the ladies are approached by the newcomers, and I notice a few of them are the king’s closest advisors. Servers arrive with trays of appetisers and drinks, offering them to the guests. Several of the ladies simply grab a glass of wine and completely ignore the server. It’s like the nobility have completely forgotten what’s happening or what the king said. As we stand in our small group, I’m acutely aware of being watched, the princes and king still sitting at the top of the room as they observe us.
“What’s going on here? I don’t understand.” Shaking my head, I try to figure everything out. There was a definite, blatant warning of consequences, but what would that be? I have no idea how to behave in situations like this. All these ladies have been brought up in this environment, this is their natural habitat. I am bound to fail whatever test this is.
“It’s very clever,” Lord Bastian tells me quietly, his eyes narrowed as he glances over at the king. “In politics, everything you do or say will be examined. Politics can be as brutal as battle, it’s just more subtle and less messy.”
This is exactly what I was fearing he would say, and panic starts to claw at my throat, but I fight to ensure my expression is neutral.
“What are we being judged on?”
Bastian shrugs and looks at Wilson for confirmation. “I’m not sure, one would assume on behaviour and interactions with his court.” Aileen makes a slight noise, and I turn to see she’s even paler than usual. I know she’s thinking the same thing as me. She’s always been outspoken and different, the court of her homeland very dissimilar to this one. Reaching out, I place my hand on her arm and squeeze, offering the only comfort that I can think of. I turn to Wilson and see he’s looking vaguely sick.
“What do you think the consequences of failing would be?” I keep my question quiet, not wanting to be overheard, but he meets my gaze and his expression turns serious.
“I don’t know,” he replies with a shake of his head, but I can tell from the look in his eyes that he fears the same thing I do.
Mother above. What do I do? This time I can’t contain my anxiety as my heart thuds in my chest, my breathing speeding up. Inhaling deeply, I look at my friend.
“Wilson, I don’t know anything about this court—” He cuts me off before I can finish my sentence, but I notice Aileen frowning as she catches my slip-up.
“I know.” He pulls me so I’m standing directly in front of him, placing both hands on my shoulders so he can see me. “Trust in the Mother, she will guide you. You are her beloved, and she won’t let anything happen to you.” As he speaks, I reach across and touch my Goddess mark, the instant tingling reassuring me as I feel the Mother’s soothing energy flood through my body. Nodding, I take another deep, reassuring breath.
Around us, people seem to have gathered into small groups, mingling and sipping from tall wine glasses. Several ladies are dancing in a space that has been cleared near the musicians, and I notice Prince Michael has left his throne and is dancing with one of the ladies.
The rest of the evening goes much the same, and I’m beginning to think I was worrying for nothing. Lord Bastian introduced me to a couple of men that he knew from court, but we mostly stuck to ourselves.
“Nice to see you again, Clarissa,” a weaselly voice says from behind me. I cringe at how he emphasises my name. I turn to look at whoever the voice belongs to, and I instantly recognise the man as the king’s advisor who I met in the library with Jacob. I can’t remember his name, but thankfully Lord Bastian saves me from having to answer.
“Advisor Merritt. I didn’t expect you to be at an event such as this.”
I can see the advisor bristle and turn to look up at the tall lord. The size difference between them is almost comical, and I can tell from their expressions and the tension pouring out of them that there is no love lost here.
“Lord Bastian. Well, the king needs advice on who to… on who is suitable for the prince,” he finishes with a small, tight smile, and I get the impression that wasn’t what he was initially going to say. Clearing his throat,