IN THE MAIN PALACE

I am not a queen because I rule, I rule because I am THE QUEEN.

Birthed in my heart. Alive in my veins…

***************

The Main Palace of Valcresh is positioned at the core soul of its capital.

Being in the carriage and feigning to be asleep did not give Nadezhda’s sight the chance to explore the lush and vibrant high streets and boulevards.

Her eyes only fluttered open when she could no longer hear sounds in and outside of the carriage.

‘‘We are here’’ Queen Maeve said.

The slow and low mechanical whir of gates being opened seized Nadezhda’s attention.

She looked through one of the narrow windows of the carriage and she had to force her jaw to stay intact.

While the gates of Isoloth’s Palace are similar to Zorgan’s - with monumental stone walls boasting massive double doors of burnished wood embellished with intricate iron engravings- Valcresh’s was entirely different.

Though the sun was quickly receding from the clouds, the golden gates still stood proud and domineering, reeking of deadly wealth and vigour.

On the golden gates, elaborate patterns of the Royal Emblem were made, along with vines and a few specific symbols etched into its surface.

The weapon-laden soldiers bowed to the carriage as it made its way in.

Then there were guards lined after the gate to the very building of the Palace.

Nadezhda could not help but think. Are they replaced by others at some time or do they stay in this position all day?’

The path where the carriage rides is made of polished gravel, and its sides of pruned maze hedges.

Nadezhda had no serious expectations, but Valcresh’s Palace appeared otherworldly. Its beauty reminded her of the Castle for Southern Royals, the same place she had met Zorgan.

She was reminded of him and she couldn’t help but ask after she was helped out of the carriage. ‘‘Pardon Queen Maeve, is there any word from the Forces in the field?’’

The trail of Queen Maeve’s garment swept smoothly along the path as they stirred towards the building.

Queen Maeve softly took Nadezhda’s hand and placed it around her elbow, their movements aligning in balanced strides. Nadezhda's shoulders went rigid as she tried to calm the urge to slowly pull her hand back.

‘‘Call me Mother, child. Queen Maeve is for outsiders’’

Nadezhda nodded. She struggled with the temptation to inform the woman about her involvement with Zorgan, her conscience nagging at her as she felt like a fraud.

She was not in any way the daughter-in-law Queen Maeve must have desired for her son and she felt slight relief at the understanding that Zorgan isn’t the first or the second son of the King.

If he was, she would have fled that day in the stable, her life be damned.

The life of a Princess came with its own special kind of thorns. How much more that of a Queen?

‘‘There are various Forces that have been sent out by this time of the year.

I presume your request is of Zorgan’s?’’

‘‘Yes, it is,’’ Nadezdha replied eagerly.

The Queen chuckled.

‘‘Then you should know that my son doesn’t send information about the welfare of the Army he leads. Answers arrive when he does and until then, we wait.

But do not worry. He is the kind storms pass around but never through’’

From Queen Maeve’s words, Nadezhda could hear more than the love of a mother for her son. She could also hear the respect the Queen had for Zorgan as a person.

‘But why does she think I’m worried?

Ah, of course- a wife’s meant to worry when her beloved husband’s away.

I do worry but my reasons are not the ones she’d expect.’

Marble steps with veins of gold running beneath were taken one at a time for a lengthened moment till the majestic exterior of the building began to rise – a striking showcase of design and structure.

The edges at the last step displayed the tallest and hugest eagle sculptures she had ever seen. It was like the artist had lived some of his or her life as an eagle and knew exactly how to bring it to reality – wide-spread wings that seemed prepared for take-off if only life could be breathed in them; sharp, intense, and vigilante eyes, hooked predatory beak. Perfection!

As the doors opened from the inside, Nadezhda noted the archway decorated with stones and marbles right above it.

They trotted in with the nearly forgotten Princess Evadne, scowling behind them. She immediately walked away as the Queen and Nadezhda paused to drink in the grandiose of the interior.

Now Nadezhda’s jaw was unable to stay jammed.

“This-” The Queen said as she stretched her free hand forward. ‘‘-is where Zorgan grew up.’’

Nadezhda fought for the right words as Queen Maeve continued.

‘‘In these walls is where I had my boy.

For the sake of clearer narration, the Palace wasn’t as refined as it is now, but the care of the King and I brought it to this light.

I believe in Zorgan and I know in his and your care, this place will be made the envy of the world.’’

Nadezhda’s eyes, which were on the high frescoed walls, immediately went to Queen Maeve’s face.

‘What did she just say? What do those words mean? Whose hands?’

Before she could ask for a clearer interpretation, the Queen was pulling her somewhere else.

‘‘Let me have you fed and rested. We will have the tour in the morning right before you return’’

Nadezhda wanted answers, needed clarification, and she desired them immediately. However, the Queen has only acted with kindness and compassion, and she had to rein in her confusion.

****************

The walls of the dining room were also frescoed, with scenes that tell different stories of the Kingdom. The flooring was also marbled with streaks of golden hues beneath.

It appeared that the Royals of Valcresh that weren’t present were the King, Prince Zorgan, and Prince Mael, as every seat in the dining room was occupied.

Queen Maeve walked arm in arm with Nadezhda by way of the principal entrance to the dining chamber and the least of clamours faded, leaving a tasteful stillness.

They stood at the head of the table as the collective gaze of the room fell on Nadezhda.

‘‘My wives, my sons, and my daughters; Valcresh’s first family-” The Queen announced with a blinding smile, her eyes shifting firmly from person to person.

‘‘With great pride, I bring before you my very son, Prince Commander Zorgan’s wife.

Now, my daughter, the most recent addition to our bloodline’’

Queen Maeve released the grasp she had on Nadezhda and took a baby step away.

Nadezhda wove a smile; her shoulders puffed with the design of her attire and the steel of her resolve.

‘What do I bloody say? I don’t think I should tell them it’s an honour to be here with them or that I’m grateful to be here with them. I really don’t feel that way.

Honestly, I’d rather be in Zorgan’s Palace.

All right, I need to say something’

She curtsied lightly, just as her governess in Isoloth had taught her to.

‘‘Greetings. I am Nadezhda’’