One Hundred Refusals (10)

A serialised romantic fantasy

Previously Chapter 9

When she stood in front of the mirror after some hours, dressed in an ivory-white dress, richly embroidered with thousands of tiny emeralds and golden threads, Pearl felt victorious. Her moment of triumph was nearing. She will fulfil her mission. The only thing missing was the crown on her head.

Poor maids and seamstresses were buzzing around her like a furious beehive; the dress fitted perfectly just last week, but now it was loose in all the strangest places and they had to work hard to make the last minute alterations.

“Oh, our dear Lady hasn’t been eating well lately,” Cinnia reassured them.

The Coronation was pompous and long, but Pearl was well-prepared. All admired the Queen’s calm dignity and confidence. Her hands were steady and her posture stately. Though she did not smile, all agreed - she would be a good leader.

The Coronation Pearl endured successfully; nobody suspected the imposter taking Gema’s place. But then came the feast…

The freshly made Queen had to change the heavy gown to a lighter one. The royal seamstresses whimpered trying to adjust the dress to Pearl’s firm curves, all the while wondering - how could the dress not fit, when it was perfect a couple of days ago? Even the Queen’s breasts seemed to have shrunk!

It was a lovely emerald gown, and Pearl indeed looked beautiful, despite the hasty adjustments, but poor Cinnia was a nervous wreck all evening, sitting on Pearl’s shoulder and chirping,

“Do smile, my Lady! Remember to smile!”

“I am smiling, Cinnia! My cheeks hurt from smiling already,” Pearl grunted back through her teeth.

Pearl failed miserably; she didn’t possess Gema’s grace or her cheerful way of conversing with every single guest. Gema loved feasts, Pearl, obviously loathed them.

“Oh, your dancing, my Lady…” Cinnia squeaked in Pearl’s ear.

“What?!”

“You’re stiffer than a wooden board, my Lady.”

“I do all the right steps, I know them perfectly,” Pearl retorted.

“It’s obvious you are not enjoying yourself.”

“Cinnia, leave me!” Pearl gasped infuriated.

“But…”

“Now!”

The little birdie flew out of the hall. The celebration was enormous, hundreds and hundreds of guests. Some arrived shortly before the Coronation; therefore, they came to greet the Queen at the feast. Two guests were particularly notable - the Lord of the Birdlings King Olor and his only son Prince Sturnus. The black haired and black-bearded King Olor came to the throne, his bird-like eyes darted at the Queen like two blades, she greeted him with a deep bow and those standing close to the Queen could even see fear in her eyes. Prince Sturnus, quite the opposite, gave the Queen a shy smile and she greeted the prince quite cheerfully. Little did the court know, a few years ago Pearl and Sturnus would spend their afternoons together doing their childish mischiefs… Both were friends, both knew their marriage was arranged ever since the two were babies. Perhaps that was the reason for the prince’s melancholic character; the sight of his bird-like eyes was always dreamy and sorrowful. The prince had no hope for a happy future, he and Pearl both were tools in his father’s hands and he would use them to gain more power.

The feast went on with the guests pondering about how Lady Gema, their new Queen has changed ever since her father’s death. No feasts were held until the Coronation, and the Queen had obviously forgotten how to enjoy herself. Her dancing lacked grace and passion, she did not speak much and nearly every smile seemed forced. Apparently, the Queens grief had changed her beyond recognition…

Only two dances did the Queen obviously enjoy. Prince Sturnus asked her to dance, and both skipped and floated together like two birds; little did the guests know, Pearl learned every single dance with Sturnus, their smiles were light and the moves complimented each other’s.

But then came Lord Valeur. His nose looked somewhat swollen, though the poor man had held a towel-wrapped ice block to his nose all morning. Nevertheless, it added to his masculine charm and the ladies sighed woefully whenever he passed.

He bowed to the Queen and kissed her hand, and Pearl swallowed hard following him to the dance floor. Oh, she forgot all her worries when Val held her close and raised her into the air. Pearl’s feet barely touched the floor, Val was a perfect dancer and she hardly had to put any effort into her dancing. Pearl got lost completely, looking into Val’s eyes. She was there in the deepest forests of Avem, safe and sound, hidden from all the yelling and scolding, embraced by the soft darkness. The dance passed like a blink of an eye. Pearl bowed awkwardly and Val led her back to the festive table. Both lingered standing close.

“I believe the next dance belongs to my son, your highness,” a harsh voice broke the silence. It was King Olor, standing behind Val.

“Of course, it does,” the Queen replied submissively. Val gave the prince an arrogant smirk; prince Sturnus wasn’t half as charming and stately as him. The prince held all the sadness of a poet both in his eyes and his posture. King Olor cleared his throat, and the prince slightly straightened his back.

The Queen danced with prince Sturnus yet again, they smiled and for a moment it appeared the old Lady Gema was back. Someone watched her from the shadows of the hall - Lord Ashier was present at the feast. He did not approach the Queen and kept out of sight.

The Queen left the feast at midnight. At midnight! It was scandalous in the Hebenian court, where the feasts would last long after midnight. The King or Queen leaving meant the end of the feast. But - oh well, guests sighed and bowed goodbye to their exhausted Queen.

***

Pearl fell into bed. Cinnia was apparently cross with her, she didn’t show up. Pearl touched the crown on her head; finally her goal was achieved!

“It suits you well,” a voice said in the darkness. Pearl jumped up, just to find herself in the arms of a black-haired man with shining green eyes. Before she knew it, the man pressed his cold lips on hers. The cold minty touch of his lips, she did not find pleasant. Unlike with Lord Valeur, this time Pearl was ready. She pulled a dagger out of her gown and held it against the man’s throat.

“A dagger! Oh, Gema, you shouldn’t have. I think we have enough fun without any toys,” the green-eyes smirked.

“Leave my chamber this instant whoever you are!” Pearl shrieked, “guards! Guards! Help!”

“Not in the mood? Pity… I only wished to give you a very special present on your Coronation Day. Maybe I could persuade you to accept my offer…”

“Be gone, you monster!” Pearl screamed. The guards ran in but saw nobody but her - the stranger had turned into a black snake and slithered into the dark.

Lord Ashier appeared further down the hallway, straightened the black collar of his shirt and marched forward overtaken by thoughts.

***

“Why didn’t you warn me?!” Pearl yelled at Cinnia as the maid entered the Queen’s chambers with the breakfast trey.

“Warn you, My Lady?”

“I hardly slept a minute!”

“My Lady?”

“The man, Cinnia! A snake-like man entered my chamber at night! A man in a maiden’s chamber at night, Cinnia!” Pearl screamed furiously.

“Oh… that’s just Lord Ashier, don’t mind him…” Cinnia shrugged.

“Lord Ashier?! The one who cursed my sister? Why…? How…?”

“Honestly, I do not understand what my Lady Gema found in him. It was her… erm… guilty pleasure, I guess.”

Pearl sat with her mouth ajar.

“She corrupted her flesh with that… that… I would maybe understand her craving for Lord Valeur, but that… snake?!”

“So, you like Lord Valeur?! I knew it! How can you not like him?!”

“Yes, I must admit he’s handsome. I am not blind, Cinnia!” Pearl retorted.

Cinnia gave a cheeky smirk.

“Even if I did like him, it wouldn’t matter. I am to fulfil my mission! For Avem!” Pearl placed her palm on her heart - a gesture used by those serving the Kingdom of Avem.

“For Avem,” Cinnia replied with the same gesture.

“Today I shall announce my engagement to Prince Sturnus,” Pearl said sternly, but sighed right after, “it’s what I was raised to do.”

“You do not want it, my Lady, I can tell.”

“Nobody cares what I want, Cinnia,” Pearl said and spoke no more. She ate her breakfast with a speed of a soldier. Got up, bathed, and got dressed; the shocked Cinnia stared at her; all of that took Pearl merely a half an hour.

“My Lady Gema would never wear that to her first day as the Queen,” Cinnia murmured angrily, whilst buttoning the back of the dress, it was a dull grey gown, which Gema wore whilst grieving for her father.

Pearl snorted at the remark but said nothing.

I shall not continue my sister’s perverted ways, she thought.

A loud knock intruded the silence of the chamber.

“It’s Lord Valeur, my Lady!” Cinnia chirped exited, after peeking out.

“Lord Valeur? What does he want?” Pearl blinked nervously.

“He’s your royal steward. It’s his duty to serve you in each and every way you wish…” Cinnia’s expression was dreamy to say the least, “he also escorts you around the castle, as your loyal servant and guard.”

“Why did my sister choose him?! Out of all men…”

“You must go, my Lady!”

Pearl cleared her throat, gave a quick look at the mirror, stroke her dress, and went to the door.

“My Queen,” Lord Valeur bowed gracefully, and, of course, kissed Pearl’s hand. She couldn’t help but tremble from head to toes; Lord Valeur was the handsomest man she had ever seen, and the touch of his lips was softer than a moth’s wing.

“You shine brighter than the sunrise, my Queen.”

“Do I?” Pearl could not get used to his complements. Val merely smiled at her bewilderment and offered his arm to escort the Queen to the Throne Hall. Though Pearl held on gingerly, she still felt Val’s tight muscles beneath his clothes. Never before in her life had Pearl felt desire, and even now she shook the vile thoughts away.

“Are you unwell, my Queen?”

When Val’s deep dark eyes found Pear’s blue ones, she lost every trace of sensible thought within her head. All Pearl could do was gaze in his eyes stunned. And when he smiled, she felt her knees tremble, and a sudden urge for her lips to touch Val’s struck her heart. Oh, how Pearl wished they would be going to the blooming orchard right now! But, alas, Val led the Queen to the Throne Hall. The court waited and the Coronation guests as well - most of them wished to say farewell and leave. Not all; Pearl knew two guests who were expecting to be invited for a longer stay - king of Birdlings Olor and his son, prince Sturnus.

All rose when the Queen entered. Pearl played her role well, although the court had noticed a certain coldness to the Queen’s smile and stiffness in her moves. She had sacrificed her charm to her obligations of the Queen - the court pondered. Of course, Queen Geminaris wanted to be taken seriously, her sudden change of behaviour was understandable.

All guests came up to the throne and said their farewells. Pearl flinched at the sight of Lord Ash approaching. His cunning snake’s eyes observed her every move and Pearl felt exposed and discovered for a second. But the second passed, Lord Ash turned to leave.

When the Birdling King Olor and prince Sturnus came up to the Throne, the Queen stepped closer to the prince, cleared her throat and demanded silence. Pearl had rehearsed her speech numerous times, under the scrupulous supervision of King Olor himself. The speech was his creation, carefully crafted for the occasion. Must not infuriate the Hebenian Nobles!

“As the Queen of my beloved Hebeny, I am determined to devote my life for the Kingdom’s prosperity and growth, doing all and everything in my power to make my kingdom flourish more than ever. A kingdom is in need of an heir, and I am in need of a King to assist me in this noble cause…”

The Nobles of the court stared at the Queen standing near prince Sturnus and quiet, disapproving murmurs rolled in waves across the hall. Pearl clutched her fists and kept going with her speech. King Olor was, as a matter of fact, breathing on the back of her neck, she had no escape, no choice but to finish her speech as good as she could.

“…therefore, I announce my Engagement with Prince Sturnus of Avem, to strengthen both of our Kingdoms. I do believe the Nobles shall have questions about my sudden decision, but let me assure you, I do not take this engagement lightly and I shall do my very best to explain my reasons. King Olor and Prince Sturnus are welcome to stay in the citadel of Hebeny until the wedding at the end of the summer.”

The court erupted with angry murmurs growing into openly hostile shouts from the Nobles, but something else had caught Pearl’s eye; she had turned her head to her steward. The look in Lord Valeur’s eyes was the one of pure heartache. His heart broke before her eyes. A sound of shattering glass sounded from the darkest corner of the hall; Pearl turned her sight toward the noise, and she saw two green eyes shining in the dark with pain and despair within them.

Oh, it’s just the snake! Let him pine over my sister, I do not care! What did she find in that cold, devious…”

“My Lady,” Val’s hoarse voice woke her, “the Nobles clearly demand an explanation.”

“Of course! I shall call a meeting right away,” Pear and king Olor exchanged meaningful looks; it was all thought through, Pearl knew her part well.

“My Lady,” Lord Val whispered, escorting Pear to the Councill Hall. They walked close. “I did not know this… When…? Your feelings toward Prince Sturnus. You did not mention him before. I don’t understand.”

“I wish to reconnect with my mother’s peoples. What’s not to understand? Some things have changed while you were away,” Pearl attempted to act coldly toward Lord Val, but when their eyes met, her heart jumped up cheerfully and she forgot everything - her mission, her virtue, even her name…

“But I thought… “ he had to shut his mouth, because they had entered the meeting with a fussy crowd of the Nobles buzzing angrily. Pearl straightened her back and tackled their questions and objections with answers she has been taught to say. It was a true battle. Pearl was exhausted. The meeting lingered until lunch. And continued afterward. Poor Pearl; king Olor and his son joined the meeting and the king began a lengthy argument with the council of the Nobles. Pearl served as the referee between the hostile forces. The evening crept on the meeting. Both the tired Nobles and king Olor attacked her with questions and accusations. The air in the hall got hot and stuffy, Pearl gasped for air - this day was beyond her strengths.

“Air! The Queen needs air! She must leave at once!” Lord Val’s melodious voice resounded through the hall. He saw Pearl barely standing up straight. The Nobles parted as Val led her out. He took her by the hand and went out of the castle and into the garden. The air was wonderfully fresh, the spring evening crept like a timid lover, stars glaring between the fresh new leaves.

“Thank you,” Pearl said, when they came near the blooming orchard, “I cannot believe, I failed. How could I? I should’ve been ready. It was my purpose, to become the Queen.”

“My Lady, you did not fail! It was too much! A day like this could’ve driven a wise man mad! Those there,” he pointed at the castle, “know no decency! To torture my Queen all day long…”

They stood in between the blooming trees. When Pearl heard him say “my Queen” and looked into his eyes, something broke inside of her. The scent of spring flowers in the air, the soft wind whispering in her ears, Val’s eyes looking at her, his lips speaking to her… his lips… the next thing Pearl felt was the beautiful sensation of their lips pressed together. She did not know how it happened, nor did she care. She wished to forget herself in his arms, and she did. There was no Pearl or the Queen, there were only Val’s lips igniting her senses, his strong arms holding her tight, Val’s warm, masculine body embracing her. Their kisses grew more and more fiery. It appeared Val, the Thief of Hearts had lost his head; he laid his Queen down into the blooming patch of lilies of the valley. They tumbled kissing in the flowers, hidden in the fragrant darkness. Somewhere in the back of her mind, Pearl heard the voice of reason, speaking the words of her Birdling teachers - you must be virtuous! You must be strong! You must do what we tell you!

Not now! Not this time! She thought stubbornly.