Lady In Red

26

"These are the servant's quarters. Your Majesty's ladies-in-waiting shall be here with, one of your choice living behind your chambers to attend to your needs at night. "

I nodded walking with Clara my eyes would occasionally brush past her huge sword as she walked with such grace with light armour on. Or most of the time with me in trousers and a coat like most men working in the castle.

She always carried her sword. She was assigned to be my guard, I suppose she must be very good at combat. I stare at the dark gardens surrounding the castles and courts wondering why the gardens before my chamber balcony were all filled with pretty flowers but the gardens near the court carried a dark look—void of flowers and greenery

"These were the back of the castle grounds. From here you can enter the court wing, The royals apart from the king and Queen reside here although many of them have left long ago and have their castles to the North of the kingdom. "

Following her through the open corridors I gave a light nod to her and smile looking around as we entered the other side.

I stare in awe at the huge architecture before me. The walls of the castle were grey and dark. But the design stood beautifully. In its own way.

"These are the halls that led towards the King's library. Yours will be on the other end."

I glanced at her before she escorted me towards my library.

She opened the doors and I was met with a huge room. The wall behind the huge desk was filled with books. And the dark walnut desk standing in the right middle of the two huge windows on either side of the room a bit further from the doors.

I trace my hand over the wood glancing at some papers and letters neatly placed over the table. Ink and pens with many other stamps placed over it.

I sigh.

"Why? I have no work. I am not to be involved in any court affairs. What's the use of such a beautiful room when I have nothing to do"

She seemed surprised at my words. She looked down before lifting her head. Her eyes stayed on the table.

"As the Queen you will be responsible for receiving any correspondence between the two kingdoms and reply with your current Kingdom's favour. You shall be responsible for all the castle servants. And holding informal meetings and balls for charity and political reasons"

I stared at her in awe as she spoke perfectly.

"The letters are from various merchants. And many other affairs that might need your approval. The papers, Sir Andrew will be explaining those."

I gulp nodding staring at the books.

"Well, Your Majesty. Shall we move on? "

I smiled.

"Call me Madam. That is fine. Yes, we shall" I answered looking around once before walking out with her.

She was very thorough with her explanation. She was stern, calm and strong. I liked her.

I smiled as she showed me around the cooking quarters.

As the cook served directly to the King and I, and bowed his head, I nodded eyeing that puff pastry behind him neatly stacked up together.

"I hope our dishes are to your liking Your Majesty."

He was a nice old man.... Yet, I was scared of him. He looked so soft and sweet, however, it was the aura around them that kept us at bay. I kept my head straight and walked past him while he kept his head bowed.

Taking the puff pastry from the plate and turning to leave through the doors.

I turned again one last time and smiled at the chuckling women behind him.

"Well then. Thank you for serving us. " I said before walking out with that puff pastry.

I smiled hearing some light laughter behind me.

Clara looked at me and I smiled breaking the huge pastry in half and holding it out for her.

I see her eyes turn wide and she almost gasps.

"What? Take it. I can't eat all of this myself"

"N-no Madam we simply cannot. We only serve -"

"Eating a pastry I am sharing has nothing to do with serving me, Clara".

She slowly takes the other half and I smile walking ahead and eating it while I look around. She seemed to contemplate before I turned around to see her staring at me with that half-party in her hand, She immediately looked down and I saw a slight smile at the corner of her lip before I turned around.

She seemed very introverted. It was best I did not force her to act like my friend. It will take a while for her I suppose.

I never felt much worry or fear around women in this kingdom. Many walked past me, servants, maids. Members of the household and court. Even the royal family. Although some showed me their hostility towards me, I had a sense of calmness from the women. But the men scared me.

"This is the court. All the discussions regarding the Kingdom are carried out here. Although I cannot quite open the doors unless we are summoned by the King."

I nodded following her.

My eyes sparkled at the beautiful balcony we stood at. Right over my library. This was where intimate gatherings took place between the family and friends.

And on other days, it was just a greenhouse with beautiful couches and tables for tea.

"It is almost one, and you are scheduled to Lunch with His Grace's family. We should head back."

I sigh nodding.

The King didn't attend such lunches. So I sat at the head of the table with ten others. Two sisters of the King and three brothers. Close relatives who I had not been introduced to yet. It was in my understanding that I had to pay my respects to them individually by this week.

I cleared my throat as they bowed to me before I nodded and sat down, "It is my pleasure meeting you all. Thank you for attending the Lunch." I said as Clara instructed me.

"No, it is our Pleasure." One of the elder sisters said and I smiled.

**