One Hundred refusals (20)

A serialised romantic fantasy

Previously…Chapter 19

“Up so early, my love?” Prince Sturnus’ voice sang sweeter than a bird’s song. Pearl stood by the window of the newlywed chamber, observing how the light of the rising sun played over the ring hung on a fine golden chain around her neck. She didn’t dare to lay down next to Sturnus. When she crept into the chamber a while ago, Pearl changed her maid’s attire to the silk nightdress of the newlywed Queen, and stood waiting by the window. All she could think of was Val; his strong arms, his hot body, his…

“My dearest love, I wish you’d join me here in bed. Surely, there’s still time before breakfast…” Prince Sturnus had a dreamy smile from one ear to the other. This had been the best night of his life, he couldn’t wait to make it his best morning by making love to the woman he held in his arms last night.

“I cannot. The sun is rising. I’m sure your father will want the midwife to test me first thing in the morning,” Pearl replied, not giving him a glance. She couldn’t bear to look him in the eye. Though the prince was pleased, Pearl was full of shame for deceiving her childhood friend Sturnus.

“I do not care about…” he said quite stubbornly but then a loud knock on the door broke his resistance.

“It’s father…” he moaned.

Indeed, King Olor entered without permission, with an elderly Birdling woman following him.

“Still in bed, son? Get up, boy, it’s late. We, Birdlings wake with the sun. Go, get dressed!” He commanded.

“Yes, father,” Sturnus gave Pearl the saddest look, wrapped into his robe, and marched to his chamber.

King Olor stood outside while the midwife tested Pearl. When the elderly woman came out with her verdict, the king was pleased.

Prince Sturnus was waiting for Pearl in the hallway, he grabbed her hand, and tried to pull her closer.

“Pearl, my love, why must we wait? Come to my chamber, let us… enjoy each other’s company like we did last night.”

“We cannot, the breakfast…” Pearl replied coldly pushing the prince away.

“…is very important. Especially this breakfast,” Val finished her sentence. He emerged from the shadow of the hallway, where he had obviously been waiting for Pearl. Lord Valeur, the Queen’s steward, offered her his arm. Prince Sturnus could not un-see the tender warmth blooming in the eyes of the other two.

“I believe you are expected in your chamber, my Lord,” Val addressed the prince, “I heard the royal seamstress cursing about the delay.”

Unwillingly, Sturnus let go of Pearl, gave the two a look full of suspicion, and walked away.

Val accompanied Pearl to the Queen’s chamber. Both kissed sweetly the moment Sturnus was out of sight.

“Soon, my love,” Val whispered.

“We just have to survive the breakfast,” Pearl replied.

She entered the Queen’s chamber to the sight of Gema and Ash kissing in bed.

“Can’t you two wait until after breakfast?!” Pearl scolded them.

“Can’t you knock?!” Gema snapped right back.

Ash laughed, “you two truly are sisters, alike in every way.”

“Not in every way,” Gema said straightening her back, so that her prominent breasts were well displayed in the tight maid’s dress. Indeed, she was more gifted than Pearl when it came to curves.

The latter rolled her eyes.

“Would Lord Ashier be so kind to leave us until breakfast?”

“Of course, my Lady! Though the sight of you two is truly enchanting, I shall leave,” Ash kissed Gema’s hand, she gave him the most hateful stare. He leaned closer to her.

“You are my only love,” Ash whispered in her ear, kissed her neck, only to turn into a snake the next moment, and slither into the gap under the door.

Gema got out of bed. There they stood, two women with identical faces, the same chestnut-brown hair, the same blue eyes. Pearl was more slender, and pale, Gema - slightly more round in the breasts and hips, her red cheeks blooming with health which comes only from living a happy childhood.

“I wish I had known our mother. And father,” was the first thing Pearl said, and Gema burst out in tears. She expected a heated confrontation, a fight for power, but not this.

“They were wonderful,” Gema said, wiping her eyes. “Father remembered you before his death. He never forgot his little Pearl.”

Though trained to endure hardships, Pearl-the-Birdling-spy broke down in tears. Both sisters embraced, and cried, and cried…until somebody knocked on the door.

“Are you ready, my Lady?” It was Cinnia.

“Pearl, you have the same rights to the throne of Hebeny as I do…”

“No, I don’t want it. I’m not the Queen of Hebeny, you are. We will set things right after breakfast.”

“So be it! Let’s get ready,” both teary-eyed sisters smiled at each other.

***

It was a lovely wedding breakfast, and the court were surprised to see prince Sturnus showing his wife more affection than he had done these last months. He tried to guess her every wish, he kissed her hand whenever he could, and looked at her teary-eyed from happiness. On the other hand, Queen Geminaris was the coldest lover, keeping her restraint, obviously. What the court did not see was poor Cinnia rushing out the hall at the sight of prince Sturnus slobbering all over Pearl. Also, Lord Valeur sat grim as a brooding rain cloud, observing the newlyweds. But that was no surprise, for all knew he had been pining for the Queen ever since they first met. King Olor was possibly the most cheerful man at the table, but the High born Hebenians present did not share his joy. This alliance was most suspicious. Clearly king Olor had his influence on the Queen, and his motives were not rooted in peace, but in dominance over both kingdoms of Avem, and Hebeny. But the Queen’s will was to be honoured.

The breakfast had almost come to an end, Pearl felt Sturnus’ impatience sizzling in the air between them. His hands shook, he licked his lips, this man was overtaken by lust.

She was relieved when, finally, a servant entered the hall, leading a guest to the table. All court stared surprised; which guest of the wedding came this late?

It was a peculiar servant; his perfect, coal-black hair swayed in the rhythm of his determined stride. Bright green eyes graced his pale face. It was non other than Lord Ashier, and the court knew him well.

But the Lady following him was the reason the court gasped, and murmured. The Lady wore a red silk dress, she walked raising her chin high. A tiny blue tit bird sat on her shoulder. She was a true Queen, in fact, she looked exactly like the Queen… the court froze in deadly silence, while the Lady’s footsteps echoed across the hall. She stopped opposite the Queen.

“I am the real Queen Geminaris. I have returned to claim my throne,” she said loudly.

The court erupted in noise of shock, nobody heard king Olor’s objections, until his booming voice rang like a dark bell,

“She is a shameless imposter! Guards, seize her!”

“Nobody shall touch this woman. Indeed, she is Queen Geminaris, kidnaped by King Olor, to replace her with princess Pearl, his spy,” said Ash. Though disguised as a servant, he was a true Lord protecting his Queen. He pulled out his sword, shielding Gema, his green eyes shining like furious emeralds.

“It is true,” said Pearl. She got up, reached over the table, and simply placed the Queen’s crown upon Gema’s head. “She is the real Queen. I am her sister, stolen as an infant by Birdlings.”

The court exploded.

“Pearl, what are you doing?!” Sturnus whispered but king Olor pulled out his sword, charging at the two Queens, and a flock of black birds guarding him, followed his example, turning into a hundred Birdling soldiers.