It took another day to finalize the trials and send out the invitations. As they waited for the replies, they prepared for the tournament. The castle was lively as servants aired out guest rooms and freshened them up. Builders were busy creating the challenges under the orders of the Historian. The healers were making sure their supplies were filled and overfilled. The kitchen staff had people hunting and gathering herbs.
Petra and the Guardians sat in the library as the palace Stewart came in, hands pulled with scrolls.
"Replies from the Northern Kingdom, Your Highness," she said, bowing. She set the scrolls down and headed back to her office.
Gamora and Petra eyed the pile as Rocket grabbed a random on. He tore open the seal and read. His face grimaced and he tossed the letter down.
"Fucking bastard," he said. "It's a marriage proposal. He thinks the tournament is to find your consort."
The ginger groaned and hit her head on the table. She eyed the pile weary and sat back up.
"Let's just get this over with," she said, grabbing another scroll.
Gamora and Yondu each grabbed one. Petra's handmaiden carried a tray filled with tea and snacks. She said it down and noticed the balled up letters on the ground. There was a small pile still on the table.
"Thank you," Petra said, handing the pile to her. "Could you take these to the Stewart?"
"Yes, My Lady," she said, bowing. "Anything else?"
"See if there have been any more replies and make sure the north side guestrooms are ready. There will be about three resprestives coming from the Northern Kingdom."
The maid bowed and hurried off. Petra leaned back into the chair.
"This is taking too long," Rocket complained.
"I know, Rocket. I know," the ginger sighed. "I shouldn't care but it is the only way we can get them to not come after us."
"We could just blast them," he muttered.
"Rocket, enough please."
She looked at Gamora and Drax and noticed the tension.
"Why don't you guys head to the training ring?" she suggested. "I can handle the replies. And if I need help, I will ask S'sen or the Historian."
The men grumbled a bit before getting up and leaving, Gamora falling behind them. Petra waited until they were out of the room before looking towards the shadows.
"You can come out, Captain," she said.
Captain Te'r stepped out of the shadows. She wasn't in full uniform as usual. She wore a simple liean top and thick pants.
"How did you know I was there?" the Captain asked.
"To be honest, I kind of smelled you," Petra answered. Seeing the confused look on the other woman's face. "You have a smoky yet woody smell. I'm guessing you are linked to either the bear and fox families."
"Bear, your highness," Te'r said. "Not a lot of people around here know that."
"Why keep it a secret?"
Te'r did something that Petra would not have thought her to do. The captain bit at her lip and blushed.
"You see, your highness. I am the second born of the northern blacks and they have a different belief on women's roles."
The ginger hummed.
"Let me guess, women were housewives and broodmares. They had no real rights," Petra said.
Te'r nodded and looked at the other woman.
"Yes. While my father wanted to change things, he was low on the noble lines. My mother on the hand..."
"Did not agree," the ginger finished.
The captain shook her head before dropping into one of the seats.
"I left the north to get away from that. Once I got here, I told no one where I really came from and what family I came from. I worked my way from the bottom," Te'r ranted.
"Why are you so against my courtship with Drax?" Petra questioned.
Te'r looked up at her, "It was Prince Ne'gan who convinced me that it would be the wrong choice."
The ginger leaned back in her chair, "Explain please."
"Prince Ne'gan feels that if you married your suitor, it would cause problems with the caste system which would lead the planet into a civil war."
Petra raised a brow, "And is that all he was concerned about?"
The Captain locked eyes with the Empress, "I think he was upset, very upset, that he was not going to be marrying into the ruling family. He technically is a bastard."
"I knew that one."
The Captain and Empress shared a laugh.
"I mean, your highness, Prince Ne'gan was a bastard child however his adopted father took him into his family not caring that his wife cheated on him."
"But he should not have even been considered a suitor," Petra stated. "One of the old laws that I found said a bastard born, even when recognized by the father, is not allowed to court the ruling family."
"But your fath..." Te'r started before the Empress glared at her, "Your blood father wanted to pick him."
"Yes, I know," the ginger bit her lip a bit. "It makes me wonder what his endgame is. Do you know if he is going to be in the tournament?"
The captain shrugged, "He did not share that with me, your highness. He is keeping his plans close and only his bodyguard would know."
Petra nodded and planned.
"Alright, here is what is going to happen," she said, leaning towards the Captain. "You are going to keep an eye on him. If he tries to make a move to cheat, you will let me know. Understand?"
"Yes, Empress. I will do as you say," The captain said, standing. She placed her fist over her heart and bow. "I was dishonorable not only towards you but towards the people you call family. I will make it right."
Petra looked up at her and nodded. She watched the captain leave the room, the door closing behind her. The ginger glanced down at the papers in front of her.
"Any objections?" she asked, glancing towards a shadowy corner.
The figure stood there and stood their head before moving away, leaving Petra with the papers.
