Nystasia Has A Big Mouth
POV: Alexandra
I had woken up the next morning in my chambers in the Seely castle. I had hoped that I would have forgotten the night before but it was still fresh in my mind. Calypso had kissed me when we were alone. I ran out on him because I wasn’t sure how to react to what had just happened. I went back to the banquet hall and excused myself, citing that I had a headache and needed to lie down. I had a hard time falling asleep knowing that when I returned to Vellum, I would have to tell Lucien what had happened. Who knew if King Renier would make the power move to offer his son to House Batiste. I knew he was likely planning on it and it would put a wrench in the cog that was the Queen competition. I buried my head in my pillow as a knock sounded on my door, “What?” I wasn’t in the mood to be cordial. I was never a morning person but I was running off of two hours of sleep and I had a possible diplomatic mess on my hands. Jess took that as my invitation to let her in the room. She sat on my bed and patted my back, “Rough night?” I pulled my face away from the pillow and pouted, “You have no idea.” She smoothed the hair that I had messed up from rubbing my face into the pillow, “Do you want to talk about it?” I sighed, “Yes but I think I would like a word with Aphrodite because I feel like my current problem is somehow her fault.” She furrowed her brow at me, “What do you mean?” I leaned my head onto her shoulder, “The Prince kissed me last night in the garden.” She gasped, “Oh…I see…” There was a brief pause of silence until Nystasia came into my room unannounced, “Good morning, beauties! It’s a wonderful day in Seely. My mother wanted me to fetch you for breakfast in her chambers. My father and brother won’t be able to go.” She winked at me, “I’m sure he is quite upset he cannot see his lady love.”
I picked up the other pillow from my bed and threw it at her, “Ny, I’m NOT in the mood for that right now.” She laughed, picked up the pillow, and sat on the bed, “I don’t see why it is a problem. My brother is not only handsome but also a wonderful person. You could do much worse, especially in Seely. Trust me.” Jess spoke before I could, “Yes but you must remember that she is still very much in contention to be Queen of Vellum. Don’t you think this would make a mess of things in Vellum? We don’t just have your realm to consider.” Ny bit her lip, “I suppose I should not have told my mother what I witnessed last night then…” My eyes widened, “What did you witness?” She started picking at the corner of the pillow, “Well, I was coming back and saw my brother embracing you and giving you a lovely gentle peck on your lips.” I clenched my jaw, “And you told the Queen?” She didn’t look me in the eye but she nodded, “Sorry Xan, I didn’t think about your competition in Vellum when I told her.” Jess sighed, “I sense that she had a reaction that Xan will not love.” Ny looked away at the door as if she could escape, “She was elated actually. My mother has a really good impression of you and she believes that an alliance with the strongest house in Vellum would be great for both realms.” I picked up the pillow from her lap and popped her with it, “You are a reeeeal jerk, Ny.”
She opened her mouth to say something when another knock sounded at my door, “I’m bloody popular today.” I drew in a deep breath and shouted, “Come in.” Sylphia walked in with her hands folded in front of her, “Nystasia, I should have known that you would cause chaos this morning. I do have to apologize, I just heard from my mother. She’s home for one day and she’s already causing a diplomatic mess for you and Lucien. Between her and my mother with their excitement, I don’t believe there is a rational or logical thought between the two of you. That being said, you must get ready as the Queen has officially summoned you to breakfast in her chambers. Nystasia was supposed to fetch you but I fear that she has, as always, become sidetracked. I have summoned the maids to assist you in getting ready.” The two maids who had helped me all of yesterday walked into the room, rolling in a clothing rack. I looked over at my bag, wondering when I might be able to use the actual clothing that I had brought with me. Ny smiled at me, “You’ll get to wear your own clothing when you aren’t in front of the Queen. Later, we girls are going on a tour of the town so you can go shopping. I know you want to pick something up for Lucy and probably Her Grace.” I nodded and smiled, “I’m still mad at you but that sounds like a great time.” She leaned over and pulled my head into an embrace where the side of my face was squished against her breast, “I will treat you to my favorite sweets in town. You will love it, trust me.” Sylphia pulled her sister away from me and sighed, “You can leave Xan and Jess alone now. They need to be dressed to be presented to Mother.” She pulled a very resistant Nystasia away from the room.
As soon as the door closed the maids divided and conquered. They were fast this time around since the outfits were not overly elaborate like the flowy delicate dresses we had worn the night before. These outfits were still summery and light with pastel colors yet again. This time I wore a powder blue outfit with a blouse and knee-length skirt. We got to wear sandals this time instead of high heels, thankfully. We left the room quickly after since we didn’t want to keep the Queen waiting. The four of us walked down the corridor to the Queen’s room. The entire time I was inwardly having a panic attack that I would run into the Prince. It wasn’t that I didn’t like him, it was just that my heart may have been stolen by another royal in another place. I think if I had met Calypso first, I might not have had such resistance to his advances. Jess whispered to me, “I understand that the King’s court is on the other wing of the castle. You likely won’t run into him here.” As always Jess was the light to the darkness that threatened to creep into my heart. We finally got to the Queen’s chambers where two guards stood outside. Sylphia stepped forward, “We are expected for breakfast with mother. I bring with me the Queen’s honored guests. I present Lady Alexandra Batiste of Vellum, fit daughter of House Batiste and the daughter of deities Apollo and Aphrodite. I also present her escort Lady Jesslynne Kellen of Vellum, only daughter of House Kellen.” The guards nodded, opened the door, and announced us. The Queen was sitting at her table, in front of her, she had all of the human delights that Jess and I were used to like crepes and scrambled eggs but there were a few dishes we had never seen before. Reina summoned me to sit next to her.
The Queen spoke of what a delight it was to receive us last night and what she thought of the excitement of having a God in her court. The conversation carried on to the events of last night but Sylphia was very masterful of keeping the conversation on what happened within the hall rather than what happened in the garden. I don’t know if she knew how grateful I was for her but I would definitely express it later on. I thought I would buy her a thank you gift. Despite her best efforts though the conversation steered to the garden thanks to Ny. I shot her a glare because I didn’t think it was very tactful to cuss out the Queen’s daughter in front of her. Sylphia dropped her fork on her plate, “I had hoped to keep this conversation away from our guests but you forced me to talk about it sister. I would like to say my piece about how you two are acting if I may, Mother.” Reina sighed, likely knowing she was about to get lectured by the ever-rational and logical Sylphia, “Go ahead.” She cleared her throat and straightened up, “You two are not thinking about how much of a diplomatic mess your little plans for Calypso and Alexandra would cause not only in our realm but also in Vellum. Think with your brains and not with your hearts.” Ny said nothing, only looked at her plate and pushed a pink-colored pastry around. Reina sighed, “I know that Syl but a mother always dreams of her children settling down with the perfect partner. I especially do since my perfect partner died in the war and I was forced to marry your father.” Sylphia sighed again, “You know I do understand you, Mother but we must think about the problems this would cause. We must remain neutral if father brings the proposal to the Elder Council in Vellum. I actually shouldn’t say if, I should say when since my spies tell me he is definitely planning on doing so.”
