"I, uh... Of course..." Julius coughed and the carriage halted.

"Perfect. We'll announce the wedding tomorrow night, then." I smiled at him and practically leapt out of the carriage as the steward opened the door.

After a few moments, Julius came out afterwards and was closely followed by a still-frazzled Athena.

Up ahead, at the front of the line of coaches, was one of the stewards and a few guards having what sounded like a heated conversation with figures cloaked in the darkness.

"Is everything well up there?" I muttered to myself and begun to trail behind Athena as she approached the commotion.

"I'm afraid that you can't be here!" The steward snapped at a silhouette on horseback.

"And why is that?" A feminine yet rough voice responded.

"The Azumond Tournament's first game is occurring on the morrow-- The participants, their squires and their stewards are all preparing for the game tonight." The steward answered her and she let out a huff of discontent.

As Athena and I grew nearer, the figures on horseback became clearer and I took notice of the massive army that spanned the size of Azumond and more behind them.

At the head of the charge was a tall woman with dark armour and an icy glow emanating from the blade strapped to her hip. I could barely make out her powerful and attractive features in the dim lamplight.

"And you block all access for travellers through these parts? Let me speak with your ruler, Squib." The woman hissed and the steward spun around before finding us.

"Who goes there?" Athena demanded and the dark mare neighed in response.

The woman got off of her horse and started to approach us. She was only a few inches shorter than Athena and yet still appeared far more formidable. Her hair was tucked into her armour and she tilted her head in a way that flaunted her strong and defined jawline and if her cruel smirk didn't induce fear into me, I'd probably try to flirt with her.

"And who are you, Knight?" The warrior questioned Athena.

"Captain Athena of House Summergarde. And you?" She pressed her and as the warrior was but a metre away from me, I finally noticed the protruding lion chest piece on her dark armour.

"None of your concerns." She answered. I tugged on Athena's arm as if to tell her to be careful but she just looked at me with a cocked brow, "And who is the lovely lady at your side, Captain Athena?"

My eyes met with the warrior's and I beheld the black ichor-like swirl within them. My skin grew cold and I froze on the spot with a shiver.

"Your Regency, are you well?" Athena asked me and the warrior furrowed a brow and her smirk widened.

I broke the eye contact and felt a sudden warmth spread through me.

We need to get rid of her.

"I'm fine. Let them pass through", I was barely able to cough out the response but the woman nodded in agreeance and waved for her soldiers to move further.

After she had given us both a nod, she vaulted back onto her horse and rode off, eager to get to the front of the charge once more.

When her presence had left, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding onto and slumped onto Athena's side.

"Is everything okay?" Athena asked again.

"I don't know who that was but I don't want to ever see her again." I gulped and Athena nodded grimly.

. . .

Tomorrow's festivities and the actual hunt were fun enough if not challenging but once it came to The Grand Feast, I was visibly shaking with nerves and disgust.

I did not want to marry the fool of a duke that is Julius Summergarde, but I don't know two cents of politics let alone ruling a whole country so he'll have to do.

I was sat at the Summergarde table and when Julius got to his feet beside me, I wanted to dig myself a hole and hide from reality.

"Ladies and Gentlefolk! May I have your attention?" He called out, tinking his fork to the flute of white wine in his hand.

The commotion in the room eased to a halt and I shut my eyes, willing so desperately for the moment to be over.

"Her Regency, Elia Blackstone, and I have quite the announcement," Julius smirked and I opened my eyes to spot my father in the crowd who was rolling his eyes. "We are yet to arrange a date but we are pleased to say that sometime within the moon, we shall be wed!"

I cringed at his words and, out of the corner of my eye, I see Athena doing the same.

There was a chorus of claps and hoorays and congratulations (mostly towards Julius) but I managed to block out the noise.

Suddenly, the food tasted stale and unappetising and the wine was bitter and tasteless so I got to my feet and marched outside of the large arbour where I could finally breathe in cool, crisp air.

After a few moments, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I turned to see Athena standing behind me with a solicitous smile on her lips.

"Are you well, Your Regency?" She questioned and I gave her a weak smile in return.

"May I be frank, Captain?" I wondered and she shrugged.

"There's no need to bite your tongue. My ear is always yours to chew, Your Regency." Athena assured me and I nodded.

"I don't want this wedding," I confessed with a sigh and if anything, I saw a brief smile on her lips but it was gone as quick as it came.

"I can't say I'm surprised nor upset. The way you've been acting since you informed Julius and I was... Odd. But I can assure you, Elia, if you are not happy, you are always free to break the engagement--" She offered but I cut her off.

"I can't. Julius is what's best for Azumond. As long as we keep our distance, I should be fine." I gulped and Athena's hand found purchase on my shoulder once more, attracting my eyes to her.

I took note of all the little details of her face; the way her lips pouted in sympathy and her eyes glistening with reassuring hope, the way her hair fell over her face despite being tied up at the back... The curve of her jaw... Oh, what am I doing?!

I rested my hand against her robed chest and inched the slightest bit towards her and I swear I could see her do the same...

I was just about ready to close the distance before I remembered where I was.

I just announced getting married to a man and I'm right outside the marquee in the glade where everyone who heard the announcement is seated...

I snatched my hand back to my own chest and gave Athena my kindest smile before departing to my tent and clocking out for the night.