Chapter 37
"Your Majesty," came Nerissea's soft, breathless voice from a distant behind us.
Queen Yseldra released my leg at once, and we both turned toward the sound. Nerissea was approaching with slow steps.
Her Majesty strode toward her, the sharp click of her heels echoing across the marble floor. I hastened to snatch up my cloak from where it lay discarded and wrapped it tightly around myself, thankful for Nerissea's presence.
Yet how long would this small mercy last? Once Nerissea departed, would I still be made to lie with the staff? If I refused, Her Majesty would be disheartened, and I could not bear to sadden her. But the mere thought of another length inside me turned my stomach.
I looked toward Nerissea, hoping that by gazing upon her, some of her cleverness might pass to me. Yet she was too far, and I could not see her clearly.
So I stepped closer.
And with each step, that familiar ache stirred once more in my chest.
She stood in her nightgown, barefoot, without a cloak. Her neck was marred with bruises, her breath came in soft pants, and her pale face glistened with sweat.
She had not come to me yesterday… for she had been sent to the Duchess.
Oh, how pathetic I am…
Nerissea holds no love for Her Majesty, yet she never once uttered a word of protest when made to lie with the Duchess. And here I stand, loving Her Majesty with all the devotion in my heart, yet trembling the moment she asks to see the staff take me.
"You ought to be in bed," Her Majesty scolded with disappointment, removing her golden cloak as she spoke. "You can scarcely stand."
She draped the cloak over Nerissea's shoulders, and as she did, Nerissea cast a glance in my direction. "I was… hungry…"
Her Majesty slipped an arm around her waist and began to guide her slowly down the corridor. I longed to follow, but I knew well enough what mealtime meant for them.
"You are not daft," Her Majesty continued, her tone growing sharper. "Why come all this way when there is a bellcord beside the bed? Why walk so far when you might have spoken to the first servant you saw?"
She looked around then, and the servants nearby stood frozen in place, their heads bowed low.
I understood her fury. I, too, believed Nerissea ought to have remained in bed. But Her Majesty did not know that, should she pull the cord, not a soul would come to her aid.
"Are the staff dead? Do they bloody work?" Her Majesty exclaimed, her voice cutting through the hall. "Why has not a single one of these piss-dull dolts come forth to ask what you require? Am I paying these witless bastards for naught? Guards!"
All five nearby guards hastened to her side, one of them being Sir Lorcan. Though her personal guards rotated with each shift, Sir Lorcan remained ever constant in her service.
"Everyone save Sir Lorcan is to seize every useless turd from this corridor to Nerissea's chamber and deliver them to Captain Gorb. Let them be punished under Valebrinth law for dereliction of royal duty!"
All the staff dropped to their knees and bowed low to the ground before her, while I stood in silent panic. I knew all too well what they were capable of. When they return, they shall do so with vengeance, and that vengeance shall be directed at Nerissea.
"Your Majesty," Nerissea panted faintly, "they did ask, but I wished to come to you myself."
Her Majesty's brows drew together, her expression both stern and perplexed. With a sharp wave of her hand, she dismissed the guards, and I exhaled in quiet relief.
"Return to your duties," she said coolly to the servants, though her eyes never left Nerissea.
The staff offered several hurried bows before swiftly returning to their duties.
At last, Her Majesty released a sigh. "Sir Lorcan, carry Nerissea."
With great care, Sir Lorcan gathered Nerissea into his arms. She looked back at me once more, and I caught a fleeting smile upon her lips.
The three of them departed, leaving me still and uncertain. That smile… it was not her usual faint one. No, it was something gentler. Familiar. It reminded me of my father's. Of my mother's. The kind they wore when they told me all would be well, and that I need not worry, for they would carry the weight of my troubles in my place.
No longer able to make sense of it, I took my leave in silence, most grateful for Nerissea.