It was too cloudy, the new Crystal Empress thought to herself. A mass of white slowly moved over the capital city, more snow clouds. Gabriella gazed at the skies above, wishing she could disappear with the blue of it. A week has come and gone since she wed the Emperor of the North and still they had yet to consummate their marriage. Something she was somewhat thankful for, but still, she could not help but feel insulted due to his apparent apathy.
Gabriella was a stunning woman, she knew this in her heart, a fact that had caused her no small amount of woe in her youth. So why was it that this man seemed to have no interest in bedding her, more so, why did it irk her as it did? It was not that she liked Jaqueece in any way, in truth, she could not stand being in the presence of the man. However, she could not quite shake the feeling of being inadequate in the face of his disinterest.
“Empress, you have not eaten for some time now,” Prim spoke softly from behind the Ember Queen holding a tray of treats. “Please, eat something, I worry for you.” Prim Pleaded to her ruler.
Consistently having to shovel food into her maw to not worry the mortals the Crystal Empress was surrounded by was beginning to feel like some form of self-inflicted torture. Being Blessed, she did not have to eat as often as mortals did, eating once a day even was bordering on excessive. Since arriving in the castle she was forced to eat three meals a day including snacks that were brought to her out of the ‘kindness’ of others' hearts. If it were not for the fact that she was trying to hide her lineage from those around her she would have used her magic to burn any food that was brought her way. However even the slightest spell would leave a magical trail behind, and with a powerful mage inside the castle, she would be found out immediately.
“I do not wish to eat anything,” Gabriella bit out in a sharp tone, she was rapidly becoming bored with the image of the soft and frail ruler she had cultivated. It was taking all of her willpower not to show them just how powerful she was. “Do not make me repeat myself once more.”
“Y..yes my lady,” The poor girl stuttered over her words, painfully aware of her Queen’s thinning patience.
Her bedroom door shut with an audible click as the servant girl retreated from the royal chambers, not bothering to announce her departure, something that Gabriella appreciated greatly. As she stood there gazing out the clear window into the sparkling white abyss that covered the land she found herself wondering how her brothers were managing without her. If Galliard was improving like he wished or if Syrin had managed to melt the ice encasing the dead heart of her eldest kin any further.
“Oh how I miss them,” Gabriella sighed to herself, she wished more than anything that she could run away and go back to the only real home that she knew. How she wished to just throw away all this mortal nonsense and let them figure it out for themselves.
Taking a step back from the window the queen of embers headed to the door not wanting to spend one more second cooped up inside her room. There were still parts of the castle she had yet to explore, not to mention that she had not even stepped foot out of the walls of the castle since arriving. Rowan was stationed outside of her room, looking as serious as he always did, eyes ever watchful for threats.
“Come with me cousin,” Gabriella spoke to him as she passed, not even bothering to look his way. “We have much to do.”
“Nothing that will be frowned upon by the Emperor I hope?” He queried as he fell into step behind her.
“Oh?” Gabriella smiled up at her protector and kin. “Is the shining knight afraid of a little tongue-lashing?” She chuckled dryly at the thought,
“You might come out unscathed but just one word from him and I will be hanging by the gallows come Xal rise.” Rowen scoffed at her obvious mirth to his concern for his life.
“As if I would allow that to happen,” The Queen stated, baffled that he thought she would let any harm come to him. “Anyone that wants to hurt you will have to go through me.”
“Ah yes, the Queen of Embers who has likely never even broken a nail against a King that has fought in many wars.” His words made her mouth tighten in disdain as he mocked her, or at least who he perceived her to be. “With you by my side, I have nothing to fear.”
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Rowan, for all his jesting, had no idea just how true his words were. Gabriella was a Swordmaiden of renown and it pained her that she was forced to rely on the blades of others.
If she desired it, she could turn the capital city to ash in an instant, scattering it on the winter winds. She wondered if these mortals were worth the annoyance, in the end. If not for her mother's love for them she would have long forsaken her role. It was the nature of mortals, humanity specifically, to be ever the headache it would seem.
As they strolled through the castle halls something, or rather someone, caught her eye as they walked through a door a few steps ahead of them.
“Stay right here, I will be back,” Gabriella ordered the knight shifting her gaze.
“I am duty-bound to follow you wherever you go.” He argued, frowning down at her.
“I will not be far,” She huffed in annoyance, wishing that she had some dream powder on her at that moment. “I must speak to a servant privately.”
Rowen eyed his cousin suspiciously, not for a single moment thinking that she was not up to something she ought to have not been. Yet he nodded to her in agreement regardless, not wanting to sower her mood any more than it has been lately.
“If you take too long, I will come for you.” He promised his Queen, hand on heart.
“Thank you, I shalt return shortly.” She promised in return as she made her way into the room she had been eying.
There were a handful of people gathered inside the small space going about their business. All servants but none she recognised personally, excluding one. Her eyes locked onto Herra instantly, though she would be the only one to see her as such, cloaked via runes as she was. To the surrounding servants, a pale northern woman sat there, hair tied in a tight bun and wearing plain servant garb. She was sitting in the corner of the room sipping out of a mug, her feet resting on the table in front of her. Humming a wordless tune as she looked over a parchment held in the other hand.
“Everyone get out.” She barked, startling the inattentive, a dozen servants jumped to comply. The ones who had not been smart enough to flee when they had seen her approach.
“May I help you, your highness?” Herra’s eyebrow rose in a smug arch, as she slowly rested her cup down in front of her.
The cocky tone dripping from words infuriated Gabriella, her skin started to tingle as her hair began to change in shade. She had so much to say but no way to say it, there were no words that could describe how hurt she was by Herras recent actions.
“What in the abyss are you doing here?” Gabriella spat out, looking down at the assassin.
“Working, my Lady, what does it look like I'm doing,” Herra sighed as she lowered her feet to the floor.“Is there a reason you are interrupting my duties?”
“Cease your incessant idiocy, BloodRose,” Gabriella spit hotly. “How and why are you here, risking discovery?”
“Whatever do you mean, my Empress, I’m simply doing my tasks as a servant here?” Herra tilted her head to the side in mock confusion. “I was generously offered a position here after being recommended by an old friend.”
“You are so full of it,” Gabriella whispers, the flames in her hair licking the air around them. “So you are saying that your being here has nothing to do with me?”
“Forgive me your highness but have we met before?” A smirk lifts the corner of her lips “If we did I am sure you would never care for someone like me.”
Gabriella flinched as Herra used the same words she spoke to her at their last meeting. The Queen of Embers was speechless; she did not know what to say to her lover at that moment. Guilt had swamped her from the moment the words flew from her lips and buried her under it the two months of travel. Though when she saw Herra the day of arrival all of that washed from her mind and all she felt was excitement even though she knew that her being there put the whole thing at risk.
“I... I am sorry,” Gabriella hung her head in shame,” What I said to you was unjust and in no way fair to you.”
“Thank you, my Empress,” Herra spoke, eyes softening slightly at the words. “If you would excuse me though, I have a report to send.”
“To Jyn I assume.” The Empress looked over the report, though she could glean nought from it, the words in a code she was not privy to.
“I shall neither confirm nor deny such an assumption.” Herra deflected and a slight giggle escaped her at the annoyed huff of her ruler.
“I’m going back to Rowan, at least he does not give me such grief.” Gabriella stated dryly, turning away from the hidden assassin.
“Come back later Prim and I are having a meal,” Herra called out to the Empress idly, lifting her cup in salute. “You have not been eating well, my Lady Gabriella, Prim and Rowan do ever worry for your health.”
“Bite my tanned arse BloodRose.” The Queen of Embers shot over her shoulder as she rounded the corner, nearly bumping into her Knightly cousin.
“My Lady.” Rowan nodded to her, relaxing now that she was back in sight.
Gabriella smiled fondly at the man, he was nothing if not consistent at the very least. Mayhaps she would find him a good match when they returned home. If her brother was any indication it would make him less tense at any rate. Although, Prim did look ever so longingly at her kin at times. Mayhaps she would send her to fetch him more often, purely for convenience's sake of course.
“While I appreciate the fact you are no longer brooding, I’m not certain I prefer that grin on your face, my Empress.” Rowan noted, looking down at the smirk adorning the lips of his Lady.
“Why my dear Sir, I have no idea what you are referring to.” The Queen of Embers’ smile widened in response.