Greeting the Envoys
POV: Alexandra
The two women who had entered the room were two of the princesses from the Seely Realm. The Queen had a total of four daughters and one son so I was wondering which ones were sent. The herald spoke, “Presenting the envoy from the Seely Realm. Princess Sylphia, First Princess of the Realm of Fae and Princess Nystasia, Third Princess of the Realm of Fae.” The two princesses continued their walk down the aisle toward the King. Their long silvery-white hair shimmered in the natural light of the throne room. Princess Sylphia wore her hair loose and it flowed down to her lower back. Princess Nystasia wore her hair in a french braid and it flowed down to her ankles and her hair was adorned with Peruvian lilies. I leaned toward my mother and asked, “What do the lilies symbolize?” She smiled, “The same thing as a yellow rose, friendship. This means she is optimistic that this meeting of the candidates will go well today. I wouldn’t be surprised if she takes them out of her hair and hands you one. If I count correctly, there are thirteen flowers in her hair.”
The herald spoke again, “Presenting the attendants of the princesses.” The Herald didn’t say who they were but there were two women with short blonde hair and two men with long black hair down to their mid-back. None of the attendants looked like Loki so I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn’t want to have to worry about him popping up during this whole thing, I was nervous enough as is. I turned to watch the two women finally reached the dais. They bowed to Lucien who in turn got up and kissed each woman on the left cheek. Some words were exchanged but we didn’t hear anything because it sounded like they were whispering. Princess Sylphia handed Lucien a sealed letter. He nodded at them and motioned for Malinus to set up seats for the two women. Malinus set one on the side of the Queen where Princess Sylphia sat. The other chair was placed beside Blake which is where Princess Nystasia sat. Lucien opened the letter and read it. He handed it to Malinus who read it and then nodded. Malinus stepped down from the dais and went to the herald.
After a few moments of whispering, the herald walked up to the front of the room, “Ladies and Gentleman, I will now read a message from the Queen of the Seely Realm. She says: Good afternoon to His Majesty, Her Majesty, His Highness, and all the candidates for Queen of the Vellum Realm. As you can see, I have sent the Crown Princess and my third child as the envoys. I did this because I found it important to foster good relations with both future Queens of each realm, especially since I am thinking about stepping down from my throne soon. That being said, I am also asking King Lucien and his council to allow my two daughters to each eliminate a candidate.” A gasp went up in the room and I heard many of the families whispering to each other. I began to worry since Loki had contacts in Seely that I would be eliminated because of his wishes. I heard Mordred in my head immediately, “The fae aren’t going to do anyone a favor, especially women. They act on merit alone, you need not worry, child.” I nodded, thinking he could see me wherever he was. I looked around the room and found that Mordred was on the opposite side of the room, leaning against the back wall. He winked and smiled at me. Lucien rose from his seat, “Of course, I will have to take this into advisement with the council before we decide. We will have the Crown Princess and Princess of the Seely Realm with us at this point.” He looked at Sylphia and she nodded, then he looked at Nystasia who also nodded. He turned to the crowd again, “Right, so let us get on with presenting the ladies to the Princesses.”
The herald stood at the front of the dais and was handed a scroll. He opened it and read the first name, “Lady Jesslynne Kellen.” Jess, who was holding my hand the entire time squeezed my hand and I squeezed back and smiled back. She stepped forward with her roses in hand. She was directed to Sylphia and she flawlessly gave her curtsy and kissed her on the left cheek. After she handed the rose to the Crown Princess. She backed away and spoke to her while the Crown Princess smiled and said something to her. She waved her hand and Jess walked over to Princess Nystasia. She repeated the greeting with Nystasia flawlessly as well. The Princess was having a small chat with Jess and she rose to her feet and shook her hands and kissed her on the left cheek. She then reached into her braid and pulled out a lily and handed it to Jess. Jess returned to the area the Batiste family was directed to stand. She smiled and whispered, “It wasn’t as bad as I thought though I definitely hated all those eyes on me.” The ladies were all called up one by one and each had their time with the two princesses. It seemed like almost everyone was well read about their customs but so far only Jess had presented them with a yellow rose. Mother had told us that this was not required but it was a nice gesture that the envoys would likely take with joy. Jess was the only one to receive a lily in return as well.
The herald’s voice rang out in the room, “The Batiste, Alexandra Batiste of Blackwood.” I stepped forward and as gracefully as I could I walked the long aisle to the Crown Princess. I curtsied gracefully, stepped forward, and kissed the Crown Princess on her left cheek. I gave her the rose in my hand and said, “Good afternoon, Rioghail. Many blessings to you and your Queen, long may she reign.” I stepped backward but maintained eye contact. She smiled at me, “I have heard many things about you, Your Grace. You are beloved by many and envied by a few. I can see why as you are very beautiful.” I blushed, “Thank you, Your Highness.” She nodded at me, “Of course, I look forward to being able to chat with you further at the reception later. Will you do me the honor of a cup of tea together?” I nodded at her, “The honor would be mine.” She smiled satisfied, “I believe my sister is also anxious to meet you.” She waved her hand which meant that I was being dismissed. I nodded my head down and backed away as my mother had instructed me. I walked toward Princess Nystasia and repeated the greeting with a presentation of a flower. She smiled at me, “Your Grace, I believe you are friends with Lady Kellen. Are you not?” I nodded, “Yes, Your Highness. She is my best friend.” This excited her, “I love her energy. I read them quite well. Sadly, it seems that you are cursed. That’s unfortunate. I would like to talk about it more with you later, especially if you bring Lady Kellen along.” I knew that Jess would not be chosen by Nystasia to be eliminated at the very least. I smiled, “We would be honored to speak further with you, Your Highness.” She began to reach back into her hair and pulled out the lily, “I am so glad to meet ladies such as you and your friend here in Vellum. This makes me confident that the friendship and mutual respect can continue between our realm and yours. I will be rooting for the both of you to succeed in becoming Queen so that we may meet again after all of this.” She waved her hand and I backed away from her until I reached the beginning of the aisle and turned.
When I reached my parents, I noticed my mother had a wide smile at me, “You did perfectly, my little love. Very well done. You even received a gift from the Princess.” We heard the herald announce that we should make our way to the reception hall that was across from the throne room. This was the same place where we went for the presentation ceremony. The King, Queen, and Princesses had not joined us but we still had to be alert since Blake would have to play host while his brother was otherwise occupied. He was in a black military-style jacket with the gold tassel strings hanging off his shoulder, a gold lion medal on his right breast to symbolize Doré with a silver dolphin on his right to symbolize Mesha. The herald shouted, “Announcing the arrival of His Highness, Crown Prince Blake of House Doré and Duke of Mesha.” The whole room bowed as he stepped into the room, he waved his hand, “Greetings citizens of Vellum. Please refrain from partaking in refreshments until the Royal envoy of Seely, His Majesty, and Her Majesty has arrived. Please be at ease.” As soon as the room resumed their discussions, Blake crossed the room to me. He lifted my hand to his lips and he whispered in my ear, “I hear you are being targeted. Be not afraid, I will make sure you are not alone.” I nodded, “I’m not so sure that I should worry.” He raised an eyebrow at me, “Oh? And what makes you believe that?” I shrugged, “I took a look at the attendants and I didn't see Loki amongst them.” He shook his head, “That means nothing, he could have sent someone to kidnap you or he could be wearing a disguise magic tool. Stay on your toes, Alexandra.”
