Lucien's Anxiety
I had received a letter from Alexandra letting me know that she woke up well rested and no residual side effects. She also thanked me for assisting in keeping her mind in tact after being poisoned by The Order. Nonetheless, I was anxious to see if she would show today for my mother’s tea party. I wasn’t going to look on to the parade of noble ladies but I wanted visual confirmation that she was well. So here I was dressed up in my suit and looking down from the top of the stairs at the ladies entering into the castle. I was scanning each lady that came in through the front doors. I spent a good fifteen minutes looking at the women and each one looking up at me and smiling. Then I saw Jess and understood immediately Alexandra would not be far behind. She entered very gracefully on the arm of Derek Chalshin. I had wondered why it was that, after being punished, he was able to escort the lady that I suspect he wanted to escort. I would visit with the General at the Citadel on Monday to discuss his punishment and how it was that he got the honor of escorting Alexandra. She smiled up at me and I smiled back at her then nodded. I turned to go back to my office until the time I was supposed to start the party for the men and then address the ladies. I would get to observe the goings on in the Queen’s parlor while in my office.
I entered the reception area of my office with Malinus close behind, “Is everything set up in there?” Malinus handed me a dossier of the ladies that The Council put together, “Yes, Your Majesty. You should be able to have eyes and ears on the room. There is a similar set up in the library for the rest of The Council and Grand Pretre. We would all convene after the party to set up the initial rankings. I had been settled into my seat when I heard Jess being announced into the room and she entered wearing her light-yellow dress and white hair clips. She blushed as people looked at her and she immediately looked around for her table after being dismissed by my mother. She joined the other two ladies and the courteously greeted each other. I took out their pages and wrote down that each were gracious and courteous. Alexandra was announced and a hush went over the room as every other lady turned to look at her. I could some with admiration in their faces but there were a select few that gave her dirty looks. I knew those ladies were friends with Melody and naturally didn’t like Alexandra. I noted in their pages that they were rude and ungracious. Alexandra gracefully bowed at my mother’s feet where she stood during some nice pleasantries then my mother dismissed her. She made her way over to her table and greeted all the other ladies according to their rank. I pulled out Alexandra’s page and noted “gracious, proper greetings according to station, and respectful.” I nodded noting that when the tea came the ladies at the Batiste table all gracefully placed their napkins in their laps and awaited their tea.
I looked over at the other tables where most of the ladies did the same. Two of the ladies sitting next to Melody didn’t until they were reminded to do so by the maids. Melody coughed and looked to the side as if it wasn’t her responsibility to remind her friends to follow proper protocol. I pulled out Melody’s page and wrote, “hung her friends out to dry.” Before the maids served the tea, both Jess and Alexandra reminded the ladies at their table that they shouldn’t doctor their tea very much. As the maid asked Alexandra how she would like her tea she said, “Very little sugar please.” I nodded, pleased that she took her lesson to heart. The maid placed the cup of tea in front of her and you could see the pleasure in her face as she inhaled the aroma. She picked up a few cookies and placed them on the small plate in front if her. She nibbled on a cookie and then placed it back on her plate. I imagine that this was Talia’s influence on her since she was famous for her manners. She picked up the cup and took a small sip. She looked up at the maid and asked about what the blend was, complimenting on how lovely it was. I smiled because I could see my mother and Elder Edgar smile in her direction.
I looked at the other tables on how they took their tea, Melody had asked for a heavily doctored tea. She remarked about how she hated tea and she doubted anything there would tempt her to change her mind. She was being incredibly rude and Elder Edgar was frowning at her. He whispered into my mother’s ear and she cast a glance over her shoulder at Melody then shook her head. I had thought that this was a good time to head downstairs to address the ladies then head over to the game room to address the men of the Citadel. As I strode in the Queen’s parlor, I noted that Alexandra was sitting with my mother. Not doubt that the ladies at her table impressed enough that the duo of my mother and the Elder wanted to summon them first. I made my announcement and then walked over to my mother and kissed her on the cheek. I whispered, “I hope the ladies are treating you well.” She whispered back, “I think I know who my favorite is so far.” She glanced at Alexandra and she smiled at her. I couldn’t react but it was nice that my mother liked her so much. I turned and strode out of the room and made my way to the game room.
Before I entered the room, I heard one the men say, “All I’m saying is if the King doesn’t choose her, she’s not going to be hurting for suitors. She’s hot.” Then I heard Derek say, “Eh, not my cup of tea. I’ve been there with her. I have my eyes on someone else.” Another guy picked on him, “Oh yeah, is she that blonde hottie that lives with you? What’s her name? Jess? She’s a puppy too, right?” Derek grunted, “Oh shut the fuck up Maigny. I think you all know it’s Lex. She’s not only gorgeous but she’s smart and sweet. That’s wifey material.” I felt a twist in my chest at Derek’s declaration of admiration for Alexandra. Meldon Maigny spoke, “Well, you can have her. It would make our family’s life a little bit easier. We all know Melody covets both the King and the throne. My father covets the power and both won’t be easy until they get them both.” I had to stop this stupid conversation and so I threw open the door and strode in the room. Meldon, who was Melody’s twin, shrunk behind another cadet. I glared at him and then spoke to the room, “Gentlemen, welcome to my home. As appreciation for escorting the noble ladies, I have put together this small gathering for you to enjoy refreshments and games while you wait for the ladies to complete their time with my mother. Please enjoy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have urgent matters to attend to." I walked out of the room and the guard closed the door behind me.
I unbuttoned my jacket as a walked up the stairs two at a time so that I could finish observing the tea party so that I could give my honest opinion at the session later. This was concerning my future wife and Queen after all and I took it very serious. I pulled off my suit jacket and placed it on the rack before going back into my office where Malinus was taking notes for me while I was out. I looked at him, “How is it going?” He looked up at me, “There are a couple of stand outs, the two you might imagine.” I nodded, “Alexandra and Melody, right?” He nodded back at me and vacated my seat. He pointed at the paper; I wrote in blue ink so you can differentiate between our notes. I picked up my black inked pen and sat down in my chair. I spent a little while observing and noting when needed about the behavior the ladies and observations on how their treated each other. Despite the shaky start, Melody was doing well as she sat at my mother’s table with her. She gracefully remarked how beautiful the Queen’s dress was and how tastefully the room was decorated for the occasion. I noted that her remarks were lovely and appropriate.
My mother finally dismissed the ladies from the party and left the room. I gathered the papers scattered across the desk and placed them in the file. I rose to my feet and walked out of the room where Malinus had my coat in his hands and put it on me after I handed the file to him. I walked out of the room and buttoned my middle button as I made my way over to the library. I met my mother and Elder Edgar in front of the doors. We allowed the Elder in ahead of us while we discussed amongst ourselves. My mother smiled, “I think I have a good idea of who these ladies are after today.” I inhaled and looked at her, “I feel like some of the ladies were able to fake it through.” She nodded and smiled, “Well, shall we.” I moved my head to crack my neck and then nodded, “Ready.” We walked into the room and I made my way to the head of the table and my mother took her place to my right. Malinus placed the file in front of me and I looked around the room, “Well, let’s get started.”
