The Heroic Legend of Ianthe Chapter 2

The review of the Royal Guard in Ecbatana is an important ritual that is an everyday occurrence here in the Capital.

Usually the entire royal family is supposed to be present for this ceremony, but with King Andragoras away this duty fell to Queen Tahamenay and Crown Princess Ianthe to oversee.

Thanks to the haste they moved with Ianthe and Vahirz made it to balcony that stood over the giant courtyard at the entrance of the palace gates. Here the entire Royal Guard was assembled before the Queen standing at attention in neat columns.

Speaking of which Queen Tahamenay was already present standing to one corner of the balcony with her four lady's-in-waiting on their knees behind her.

Ianthe immediately marched up to her usual corner. Vahirz knelt in the shadows behind her. It was not his place to stand there with the Queen and Crown Princess.

Queen Tahamenay didn't even acknowledge her daughter before addressing the Royal Guard charged to safeguard the inhabitants of the palace and all of Ecbatana.

"Loyal soldiers. Your allegiance to the Kingdom of Pars does you credit. You have our thanks."

Her words spoken Queen Tahamenay turned and left the balcony with her lady's-in-waiting falling into line evenly behind her.

A bit taken aback by her mothers swift departure after the brief speech, Ianthe said "Oh, uh."

"Her Majesty the Queen! Princess Ianthe! Salute!"

Ianthe smiled and waved at the assembled soldiers before hastening after her mother. Queen Tahamenay hadn't yet gotten far.

In the exact same hallway, Ianthe called "Lady Mother."

Queen Tahamenay and her lady's-in-waiting stopped. As Queen Tahamenay turned to speak to Ianthe took up kneeling positions again on the marble flooring.

"Yes, Ianthe? What do you need," inquired Queen Tahamenay.

Even out of the sunlight Queen Tahamenay's radiance is blinding, second to none. It's said throughout the entire Kingdom of Pars that the Crown Princess would be a great beauty unrivaled once she reached full maturity, but that wasn't exactly true. Ianthe's beauty is unrivaled all except for her mother. Ianthe couldn't hold a candle to her in the face of her own looks. Long hair softer than silk as white as snow, lips as red as the rose, and eyes bluer than the glistening sea.

"Nothing, really. I only wanted to apologize for my tardiness. I know I wasn't late for the ceremony, but I should've arrived much sooner all the same. I promise to be more prompt from now on," said Ianthe, humble.

"Not at all," said Queen Tahamenay. "I understand you were busy daily sword practice."

A bit naïve in hoping she'd get an ounce of approval from her mother this time around, Ianthe said "Thank you. I aspire to one day become a fine queen, as you are, Mother, worthy of serving Pars and her people like my lord father, but I know that will take hard work. Vahirz tells me I'm making swift progress, but I know that even when the day comes where I do supposedly master the sword completely there is still more to learn. Vahirz always says-."

"Good," said Queen Tahamenay, unemotional.

Without bidding Ianthe farewell then continued on her way with her lady's-in-waiting in order to attend to her royal duties, leaving Ianthe in the dust as she always did.

Honestly, who was she kidding? Ianthe seriously wondered why she even bothered with her mother anymore

Queen Tahamenay never really chose to spend much time with her anyway leaving her in the hands of numerous tutors and combat instructors. Still that didn't make it hurt any less when she wouldn't give proper praise and recognition where it's due.

At Queen Tahamenay's departure Vahirz returned to the Crown Princesses side.

"Vahirz, what does it mean to be a fine queen. Despite all my lessons I fear I don't know," asked Ianthe, somber.

Placing a hand on Ianthe's shoulder, Vahirz chuckled "To the contrary you do indeed know, my Princess. You just need the opportunity to show it."

"I hope it is very long from now and that my fathers reign continues for years to come," said Ianthe, smiling.

"As we all do," concurred Vahirz.

Authors Note:

Hope you guys like this one. Right now this one is just a filler chapter the next one will definitely be a hell of a lot longer. At least I plan for it to be. I do try to make the new chapters for each update long for my readers.

I hope this one gave you guys some more insight on the relationship between Ianthe and Queen Tahamenay as things progress further with the story's plotline.

Also, the reasons Princess Ianthe's beauty is mentioned in this case will come later in the story. Remember she is the heir for the throne as future Queen of Pars. I trust this maybe will give you guys a hint at what is to come. I'm sure you all came make your own guesses from there on out. Ha. Ha. ;)

Also, as you could probably tell from the previous chapter I'm probably going to put in Game of Thrones style of dresses in for Ianthe. For you Game of Thrones fans reading this if you have any suggestions of dresses that may suit Ianthe please be free to let me know. Just tell me the season, episode, and character that was wearing it and I'll see which situations that Ianthe may come to wear it. I already have some in mind, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. I always do.