Chapter 4: The Duties of a Queen
Marmoreal
After a while, she slowed her pace and strolled down into the garden where the Mad Hatter: Tarrant Hightopp, the March Hare: Thackery, the Door Mouse: Mallymkun, the White Rabbit; Nivens McTwisp, the Tweedle Twins: Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum and finally the Cheshire Cat: Chessur, all sat drinking tea at a large white round table.
"Ah, decided to sleep in today, your majesty?" Chessur asked teasingly when he saw the queen approach. Every head turned to the queen as she strolled up to the table. "Apparently, I did, yes."
Mirana said not at all amused. The friends looked at each other surprised, shocked and if you looked closely, you could see the hint of worry lacing their colourful eyes. "Y-y-your majesty's joking . . . r-r-right?"
Nivens McTwisp, also known as the White Rabbit asked hopefully. "Actually Nivens, I'm not." Mirana said, a bit of worry seeping through into her own words before she had chance to stop it. The friends all gave each other a look before Hatter decided enough was enough and thought to break the tension.
"Well in that case, why don't your majesty, start her morning rounds? Chess and I will be more then delighted to join you, I'm sure there's plenty of work to be done." Hatter said with a sincere expression that didn't look quite right on his colourful features. Mirana's shoulders dropped slightly at the offer as though a heavy weight had been taken off her shoulders.
"That would be most generous, thank you Tarrant." The White Queen said with a small smile, thankful for not only the change of topic, but the offered help as well. "Oh, it would be a pleasure, or else I wouldn't have offered!" Tarrant said with a cheery smile as he got out of his chair and walked over to the White Queen with a large smile on his face and a skip in his step.
"Well, I suppose there's no arguing." Chessur said putting down his cup of tea before evaporating and appearing next to Tarrant and Mirana. "We best be on our way." He said floating around his two friends, but keeping a close eye on the queen, after all, that's why Tarrant had truly made him tag along.
The Hatter may be mad, but he was no less smarter than any other person. After visiting Witzend and making sure every person was well and well looked after, Mirana, Tarrant and Chessur decided to return to Marmoreal and see to the rest of Mirana's duties there.
After speaking with the council and holding court and seeing to the needs or problems of a few (a big FEW, to be precise, thirty eight) people, Mirana was more then all, tired and weary. She would have certainly returned to her bedroom and just collapsed on her bed if it were not for the fact she had slept in this morning, even if it was only by accident.
Sighing, she slowly got off her throne and put on the best (fake of course) cheery smile, she could muster. "Well, now that, that has been seen too, what else?" "Your majesty must now either give your approval or disapproval to the construction plans and then have the approved documents delivered to the build-master.
After that has been seen too, your highness can take your usual monthly trip to the Orphanage or your majesty can decide not too and go straight to the rest of your duties. Your majesty must speak with the captain of the guard about training arrangements and then with the master-baker about what is to be prepared for this year's annual spring festivities in four days time.
After that, planning and other arrangements for the Spring Festival must also be done and once that is completed your highness can take the rest of the day to do whatever your majesty wishes." Nivens said reading off of a scroll. Internally groaning, Mirana flashed a smile at Nivens and bowed her head slightly in thanks.
"Well I best get started then." She said walking up the stairs to go to her study, Tarrant and Chessur shared a worried look before following after her. At least this will provide a slight chance for her to rest. More or less two and a half hours later, after seeing to all the documents, Mirana had called for Nivens to deliver them to the build master.
After she had signed the last document, Mirana had a metallic taste in her mouth and so she reached for her glass of water, only to find it empty. "Oh, shall I fetch someone to have that refilled for you, your majesty?" Nivens asked stopping in the doorway. "That won't be necessary, thank you Nivens."
The White Queen said standing up. Mirana had not even reach to pick up the glass yet and she was barely out of her seat before everything started spinning. She felt light headed and nauseas all at once. "Your majesty, you don't look well, shall I fetch the physician?" Chessur asked as he stopped floating in mid air to look at his queen.
"No, I just stood up a bit too quickly. Thank you." Mirana said as she held onto the ledge of her desk, forcing down the nausea and dizziness. After a moment or two it was gone and she was able to walk again. Turning over to her desk she was about to pick up her glass only to find it wasn't there anymore.
Turning back to Tarrant with a confused expression, she watched as he pointed to the door. A moment later Chessur evaporated a few ways away from her with her now refilled, glass in paw. "I thought I'd save you the trouble." Chessur said handing her the glass of water.
"Thank you Chess." Mirana said with a light chuckle as she took the glass from him. Taking a sip, she closed her eyes as she savoured the peace and relief it brought her, feeling the cool water wash through her mouth and down her dry and hot throat. A moment after she swallowed, she opened her eyes and licked her lips a bit before placing the glass onto her desk.
Tarrant and Chessur watched her carefully, observing her every movement and studying every emotion she showed. It wasn't much, but they could see that the water at least brought her some sort of relief, from what, they weren't exactly sure, but they took it as a small victory anyway.
"Now, would either of you gentlemen like to accompany me to the orph- ummfff . . ." She couldn't finish her sentence because just as soon as she said it, she groaned as she was hit with another wave of nausea and a terrible headache. Everything started spinning again and she suddenly felt so weak . . .
Tarrant and Chessur watched with wide eyes as Mirana suddenly groaned. Within the blink of an eye, her eyes flew shut and she started to fall side-wards, luckily for her, Tarrant stood on the side she fell too and caught her just moments before she would have reached the floor, or in other words, right on time.
Tarrant and Chessur shared a very worried look before Chessur evaporated into thin air. Tarrant moved the White Queen on her back and picked her up bridal-style as he ran out of the room. He was barely fully out when the healer and Chessur showed up. She was questioning them both frantically and then giving them orders like there was no tomorrow . . .
Poor Mirana. I just can't stop torturing her, can I? Ah well. Wait for next chapter to see if she's okay. But I'm not going to update until at least 1 review comes in . . . or else writing this is useless, so please?
Spare a person the heartbreak? Till next time. –
Lrical-Light
