Tea Party Parade
A few days had passed, and I finally got caught up to the work on the days that I missed and attended the classes for the rest of the week. I was not able to rest though because today I would need to attend the Queen Mother’s tea party. I was expected to wear a sun dress or skirt suit to the party. I was thinking that this fashion would pass for the Queen of England’s presence. We didn’t have to wear fancy hats at the least. Before my mother left, she chose a nice white dress with lavender rose print all over the dress. It was light and flowy wrap dress where the bow tie was to the right side. I paired that with a teardrop amethyst necklace and a pair of stud amethyst earrings to match. I placed my hair in a bun with a few strands curled and draped down around my head so that my earrings would be visible. Mother had always told me that my neck was long and elegant which made me look like a very elegant woman when I showed it off. I took this to heart on this day so that I may make an impression on the Queen Mother. I placed the white low-heeled shoes on my feet and nodded at Dana, “I am ready. How is Jess doing?” She smiled at me, “She’s already ready and waiting for you downstairs.”
Jess was always very low key and low maintenance, so she was always ready before me. I never left the house without my hair done in a particular style and my makeup done. This time, I placed a sheer lavender eyeshadow on and a light pink lip gloss. I didn’t feel that heavy makeup was the way to go with this event and had since gone to the shop in town to fetch some more light colors. I saw that Jess opted for the pale-yellow sun dress that we had picked out for her the day I had gone shopping for makeup. She also wore the matching low-heeled white shoes that we bought together. She pulled her hair into half ponytail in a small scrolled ornate clip. He hair fell at just below her shoulders, so it made her look a bit like Sandra Dee. She actually put on makeup, it was a sheer gold eyeshadow, light highlighter, and clear lip gloss. She saw the look of astonishment on my face, “How do I look?” I smiled at her, “You look so cute.” She beamed a very beautiful smile at me as she blushed a little. Dana appeared from the study where Sebastian was fed. He followed her out and let out a small bark then ran to my shadow and disappeared. Dana gasped, “I don’t know when I will get used to this ability of his. I forget that he does that every time he knows you are leaving the house. Your Grace, also please remember that His Grace the Chalshin will return tonight with you after the party.”
I had been told that Derek was being punished for not being more vigilant in protecting me when the poison took hold. It was believed that he should have remained neutral when I displayed behavior that was not normal for me. He didn’t really know for sure that that was behavior that I would display. I didn’t think that was fair and petitioned the Citadel to reverse this punishment but to no avail. Apparently, the King insisted so the Citadel could not reverse course. I wrote an official petition to Lucien and received a note simply stating, “The Chalshin will need to be punished according to the laws of Vellum since he was sworn to his duties.” It was a little cold, but I understood why he had to respond that way since this petition and response had to go through The Council. Some of the members oversaw the Citadel so they would need to see all correspondence in relation to their cadets. This meant any petitions to the King and his response were seen by The Council. He had to remain unfazed and neutral so I expected that maybe his next letter to me would explain with more warmth.
We left the house and got in my carriage with my bodyguards that were sent by Blake somewhere in the shadows. I got the chance to meet them, they were married and apparently got the snot beat out of them by Derek and Vanessa. They had begged Blake for failing him on their last mission, so he allowed them to try redemption in guarding me while Derek was being reprimanded. So far, they were keeping me safe, and I also had Sebastian. Even though he is small right now, his bite in a well-aimed place could instantly kill. I had no reason to fear for my life. Jess smiled at me, “This is your first time at the castle. Right?” I looked away from the passing scenery and nodded, “Yes, I understand we have to supply the invitation at the gate so I already gave it to our driver so he could directly supply it.” She clutched her small purse in her lap and blushed, “Then they will have the male members of the Citadel escort us into the Queen’s parlor. They will not remain since it is a woman only party with the exception of a small visit from the King.” I was puzzled, “Oh I thought the King would be there the whole time. I guess being amongst all those women vying for his hand and throne would be exhausting.” Jess clutched the purse harder, “No, Xan, he’s not allowed to be there. They had an assembly while you were out, for the eligible ladies, and they said that the King will not be allowed much contact with us until the future Queen is chosen. He is only allowed official duties to talk to us. If you become a Scribe then he may speak with you only if it comes to your duties, nothing personal. The Council decided this was fair to all.
I sighed and nodded in acknowledgment as we pulled up to the front of the castle. Jess was first out and escorted by guy who looked to be the same age as us and same height as Jess. She knew who he was because she smiled, waved, and blushed when she placed her arm in the crook of his elbow. I stepped out and walked up to the doorway where Derek was standing and waiting for me. He smiled at me, “It is good to see you up and about Lex. I was told you recovered two days after His Highness administered the antidote. How are you feeling?” I placed my hand in the elbow he offered me, “I am very well. For me, it was a nice chat with my soul mother Aphrodite, and I woke up from a long nap. No side effects that I can tell. I got another bodyguard while you were away. I will have to introduce you to him later at Blackwood.” He looked down at me with a flash of jealousy in his eyes, “Is he someone I should be concerned about in regard to your affections?” I giggled, “Oh no! Unless you find a puppy to be competition." He laughed, “So you got yourself a dog?” I shook my head, “He was a gift from Aphrodite. I have him with me now, but you can’t see him. He won’t come out unless we’re at home or I’m in danger. He’s a very special breed.” He bowed his head at me and whispered, “I look forward to meeting the little guy then.” I looked around as we left the foyer and walked past a grand staircase and locked eyes on the young royal observing the promenade of ladies being escorted. He had a concerned look on his face until he saw me and then smiled.
Lucien’s face relaxed at once then I heard an annoyed grunt behind us. I looked over my shoulder as Melody Maigny spoke, “You really think you stand a chance with His Majesty? You’re human trash.” I rolled my eyes; I wasn’t going to justify her bitchy attitude with a response. Derek had other plans, “She’s not human, Melody.” She chuckled as both Derek and I looked onward and tried to ignore her, “She might as well be, she acts like one and she smells of them. They are nothing but cattle and she’s the biggest heifer of them all.” Suddenly, we heard the voice of an older gentleman just in front of us, “Lady Maigny, Her Grace is of higher birth rank from you, and you will respect her rank in this castle. Do you understand?” She bristled a little, “Yes, sir, I understand.” He shot her a glare and turned to look at me, “Your Grace, my name is Elder Edgar. I am attending today’s party on behalf of The Council.” I curtsied to him, “I am pleased to make your acquaintance Elder Edgar and thank you for your assistance.” He shook his head, “Your Grace, it was nothing. I was merely reminding the Maigny heir to mind her rank. If she had done this in front of the Queen Mother, she would be punished. It was for both your sakes that she would be reminded. It was bad enough that she should display such garish behavior in front of an Elder. I will have to speak with her father later as custom dictates. If you’ll excuse me, I need to be in the parlor with the Queen Mother before you are all announced.” I curtsied, “Of course, sir. Please see to your duties.” He bowed and shuffled away like an old man, penguin hybrid.
Derek leaned in a whispered, “I wanted to give him a high five for chewing that one back there out, but I know how stuffy those old men are. He’d cock an eyebrow at me and leave me hanging. I gave him a mental high five.” I giggled, “I bet you did, Derek.” The parade reached some double doors at the end of the hall where we all stopped in a line. One by one the ladies were announced by the order in which they arrived, and the escorts left their ladies at the door and turned back. I looked up at Derek, “Where are you guys going after this?” He whispered, “We’re going to hang out with the King in the game room until we are summoned to escort our ladies back to their carriages.” I nodded, “You’ll have to tell me later how it is you were able to be my escort.” He smiled, “Honestly? Luck but I’ll elaborate later since you’re next.” We walked up to the herald, the guy I used call yelling guy. He announced: “Her Grace, The Batiste, Alexandra Batiste.”
