The First Queen

20 - A Queen Amongst Commonfolk

I scribbled my notes on a piece of parchment but dropped my pen as I tried my hardest to understand Lord Malakai's fast-paced speaking.

"I'm sorry, My Lord, could you repeat that again?" I asked, digging the beds of my forefinger into my temple and writing down his next words.

"Perhaps Her Royal Highness should take a break..." Xanthe suggested, rubbing my back companionably.

"Yes, maybe that is for the best. Until next time, Your Highness." Lord Malakai bowed before taking his leave from the library.

"Argh!" I groaned, leaning back in my chair and throwing my quill against the table, earning the antagonistic attention of a few scribes and librarians perusing the rows of towering shelves or rewriting tomes.

"This has been a rather arduous task, Elia. Memorising the amount of tax certain families must pay is gruelling work." Xanthe assured me, patting my shoulder and reading through my messy notes.

"I just don't understand half of it!" I snapped, pointing a finger at the parchment, "Why does the Klein family pay more than the Centyre family?!"

"Because the Centyres hold the most power over even the other common Houses let alone families... You're also aware they have the largest district in the city, yes?" She asked me and I nodded.

"So they're...?" I began and Xanthe glowered at me.

"A far more decorated family, especially with General Lucio's contribution to the military... It's like how you are the queen and Aliana is a countess simply because Gabriel's House is the one who won the last Tournament, House Whitemane hasn't won anything in over a century." Xanthe chuckled and I cocked a brow, "My point is: It's a favourites game; House Centyre is favoured by the noble Houses and the Klein family is like a scuff mark on the bottom of a nobleman or woman's boot."

"Thank you for explaining, Xanthe..." I grumbled, "I wish things were fairer... Like, you're not even technically a citizen of Azumond!"

"Well... I do own property and bear an official rank... But correct, I'm not technically a citizen." Xanthe told me and I let out a sigh.

"And this is the way it's been for centuries?" I asked and Xanthe nodded.

"Since Paris Azumond was usurped from the throne." She replied, "Have you spoken to Athena?"

"...Not yet... Nyx has been leaving in the middle of the night and coming back well after morning so I assume she's been visiting her at those times." I informed her, directing my words at Nyx who licked her paws and peered up at me curiously.

"I see. You should tell her, Elia." Xanthe told me and I nodded.

"I know, I just... I'm nervous... What if she doesn't feel the same anymore?" I rambled on but Xanthe gripped me by the elbow and forced me to look at her.

"Her feelings wouldn't have changed, Elia. Go to her." Xanthe reassured me and I nodded slowly, processing it all.

"...Will you come with me? Athena's training at the barracks so I just need someone there who could help me get through it... You can do your whole enigmatic, shadowy shtick." I persuaded and Xanthe nodded with a smirk.

Nyx followed us as Xanthe accompanied me to the barracks.

"What will you say?" She asked me and I breathed through my nose.

"I'll tell her that I know what he did... And that I'm sorry for sending her so far away..." I mumbled and Xanthe raised an eyebrow, "And I'll tell her how I feel."