Closed Door Deal

*Hidi*

Peridot-colored eyes scanned the richly decorated room, from its high-painted ceilings to the rococo furniture gilded in gold. But it did not give the impression of welcome. This was not a room meant to bring guests of any kind.

This room seemed more private. There were few chairs. And a desk placed in front of the window.

This must be Belinda's study. Hidi noted mutely, as it was undoubtedly no sitting room. This was a room most would never get the chance to see.

So why was she here?

As Hidi looked over the framed paintings of naked women dancing with angels on the wall, the door opened to reveal the old woman. Julia was carrying a box rimmed in gold. Belinda seemed to brighten at the sight of it.

"My apologies, My Lady." Julia bowed before holding the box up. Belinda unclasped the lock and threw back the lid. Inside, there were jewels and jewelry that glittered in the light.

For a moment, she seemed lost to look over them. A special spark rested in her eye as if mesmerized for a moment. But she managed to break free recalling she was not alone.

"This has been in my family for generations." The brunette pulled out a broach. She held it up to the sun. Hidi could see the large opal stone encircled by pearls. 

She's brought me here to show me her jewelry? Hidi couldn't help but let the peeved thought cross her mind. 

I had to leave Ana for this? The giant couldn't help but feel a little salty.

Had she known, Hidi would have refused or delayed it. She'd rather stay with Ana over some old and gaudy jewels as she was certainly not impressed. Though, it would take much for Hidi to be.

Almony had a much more extensive collection of opals and sapphires galore. So Hidi was accustomed to such finery. She expected it like seeing wood in the forest.

So the broach barely registered any astonishment to the young queen. If not, she found it a bit underwhelming. 

Mama's collection would dwarf hers. Hidi thought, eyeing the box. It was small. Was that all they had? 

I hope not. Hidi thought, but perhaps she was being disingenuous. Dawny wasn't as rich as Almony. 

It's not like they would have a room dedicated to the royal jewels like Mama. Hidi didn't expect most countries to, the further she dwelled on it.

Maybe Nochten could. But Hidi couldn't think of anyone else who could rival Almony. 

Dawny certainly didn't.

"That will be all, Julia," Belinda dismissed for the old maid to move. She stepped back to wait by the side. But it seemed that wasn't enough as Belinda eyed the door.

"Oh?"The old maid looked from the door to Belinda with slight confusion. Almost like it didn't occur to her that maybe she wasn't wanted.

But when Belinda sharpened her sable-colored gaze, Julia seemed to catch on finally.

"I will be waiting outside, Your Majesties." Julia bowed. A tone sour in her voice. She kept her eyes down save for a brief moment, where she looked at Hidi. It seemed heated. But just as quickly, she was looking down again.

Hidi smirked as she watched her past. It amused her to think the maid was jealous. When did she ever think she could play on the same field as Hidi? That a maid could be just as good as a queen?

Dawny treats their servants far too warmly. Hidi concluded. A bad habit. 

"We passed it down to our daughters," Belinda continued once the door closed. Her voice then dipped to a sad sigh.

"But it seems the gods have only graced me with a son."

"Is not Ana a daughter?" Hidi asked. And immediately, she felt Belinda's stony silence cut through the air. Even her beautiful face seemed to slip for just a moment. But it was not for long. 

"Her Empress…has heirlooms from her kingdom." Belinda put on a distant smile. "She does not need more." 

So you have no intention of giving them to her. Hidi could read the implication. But she only smirked. If anything, Hidi was impressed by the Queen's subtle submission. 

But then, who would she give them to? Does she mean to give them to 'someone' else?

And that someone seemed to be noticeable.

But still, Hidi played along.

"You should go and get another daughter, then." Hidi made a polite smile. 

Belinda seemed to brighten at the suggestion. But, though both could tell, it wasn't by surprise. 

"I might just do that." 

And at once, she was moving to Hidi. Even in her heels, Belinda still fell short of a good foot from Hidi's height. But she didn't let it phase her as the woman seemed to be on a mission.

Belinda held the broach over to her.

"Wear it tonight."

"Me, your majesty?"

"I want you to wear it. I feel so close to you. You should wear it." 

"But Belinda-" Hidi began to protest, but Belinda only stepped closer. Her grey eyes were dead set on her.

"I would like you to wear it." Her voice left no room for argument.

Again, Hidi felt herself need to grin.

"Then I will. " Hidi relented, and Belinda shined another smile.

"Good girl." Belinda beamed and moved. She pressed the broach next to Hidi's collar. It felt heavy on her chest.

"It looks good on you. Like it was made just for you." Belinda stepped back to grab her by the wrists as if to admire it.

"Meant to be mine?" Hidi couldn't hide her laughter. Belinda was laying it on thick, wasn't she? 

"I'd like to see you wear all of them one day."

And Belinda turned to her desk. She opened it with a key to pull out a large piece of paper tied in a blue ribbon.

Hidi lifted a brow at the sight.

"What are you suggesting, Belinda?"

"Am I suggesting something, Hidi?" 

"Ja." Hidi didn't mince words. Instead, she again looked at the paper rolled up. It looked to be some legal form.

"To the point. I like that. Bratha is the same." Belinda took out a gold paper knife to slice through the ribbon. The paper began to unroll, revealing fine writing in Dawny's tongue and Almony's traditional words.

Hidi smiled at the sight. It was a marriage contract.

"And you are as determined as Mama warned me."

"Warned or complimented?" Belinda smirked her painted lips.

"Complimented."

"Then what do you say?" Belinda moved to take out an ink pot and quill. She opened the lid and held out the feather.

Hidi moved her hand to pause at the tip. 

"Does the king know you made this contract?"

"He will. Later." Belinda moved to dip the quill. Instead, she scribbled her name on the bottom line. 

"This can stay between us. For now." Belinda held the quill back over. The ink dripped from the tip.

"A secret between us women. We have every right to have them. Don't we?"

Hidi didn't grab the pen but moved closer. Her eyes quickly scanned over the document. First, to go over Dawny's translation, then by Almony's. And when she found no secret clauses in either, she relaxed.

It seemed Belinda was not inclined to play dirty. Her offer was as outright as she was with her intentions. Well, almost.

Hidi did find qualms with one restriction.

"Until Prince Nicoli is 18?" Hidi had to look up at the Queen. 

"Unless you need longer?" 

"No, that will be ample enough time for me."

Nine years will be plenty and more. Hidi thought and confidently reached for the quill. 

She looped the quill over the paper in a smooth hand before standing back to see both their signatures. Belinda had a much more apparent use of loops, but Hidi was cleaner and more focused. 

As she was focused now.

"I get what I want."

"As do I." Belinda purred. She moved to shake the duster onto the fresh ink to help it dry before it could be lifted. 

"So with this-" Belinda held the contract up to admire her work. She then began to roll it back into the ribbon. Hidi watched it be stored back in the drawer. The drawer was locked by a key on a necklace Belinda pushed back behind her top buttons.

"Dawny and Almony will become the greatest empire this world has seen. And your children's children will rule on as the most powerful and rich rulers."

"I was going to say her Empress will be my sister." Hidi chuckled softly. This seemed to catch Belinda off guard, and she dropped her jaw a moment.

But just as quickly, it was back up. Tightly fastened and perfect as before inside her oval face.

"Yes, that would happen." She spoke tightly.

This only made Hidi want to goat her a little more. But now something was clear. There was hesitation whenever Ana was brought up.

"I am surprised you invited her to the party." Hidi continued. "That was rather altruistic of you."

"Nicoli wanted it." Belinda went.

"But not you?"

Belinda sighed and held Hidi's arm just a little closer.

"Nicoli wanted it, and sometimes you bend to his whims."

"But otherwise, you wouldn't have. Why?" Hidi asked.

"I have reasons."

Reasons, you say. Hidi felt something in the back of her head-scratching.

I wonder…

"Does it have to do with what happened the last time Ana was here?" Hidi played off innocently. 

Immediately, Belinda looked up at her with a start.

"What do you know?"

"Lady Poole mentioned it, but I couldn't hear her out." Hidi then sighed. "It was something that happened years ago."

And here Hidi hid her bright smile as she could see Belinda lean in. Her grey eyes were eager and ready to fall for her act. 

So easy. 

"Can you tell me? Mother?" And Hidi made a great show of moving her hand over Belinda's.

Belinda immediately brightened before her eyes shone. Hidi could see a strange delight seem to spark within her. Then, again, Hidi could see Belinda fall for her anew. Taking the bait without a second to regard the hook.

"Of course, anything for you," Belinda sweetened. She squeezed Hidi's arm again before lowering her voice for her to hear.

"Daughter."