CHAPTER FIVE
Late that night, Vilandra got ready to leave. She made sure her servants were silent, then put a decoy maidservant into her bed. She gave them strict instructions; let no one in, let no one speak to her, avoid conversations. She pulled on a dark dress and a brown cloak over it, then took the secret passage to the stables.
She mounted her horse, telling the boy there she was a maidservant of Princess Vilandra. "May I ask your name?" the boy asked.
"Jaré," Vilandra answered. Jaré was the maidservant in her bed, posing as Vilandra herself.
The boy breathed in relief. "I've heard lots about you," he said. Wasn't he a bit young to be coming unto Jaré? He cleared his throat. "My sister talks about you all the time, but, obviously, being out in the stables all the times does not do much for me."
Vilandra just nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that," she said.
"Doesn't matter," the boy shrugged carelessly. "I'm Kalel, by the way. My sister is Kristin. You know her, yes? She's a laundry maid."
"Yes, I do," Vilandra lied. She had never heard the name, and she was eager to be on her way.
"She wanted to tell you that Lady Ava is much smaller than her-Kristen, I mean," Kalel said. "I don't know why or what for, but she said you came by the stables often, on the princess's requests, and told me to be on the lookout."
"Yes, well, thank you," Vilandra said. "I'll be on my way now, Kalel."
"Of course, madam," Kalel said, giving her a small curtsy. Vilandra pulled her horse out of the stables, rolling her eyes.
Outside, there was still a small drizzle falling. Only after a few minutes, Vilandra's hands were tingling with numbness. She moved the horse to a gallop, drizzle and cold air whipping past her face. When her hood started to fall off, she would stop and readjust. Secrecy was everything tonight.
She finally reached the bar she was looking for. She roped her meager horse to the given poles outside, using powers to make sure the rope was molded there. She walked into the bar, which was less crowded than usual. Even drunks and scoundrels had some respect for their former king. She walked to a corner in the back of the bar, trying to warm her hands under her cloak. She found someone waiting for her, as she had expected.
Vilandra slid into the booth in the corner silently. The person waiting for her was also hooded and cloaked, but she could tell he was a male. There was a candle on the table, as well as the man's beer.
"This is a dangerous game you're playing," he said in a soft voice.
"I'll deal with the danger," Vilandra replied.
"Do you think you can?" the stranger asked. His tone openly mocked her. She had kept her identity anonymous, only promised a large amount of money for information. "You're a rich, spoiled girl, no doubt. Kivar is a Cardinaeun. . .he is skillful and full of rage."
"Do you have what I asked you for?" Vilandra asked in an icy voice.
The stranger brought out a packet of papers, neatly tied together with a red ribbon. "You best be extra-careful with those," he said. "Top secret information."
Vilandra untied the red ribbon, keeping her fingers out of the light of the candle. She looked at the first piece of parchment. It was a letter from Sir Nicholai to Lady Jennifer. She read a few lines, then rolled her eyes. She tied it back into the pile. "You must have great connections," she said. Nobles didn't leave love letters lying around for everyone to see.
"I'll deal with the connections," the stranger said. She saw a smirk play on his lips as he obviously sensed her curiosity to his identity. "You don't reveal your identity, I don't reveal mine."
"Won't these belongings be missed?" Vilandra asked, thumbing through the rest of the things she held in her hands. Things that would help her avenge her father and Thalia's death. Things that would bring Kivar down.
The stranger let out a light laugh. "You sought the best, and you found the best," he said. "I'll take the money now."
Vilandra took a pouch out of her cloak and slid it across the table to the stranger. The stranger picked up the pouch and stood up. "Lovely doing business with you," he said, bowing to her a bit. She caught just a glimpse of his face, but then he turned and swept away.
Vilandra thought for a moment of following him, but then decided she had done enough for the night. She blew out the candle on the table, then stood. She left the bar in silence, ignoring everything around her. Before mounting her horse, she hid the documents deep in her cloak, then trotted around until she was sure she wasn't being followed. By the time she had galloped to the palace, her fingers were going numb again.
She avoided talk with Kalel and snuck through secret passages back to her room. She entered the bathroom first, then heard voices from outside. She paused, at first thinking that her maidservants were being careless. Then she heard Rath's voice. She cursed under her breath, taking the pack of papers out of her cloak and hiding it in a secret compartment in the floor.
Vilandra stood, taking off her cloak, and opened the door of the bathroom. "What is going on here?" she asked, walking into her quarters with the air of a princess.
Her ladies-in-waiting and maidservants had obviously tried to get Rath out of her room. He was almost pinned to the wall by each of them. Jaré was sitting in Vilandra's bed, holding the covers up to her chest. Everyone turned and looked at Vilandra when they heard her voice. "Princess!" Jaré exclaimed, getting out of her bed. She bowed deeply with the other ladies. Vilandra's nightgown looked wonderful on her, if it wasn't a little too long.
"Where were you?" Rath yelled, plundering through two ladies-in-waiting and two maidservants. "I was worried sick, your highness!"
"I'm sorry, your highness, he's only been here for a few minutes," one of them told her worriedly.
Rath approached Vilandra, an expression of worry and annoyance on his face. "Where were you?" he asked.
"It doesn't matter," Vilandra said, taking off her cloak. She motioned to Miriam to take it, then faced Rath.
"It does, too!" Rath exclaimed. "Vilandra, there is a killer somewhere about. You cannot go ramping around Persan, or around the palace. Do you need a bodyguard to keep you in line?"
Vilandra rolled her eyes at Rath, walking away from him. "I fancied a walk," she said, waving her hand. "I needed to clear my head. I couldn't sleep."
"You could have walked in the corridors," Rath said. He followed her. "You could have talked to me. Why did you put a maidservant in your bed as a decoy?"
Vilandra turned to her husband-to-be and gave him a charming smile. "How do you know I didn't come to talk to you and you weren't at your quarters?" she asked slyly.
"Don't change the subject, your highness," Rath said, pointing at her.
"Good heavens. My father and aunt were just killed, we're going to be married in less than a month, and this is all you have to say to me! Lectures!" Vilandra said. She flopped down dramatically on the seat in front of her bureau and pouted up at the soldier.
Rath looked put out for a moment, putting his hands behind him. "Don't play games with me, Lonnie," he said. "I'm looking after you, princess."
"I'm fine, in case you haven't noticed," Vilandra said, keeping an aloof air about her. She knew it vexed him, when she played around. That's why she did it so often. She gave him a suspicious look. "Is it proper for you to be in my quarters at this hour?"
"I am your husband-to-be," he said in a haughty tone.
"Don't be haughty about it," Vilandra said, narrowing her eyes.
"Why not? I've got the right," Rath said. "I'm marrying the most beautiful woman in the world."
Vilandra smiled at him, standing up. "You charm," she told him.
"Only for you, your highness," Rath replied. "I'm marrying the most beautiful woman in the world, even if she is a bit foolish sometimes."
Her smile vanished and she turned from him. "You tease," she said. "Ladies, please remove my dress." She looked over her shoulder at Rath. "Good soldier, I must ask you to leave. It is improper for you to be in my quarters and such an hour, and I am now changing."
"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me why your cloak is wet if you were just going for a walk," he said.
"Rath, please," Vilandra said, "can we talk about this tomorrow?"
"You need to protect yourself," Rath said from behind her.
"It's been a long day," Vilandra said.
There was a moment of silence. Rath came to stand in front of the princess. He narrowed his eyes. "You know just what to say to make me go all soft," he said. He leaned forward, kissing Vilandra on the forehead. "Have a good night. If you have trouble sleeping again, then come find me."
"I will," Vilandra replied, smiling up at him. "Goodnight, General Rath."
"Goodnight, Princess Vilandra," Rath said. He turned and walked out of the room. He looked back at Vilandra before leaving and she smiled at him again.
As the ladies-in-waiting began to undress her, Vilandra looked at Jaré. "Kristin says that Lady Ava is much smaller than her-I could have told you that, Lady Ava is much smaller than everyone," she said, shaking her head.
"You talked to her, your highness?" Jaré asked, taking off the princess's nightgown herself.
"No, her annoying little brother," Vilandra said. She rolled her eyes a bit. "I've never heard of Kristin, nor seen her. Or if I have, I wasn't sure of whom it was."
"You've never heard of her, your highness?" Beru asked, raising her eyebrows.
Vilandra looked at the redheaded maidservant. "No, should I have?" she asked.
"She's just, popular among the servants is all, your highness," Beru said, blushing. She pulled down Vilandra's dress. "But, you're not a servant, so it's not a surprise. Or, it shouldn't be."
"Well, now my interest is piqued," Vilandra said. She wished they would hurry up. She just wanted to lie down and sleep until. . .forever. No, she had things to do, of course. Her mind returned to the pack of papers hidden in the bathroom. "What makes her popular?"
"She's very pretty, for one," Miriam said. "She's from Odiel, a very exotic, unique beauty, you know, your highness? Dark eyes, dark skin, dark, dark hair."
"And this is why she's popular?" Vilandra asked, raising her eyebrows.
"She's also very nice," Beru said. "I don't know her too well, your highness, but people love gossiping about her and one of Zan's servants, Han. Han and Kristin, Kristin and Han, ooh."
Vilandra let out a yawn as her nightgown was fitted. "Sounds like court," she said shortly. She walked over to her bed and crawled under her covers. "I must meet her. Tomorrow, after lunch, bring her to my quarters."
Shy'yi looked at Vilandra with wide eyes. "Your highness?" she asked. "Are you feeling ill?"
"Hush, and shut the curtains," Vilandra said. "I do care about your affairs, although I cannot work together why you'd care that Lady Ava is smaller than Kristin. Jaré, you'll have to entertain me on that one later on. Thank you for all the help, by the way. Rath is quite a handful, isn't he?" She yawned and turned unto her side as the ladies muttered their gracious welcomes and such. Then silence settled into the room. She tried to keep thoughts off of her father. Her two ladies-in-waiting had left, but her maidservants remained. She fell asleep with thoughts of her father's empty face in her mind.
The next morning, Ava was awoken by a servant. She had an uneasy sleep halfway through the night, though the living quarters were very comfortable. Dreams had haunted her sleep, images of fire, echoes of screams, ghosts of the murdered. A servant approached her bed and announced that breakfast would be ready in an hour, and Queen Sabina had requested that she be woken up.
Ava lay lethargically in her bed for a moment, blinking in the sunlight. She looked up at the maidservant, a blonde girl wearing a brown robe. "Thank you," she mumbled, turning in her covers. "Thank you very much." She yawned, then stretched while she buried her face in her pillow.
There was a knock on her door and she sat up suddenly. She jumped out of her bed, asking, "Who is it?"
"Ava, it's Zan," a voice said.
Ava's eyes widened and she started motioning around to the few maidservants around her for her robe. She ran to her mirror, straightening down her hair. "Coming," she called, rubbing her eyes. A girl put a white robe on her and Ava walked over to the doors. The maidservants slowly opened them up. Zan stood by the doors, fully dressed and groomed. His eyes widened a little bit and he ducked his head.
"I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't know you had just woken up."
"Oh, its fine, your highness," Ava replied, playing with her hair.
"I could come back," Zan said uncertainly.
"No," Ava said quickly. "No, if you, if you're looking for me – here I am."
Zan nodded. "May I come in?" he asked. Ava nodded, motioning to the maidservants. Zan walked into her living quarters as the maidservants closed the doors.
"How are you?" Ava asked, smiling up at him. "We – we didn't have much of a chance to talk yesterday."
"I'm feeling fine," Zan replied. He started to pace around the room. "I'm tired. . .I didn't get much sleep, but I took a few potions. . ."
Ava stayed in her position on the floor, watching him. "Did you eat something last night?" she asked. "You didn't come to dinner. I asked Vilandra if I should bring you something, but she said your mother would take care of it."
"Yes, I ate," Zan said, his voice flat. He looked in the mirror or her vanity, then back at her. "Are you sure about this, Ava?"
"About what?" Ava asked in a soft voice. She walked over to him, putting out her hands.
Zan took her small hands, staring at them, holding them tightly. "About being queen," he said. "You don't have to be."
"Yes, I do," Ava said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's my responsibility."
"If you're scared, you could talk to my mother –" Zan said. He looked up at her face, holding her hands tighter.
"No," Ava silenced him. "No, Zan. . .we're all scared. We don't know what the future holds. But I'll be there for you."
Zan let go of her hands and started pacing again. He ran a hand through his hair, breathing hard. "I don't want anything to happen to you," he said.
Ava looked at him with a look of pity on her face, about to speak, but he looked at her angrily. "Don't look at me like that," he said. "Don't pity me, Ava, please, that's the last thing I need right now." He looked around at the maidservants. "Leave us."
The girls left through a door in the back of the room. There was a moment of silence and Ava stood still as Zan stared at something to the ground to the left.
"Zan," Ava broke the silence. She walked to the man she was going to marry and put her hands on his face, raising his chin to look at her. Tears were shining in his eyes. "Zan, nothing's going to happen to me."
"You don't know that," Zan whispered. "You said yourself we didn't know the future – I wouldn't be able to live with myself if he found you, too. You don't have to do this, I told you that –"
"No, no, shh," Ava said. "I choose this. Your mother believes in me." She paused, a new possibility raising in her mind. "If you wish to have a new bride. . .if you desire someone else, Zan –"
"No!" Zan said, his eyes wide. "No, Ava, don't be ridiculous. I can't imagine a better way to spend the rest of my life. But you would be safer if you weren't queen."
"I won't be with you if I'm not queen," Ava said. "Don't worry." She wrapped her arms around Zan's neck. "Don't worry."
Zan wrapped his arms around Ava's torso, letting out a shaky breath. He held back tears. Closing his eyes, tears trickled down his face, and then more. He pulled away, pulling a reign on his emotions. He bent down, looking at Ava. "I have to go," he said. He kissed her on the forehead, then moved to the doors. He paused before opening them, and looked back at Ava. "Three weeks. That is when we will be married, if it is your will."
Ava gave him a smile and nodded. "Three weeks," she said.
Zan nodded again, opening the door and leaving her quarters. Ava walked to her bed. She sunk into the mattress, sighing. She put her head in her hands and held back her own tears.
Kristin hummed a bit as she and two other servants dress Lady Ava. This was one of her first jobs as a personal maid, one who dressed and worked in bedrooms. She usually worked in the laundry quarters, cleaning elegant dresses and rich tunics. She had been called because Tillie had fallen sick a few days ago.
Lady Ava's new dress was one that the Duchess Beatrice had brought in when her and her husband had arrived to accommodate their niece. It was a dark green color, with golden lining. It was very beautiful, fine material and finely stitched. Lady Ava seemed to be thinking about something. Her expression was one of far-off contemplation, her eyes distant and her mouth frowning a bit at the corners.
"Have any of you ever been in love?" Lady Ava suddenly asked, breaking Kristin's humming. Kristin was tying Lady Ava's dress, Noriko was doing Lady Ava's make-up and jewelry, and Annie was making the bed.
"I have, my lady," Kristin replied.
"What is his name?" Ava asked.
"Han," Kristin said. "We're not together, I hope I am not ever with him again. He's a prat, to be honest with you, my lady."
"You were in love with him, though," Ava stated.
"Yes," Kristin said. She could only guess this had something to do with Prince Zan coming to visit Ava. "He was a gentleman and flattered me. I must say that women get weak in the knees when they are complimented."
Ava smiled a little bit. "I'm in love," she said, her smile fading. "But when does one know the difference between being in love and loving someone? Is there a difference at all?" She paused. "My mother told me, when I was younger, than being in love is just a feeling, an emotion. And loving someone is making a decision to be by their side at all times. Where is the romance in that? The butterflies you get in your stomach when he's in the room, the desire to run up to him and kiss him, despite all of your upbringings and manners." She sighed.
"Well. . .I can't say I ever loved Han," Kristin replied. "But I'll tell you when I find out, my lady."
Ava gave her a smile, then she started thinking distantly again. Kristin wondered if Ava could truly love Zan, if she could ever have the devotion Kristin herself did. Lady Ava was only a wealthy girl who was spoiled by her parents. Though she was nice and funny, she knew nothing of hardship and commitment.
Kristin had fallen in love with Prince Zan when she was very young, since the first time she saw him when she was eight years old. He had her undying devotion and love – she would do anything for him. But he barely knew she existed. She sent him letters, saying she is a young noble who is forbidden to attend court by her mother and father. She had tried to be with Han for at least two years, but it hadn't worked, her thoughts were always occupied.
How could Lady Ava ever give him what he truly needed? She ran her fingers over Ava's ties and stood. "Finished," she said lightly.
Today, friends and family filed into the palace, wearing dark clothes and gave gifts and their condolences to the remaining two of the Royal Four and the future Royal Four. Peasants come in with flowers, children with drawings, nobles with great gifts; furniture, horses, dresses, trunks, most of them trying to find favor with royalty.
Lady Thalia's parents and sister came to the palace to stay for a week and send their grievances. Thalia's mother looked like an older version of her daughter, and her sister had similar features. Her husband and their two sons, ten and fifteen, looked downcast on both sides of their mother.
The court moved through the palace, giving small gifts. Most of the women were crying, and the men kept on stony faces. Lady Hailey came with her fiancé Sir Xavier. Lady Jennifer and Sir Nicholas came together. Vilandra felt her stomach stir at the sight of them as they greeted her mother. Lady Jennifer reached Vilandra first, and the two of them hugged. Zan shook the hand of Sir Nicholas, listening numbly to his words. He shook hands, kissed hands and faces, hugged people, watching the gifts at the side of the room pile up. As if they would ever help; just material possessions and meaningless objects. Not a king. Not a father.
Ava stood next to him, giving small smiles, listening to long speeches and tears. Occasionally her arm would brush against his and the sound of her voice helped him stay grounded and listen to the heartfelt eulogies as well as the artificial ones.
Ava's aunt and uncle, the Duchess Beatrice and Duke Canlier, entered the palace with a few gifts. They greeted Queen Sabina, and Sir John. When they reached Zan, Beatrice smiled at him. "There is a better, greater future in store," she said.
Ava's parents were going to also arrive later on that night, but at lunch they were still greeting people and accepting gifts. Queen Sabina halted for an hour for a break and a meal. The dining room was full of people: Ava's aunt and uncle, Thalia's family, close friends, people the future Royal Four didn't know. Lunch wasn't as lively as it usually was, but not as somber as Sabina thought it would be. The seat at the head of the table was empty, as was a large part of her heart.
Vilandra sat next to Lady Jennifer and Rath. Rath wasn't blind to the tension between them. At first, he didn't pay attention to it, blaming female hormones, but then Lady Jennifer mentioned Kivar. "Have you spoken to Kivar recently?" she asked off-handedly, stirring her soup.
Vilandra's shoulders tensed and she gripped her fork. "No," she said shortly. "I see he has not come today."
"He feels horrible, really," Jennifer replied. Rath had never liked Jennifer – she was a brown-noser and a fake. He was very glad she wasn't chosen to be queen. She sipped a spoon of soup and Vilandra shook her head.
"I'm sure," she said in a bitter tone. She looked at Rath and changed the subject. "The gift from Lady Thalia's mother was most extravagant."
Next to Rath sat Queen Sabina, then Lord John, then Zan and lastly Ava. Next to Ava was Lady Mary, an elderly widow who had been friends with the queen sometime. The two of them were engaged in polite, shallow conversation, though Ava would rather be talking to Zan.
"So, tell me your secret," Mary said, her dark eyes twinkling.
"My secret?" Ava replied, allowing a ghost of a smile to come to her face.
"How is it that you were chosen for future queen?" Mary asked. "You have not been in court for over a year. The mere fact of your courtship did not do all the magic, did it?"
Ava hesitated, feeling uncomfortable. "Oh, Lady Mary . . . I – there was no magic, for one," she said. "You must ask the queen and Lord John about their decision."
Lady Mary brought her head closer to Ava. Ava steadied herself away from her. Must she be so obvious? "There are rumors, that you are a sorceress," she said. "No one is received so quickly by the royal four."
Ava felt the blood rush to her cheeks in anger and embarrassment. Who said these things? She looked at Lady Mary. "I'm insulted by your words," she said in the firmest voice she could muster. "I would appreciate it if you took your petty suspicions elsewhere." She began eating again. Lady Mary looked taken aback, then started speaking to the man on her other side.
"Are you all right?"
Ava looked up at Zan. His honey eyes were on her steadily and he looked concerned. She gave him a small smile. "Yes, I'm fine," she said. "How are you?"
Zan shrugged, looking away from her. "Getting by all right," he said. "I'm just glad I'm not sitting in your seat. She is one of the most gossipy women I have ever met."
Not bothering to look at Mary to be sure she wasn't listening, Ava nodded in agreement. "She thinks I'm a sorceress, and used magic to get . . . where I am now," she said.
Zan's expression soured. "It never ends," he said, shaking his head. He touched her hand. "I know this love isn't fake."
Her heart fluttered at the word . . . love. "Perhaps I just put a spell on you to think that," she said, her smile brightening.
Zan shook his head, in all seriousness. "The way I feel about you is the most real thing I know," he said. He squeezed her fingers.
"May I please have your attention?" Larek was standing at his place. He had his goblet in one hand. Deana sat next to him, looking up at the prince of Odiel silently.
"I would like to say something." He paused, looking at Zan. "King Tristan was one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He was like my second father, and Vilandra and Zan were – and still are like my own siblings. King Tristan was upright, wise, intelligent, and had some sense of humor." Chuckles echoed through the table.
"Lady Thalia was also a beautiful individual. She stepped to her call of duty with dignity. She did everything with respect. And her life was full of beauty. But all things happen for a reason. The recent events have opened up a new door to a new future. Sir Rath, Princess Vilandra, Lady Ava and Prince Zan – I know you will rule Antar well. To King Tristan, Lady Thalia and the future Royal Four." He raised his goblet and took a drink of his wine. All others at the table followed his lead, echoing the toast. The four of them smiled at the guests kindly and gratefully.
After lunch, they went back to accepting gifts and greetings. At dinner, the palace was closed to outside guests. Ava's parents came after dinner with a grand carriage. There were a number of people reclining in the parlor. Ava was knitting; Thalia's sister, Daphne, was playing the piano with her husband; Vilandra and Lady Hailey were talking in the corner, and Rath was reading a book.
Suddenly, a servant entered the room and announced, "Lady and Lord Pier!"
Ava put her knitting supplies down hurriedly and stood up straightening her dress. Her father and mother entered the room arm in arm. "Darling Ava!" her mother, Lillian, walking over to Ava, her arms outstretched.
"Mother," Ava said. They kissed each other's cheeks, then Ava hugged her father.
Lillian turned to Vilandra. "Your highness I am Lillian Pier, Ava's mother," she said. She curtsied politely. She was wearing a dark dress, a symbol of mourning. She put her hands over her heart. "Please believe me when I say I am most grieved over your father and Lady Thalia's deaths. Anything you need, I will be glad to offer."
"Thank you," Vilandra curtsied in reply. "And your husband?"
"I'm Terrence Pier, your highness," Ava's father said, stooping low.
Vilandra smiled at him. She introduced everyone in the room politely. "My brother and mother have retired for a bit," she said. "I do believe they'll return at the hour of nine." Then she returned to her conversation.
"Thank you, your highness," Lavender said. "I do think my daughter and I will retire until then as well. We have much to discuss." She was talking to Vilandra, but it seemed the princess had no idea of it. "Come, Ava."
Ava took her knitting work and rushed after her mother out of the room. She saw Rath laughing behind his book and she scowled at him. Ava led her mother to her quarters silently. Once she had shut the doors, however, Lillian exploded form her excitement.
"Oh, darling Ava!" she exclaimed. "Queen Ava! Courting the prince – Prince Zan himself! When you told me the two of you were courting, I Thought you were only trying to make a fool of me. After Beatrice told me it was true – you can imagine my shock and my excitement! Goodness, and now you're engaged to him – you're going to be queen!"
"Yes, I know mother," Ava said coolly. Her mother paced around excitedly, muttering to herself and to Ava. Lillian was often like this – constantly excited about something, whether it be the lunch planned or a new dress or her daughter's first suitor.
"And Prince Zan – so handsome and charming and – well, he's the prince, for heaven's sake!" Lillian said. "When is the wedding?"
"Three weeks," Ava replied.
"Three weeks!" Lillian repeated. "Oh, I must talk with Queen Sabina – we are about to be sisters! And the coronation?"
"Four weeks."
"Four weeks!" Lillian said. She clapped her hands and Ava couldn't help but smile, just a bit.
Back in the sitting room thirty minutes later, Zan was meeting Ava's parents. Ava stood behind her mother and father, holding back a smile. "You must understand how dearly I adored your father," Lillian said to Zan and Queen Sabina. "He was a great man. But, like my sister said – this will lead to a better, brighter future. The new Royal Four is just as amazing as the last, and it is my Ava, the most obvious and intelligent choice for the spot of queen." Ava put her hand on her forehead, then glanced at Rath for snickering again. "And I trust that your four will work together for the better of Antar. Thanks you for having us."
Terrence stepped forward. "I do believe my wide has said it all," he said. "I'm truly sorry about Tristan and Thalia. I have never lost a husband, but my father died ten years ago – if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." He paused. "And . . . thank you for letting us stay here.
"You're most welcome," Zan replied, looking relieved that he was not as long-winded as his wife. Ava gave him an apologetic smile, and he only shrugged in reply.
They spent the rest of the night in the parlor, playing games, reading, and talking with each other. Ava's parents would be at the palace for the next four weeks or so, much to Zan's dismay.
"Tomorrow classes start," Sabina announced, standing and stretching. "It's been a long say and I'm going to go to bed." She kissed both of her children. "Goodnight."
"Love you, mother," Vilandra said, smiling as she left the room.
Sabina smiled at her, walking out. Everyone eventually decided to also retire, finishing their games, straightening up the rooms, finding stopping points in their books. "Let me walk you three to your rooms," Zan said to Ava and her parents after seeing that Rath was walking with Vilandra.
Ava's room was closer than Terrence and Lillian's, but Zan wanted to walk and talk alone with her, so he led the way to the quarters in the West Wing. Ava bid goodnight to her parents and Lillian gave an extravagant speech of farewell to Zan.
The doors shut and Ava laughed, blushing. "That's my mother," she said, rolling her eyes. "She's so long-winded, extravagant. If it's not great, then it's not worth doing for her."
"It's amusing," Zan said.
"You mean it's embarrassing," Ava replied.
Zan laughed, shaking his head. The two of them walked on towards her quarters. "Tomorrow we started preparation," Zan said, his shoulders drooping a bit.
"Extensive training," Ava said, remember Sabina's words from only the day before, though it felt like weeks ago. "Don't worry."
"I'm not worrying," Zan told her.
Ava smiled. "All right," she said.
They reached her quarters much too soon and the two of them stood outside of the door for a moment. "Well, goodnight," Ava said haltingly.
"Thank you," Zan said.
"You're welcome," Ava said.
Zan leaned down to Ava's level and kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight," he said.
Ava smiled up at him and walked into her quarters, welcoming her last night before all of her normal life was forgotten.
Thanks for the reviews guys:) This chapter is longer than the others, but I couldn't find a place that I could break it up into two…the next chapter will probably span over the next two weeks, getting ready to be royalty and getting ready to be married!
