Into the Land of Valentia

Chapter the Last

XXVII

"You look wonderful, miss."

Vivica wrinkled her nose. She leaned down to pry her foot loose from the satin slippers the royal seamstress had forced on her. As she moved, her corset cut even more into her ribs. She produced an inhumane sound as all the oxygen in her lungs was squeezed from her body.

"Gack!"

"Are you alright, miss?"

"I can't breathe!" 

The seamstress hurried forwards with a pair of scissors. She prodded at the elaborate beading around Vivica's waist. "It all seems alright to me."

Vivica straightened and took in tiny sips of air. If she didn't struggle, she found the corset was less likely to attack. "You do know I was attacked by a kertz only a week ago?"

The seamstress smiled nicely. "Dear, Asthen said you were healed up enough for me to use a corset."

Sighing, Vivica refocused her eyes on the tall doors before her. "Well, thank you, Asthen."

Beyond the doors, she could hear the sound of King Havrick's voice. Making out his words was impossible, but she heard the cheers following his every exclamation. The past week had been filled with much cheering, even if it was simply because the price of grain had not increased or decreased. Once Princess Aimee had been cured, the magus had decided it was time to go into business. He was willing to provide ingredient lists for all those suffering from Desidua, if at a cost. A monetary one, this time.

In response, the king had formed a task force. Soldiers primed to venture into Valentia's forests to seek out ingredients. He had announced Princess Aimee's illness and recovery and the people were bolstered. There was little fear of Desidua remaining. 

Somehow, Vivica came to realize, it had been the magus' plan all along. People were not just approaching him for his advice on Desidua. They wanted remedies, balms, cure-alls. Whenever she passed him in the castle halls, his black-gum smile had been sneakier than ever.

"Miss? Let me just fix your hair one more time. . ." 

One of the castle servants popped up in front of Vivica with a smile and a pin in her hand. Without waiting for a response, she disappeared behind Vivica and began pulling at the woven braid atop her head. 

The guard stationed on the right of the main hall doors left his post. He approached Vivica. "Time to enter." 

"Alright." Vivica didn't oppose. She moved away from the seamstress and the servant, both of whom continued trying to touch up her appearance. 

As the tall wooden doors inched open in front of her, she felt the differences in the moment from when she had entered Princess Aimee's room. Then she had been in a maid's dress and her riding boots, with the knowledge that the princess' life was in the balance. Now she was clothed in a vibrant blue dress and very tight slippers, about to face the king. And about half of Verida.

The doors were finally open all the way. Vivica stood at the back of a large room. A deep red carpet rolled out before her, tracing the path to the throne. The king's throne, where King Havrick sat. His beard was clipped. The robe about his shoulders was fur-lined and richly coloured. Even from the back of the room, his smile made the vibrancy in his ice-chip eyes spark. 

Beside him, in a throne just a few sizes smaller, Princess Aimee smiled prettily. Her gown was of the palest green, and she looked like a wisp that could be knocked over in a breeze. But Vivica had spoken with her, just for a few minutes, a few days ago. The young woman was still weak from Desidua, but had shown her sharp wit.