270 Days Ago

Mirrors everywhere. Extravagant, oval framed gold mirrors crafted by the Goddess Desire herself, mirrors imbued with delicate magic. That’s how one would describe the Temple of Desire in the Isle Province of Benna.

While Sharra was in Galassia, Emmar was here, talking to an older gray haired gentleman, her father, Jode. The two had been discussing the Queen for over ten minutes.

“Remember, look her directly in the eyes.” He repeated for the fifth time. “And don’t say anything about her hair.”

“I know, father.” Emmar groaned. “Is the Queen that bad?”

“She’s not bad,” He responded slowly. “just…indifferent.”

“And indifference is bad?”

“It makes her unpredictable.”

Emmar took a deep breath, as she held her father’s hands.

Behind them, a door creaked open.

A bulky man entered. “The boat is ready.”

The two were set to leave for Thalassia where Emmar was to be crowned the Pariesa of the Isle.

Jode nodded, then gestured for the man to leave.

As soon as the door was fully closed again, Jode turned his attention back to his daughter.

“Remember, your agenda is to get close to the Queen.” He stressed. “You are close in age, so you have an advantage that I didn’t.”

Emmar nodded then closed her eyes.

“You’ve heard the stories. Use your natural charms. You have many people depending on you. Don’t let them down.” Jode continued on.

Emmar took another deep breath. She had been counting down the days for this day. A day to not only see the Queen again, but the day she would enact her own plan to fulfill her family’s agenda...reclaim Benna and her rightful throne.

Once her father was done rambling, Emmar opened her eyes and a wide smile formed on her face. “I’m going to get back what’s rightfully ours, father. I promise.”

***

“Wow.” Emmar gasped. “It’s more beautiful than I remembered.”

Once Jode and Emmar made it to the Thalassia coast and the Grand Palace came into clear view, Emmar’s jaw dropped. She was awed by its vibrant and decorated structure. The last time she was in Thalassia was over a decade ago.

As they were disembarking from their boat, a young man wearing loose fabric greeted them.

“Jode!” The young man shouted. “It’s nice seeing you.”

“Polem!” Jode shouted back. “Give us a minute, will you?!”

Emmar’s dress had somehow caught onto something.

Upon realization, Polem rushed over. “Let me help.”

After a quick investigation, the three realized the ruffles at the bottom caught onto a loose nail.

After Polem removed the nail, the three carefully disembarked off the boat and walked towards the palace, in silence.

Halfway there, Jode stopped walking.

“Wait,” He shouted. “my manners, I must introduce you to my daughter.”

Jode grabbed onto his daughter’s right hand. “This is Emmar.”

Polem immediately bowed his head. “It is my honor, Emmar. I am Polem, the Overseer of the Thalassia Coast.”

Emmar gave him a small smile. “You may lift your head, Polem. I am no Royal.”

“Not yet.” Polem and Jode said at the same time.

For a very long second, Polem and Emmar just stood there, face to face, staring into each other's eyes.

Emmar thought he was good looking, but she also knew today was not the day for that. I’ll come back for you. She thought to herself.

“Well…..” Jode started, interrupting the moment the two were having. “Take us to the Queen then.”

***

The last time Emmar entered the Grand Place, she was fourteen. The only thing she remembered was the large indoor basins and the sound of hissing. Skyran Snakes.

Polem had led them to the hallway outside of the Throne Room, where they waited to be called in. Inside, Sharra was holding a brief meeting about how she would like to proceed with the Biannual Ball.

As time went on, Emmar started to aggressively chew on her lower lip.

“Stop it.” Jode hissed at her.

“What’s taking so long?” She whined.

“Be patient.”

To distract herself, Emmar sought out a mirror. To her surprise, there weren’t many in the palace. She made a mental note to find out why.

Earlier though, she spotted one at the end of the hallway and sought after it. She took a long look at herself in the mirror, admiring the dress her mother picked out. A flowy crimson red dress with cream ruffles at the bottom.

As she stared longer, the urge to climb inside of the mirror grew. The essence of Desire inside of her was begging her to climb inside and play her games.

Emmar slowly reached out to touch the mirror, but before she could actually place her fingers upon it, the door to the throne room opened and she heard the sound of fast footsteps.

“Jode!” A man with a rough voice shouted. “Where is she?”

Emmar turned her head towards the noise, making contact with her father.

“Emmar.” Jode shouted, as he waved her over.

Emmar hurried over, stopping in front of the two men.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

She noticed a very fragrant smell.

“Is that rosemary?” She asked, eyebrows raised. “It’s very strong.”

“We were told you like the smell of rosemary.” The man answered. “The Queen requested it.”

“Where is it coming from?”

The man then smiled before extending his hand to Emmar. “Come.”

Emmar hesitantly took his hand and followed him inside where everything changed.

***

“Oh my!” Emmar gasped loudly.

The Throne Room was crowded with rosemary flowers. Purple and white flowers in vases on the tables backed against the walls. Purple and white flowers hanging from the ceiling. They were everywhere.

“Is this all for me?” She whispered.

The woody scent was overwhelming.

She closed her eyes and bathed in it. For a moment, she forgot where she was.

But behind her, a throat suddenly cleared. Jode.

Emmar immediately straightened her stance and turned towards the center of the room where Sharra was sitting on her throne surrounded by five individuals including her husband. She didn’t know them at the time, but two were destined to be her adversaries. Another, a surprising ally. And one, she would be forced to kill.

As her eyes darted between them, she noticed Sharra’s face was void of emotion. She went to bow but Sharra shouted out for her.

“Emmar!” She yelled. “Come closer.”

Emmar glanced back at her father, who nodded for her to go on.

Emmar let out a huge breath then began walking.

As she did, the world around her started to blur. Her heart was beating out of her chest.

“Your Majesty.” Emmar said, as she came to a stop just short of the throne. “It’s my Honor.”

“It’s been a long time, Emmar.”

“Yes, indeed.”

Emmar was puzzled by the Queen’s lack of formal wear. Instead, she was wearing a long indigo, velvet floral dress. She was also barefoot.

Beside Sharra, a man started to cough. Sharra gave him a pointed look.

“This is my husband, Wren.” She said, a hint of anger in her voice. “This is your first meet, I believe.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Emmar took a long look at Wren, taking in his gruff appearance. His face was covered in small, brown dots. She was staring, longer than she intended. Sharra didn’t like it.

“Is there something wrong?” She asked.

A flush of redness covered Emmar’s cheeks. “No, Your Majesty.”

Sharra rolled her eyes, then motioned for someone behind Emmar to come.

A young gentleman rushed over with a scroll in his hand.

“Well, let’s get to it then.”

Emmar nodded.

“Emmar Pyrsiani Manera.” Sharra announced loudly. “Kneel.”

Emmar obeyed quickly.

“I hereby declare you Pariesa of the Isle. Welcome to the Royal Court.”

Emmar frowned. She looked back to her father, then back to the Queen. “Is that it'?”

“I’m sorry?” Sharra questioned.

“That was….”

“Spit it out.”

“A bit…. underwhelming.” Emmar stuttered.

Sharra barked out a laugh and leaned back in her seat. “Tell me then, how can we make this less underwhelming for you.”

Emmar knew she was being a bit reckless questioning the Queen, but a plan is a plan.

She was attempting to stand when the Queen raised her hand.

“I didn’t tell you to stand. Keep kneeling...but go on.”

Emmar smirked.

“I’ll kneel as long as you want me to.” She flirted.

Sharra’s eyes widened, as well as her husband.

“I’m not the Queen, Your Majesty. But—” Emmar rambled on.

“Yes, you’re not.” Sharra interrupted.

“But formal introductions of the royal court wouldn’t have hurt….and maybe foam tea. I’m highly grateful to be in your company.”

Sharra cocked her head. She often opposed flattery. But she remembered what she told Ravyna. But she also remembered that Emmar was no ordinary person.

“If you’re trying to use your charms on me, it’ll never work.” She said instead, followed by a wink. “And it’s a bit insulting to my husband for you to try that here.”

Emmar shook her head. “I didn’t mean any disrespect.” She did.

Emmar heard the rumors. The Queen & King were no longer monogamous.

Emmar also knew she was Sharra’s type.

“She's right.” Someone suddenly spoke. Wren.

Sharra quickly whipped her head in the direction of her husband.

“Maybe, members of the Royal Court should go ahead and introduce themselves….” He said.

Sharra rolled her eyes again.

“Fine.” She huffed. “Dyrka, introduce yourself first.”

A petite woman with white hair, who was sitting behind the Queen, suddenly stood.

“I’m Dyrka. Overseer of Arms.”

A tall gentleman then stood. “I’m Gine. Overseer of Trade.”

A young woman wearing a white satin dress then stood. “Ravyné, Daughter of Ravyna. Overseer of Gates.”

Then finally, a buff gentleman stood. “I’m Sieno, son of Princess Sienna. The Queen’s Cousin and First Advisor.”

“Are you happy now, Emmar?” She asked, a hint of sarcasm in her voice.

Emmar tilted her head, smiling.

“Well, I still don’t have that tea.” She joked.

Sharra slowly shook her head. “You are bold.”

Emmar was fully grinning.

“But I wouldn’t be too bold.” Sharra warned. “If I wanted to, I could sentence you or drown you, right here, right now.”

But Emmar still wasn’t fazed. “But we both knew you wouldn’t.”

“And why is that?” Sharra laughed.

“Your eyes say otherwise.”

In the back, Jode palmed his face.

The room went silent. The tension in the room was palpable. The two were staring each other down.

“Everyone, out.” Sharra yelled suddenly, breaking the moment. “Except for Miss Emmar Pyrsiani.”

Everyone hurried out of the room, leaving the two alone.

When the door closed, Sharra stepped down from her throne. She slowly walked towards Emmar, who was still kneeling.

“Stand.” She ordered.

Emmar swiftly came to her feet.

“Kneel.” She ordered again.

Emmar frowned, but kneeled.

“Stand.” She ordered again.

Emmar started to laugh, but obeyed.

The two were suddenly standing exceptionally close to each other. Both their hearts pounded like a fast drum.

“Do you see, Emmar?” Sharra smirked. “I can do whatever I want with you.”

“Maybe, I like that.” Emmar purred.

Sharra’s breath hitched and eyes grew back.

Her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.

Frustrated, she stepped back and walked back to her seat.

“You can leave now, Emmar.” She ordered, as she crossed her legs.

Emmar slowly nodded. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

Emmar turned on her heels and made her way to the exit. She felt a bit dejected.

Sharra, on the other, watched her with curious eyes. She still didn’t know what she wanted to do with Emmar and the Benna problem. She wasn’t expecting her to be so bold….and to like it.

As Emmar neared the door, Sharra suddenly remembered something she had to say.

“Emmar.” She yelled loudly.

Emmar looked over her shoulder. “Yes.”

“A dinner in your honor is at sunset,” She revealed. “where you will receive your diadem…..Welcome to Thalassia.”

To be continued.