Hi All. Sorry it took me so long for this most recent update. I've been actively working on the story line several chapters ahead. Once I felt like Chapters 4 + 5 were in good shape did I feel ready to release Chapter 3. Here it is for your reading pleasure. As always reviews are welcomed and appreciated.
Chapter 3: Courtier Lessons
"Oh no I'm going to be late," Serenity wailed. She had lost track of the hour daydreaming and found herself now running behind. Serenity quickly dressed in a lavender shift, grabbed her papers, slammed the door and rushed down the corridor.
A formal proclamation from the Courtier League had arrived with instructions that a place had been secured for her amongst its elite members. Daughters of the aristocracy vied for the limited positions and rumors had begun swirling the palace as to how this unknown maiden had managed to gain a coveted position in the league.
Serenity's formal training had begun just days earlier. So far, she found the lessons exhausting and terribly boring, if that was even possible. History, etiquette, and inter-planetary relations now filled time. Sometimes she longed for routine of her convalescence.
A gaggle of emissaries hurried down the hallway in the opposite direction on their way to negotiations. Serenity bowed her head as she passed by the group, trying to walk as quickly as she could without drawing attention.
"Serenity," a voice called out. She stopped in her tracks and turned slowly fearful that she was about to be chastised for walking too quickly. However, she was delighted to see that it was Sapphire who had broken off from the enclave with a friendly wave.
"Your highness," she curtsied. "What a pleasant surprise to see you today."
"Likewise. May I inquire about your health?"
"Only one headache this week and I've been gaining more stamina." She squirmed, trying to be polite but knowing she was running later and later with each passing moment. Emerald was going to ream her out.
"Where are you off to in such a hurry?" He asked, immediately zeroing in on her fidgety demeanor.
"Courtier lessons with Emerald." She huffed, unable to contain her disdain. She had failed to study in a manner that Emerald would find satisfactory, that she was certain.
"I won't keep you from that. If there's anything I know about Emerald it's that she does not tolerate tardiness." He smiled knowingly.
"Thank you, your highness." She waved and took off down the hall, attempting to pick up her pace and make up for lost time.
Serenity arrived at the prescribed location out of breath and knocked firmly on the door in the pattern required of a courtier, announcing herself.
The door swung open and Emerald eyed Serenity unenthusiastically looking her over with a critical eye. "You're late. What kept you?"
"I ran into Sapphire on my way here." She panted heavily, clutching her chest.
"His serene highness Sapphire," Emerald corrected, sharply.
"His highness," echoed Serenity, biting her bottom lip at the error. She knew Emerald would reprimand her for the casual language during the lesson. She expected nothing short of perfection from her pupil.
"I honestly don't know why I was assigned this task as I left the courtier league years ago," Sighed Emerald ushering Serenity into the Salon with a flick of her wrist.
"I'm grateful, that you are taking the time to instruct me."
"Of course, you are. Let's get on with it." Emerald stated flatly, guiding Serenity over to a sitting area. "The duty of a courtier of the Court of Hiemalis is service to the King. It is an honor and privilege to act as a liaison for the planet of Nemesis to visiting dignitaries and officials of State alike."
Emerald sat tall; proud. It was obvious she took the position seriously.
Serenity nodded dutifully, attempting to show sincerity, sitting straighter towards the front of her seat and not slouching.
Emerald sized up her new charge eyeing Serenity carefully. "We'll begin with something easy. The art of the fan."
The lessons were just as Serenity predicted; draining and mind numbing. Emerald had grilled her on Nemesian history and chided Serenity when she failed miserably. Serenity may have neglected her studies the past week, daydreaming about the White King. When they turned their attention to making proper conversation, the lesson went from bad to worse.
"Give me an appropriate topic to discuss with a visiting dignitary."
"Weather?" Serenity answered hesitantly.
"No. Try again," Emerald quipped.
"Food?" It was more of a question then a statement.
"No! Did you study any of the materials that I gave you?" Emerald snapped, her eyes zeroing in on Serenity.
"Umm," Serenity's face reddened. "Food worked well with the Emir."
"Did you engage him in conversation or did he initiate?" Emerald barked, her eyes flashing with anger. "Our alliance with him is in a precarious situation!"
"I don't really remember." Serenity fumbled. "Emir Ogen was really nice to me."
"You're never going to be a proper courtier if you can't learn when to keep your mouth shut!" Cried Emerald, exasperated. "The first rule of interacting with foreign dignitaries is that you never approach. You must wait for them to initiate conversation."
"But it was before I started my training. How was I to know what to do?" She implored.
The silence hung in the air between the pair thickening the already tense atmosphere.
Emerald closed her eyes and pinched her nose, taking in a deep breath. "You're giving me a migraine. Take the documents on Kinmoku imports and exports from the table and leave my sight. You are dismissed for the day."
Serenity exited Emerald's chambers, defeated with her head held low. The document was twice the size of the last set. This was going to take forever to digest!
However, true to her sunny disposition, the disastrous lesson was soon an afterthought, and Serenity began happily humming the melody of the waltz that she and Prince Demande danced to the previous week at the celebration. A soft smile spread on her face as she twirled through the Hall of Victors, sauntering back to her rooms for a lazy afternoon.
Five days had passed since the Celebration and Serenity was embarrassed as she hadn't stopped thinking about her interaction with Prince Demande. "He's so alluring," she mused as she strolled. "And such a good dancer."
What was it about Demande that she found so attractive? Surely, he was handsome, but aesthetic wasn't what brought her thoughts constantly back to him.
He didn't pity her. She wasn't broken or sad when she was with him. In the short time they spent together, Prince Demande made her feel special. She twirled laughing and giggling imaging the thought of dancing with him again.
It was then that she crashed into Prince Demande, the pair stumbling to the ground in a disastrous heap. The papers Serenity were carrying fell in a disastrous manner streaming in every direction. Mortified, she buried her hands in her face, as she lay splayed on the marble floor.
"Your majesty, I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention to where I was walking. I'm such a klutz!"
"Oh Serenity," he said laughing helping her up from the floor. "It's I who should be apologizing. I was entranced by your dancing and didn't want to startle you. You looked so content."
"I was," she confided, brushing off his jacket. "There, now you're good as new!"
"You were humming." He commented as he assisted in picking up the last of the loose parchment.
"Was I?" She blushed, accepting the pile of papers from Prince Demande.
He nodded. "Care to enlighten me with what song?"
"Umm, just a piece that I heard at the celebration." She stiffened.
"That was a night, wasn't it?" He smiled.
She bobbed her head vigorously in agreement, attempting to quash the color in her cheeks.
"Where are you off to, in such spirits?" He gestured.
"Back to my rooms. I'm finished with courtier lessons for the day." She brightened, knowing the hardest part of her day was done.
"That's reason to celebrate as any. Allow me to escort you."
Demande offered his arm to Serenity and she happily took it, grasping firmly. He led her through the maze-like palace, which was becoming increasingly comfortable with each passing day. It was large but each wing had a distinct flair.
Soon they found themselves in the appropriate hall.
"I hope we have the opportunity to run into one another again," he ribbed once they had arrived at Serenity's suite.
"As do I your, majesty. Although a little more gently next time. It's so nice to see you again."
"I must confess, dear Serenity I wished to see you sooner. But alas, empire building takes up much of my time. We've had several of our esteemed guests here for negotiations now that Earth is under our stewardship." Demande noted.
She beamed, pleased that she wasn't the only one looking to connect again and that the attraction wasn't imagined.
"We're having a State Dinner tonight and my escort had to cancel last minute, apparently she has a splitting migraine," He smiled wolfishly. "Would you care to be my date?"
Serenity froze for a moment, unsure how to proceed. The thought of spending more time with Prince Demande was exhilarating but a state function? Downright terrifying.
"Are you sure you want me? I'm terribly clumsy, as we both can attest. And I've only just begun my courtier lessons. I could be a liability." The words tumbled from her lips, her cheeks burning with shame.
"As long as you don't enter into formal negations on behalf of kingdom, I think you'll do just fine." He assured, laughing softly.
She studied him for a moment and then exhaled deeply. "Well in that case, absolutely. I'd love to join you." She grinned, her fears melting away.
"Perfect," he clasped his hands. "Festivities begin promptly at 7pm. Speaking of which," he glanced at his watch, "I must be going to my next engagement."
She acknowledged, already excited to see him again. "I look forward to tonight, your majesty."
"As do I my lady." Demande reached for her wrist and kissed her hand reverently, allowing his lips to linger on her soft skin.
Serenity blushed as she curtsied, still holding his hand and bid farewell to Prince Demande. He slowly released her hand and turned to depart looking back one more time.
Softly, she closed her door and sighed. She sank to ground slowly and sat with her back against the door, replaying the interaction in her head dissecting every word.