New chapter up. Enjoy.


Kenya paced back and forth in her tent, too agitated to sit still, let alone sleep.

Anduin's sudden arrival had surprised her, but his words had shocked her.

Though he proposed the possibility of them getting married, Anduin seemed almost as unsure about the validity of the idea as Kenya. However, the fact that he had brought the idea to her at all implied he thought it might be possible. He was seriously considering it, which meant Kenya had to consider it, as well. Anduin was not the type to do things on a whim or waste time on ideas without merit.

Could she be able to truly fall in love with Anduin and not be constantly comparing him to his father? Particularly during more intimate activities. And there would need to be intimate activities, since marrying an heirless king pretty much required the production of a child. Could she even think of Anduin as something more than a platonic friend? Did she want to continue to be queen? Kenya had been kinda looking forward to passing the queen card onto some other woman.

It was only early night when Clara poked her head into Kenya's tent.

"Is everything alright, Your Majesty? Do you need anything?" She asked, concerned. Usually by this time of night, Kenya would be preparing for bed, yet she hadn't called for Clara's assistance, worrying her lady's maid.

Kenya didn't like the idea of having a lady's maid, but Varian had insisted this was how queens lived. Clara had been appointed to her shortly after their engagement and Kenya had to revise her opinion. The older woman had been a joy to have around, particularly when Varian was away from Stormwind. She had to admit the companionship was nice and Clara was a genuinely good person. When Kenya traveled across the world for the peace talks, Clara had happily traveled with her queen.

"No, Clara, I'm fine. I'm just having some heavy thoughts this evening that are making it hard for me to whine down."

"Is everything alright with the king?"

Kenya smiled at the older woman. "Yes, everything's fine. He just brought some news with him which is keeping my mind busy tonight. Nothing to worry about."

Clara sighed ever so slightly. "Good to hear. Sorry to bother you."

"Clara, wait. Have a seat for a moment, I have something I'd like to ask you."

Clara nodded, taking a seat by the fire.

"You've always been honest with me, right? Even when the answer wasn't what I wanted to hear, you've never just said something that wasn't true to make me happy?"

"Of course, Your Majesty. I personally believe, no matter the person's station, one should always be honest. Hard truths are better than easy lies."

"Good." Kenya said with a nod. "I'm going to ask you something and I really need your honest opinion."

Kenya sat in the chair next to the fire, opposite Clara. "I've been queen for four years. In your opinion, am I a good queen?"

Clara smiled at Kenya, as if being asked this question was as normal as asking someone how they're doing.

"During my time as a lady's maid to the Wrynn family, I served Varian's mother, Varian's first wife and I continue to serve you. Every woman I've served has been a good queen, in her own way. In my experience, Wrynn men do not pick frivolous wives who tarnish their good name. And I am confident the woman King Anduin choses will be just as fine a queen as all who came before her. Particularly, if you help find her. But as it pertains to you directly, you have been a fine queen and continue to be a fine queen. I pray you never doubt that. You have been good for Stormwind and for the Wyrnn name."

"That's all very kind of you to say." Kenya said, doing her best to keep her emotions in check.

Clara huffed. "Well, it's the truth, Your Majesty, every word of it. Has something made you doubt your value as queen? It wasn't something the king said, was it? Because I don't care if he is king now, I used to be Anduin's nanny and I will give him a talking to if he's the one filling your mind with this nonsense."

Kenya had to laugh. While Clara was calm and quiet most of the time, she had a fire within her you did not want to be on the receiving end of, if you could help it. Even Varian had commented that he actively tried to avoid one of Clara's tongue lashings.

"No, no, nothing like that. No need to throttle the king. I'm just trying to work through something in my head. My doubts are my own, I assure you. I'm just trying to make a decision."

"Well, I hope my words helped."

"I think they did." Kenya said, thinking. She took a deep breath, held it for a few moments, then let it out slowly. "Could you please summon Draya. I know it's getting late, but I think I need to travel to Darnassus. We'll stay at my home tonight."

Clara stood. "Of course. I'll summon the mage to the portal staging area and prepare a bag for you. I'll come to collect you when everything is ready." She hurried to the door of the tent.

"And Clara?" Kenya said before she could slip out of the tent. "Thank you."

Clara only smiled and nodded before leaving Kenya alone with her thoughts.

Kenya didn't know if she was making the right decision or if she was doing the right thing for herself or Anduin, but for both their sanities, she needed to speak to him and it couldn't wait until morning.


To Be Continued...