Chapter 23 - Emilia

"Maryam, I wasn't expecting to see today. What brings you by?" I ask as I enter the drawing room where she's waiting for me.

"Your Majes-" She starts to say before I cut her off. We both sit down on one of the settees making ourselves more comfortable.

"None of that. Please just Emilia." I beg not wanting anything to change between us. It'd be unfair if I call her by her name but she's using a title. Plus she's the first friend I made here in Hadlau.

"Emilia, I just wanted to check on you. I was at the ceremony and could see how upset you were, I didn't come earlier because I thought you might be resting."

"Thank you Maryam. The ceremony… it was hard. But I've rested and spent some time with Lilas. I wouldn't say I'm fine but I'm better than I was."

"That's wonderful Emilia. I hope you know if you need anything I'm always here for you." I give her a small smile in acknowledgment before remembering that there is something I need to speak to her about. I was going to pay her a visit tomorrow and ask then but now is as good a time as any.

"There is something. When my mates spoke to me about taking on ruling Rialria, becoming Queen, they mentioned that I'll need to select Ladies-in-waiting. I was hoping that you'd be willing to be my first and help me select the others. I've been advised to select eight in total." I ask slightly nervous that she'll say no. But I need her help so I don't know what I'll do if she turns me down.

"It will be an honour to serve you my Queen." She replies rising from the settee and dropping into a low curtsy as her answer. I give a deep sigh of relief at her acceptance of the role, now I just need her help to select seven more women to be part of my court. They'll be my closest companions so I need to choose the right people.

"Thank you Maryam. Perhaps we can meet tomorrow to discuss filling the other positions if you're free of course?"

"Of course Emilia. Just send over a letter when you would like to meet, I'll prepare a list of those who might be suitable for you to look over. I'll take my leave now I'm sure you'd like to return to King Lilas." With a final curtsy she leaves the drawing room and I follow after her intent to re-join Lilas.

"Lady Hess." Tehlmar says as he opens the door for Maryam to leave and stepping outside he sees her into her carriage before returning inside. "Your Majesty, King Lilas asked me to inform you that he is the library if you'd like to join him there."

"Thank you Tehlmar." I reply making my way straight to the library. It isn't surprising that he's ended up in the library once again. Books are perhaps Lilas's favourite thing in the world, me, Kor and Bel being the exception to that although it comes close at times.

"Hello my love." Lilas greets not looking up from his book as I sit down next to him. As soon as I'm seated he moves one of his arms inviting me to lean against him which I immediately accept wanting to be as close as possible to him.

"Hello, what are you reading?" I ask not able to see the title from where I'm leaning against him. Even looking at the pages doesn't help as I can't recognise any of the writing, over the past month I've continued my reading lessons but none of this looks familiar. I've done so well with the lessons that Lilas doesn't think that I need any more lessons but he made it clear that I can still come to him for help if I come across any words I don't know.

"It's a book on runes. Quite an old one that I've been trying to get my hands on for ages. My Uncle Magor sent it over a few days ago knowing that I'll want something new to occupy myself with now that Kor and Bel are gone. Plus there are quite a few runes in here that could be useful for the war, both offensive and defensive ones." He tells me turning the page, already he seems to have read a few chapters. "What did Lady Hess want?"

"She saw that I wasn't myself at the ceremony and she wanted to check on me. She'd have been by earlier but wanted to give me some time to rest. I asked her about being a Lady-in-waiting and she's agreed. We'll meet again tomorrow to discuss the other appointments."

"It's good you've got such capable help from Lady Hess. I will say though that some of your Ladies-in-waiting should be from races other than human, for the sake of balance and keeping peace at court." I nod against him in agreement my mind already drifting to who I might appoint to the positions. Unfortunately I still don't know many people outside of Lady Hess and her friends but maybe that's why Lilas is bringing this up now.

Lilas falls quiet for a short time before starting to read aloud, I don't understand most of what he's saying but as always the sound of his voice lulls me into a light sleep. We've spent many nights together like this that it's easy to forget that it's not completely the same as before. If I open my eyes Kor and Bel won't be sitting opposite us reading their own books or sketching a new dress or piece of jewellery.

"Emmy… Emmy." Lilas shakes me awake, I wasn't deeply asleep but my mind was focused on the memories of other times like this when we were all together. "Come on, should we have a walk around the gardens before dinner?"

"Okay." Together we rise and walk out to the palace gardens. I want to enjoy them for as long as possible, now that winter is approaching many of the flowers are wilting and before long the entire garden will be barren and lifeless. "It's beautiful out here. I'll miss it when winter is here."

"Well just think of how beautiful it'll be in spring as it all comes to life again." Lilas says as we walk through the garden slowly taking in the perfectly arranged flowers. "And if you miss the gardens there are glass houses not far from here where the flowers bloom year-round."

"Really, I didn't know that was possible."

"Yes they keep the inside warmer so the environment is more suitable for some flowers and plants so the gardens are very different to this one and the other public gardens. Would you like to go and take a look after dinner?" He asks sensing my excitement. I've come to love spending time in the gardens and now I can't wait to see what new flowers there are in these glass houses.

"Yes. I would love to." Grinning I tug him further into the garden wanting to finish our walk and have dinner as soon as possible so that we can go to these new gardens.

"Slow down Emmy the gardens aren't going anywhere." He laughs planting himself at a stop and pulling me back towards him. When I stop I'm resting against his chest giggling as he wraps his arms around me and leans down to kiss me. Pulling back he cups my cheek with one hand looking deep into my eyes. "I love you."

"I love you too." I reply reaching up to kiss him lightly on the lips before breaking out of his arms to continue exploring the garden, "Now come on there's still more to see." Laughing and shaking his head he follows after me watching me as I roam around the garden as though it's the first time I've ever seen it. I might have spent many hours here but each time I visit the garden I always manage to see something new, a new bird or a new bloom on a flower. It's enough to keep my interest and excitement every time I wander the garden.

There are only a few hours of sunlight left as Lilas escorts me to the glass houses after dinner to see the gardens, I hope that we have enough time to see the flowers properly. If not then hopefully we can come back some time soon. It would make a nice break from the work ahead of us, Lilas already seems to burying himself in work for the war but I need to figure out what I can do to help.

"Gods. It's amazing." I exclaim as we enter the glass house and I can feel the difference as soon as we walk inside. All around us there are flowers that I've never seen before, they must be the ones that Lilas mentioned that fare better in this warmer climate. "Do you think we can come again?"

"Whenever you want my love." Lilas replies fondly watching me indulgently as we start walking through the garden stopping every few steps so that I can get a closer look at the flowers. "It will make a nice break. I've got some work to do in the morning, another meeting with Council and then I want to spend some time in the lab again. Maybe in the afternoon?"

"Yes, I can meet with Maryam in the morning and hopefully sort out the rest of my ladies. Do you think there is anything I can do to help? With the war I mean." I ask, "I just feel a bit useless not being able to help."

"Well I'm sure we can come up with something. Perhaps look into charities or helping to set up hospitals, there will no doubt be many injured men returning who will need care." Even Lilas seems a bit lost as to what I can do to help. "Give me some time to think it over and I'm sure that we can find something that you'd like to do that will be of help. And you're always welcome to come and help me in the lab whenever you want."

"Thank you Lilas. Maybe my new ladies will have some ideas as well." I return to his side looping my arm with his as we walk. It's starting to get darker now, any darker and we won't be able to see the flowers properly.

"I'm sure they will. The ladies at court always seem to have something going on for charity so they should have ideas on what can be done to help with the war." We fall quiet then enjoying the garden while we can before the sun sets. As the light fades we start our return home where we'll likely return to the library for the remainder of the evening before going to bed.

"Oh, Gods." I breathe out coming to a stop in the middle of the path we are walking down on our way back to the palace. The knowledge that we'll be sleeping in our bed tonight without Kor and Bel there with us just hitting me and it feels so incredibly wrong.

"Emmy, what is it? What's wrong?" Lilas asks turning me towards him checking me over looking for any signs of illness or injury. Any reason at all to explain my action.

"I just realised that when we go to bed tonight, Kor and Bel. They won't be there. It doesn't feel right." I gasp out as the realisation hits me.

"I know my love. I'd though that tonight we might sleep in one of our private rooms, either yours or mine. It's entirely up to you. And we don't have to move back to the main bedroom until we're ready to once we've adjusted to their absence." He offers as a solution. I throw my arms around him in relief thanking him quietly for coming up with a solution and not dismissing my discomfort about the situation. At least I wasn't the only one that though sleeping in there without them would be strange.

By the time we walk through the doors of the palace it's dark outside and there are servants coming out to set up lights along the paths. There aren't many people out at this time though but according to Lilas it's something that they do every night just in case, the nobles apparently want to be able to go for a walk at any time so the lights had been set up so that they don't get lost.

As expected we settle down in the library not quite ready to go to sleep just yet. Both of us pick out books and relax together on one of the settees becoming completely absorbed in what we're reading. Lilas has picked up the book on ancient runes again continuing where he left off while I'm working my way through a novel.

"Your Majesties, it's late you should get some sleep." Nuela exclaims entering the library. We'd completely lost track of time while we've been reading. "Everyone else is already asleep. I thought that you'd gone upstairs hours ago."

Seeming to have determined that we can't be trusted to look after ourselves Nuela quick ushers us out of the library and upstairs. I'd not spent much time in my bedroom here having only slept in the shared bedroom it had more been used for storing all the new clothes and jewellery that seems to keep appearing out of nowhere.

"Can we sleep in your room?" I ask not wanting to sleep in what is essentially an empty room while Lilas's room is no doubt more lived in than mine. Nodding he leads me into his room which, no surprise, is filled with books. Luckily it's kept in enough order that we can actually get to the bed which despite not having been used the entire time we've been here has clean sheets on.

"Nuela knows us very well." Lilas comments noticing the clean sheets as well. The day finally catching up with us we get changed into our night clothes quickly, I can't stop yawning realising how tired I truly am. Together we climb into bed settling in the middle of the bed holding each other close trying to ignore the glaring absence of Kor and Bel, it's difficult to adjust to the difference. I've grown used to the warmth that Kor gives off and the way that Bel manages to get his limbs tangled around us all in the night.

"Morning, how did you sleep?" Lilas mutters pushing some of my hair out my face as I wake up. I really should remember to braid it back at night it keeps getting everywhere while I'm sleeping.

"I've slept better." I reply, I'd found it difficult to get comfortable last night and what sleep I'd got doesn't seem to have been enough. "I miss them already."

"Me too." He leans down and gives me a brief kiss, "Come on we should get some breakfast. I have to meet with the Council soon if I'm going to spend as much time in the lab as possible." Agreeing I get out of bed and start going through my dresses trying to find one to wear for today. I might be meeting with more ladies so I can't wear one of my more casual dresses instead it has to be something suitable for a Queen.

"Could you send Talindra in please?" I ask as Lilas finishes dressing by the time I've finished picking what I'm going to wear. I'd settled on a dark blue dress with long sleeves that should be perfect for the slightly cooler weather.

"Of course, I'll meet you downstairs." He leaves the room and just a few minutes Talindra knocks on the door before entering. It doesn't take long for her to help me into the dress and arrange my hair complete with a crown which seems to be becoming a standard part of my wardrobe since being named Queen.

A quick breakfast with Lilas, during which I sent a note to Maryam asking if she's available, later I'm climbing into a carriage to head to Maryam's manor. She and Lord Hess still haven't moved into the Human Councillor's manor that they have the rights to now instead electing to stay in their personal manor. It's not far to go by carriage and it's a distance that I'd usually walk but not in this dress, it would end up ruined by the time I'd get there.

"Your Majesty, Lady Hess is expecting you in the drawing room. Please follow me." The butler greets as I exit the carriage. Nodding I follow behind him to the drawing room although after helping plan the ball I know my way around this floor of the manor well enough to find the way there without his guidance.

"Maryam thank you for meeting me today." I say walking into the drawing room where Maryam is sat waiting with a tray of tea nearby.

"Always. I have that list ready for you." She replies as I take a seat next to her looking over the list she hands me while she pours me a cup of tea. Most of the names on the list are unfamiliar to me but I'm sure Maryam will tell me about whoever I don't know.

"This is quite the list." It's almost as long as my arm, I didn't know that there were so many ladies in Hadlau who I'm going to need to know. And this is just a list of ladies that are being considered as my ladies in waiting, Gods only know how many more there are in the city.

"I may have got a bit carried away. Some of them may not even be in the city anymore and I wanted to give you as many options as possible in case you don't get along with them. Your ladies-in-waiting will be your closest companions here at court, besides the Kings, so they should be people you're comfortable with." I nod in understanding.

It takes us a few hours but eventually we get through all the names on the list. My head is throbbing as we get to the end of the list but together we've managed to narrow down the list to twenty names. I'll have to meet them all personally before making any final decisions and if I need to we have another ten names in reserve.

"So I'll send out notes to Ladies Tiana Rowe, Brianna Davidson, Erika Montes, Victoria Fallegeros, Zenobia, Nimel, Holcene, Azrris, Pyzitt and Elssitryd. Would you want to meet them all on the same day or split it in half?" Maryam asks looking over the list again where we've marked which ladies we'll meet and those that we aren't considering at all.

"All of the same day should be fine. If we're going to be spending a lot of time together then they should all be able to get along as well rather than just trying to impress me."

"That's true, we can have them wait together to make sure there are no issues with them being together. Perhaps we can arrange it for tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes that would be great. It will probably be best if they come to palace for the meeting, if you could let me know who accepts and what time we'll start."

"Of course Emilia. I should have it all organised by the end of the day. And I'm sure none of them will turn down the opportunity to meet with you for the chance of being one of your ladies-in-waiting. All that matters though is that select people you like and are comfortable around." Rising we walk to the entrance where to my surprise Lord Hess is just walking through the doors.

"Your Majesty." He greets with a bow.

"Lord Hess it's good to see you again. Has the Council meeting finished already?"

"Yes your Majesty. We ended the meeting not long ago, I'm sure King Lilas has arrived back at the palace by now."

"Thank you my Lord. I should get back to the palace then." They say their goodbyes as I leave and climb back into my carriage ready to get home to Lilas. He's probably already started working on more potions and runes in his lab and I don't like the idea of him working down there on his own, not after seeing how absorbed he gets when he's focused. If it's anything like when he's focused on reading then he might forget to eat which I don't think would be good while he's working on potions and runes which could easily go wrong.

After having Talindra take the crown off I walk downstairs finding Lilas already at work carving a rune while a potion is finishing cooking on the other side of room. I keep quiet as I walk in and take a seat at the table with him, he'd explained that the slightest error when carving a rune can have disastrous consequences as it changes the purpose of the rune.

"Did you and Lady Hess manage to figure out the rest of your ladies-in-waiting?" He asks once he's set the finished rune down.

"Almost, we made a short list. Maryam is sending notes to them today trying to arrange to meet them tomorrow afternoon so I can meet them properly. We've selected a mix of races so that no one is left out and if needs be we have an extra ten ladies to meet with if I don't get along with this first group."

"That's good. I'm glad that you've got it worked out." Smiling we head over to the potion which is finished now and just needs to be bottled up. "Could you start cutting the next lot of ingredients up for me?" Nodding I start cutting glad to be of help and maybe we'll be okay just the two of us.