The Queens Tea
"I am so nervous Eleya…" Iolene says as she wakes up and bathes in her personal bath. "Can you please curl my hair and do the regency bun."
"Yes, my lady…" Eleya says as she prepares to do Iolenes hair. Her gold hair had to be cut as she felt her hair start to grow too long. It was an hour when it was complete. Iolene smiles with pride. "Don't forget the dragonfly clip," Iolene says cheerfully as Eleya places it on top of her bun.
The dragonfly clip that Aaron bought her in Lan-Se. She treasured it… She hasn't spoken to him since the time in the meadow. They could not speak of it as it was her and Aaron alone. He desires her he told her… But he does not deserve her he said… Iolene shuts her eyes as she tries not to cry. She could not eat that night as Stein could not figure out why. Iolene only said her stomach is upset and asked to leave the table.
Eleya helps with Iolenes make-up. But what Iolene suggested is over the top. Eleya training with Eidith's make-up artists so she can easily replicate their art.
"My lady… Less is more… You have a natural beauty. I can bet that Camille doesn't want to see a clown. Just because you can have make-up now. Doesn't mean you over do it!" The small lady smiles at Iolene.
"Eleya, you truly are a woman of many talents!" Iolene compliments her as Eleya finished the make-up. Eleya then places a small tiara from Constants family vault on Iolenes head. Iolene felt so grateful for Constant… Iolene is technically poor. But she is happy to have such loyal support. One day she will repay Constant for his kindness and how he helped Mali.
Iolene looks at herself in the mirror. She hopes this will be enough to impress the queen.
Eleya then brings in the dress that Eidith has chosen for Iolene. It was beautiful and not like the overtly pompous dresses everyone else wears. It is a dragonfly dress of teal and light blue. That is accompanied by a cape that looks like dragonfly wings. Iolenes smile is ear to ear. "It is so beautiful…" Iolene whispers. She puts on the white tunic followed by a corset. The second layer is a petticoat to fill out the skirt. Iolene is relieved that she will not wear a hoop skirt. She saw men and women wear them on the streets they are massive… She then puts on the light blue layer made of silk. Then the teal layer made of velvet with embroidered gold dragonfly and flower details.
A knock is heard on the door. It is Eidith sounding excited as she walks into the room. Her dress is massive as she wears a hoop skirt. Her make-up is subtle as only lipstick, blush and eyelashes. Her white wig is almost as tall as Mali.
"My goodness! Absolutely gorgeous! Twirl!" Eidith demanded. Iolene does smiling.
"I cannot thank you enough Eidith it is absolutely stunning!" Iolene says with much gratitude.
"I do have good taste!" Eidith says with pride. "Now we must make haste. It is better to be early than late." Eidith then quickly gives Iolene a matching blue fan.
Iolene follows Eidith out of the room. To meet Constant in the main hall. Constant waits with Murray who arrived during the week, Stein and Mali. Iolene walks into the room as gracefully as she can. Everyone in the room is breathless.
"Such beauty…" Stein says smiling softly. "Any man will be weakened in a heartbeat." Stein then grabs Iolenes hand and guides her as a father usually does.
Constant has gotten every servant to clean the mansion and decorate the garden. The tea shall be hosted in the large gazebo built many years ago. Painted white and red as it is the centrepiece of the garden. Apparently many wealthy nobles and politicians have them.
Iolene glances out the window. The day is beautiful as there are no clouds with very cooling weather. The gates to Constants mansion remain closed, they have not arrived yet. Iolene paces with nervous anticipation fiddling with the fan.
"Iolene calm yourself…" Stein says.
"I shall try". Iolene says as she sits on a nearby couch.
It felt like a century of waiting in silence until the gateman shouted their arrival. Iolene jumps up as she looks like a deer in headlights. She then turns and opens the curtain to look out the window. To Iolenes surprise there is only one light carriage pulled by a single turquoise dragon.
"Come Iolene…" Stein says as softly yet stern as he could. She follows as she grabs his arm. They walk gracefully together. As Constant leads them to the front veranda they all wait in a line. Except for Iolene as Stein hides her behind the group. The moment the carriage approached, Iolene clenches her fan so hard it almost snaps. As she tries to steady her heartbeat.
"Lady Camille has arrived!" The butler says. Queen Avery keeps her disguise name. She even created a background story if anyone asks. She is "Camille" for today.
The carriage comes to a gentle halt in front of the mansion steps. Iolene felt like her heart stop as the carriage door can be heard opening. A footman grabs the woman's hand as she gracefully leaves the carriage.
Camille dressed in a fitted bodice with round sleeves paired with a large hoop skirt. Matched with a decent-sized wig. Compared to her other outfits it is rather small and dainty. But Iolene still felt that she was underdressed…
"Good morning Conztant!" Camille says as Constant kisses her hand. Her two handmaidens followed Camille closely.
"Good morning my lady." All the men said and bowed. They were told by Constant not to use your majesty. That term is only used by the nominated Queen. As much as it irked Avery for she is the Queen. But she is undercover as her doppelganger handmaiden is pretending to be her for the day.
"My lady… I shall present to you, Iolene Ovideus. Heir to the City of Loan and keeper of memories." Constant says as the men parted like the sea revealing Iolene.
Iolene remained still and tried to smile as politely as she could, while she curtseyed formally. The Queen has a long stern face, her eyes looking at Iolene up and down. She is judging her. At a moment of silence, the Queen smiles and reaches her hand to Iolene. Iolene grabs it gently as Camille leads the young girl inside without saying much. Iolene felt as if the world is tilting… Trying her hardest not to vomit. Have I done something wrong? She thinks to herself repeatedly.
They stop in the middle of the main hall as Constant speaks where they shall be having tea and lunch. The Queen demands to speak to Iolene alone. Stein and Murray are against this as Iolene says that she can handle it. As nervous as she is, she wanted to meet the Queen without anyone else's influence.
"We will be watching nearby at the pond." Stein says with annoyance. Eidith however is vexed. Breathing in and out she always dreamed of an opportunity such as this. Make an impression on nobles of the higher status to gain a better social standing in the palace. However, she did not know it was Queen De Vilier herself standing in front of her. Eidith storms out of the hall to regain her composure. With Constant apologizing then following Eidith as she left… Trying to console her.
The Queen and Iolene sit in the gazebo. Iolene uses her straight posture and lady manners. As Constants butler pours the tea into the cups. With a slice of lemon. The tea smelt strong as the butler said the ginger are delivered from the best fields from the Blue Empire. Iolene could not imagine how expensive that is… The country was at war… It was a testament to how wealthy Constant is…
"Well my dear, you exizt." The Queen says as she sips the cup. "Hmm…" The queen says as she realized it is her favorite tea. Constant remembers…
"I do my lady." Iolene says as she takes a sip. She did not like it… However she would not dare say such a thing. The tea smelt lovely however… Iolene preferred nice green or peppermint tea. Iolene smiles politely at the Queen.
"Conztant haz told me so much about you…" The Queen says with the judging stare. "To be honezt I did not believe him at firzt… Who would?" She says. "Yet here we are…" The Queen finally smiles.
"I am sorry, I do not know much about you my lady…" Iolene says shyly. It is the truth… "I will like to get to know you."
"Well tell me about you firzt…"The Queen demands.
Iolene begins to talk about her birth of how Laelia died. To her strict life in the priesthood, hospital aid and the Akvor incident. Meeting Queen Hara and then telling her story of how Stein gained the Alliance of the Blue Empire.
Camille looked bored. "Do you have any hobbiez?" The Queen asks.
"I love to read and write. I used to play the harp!" Iolene smiles greatly with pride. It has been at least a year since she played, so she wouldn't be good at it now. But it gave her an idea… She can probably practice later.
"The harp… Iz zat all?" The Queen said curiously.
"Yes my lady…" Iolene replies uncertain.
"I waz trained to play the piano, violin, cello, double bazz, the lute and the flute." The Queen says with her own satisfaction. Iolene had her eyes wide open. She struggled enough to master the harp let alone all of those… She couldn't help but be impressed.
"Sounds like you would have made a wonderful musician." Iolene says as she sips the tea. Trying her hardest not the cringe at the taste.
"I adore muzic…" The queen said lovingly. "If I did not become Queen, I would have been a muzician. A compozer of pure art!"
Iolene felt admired of how the Queen spoke about her love of music. "Why did you choose to become Queen?" Iolene asks.
"What do you zink?" Camille replied as the answer is simple. "Why do you want to get Dragon-Zity back?"
"It is the home of my family and ancestors. A horrible tyrant rules the land and he must be dealt with…" Iolene says confidently. "The people suffer underneath Lord Nero."
"Lord Nero?" The Queen smiles ear to ear. Lord Armageddon as he is now renamed does not use his old name anymore. And no one will dare to… "Will you be able to rule zuch a zity?" Camille asks sipping the tea.
"I believe that I can, I am allied with Light-Blue, Brown and Blue. And time after this I shall journey to Vulkania. Having wonderful advisors also is a must and I do have them. Stein is wise, he helped the Blue Empire when they needed his aid. Lei is the Prince of Lan-Se he is lovely and is the guardian of his people. Lexi a Red Priestess who is trained in the ancient arts of flame and draconium magic. Prince Murray is my cousin who knows the inside of politics. Mali is the voice of the modern world. He has been around the world so he has experience with other cultures. I know dragons who can help with their various situations. Aaron… He is the voice of the people he is kind."
Camille is interested in the Red priestess. She could not help but be interested in the power that they wield. She saw fire magicians during the treaty signing of the Red and Black Empires. They were amazing to watch twirling their fire batons. However, she has never heard of this Aaron before. But Iolene realized she should not have mentioned him. He is a slave… He would have no influence here… But to Iolenes luck the Queen bypassed Aaron.
"Zo you expect zese people to rule for you?" Camille asks sharply.
"No… I will rule. But I will not ignore my advisors. For they will be important. Do you have advisors Lady Camille?" Iolene asks confidently. The more she spoke to the Queen the more at ease she felt.
"I have many advizorz, along with my huzband." The Queen said. "But you muzt alwayz remember when you rule. You are the power. You are the influenze and the figurehead. The reazon I am Queen is becauze I have done thingz that no one elze will do… It iz a vicious world as you hopefully know. Your advizorz will not alwayz have your intereztz at heart and to be honezt... You are naïve. I can imagine you crushing under pressure. Once the world knows of you some will be for you and many will be againzt."
Iolene remained silent as Camille continued she felt nervous again. Thinking back to her and Grand Princess Nerida's conversation.
"It haz been twenty yearz zinze Dragon-Zity fell. Zixteen zinze your family died. Many of zupporterz of your family are dead. How do you plan to take back ze zity? Those who remain supported your family once then betrayed them or stood by in compliance and watched their home burn." The Queen stared at Iolene for an answer. The Queens long face looked intimidating as she wanted Iolene to speak. The sun felt warm but a chill breeze can felt giving Iolene goose pimples.
"I understand that… The first is to build an army And strong navy. I already have Brown, Light Blue and Blue on my side." Iolene says as she sips her tea finishing her cup.
The butler walks up with servants that have platters of food. They place them on the table. It is a mixture of petite delicacies from different regions. Iolene had to think twice of what to grab first. She cannot choose colourful macaroons. Iolene decided to pick a cheese and cracker. The queen smiles with approval.
"Two of zoze countriez are exhauzted from war…" The Queen says.
And she is correct… But Iolene doesn't want to push them. They need to recoup… In the meantime, she hopes that Queen Avery will assist her. Once she gains the Queen's approval she will travel with Lexi to Vulkania. Another potential ally…
"I understand that the situation has not been in my favour. They pledged and signed the gold treaty. I will be patient though… But once I have all the allies I can gather I shall claim my home. But first I shall give them chances to surrender."
The queen laughs hysterically. Her laugh is surprisingly un-ladylike and loud. It caught the attention of Constant and Eidith who are joining Stein and Murray at the pond bench. "Oh zat iz a funny joke!" She said. "You truly are naïve! A letter of surrender!?"
Iolene looks down uncertain. "I don't want to be the Empress who slaughtered many to claim her home… I don't want people or dragons to fear me…"
The Queen nods as she sort of understood that notion. As foolish as that may be… Queen Avery relishes in her power. Being nice and forgiving can only get you so far. The Queen nibbles on her cheese and cracker. The cheese is smooth and delicious. "Give my praizez to ze chef." She said cheerily.
"How about ziz?" Camille says seriously. "I shall invite you to the yearly masquerade gala. If you imprezz me. I shall azzizt you in your conquezt for Dragon-Zity." The Queen finishes her tea as the servant fills it back up.
"A gala?" Iolene asks trying to hide her excitement.
"For you see… I will not be the only one, that has to be impressed. Everyone will be zere… Zenatorz, aristocratz, wealthy merchants, you will have to convince them."
Convince them? To help me? Iolene thinks to herself as she grabs a macaroon. She wanted a sweet taste in her mouth. She had no choice but to accept the challenge. She would have to begin to "plan" her attack.
"Ze gala will be in a few months. To celebrate Ze end of autumn and the beginning of winter." The queen says elegantly.
They both finished their tea and lunch while having a small conversation. Where Iolene asks about her husband, Gauthier De Villiers. The Queen then looks at the pond. She sees two beautiful swans floating together. Ignoring Iolenes question. Iolene realizes how melancholy she looked noticing the swans.
"They are so beautiful. I have never seen them in person until now. Illustrations do not give them justice…" Iolene says whimsically.
"Zey do not… Illustrations never give any justice. It iz not how someone should know ze world."
Iolene managed to get the Queen out of her melancholy. By bringing up light conversations of the books she has read. The queen appreciated that distraction. Because she could not stop thinking of what she had to do next.
The important discussion of the King.