The King's Court
POV: Alexandra
I was nervous about going into the King’s court since I had heard how unhinged and how much debauchery ensued there. Not to mention that the King had unique ways of punishing people for going against him. I wondered if Lytir had told him that we were plotting against him. I know I had that concealment magic cast upon me but who knew if it worked. I hesitantly nodded at him, “I can accompany you but it has to be brief, I am expected in Vellum’s Elder Council Hall at a certain time and I have not packed up yet.” He smiled, “Of course, I don’t want to keep you long, my child. We wouldn’t want you to look bad with the Elders there and lose your spot in the competition.“ This last sentence was dripping with sarcasm and I merely inhaled deeply and took his arm as he offered it. He took me through the castle to a smaller castle beyond the garden where Cal had kissed me. We stepped inside and were promptly announced as King and future Princess which obviously aggravated me but I maintained a smile on my face. He led me up to the dais in his throne room where there were several of the same nobles that had been at the tea party the night before. I had wondered if these were definitely nobles that were loyal to him or if they came because they were curious about me. Either way, they were all looking at me with awe. The King seated me in a chair to his right which, from what I understood of fae King customs, meant that I was also his most precious asset in the court currently. He waved while leaning his head on his hand, “You may all proceed. Our guest of honor is now present.”
A family stepped forward and kneeled in front of the King and a long-haired blonde man spoke, “My King and the now-named Brinasha of the King’s Court. My family House Dolesh presents to you the gift that you have requested of us my King.” He waved to a servant behind him and they brought forth a medium-sized box. I looked up at the King and he smirked down at the man, “Excellent. Bring it to the Brinasha. If she is pleased, you will be handsomely rewarded.” I knew the term Brinasha was what they were referring me to but I had not understood what that was. I also knew that even if I didn’t like what the man presented to me, he would probably be equally punished as he would have been rewarded especially since the Queen was compromised and wouldn’t impose any sanction on the King for his behavior. I thought to myself that I would need to make that potion as soon as humanly possible. The servant stepped forward but they kept their eyes on the floor as they opened the box and placed it in my eyesight. I looked down to find a very ornate yet elegant golden crown with a turquoise-colored gem inlaid in the center. I smiled down at the box and nodded, “It is lovely but what is it for, Your Majesty?” He smiled at me, “It will be your coronation crown. Once you are married to my son, you will be a Princess in my court. I have the ability to give you a crown to symbolize your power within my court. You will come second in the eyes of all gathered here in this court.” I furrowed my brow, “What of your son, Your Majesty? Wouldn’t he be second to you?” The King threw his head back and laughed and the room followed, “My dear beautiful child, men do not get power unless appointed here in Seely. A woman will naturally gain the power her husband would have received in Seely. We are, after all, a matriarchy. I don’t blame you for not understanding this since Vellum seemingly goes either way and Terre, where I understand you grew up, was a patriarchal society.”
He went back to leaning his head on his hand and muttered, “How I envy that sometimes.” He stared at me for a little while and muttered again, “If only you were born fae and twenty years ago, I would have been all too happy to relinquish power to you and worship you. Alas, I got stuck with the harpy in the main castle.” He looked back down at the box the servant was holding, “She seems quite pleased. You may see Jheelis for your reward that I have determined you shall have, Count Tornash.” He waved him off and the man bowed, “Thanks to you, Your Majesty, Brinasha.” He waved again, “House Lothanith present your commissioned gift to the Brinasha.” A tall man with long jet-black hair stepped forward alone and bowed, “Brinasha, I have been commissioned by His Highness Prince Calypso to present you with this gift.” He too waved a servant forward and they brought a box covered with cloth.” As the servant was presenting me with the gift, I could hear the man explain what it was, “Brinasha, my family breeds various animals in this kingdom for various purposes. The Prince has asked that I give to you my finest Denathy songbird.” The servant pulled the cloth from an ornate silver cage and inside was a beautiful little bird with turquoise and purple feathers and around its neck was a small crystal necklace. I touched the cage and the bird came up to the bars and started singing a beautiful melody that I had recognized from somewhere but could not place it. I looked at the man who brought the gift, “Is this a particular tune? It is very beautiful and sounds familiar.” The man nodded, “Of course, Brinasha. I will tell you that-” He was cut off by a voice behind us, “It was the song that played during our first dance on the night we met.” I turned to see Cal stroll into the room and he smiled gently at me and then kissed my hand. His father spoke, “A very thoughtful gift, my son. Well done, something to remind her of what she will miss here when she is in Vellum.” He nodded at his father, “A lovely bird could only go with such a lovely person. My thanks to you for your help, Your Grace.” He took the seat next to me and whispered, “Sorry, I forgot to warn you this little gift session was going to happen. You have one more.” He pointed at a small woman lingering at the back of the room.
The King dismissed the Duke to go collect his reward that the Prince had deemed worthy from Jheelis. He then summoned the woman who was from House Ekal. The King explained, “This is a gift commissioned by the Queen. She had business with her council at this time so she couldn’t make this presentation.” The woman summoned her servant, “Brinasha, our commissioned gift to you will be something practical as is Her Majesty’s tradition. It is her sincerest hope and my House’s that you will use it well.” The servant placed another medium-sized box in front of me and opened it to show me what was inside. There was a stationary set with a seal on it that I did not recognize along with a pen and wax sealing set. Cal looked down at it and furrowed his brow briefly but straightened his face as his father moved to see what was in the box. He leaned back into his chair with a smirk, “Very practical. Typical but at least she put the right seal on there.” He waved the woman off, “Thank you, Marquess. This is a valuable gift for Brinasha. You will have to collect your reward from the Queen’s court since this is a gift from her.” He rose from his seat, “Sadly, Brinasha must go home now. Everyone say goodbye.” He helped me up from my seat and had the Prince escort me out of the building. I could hear Cal silently sigh a bunch after we got a little ways away from the dais. When we finally came out to the garden, he turned to me, “I am sorry that I wasn’t there when you came in. I was still trying to make my way back and I ran into my mother before her meeting. I think I was able to talk to her about your supplies for the potion. With Syl talking to her about it, I believe you shall be sent off with what you need to make it as soon as possible. I’m hoping it can work to heal her of whatever spell my father has put on her.”
We continued to walk until we reached the front of my room where Ny was waiting for me. Jess was quiet the whole time we were in the King’s court that I had almost forgotten she had followed us in until Ny lept towards her and hugged her, “It’s alright Jess, you can relax now that you are out of the jerk’s court. Oh hi, brother and Xan. How did it go?” Cal sighed yet again, “We have a slight problem. Do you think Ny will be out of the meeting before Alexandra leaves?” She shrugged but smiled, “Who knows? The good news is that I officially get to go back to Vellum. Mother gave permission before she went into the council chambers. What’s the problem?” Cal went to speak but was cut off by an official-looking woman who called out from behind Ny, “Your Highness, you must finish your tasks before you are to leave and our honored guest has a tight schedule to keep so hop to it child.” I leaned in and whispered to Cal, “Who the hell is that?” He chuckled, “Well you know how children have governesses growing up?” I nodded, “Not all children but I suppose some do.” He nodded at the woman, “That’s sort of what she is to Ny. Ny has always had a child-like heart and likely always will which is sweet but can get rather disjointed. Pymyr there is on staff to ensure Ny maintains the schedule in Seely.” I giggled, “I think I need to steal her for Vellum then.” Cal shook his head, “Sadly, there are some who are not allowed to leave Seely or they risk dying. Pymyr is one such person which is unfortunate since she well understands how Ny works best.” I stepped toward the woman, “Excuse me, Pymyr?” The woman turned to me, “Oh Brinasha, it is truly the highest of honors to meet with you here. What can I do for you?” I waited until Ny was out of earshot before I asked her, “I understand you speak Princess Nystasia’s language. Is there a trick to it?” She sighed, “There is but you have a schedule to maintain. It would take some time. I can offer to keep communications open with you via letters if you should have specific questions about her to ask. It will be an honor to assist Brinasha. If you’ll excuse me, I have to see to the Princess.” I nodded, “Of course, thank you for your time.”
I turned to Cal, “They keep calling me Brinasha. What the heck is that?” He rubbed his neck, “Yeah, about that. It was the very thing I needed to talk to Syl about but I don’t know if she will be around to speak about it.” Just as he said that Syl rounded the corner quickly and speed walked toward us, “I really need to speak with both of you. Now.” Cal nodded, “I assume you want to talk about this title they have bestowed on Alexandra.” She lifted her finger to her lips and pulled us both into my room, “The walls have ears out here.” She closed the door behind us and turned to her brother, “I didn’t hear what the title was, they were not willing to say it in the meeting but all of the members were really excited to hear about it. What is it, Cal?” He sighed and rubbed his neck again, “Yeah about that. They have named her Brinasha.” Syl’s eyes widened and she stumbled to the desk chair and threw herself down, “Oh…that is a huge problem.”
