Yet the soul remained, entranced, entwined, A fascination that bound, a fate unrefined.

Drawn to the blaze, both beautiful and dire, They danced with danger, consumed by fire.

Oh, the allure of flames, a symphony of light, A paradox of passion and peril in the night.

A cautionary tale of desire's potent sway, A soul captivated, forever to portray.

Chapter 15: Calling, Gloria

As a child I always imagined myself as a princess; dashing young men would kiss my hand, dances at extravagant balls, a wardrobe with an endless amount of luxury dresses, three full meals a day.

Sadly, Queen Katherine had none of that in her life.

No dances, no men, scant few dresses, no sweets, and leafy greens for breakfast. Seriously a big bowl of sad salad?! No wonder she was so thin!

Well, I can’t eat this. Where’d that servant get to?

“Hello?” I called. The dining room was big enough to fit my entire cottage back in Winchestre. If my cousins and second cousins were here, it wouldn’t be anywhere near as quiet, or clean.

There wasn’t a bit of dust anywhere. And the dishes were spotless. So glad I don’t have to wash them.

“Miss.. er.. servant..?” I called, a little louder. Oh, there’s a bell! A tiny one within arms reach. I forgot all about the thing.

I gave it a good ring and the servant responded quickly. “Yes, your Majesty?” she said, eagerly.

“Yes, umm..” Drat! I forgot her name! “Is there any meat in the kitchen?”

“Meat, ma’am?” She sounded perplexed. Oh, right! Katherine is a veggie head. Well, not anymore!

I cleared my throat. “You see, I..I’m trying to honor my poor late husband by...indulging in the type of meals he so enjoyed. Could you serve me what he would have for breakfast instead?”

“Of course, your Majesty.”

“Thank you.”

She scooped up those tasteless dry leaves and made haste to the kitchen. I had no idea what king what’s-his-face ate, but he was a verglas player. It had to be something more than salad.

Oh, these high chairs were as soft as pillows. I could fall asleep just sitting here. Better not, though. I am the queen; must keep up appearances. Meaning I shouldn’t be slouching. Jericha would have my hide if she saw me sitting so lazily.

There were paintings of the king and queen hanging on every wall. They both smiled, but only with their lips. Back in Winchestre, word on the street was the crown couple weren’t happily married.

Wait until everyone back home hears that the rumors were true.

The servant returned before long carrying a serving dish filled with a breakfast made for champions. She carefully placed the meal down in front of me, wiping the anticipation clean from my stomach.

Toast, raw eggs, nuts, fruits, and tea?!!!! With no sugar!! Who drinks tea without sugar?!

I tried not to frown, scream, bang my fist on the table and demand she serve me some real food!!

"I'm so glad I had a chance to prepare the king's breakfast for you, your Majesty," the servant smiled. "It's been so long since I've had the privilage to do so."

"Well...I..I'm happy you're happy," I said, attempting to keep my composure.

"Will you be needing anything else?"

"No, no. You're done enough. Thank you very much."

"You're so welcome, your Majesty."

No meat. No sweets. The toast wasn't even buttered! Surely, this charade will be the death of me!

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I told you she's not accepting visitors!" said Jericha from down the hallway. It sounded like someone was on her last nerve, and, for once, it wasn't me.

"She'll see me! I'm her sister!" saind an unfamiliar voice, and I almost fell out of my chair. Sister?!

Oh, why wasn't I listening more carefully when Jericha spoke about the queen's sister?! Dear gravy, I don't even remember her name! Was it too late for me to return to my quarters? Maybe if I kept low no one would notice me.

"Katherine!" the woman exclaimed. "Are you all right? Why are you on your hands and knees?!"

"Your highness!" said Jericha. "Did you have one of your dizzy spells again?" Nice save, Jericha.

I threw my hand against my forehead and pretended to faint.

"Sister!"

Jericha rushed to my side. "Please, Gloria! Give the queen some room."

"Queen of not; she is my sister!" Gloria snatched me away from Jericha and guided me back to the dining room. "Why don''t you make yourself useful and fetch her something cold to drink?'

"Gloria, if you don't - "

"Jericha, it's fine," I interrupted. From the tone of her voice and look on her face, I was certain she was ready for some fisticuffs.

"Are you sure?"

"100% Now, please, allow me some time with my dear sister. How long has it been since we spoke last?"

"If you say so, your Highness." She didn't sound convinced.

"What's this about dizzy spells, Katherine?" Gloria asked, taking a seat next to me. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"Oh, it's nothing to concern yourself with. Tell me, how have you been doing?"

"Fine, everything is fine." Her 'fines' sounded like my 'fines' during my time with Lars. We were so fine I tried to smother his snoring with a pillow. "Dole has been working hard with the restorations to the city. I've spent more nights alone than I care to admit because of the work he's doing."

"Is that why you've come to the castle? You're feeling negleted?"

"It's important work that he's doing. I don't want to complain. But, you know, Richard ( our youngest ) is wanting to start his own life away from us. He's all of fifteen; I'm not sure if he's ready to be on his own. You and I lived with our parents well past our twenties. Him moving away at his age just doesn't sit right with me. You understand, right?"

"Oh.." I started.

"Listen to me go on about children when you don't even have any of your own. How could you possibly know what I'm going through?" She didn't even give me a chance to respond. "Richard worries me, though. It's these new adolescents in town, from the Ozarks. You know how uncultured people are from those parts. They've had a bad influence on him. Plus, there's this disturbing rumor that..."

Sweet milk chocolate! Would this crow ever stop cawing?! I can't even get a word in! Why didn't Jericha warn me about her mouth?! Just let the boy go! I was on my own when I was sixteen! I was so glad to be away from that wreck of a family, too! I'll just keep nodding and pretend I'm somewhere else right now.

"Absolutley not!" Jericah said, slamming the glass of water down on the table. And snapping me back to reality.

"What? What??" I pondered.

"Was anyone speaking to you?" Gloria asked.

"Your Highness, for their own safety, I must caution you about letting your family move into the castle."

Oh? When did that subject come up?

"Katherine, didn't you just say it was okay for me to stay for a week or so?"

Did I? I must have when I tuned her out. Jericha starred at me with a 'hard no' in her eyes, but I'm torn. What would the real queen do?? "Jericha, you worry too much. The castle is quite secure and protected thanks to the Royal Guard. Gloria is welcomed to stay for as long as she wants."

Gloria jumped from her chair, unable to contain her excitement. "Thank you so much, Katherine! My things are outside in the carriage. Could you have a servant or two move them to my suite?"

"Certainly," I said, avoiding eye contact with Jericha. Steam was probally coming out of her ears right now.

Jericha grabbed my passing arm with that crocidile grip of hers. "You'd better be able to fool Gloria while she's here!" she whispered.

"Look..!” I began, but Gloria’s quick return forced me to change the subject. “...in...my chambers, Jericha. There’s an announcement I want your opinion on before I make it public.”

Jericha narrowed her eyes. “Yes, Your Highness.”

“She didn’t sound all that enthusiastic,” Gloria said.

“She has a lot on her mind these days.”

“I can imagine. While they are moving my things, what do you say we have a little girl’s night out?”

I’d give anything to get out of this stuffy castle! “Let’s get you settled in first, Gloria.”

She had more bags than everyone in Winchestre combined! Fortunately the wardrobe in her suite was big enough to hold them all. It’s funny how she had more clothes than the queen.

“So, tell me, Katherine,” Gloria said, parting the curtains on the window. “Are you done mourning?”

“I fear I’ll always be in mourning,” I said, trying to sound as sad as possible. King what’s-his-face didn’t deserve anyone’s tears, as far as I’m concerned. Gloria took me by the hand and we both took a seat on the bed. “I’m beginning to worry about you, dear sister. So much time has passed. You must move on at some point.”

I like where this was going. “Thank you for your concern, Gloria. But, when it’s time, I’ll know.”

“Oh! I couldn’t bear to think about ever losing Dole.I don’t know what I’d do. We’ve been together so long; being his wife is all that I know. I’d simply die. On the other hand, the king wasn’t the most fateful man in Ahrmania. I remember reading one of the letters you sent me about his obsession with females from..

Here she goes again! Try to listen! Try to listen!

..if I were you I would have.... I can’t! She never stops rambling!

“Ahem!!” Jericha said, clearing her voice rather loudly. She stood in the doorway holding a piece of paper.

“Do you mind?” Gloria demanded. “We were having a private discussion!”

“Save your thoughts, sister. I need to speak to Jericha for a moment.”

“Oh, all right.”

I followed the royal guard down the hall a pace or three then asked her what she thought of my announcement.

“I like the idea,” she said.

“You’re kidding. And I was all ready to defend it!”

“I hate that we have to resort to such methods, but..”

“Desperate times, as they say,” I added.

“I’ll have the Gazette publish this as soon as possible.”

“Thank you, Jericha!” That’s two for Miriam!