When the oracle announced that the Seelie and Unseelie courts would be united through the crowned princess and prince of their respective courts, a marriage was arranged immediately. The two would wed once the girl was of age, and the opposing kingd...
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Their presence need not be announced.
The typical bustle of the great hall was greatly reduced, the air filled with a stifling sense of pity and foreboding. The king and queen were as regal as ever, flawless posture in tact, not a single strand of hair misplaced. Their gazes did not meet, and not a word was uttered between them. They sat upon the dais, vultures awaiting the arrival of their prey. Exuding effortless influence over their people, there was no doubt that they were a force to be reckoned with. The only indication of weakness lay in the way the queen clutched the arm of her throne, knuckles white as the snow that fell in heavy blankets outside of the castle.
To the untrained eye, she appeared to be as callous and calculating as the tales had painted her to be. Her expression gave way nothing of her thoughts, her brows narrowed and lips pursed. She knew they were there. The stench of them permeated the air, wrinkling the noses of the attending members of the court. The queen did not mirror their grimaces, though her distaste was obvious enough. She would not pretend that they were welcome.
Sahbrine observed her aunt from her perch at the dining table. A feast had been arranged for the event, and while the guests themselves were not particularly received gladly, the girl would not pass up the opportunity to gorge herself on the delicacies that even a royal did not often have access to. Her fingers and mouth were stained blue with the remnants of the berries she had consumed, and she wiped them on her dress. Her aunt would have scolded her if her attention was not focused solely upon the grand doors. She would tell her to mind her manners, that her actions were not a reflection of her years of propriety training.
Sahbrine scoffed to herself, grabbing a cake from a platter beside her. The queen was, for once, more fixated on something other than her etiquette, or lack thereof. It was an unusual experience, and she was prepared to take full advantage of it. A night with no one instructing her on manners was among her deepest desires.
"Mother would be horrified if she knew you have eaten one cake, let alone the three you have had."
Sahbrine glanced to her right, grinning slyly. She was as apprehensive about this night as the rest of her family, but she could not reveal that to her cousin. The princess relied on her to maintain her cheery disposition, even if she was filled with dread. The melancholy looks being cast toward the princess were distressing enough. Therefore, it was Sahbrine's duty to encourage the other girl.
"Perhaps you would be a bit less uptight if you ate a cake, Siofra." She punctuated her statement by taking another bite. She licked the excess crumbs from her fingers. Her cousin merely scowled. "Oh, but your mother, what would she say? That it is so unbecoming of a lady to eat anything that may impair her figure? How absolutely horrifying."
Siofra turned her nose to the air in mocking disapproval, though Sahbrine was confident that she was amused. They often spent their tea time mimicking the queens incessant rants, giggling and behaving positively unladylike. It was one of their only escapes from the dreadfully dull days they spent at the castle. Though they adored the woman, she was known to be a bit on the overbearing side.
