Valyha sat as she watched as the Emperor who trapped her in this castle, dancing with a woman in his arm, in the middle of the ball.
The girl has fair, blonde hair, dark blue eyes. She was pretty too. Her dress was fine as well. But what she adored the most were her shoes. Blue leather heels with the design of flowers a different shade of blue. It was immaculate.
Valyha held on to the frame of her glasses, Intrigued. Demons could… dance? Things like this were truly strange.
If That Lethivi man had really styled her, maybe it wouldn't be that bad after all. Maybe.
"My lady you wear glasses?" Hiriah asked as she bent so her face was next to Valyha's ears. How had she noticed only now?
Valyha waved, "no. I only use it sometimes."
Hiriah deadpanned. That's the same thing. "I think it looks pretty on you?"
Valyha's eyes flickered to look at Hiriah. "You think so?"
"Yes. It's well-crafted and it fits your face well," Hiriah said earnestly. Though she had already prepared herself for the foul response from her lady.
Valyha's head tilted up in pride. "It really does, doesn't it? Well anything would look good on me." Valyha smirked to herself.
Hiriah resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If she got a penny for every time Valyha praised herself.
"Sit down, next to me," Valyha stated clearly.
"We are your Maidens, only servants and protectors. We are not allowed to sit, in a public meeting as this, Your Highness," Hiriah blurted, flustered.
"Am I not your queen?" Valyha asked.
"Then sit down," Valyha commanded.
Hiriah paled but bowed anyway. "As you wish."
Hiriah dragged a seat and sat down with her back straight. She felt uncomfortable to be sitting as if she was a part of the High court officials.
But she was merely fulfilling her duty, that's all. That was what she told herself to make her feel less guilty.
The other maidens watched Hiriah sit down with shock on their faces. What was she doing!
"The rest of you sit. There's still chairs left," Valyha commanded with a smug look. "Fill my seats so I feel more important."
The maidens wanted to protest but Hiriah turned her head back and shot them a look.
The girls hurriedly sat around Valyha's table.
They were a bit shy as they felt out of place. They were the only maidens who were sitting down. Oh, they could already feel the confused gazes directed at them.
Valyha wrapped an arm around Hiriah's neck, as she crossed her legs. Earning a shriek from Hiriah.
She was touching her. Why!
"So, you never got around to tell me about your Emperor," Valyha said as she pulled Hiriah close with a big smile.
Hiriah's eyebrows knitted. Was this the same woman who was cold a few days ago. She never could understand the woman, cruel to jolly in seconds.
"Of course, your Highness, what about him do you want to know?" Hiria said softly.
Valyha directed her gazed at the two dancing in the center. Najeer and Evere. "For one you can start with explaining what is happening. I am not confused though, just curious."
"Jealous are we?" Hiriah hinted with a knowing look.
"Of who? That demonic oversized mosquito." Valyha bursted out into laughter before morphing into a deadpan. "Oh. Never. But- I don't seem to understand the point of today. Why are we, all gathered here?"
Hiriah gave Valyha a look. "My queen, have you not been paying attention for the past week?"
Valyha had a guilty look. "Of course I have. I am perfect! But In case I need a reminder, what is going on?"
Hiriah sighed mentally. She couldn't tell if Valyha was dumb or just ignorant. But she wasn't surprised, most girls with the looks of Valyha weren't usually the smartest. As their face already got everything for them before their brains had to work.
"We're at the Fayere feast. A feast welcoming the Emperor's new brides. It is also a meeting for the Emperor to assign temporary ranks in the Harem to assure peace so everyone knows their place."
Valyha placed a finger on her lips. "Oh I see."
Her eyes watched as Najeer twirled the delicate girl before proceeding to move in sync. "But he has been dancing with the other girl for a while now?"
Hiriah outwardly sighed. "The Emperor picks the girls he wants at the top of his Harem by dancing with them."
Hiriah sighed as she returned her attention back to the Emperor and his muse.
This is the reason we're dead last, Hiriah thought to herself. Valyha was never going to be Empress
A smile couldn't help but spread on his lips as a certain someone had been strangely staring at him for hours.
"Your Majesty, may I speak with you please," a soft voice called his attention.
Najeer gazed down to see Everette looking up at him with fear and softness in her eyes. His pupils dilated
"You may," he gave her a gentle look.
"What did you think of your mother's garment on me," Ever asked softly
"You looked strikingly similar to her?" Najeer answered.
"Did that upset you?" Evere asked. "That I wore your mother's clothes."
Najeer's lips pressed silent for a while.
"What truly matters was your experience wearing it. Was the engagement pleasing to you?" Najeer turned the question around.
"It was, your Majesty." Evere soft high pitched voice said as she paused just looking at him. "Would it be strange to say that I missed you? I waited as you asked."
"I am aware," Najeer's lips spread into a small icy yet genuine smile, recalling the result of the test. "I missed you too."
The first time she had seen him smile. Even before he went out for war he was a stranger to smiles.
Just like that, it was all worth it. Waiting nearly a century without the embrace or company of another in her bed. There were several lonely nights. Just for this very moment.
For him.
Valyha felt like hurling as she watched the two, from a distance. The Emperor and Ever were looking into each other's eyes filled with pure emotions.
She looked away nearly puking. What was this? Right here in front of everyone, they were acting too romantic and lovey-dovey. Gross.
To be honest Valyha never thought she would ever see this side of her enemy.
To think that even demons could love too was disgusting. Where they normal like… humans? No it couldn't be. Impossible.
At the end of the song, their hands separated and Evere bent her head as she raised her dress a bit.
Evere returned back to her seat only to be greeted by the eager smiles from her maidens. They seemed pleased with her.
Najeer's eyes followed her until she was settled in her station.
On the other hand he gazed at the two empty seats that should have belonged to Roriana and Salvyiti.
He had to dance with three people tonight. That left queen Aijah and queen Valyha.
Najeer glanced towards Valyha for a split second. Before turning away and walking towards queen Aijah.
Her eyes twinkled as he stretched a hand leading her into a dance. The music started and their bodies moved on the dance floor.
The dance was almost as long with Evere. There was no conversation on either of the two side.
After the dance queen Aijah returned to her seat, feeling overwhelmed. A dance with the Emperor was more than what she imagined. He was light on his feet, leading gently and gracefully.
Finally Najeer had to dance with his third chosen. It wasn't more of a chosen anymore because of the absence of the other two women. All he had left to dance with was.
His eyes flickered towards Valyha momentarily. He shuddered at the thought of the human prisoner as he glanced away and walked back to sit on his throne.
Sometimes tradition was meant to be broken.
Hiriah and the other witnesses in the room practically dropped their jaw. The Emperor wouldn't choose queen Valyha as his third even if she was the only option.
Valyha didn't know why she felt this. But she was gravely offended!
All this wouldn't even be happening if she could summon her mirrors. "What does he take me for?"
It was then Valyha's maidens were starting to see queen Valyha's true position. She was the least among the main wives.
Hiriah frowned with a sigh. Even if queen Valyha was the least main wife, she was still a main wife. Still a relatively good position.
'Meet me by the garden,' a male voice commanded
Valyha looked around as she couldn't recognized the voice. "Did you hear that?"
"Yes the music is quite nice."
"No. I heard a voice," Valyha pointed. "I think it's in my head?"
"You must have been imagining things." Hiriah dismissed.
"What? Are you calling me mad?" Valyha frowned.
Just then the priest rose to his feet as the moon casted over a pool in the center.
"The hour is here."