Glacia

[1]

I've ruined it. I've completely ruined my chance at court, Ana thought as she secretly caught a glimpse of the Queen. Those ice-blue eyes still staring at her, the small frown still there in the Queen's face. She gulped softly and went back to staring down at the floor not daring to look up. She did not know what she had done to provoke such a reaction on the Queen, but since her arrival to the throne room those ice-blue eyes had not left her. Not even once.

As she continued to curtsy waiting for the Queen's word, she concentrated on the noises around the room. Low murmurs were heard from every corner and she wonder if the courtiers were unnerved by the Queen's reaction as she was. Maybe wearing the sapphire form-fitting dress had been a bad idea. Maybe it showed too much cleavage or maybe by wearing such a provocative outfit with her Offering jewel she was issuing a challenge to the Queen. That simple thought made her want to groan out loud at her terrible decision in clothing. It made her wish for the ground to open up and swallow her.

"Lady Anastasia. You may straighten…" The barely hidden bored tone made her flinch and hurried to do as she was told. Smoothing her skirts to hide her nervousness, she pushed those thoughts aside and slowly took in the Queen's profile.

Karla looked older for the age she was supposed to be, but even with that the Queen was beautiful. It was true that the witchblood poison had taken its toll on the Queen's body, but the simple fact that the Queen had survived it and was trying to work with it, spoke stories of the Queen's will and power.

The clothes she wore were fit for the Glacian climate and accented her ice-blue eyes as well as the Gray jewel she wore around her neck. Even if the clothes looked simple, Anastasia could guess that the soft white colored pants and blouse were made of expensive materials.

To the foolish Karla looked relax in her throne. To Anastasia, the Queen-like all the other Warlord Princes, was a well-honed blade ready for anything.

As her eyes continue to skim down and then up again, she took her time appreciating her Queen. The lightly tap of Karla's finger against the throne reminding her of the reason she was there. She wanted to take more time on admiring the legendary witch, but not wanting to come up as insolent she met her Queen's gaze. The small frown still there, but the tapping ceased. It seem an eternity to Anastasia, before the Queen cleared her throat and began to speak.

"I have already been informed of your arrival as well as of the contract you have signed. Many vouch on your name and honor, Lady Verruil. Many of whom I consider very close," Karla look quite pointedly at her Master of the Guard and Steward. Looking back at her, Ana stiffened trying to not let her excitement take the better of her. The Queen's frown had disappeared and her tone of voice was light and carefree; maybe she did have a chance at court.

"I see no problem on letting you take up your position. Even if I am not interested in having a lady-in-waiting, I have been reminded a couple of times on why it is important for a Queen to have one. As my lady-in-waiting you will accompany me to many court functions as well as other events. I do not agree upon you serving me inside my rooms for I can take care of myself, but seeing as you want to be train as a proper lady-in-waiting, I will decide later on what you can do," The Queen informed her.

She was reeling with excitement in that moment, but trying to be as serious as she could. Remembering protocol she curtsy to her Queen.

"Thank you, my Lady. You honor me. May the Darkness be merciful and kind to you," she responded carefully, noting the calmness in her voice as her body quiver in excitement. "Thank you," she said again with all the gratitude she could muster. That did not last for long.

"We shall see if you will be feeling the same after a week. Kiss, kiss." The predatory smile that the Queen offer her, put her on edge a bit and made her heart race.

Curtsying again, she noted the dismissal and was ushered off by a very happy Della and a purring KaeAskavi that stuck to her side. Both of them wanted to play with her as well as begged some food from Cook in celebration. As they hurried her off the throne room, Ana turn to watch Karla, noticing that the Queen was frowning again. She wonder what the Queen was thinking or what exactly was upsetting her.

[2]

"Surprise, surprise. You actually let her stay, my Lady."

Those words made Karla come back from wherever she had gone to, turning to look at her Master of the Guard. Most of her court left as soon as the audience was done, leaving her and Prince Hagen alone.

"Well, it is not like she is going to last long," she informed him in a matter of fact tone. She stood up using the cane and took his offered arm as she let him escort her out of the throne room. Her legs not hurting as much as they were earlier, hearing the Warlord Prince sigh at her comment she let out a snort.

"You already did a bet, hm?" She asked him innocently and the male did not even respond to her question, which was as enough as an answer for her. Letting out a chuckle, she thought of Lady Anastasia. She had seen the girl before, but she did not remember where and even if she tried she could not. It frustrated her to no end, since she had a very sharp memory and those turquoise eyes were too rare to forget.

"Do you think she will stay?" His question surprised her and she smiled up at him.

"I don't know… Are you smitten by her, Hagen?" She teased, the Warlord Prince blushing like a young boyo. He shook his head at her and looked down with twinkling eyes fill with love. That surprised her and she broke her gaze from his to continued to stare towards the front.

Hagen sighed again not letting the rejection get to him, "Not entirely. She is very beautiful, Karla, but she is not interested in males. That's what I have heard."

She frowned at his comment, taken by surprise. "Oh, Hagen. You know how are the Aristos with the rumors." She shook her head in disgust, knowing quite well what it felt to be at the mercy of them.

He shrugged again, "I know. I really do not care about such rumors, but still it is a pity to think it could be true. Such a beautiful woman, like Lady Anastasia would make any Blood male proud…er and Blood female as well."

When they reach the private rooms hall, he stopped in front of her room and she looked up at him to glare his way letting him know that she was not letting him come in. The Warlord Prince grimaced. Giving him a delightful innocent smile, she opened the door and went in, turning to look at him again with that same smile.

"I haven't forgiven you, Hagen. Kiss, kiss." She said, before closing the door and hearing him say loudly "I know!"

Shaking her head she continued to go through her room, until she reached her bed. Not focusing on anything but it, a soft yawn escaping her lips. Using craft to undress as quickly as she could, she slipped in, too tired for anything but sleep. If the younglings could have a nap, she could as well. Closing her eyes, she instantly dream of those turquoise eyes.

Hello Fellow Readers!

It's short and I'm sorry for that! I promised that the next chapter will be longer! :D

Thank you to those who are following the story and have reviewed it!

I hope all of you are well!

^.^

Kaerih