“You know as well as I do, that this is a delicate situation Alaya has been placed in. Are you seriously going to be putting her in danger because of your ridiculous whims? She is here as a Lady of the Court. A title that is rightfully hers I may remind you. Do you really believe that they would ever allow you to marry such a woman? Moreover, do you honestly believe they have not already selected a suitor? All you are doing is defiling her name and putting her life in jeopardy. We are here to protect her. Do not forget that again.”

***

The sun seemed to take forever to rise that morning. Since they left my room all I’d done are mull over what had happened. I tried to sleep, but my brain just would not quiet. What happened last night? Liam..? Did he? Was he going to kiss me...? I've never been kissed. I've had far too much to do in life to play silly games and I still do not have time for it. I have a job to do.

I crawled out of bed and found a fresh pair of clothes sitting on the bench from last night. It was a faded red dress with white silk accents. The dress was as eccentric as the cloth that surrounded the room and far too flashy for my taste. Whomever left the dress had also laid out beautifully intricate red shoes to match.

A brush was sitting on the vanity along with some more simplistic makeup options. At least whomever did this didn't expect much in that department.

I sat down and brushed out the tangles in my hair. I applied a minimal amount of makeup, before slipping into the dress and shoes. When I stopped to look in the mirror. It was as if a stranger was staring back. The clothes shaped me into what the ideal noblewoman should look like. With the makeup and finally taking the time to adequately brush my hair, I looked more like a woman than I had in years.

As I stepped out of the doorway to my room, I saw what I had missed in the darkness of the night before. The structure surrounding me was made entirely of intricately carved stone. Magnificent dragons were engraved into the pillars that held up the stone slabs, making up the walls. Strikingly beautiful designs were carved into every inch of the building. Large ruby-colored carpets laid out along the corridors leading towards the center of the immaculately designed palace, and to the East side, the walls opened into an astonishingly gorgeous garden landscape. The castle was exquisite.

“I see you’re up early.” Eák's voice sounded from the corridor. He was leaning against the doorway to his and Liam's room. His voice again had that smooth flirtation it usually did. Whatever had happened last night must have been resolved.

“Good morning Eák,” I said, though I couldn't help but wonder where Liam had gotten off too.

“Loverboy is still resting.” He said with a knowing look. “He needs to rest, and you have an important meeting to get too.”

I did not protest. I realized my behavior from last night was not appropriate and I would not perpetuate that conversation.

“The dress suits you well,” Eák said as he led me down the halls of the Castle. I was not sure if it was just me, but he seemed to know where he was going.

“Wait, did you have this brought for me?” The question hadn't occurred to me until now. This was an expensive piece of cloth. Nothing a soldier could afford.

“Don't think too hard on it. You are a Lady. I just told them your luggage was to be transported separately and had not yet arrived.”

“Oh.” That makes sense.

“Here we are. I will not be attending with you, when you get there, try not to say too much. The Queen is not fully aware of this situation, though she does know of your military conquests, it is important that she believes you have been sent here for the purpose of finding an eligible suitor for your station.” He relayed all of this, opened the door and then ushered me inside.

“Be careful and good luck” He whispered finally.

Inside of the hall, I was alone. It was a grand room with pillars on all sides. At the far end there sat three thrones. Though all different sizes the one in the center was much grander than the rest. Each was upholstered in a different color. The one to the right was blue, the one in the center red and the one to the left was a deep purple. It was clear the King was to sit in the center, as it was the largest and most grand of the thrones, and the Queen to his right. But what of the third chair? Could that be for their child? I knew they had yet to have one. It is one of the reasons believed for the recent conflict. Without a clear line of succession, it becomes difficult to sustain a kingdom, even one as prosperous as Shera.