The morning sun kisses my sheets. It glistens across the marble floor.
I open my eyes; a slight smile wavers on my lips.
I eat in silence. Larimar stands next to me as I do, in a solemn mood, fearful and nervous. I offer no consolences today, I offer no frivolous chats. I eat slowly and measuredly, with dignity.
Citrine arrives half an hour later. No giggling and no wine cup this time; just a dedicated look in her eyes of a woman who is tasked with dressing the new Queen-to-be. And I indeed require her help, with how complex the attire is. It's made of nine pieces; nine - the sacred number of Niemi culture. All traditional attire revolves around that number.
I am barefoot, per the custom of my culture.
"You are ready, your Ladyship," is the only thing Citrine says.
I smile at myself in the mirror.
---
The court is bustling with gossips and whispers, off-handed chats and many questions. Proteus turns to Beryl as they stand in the crowd, gathered under the stairs that lead to the gallery on the second floor. The podium is filled with courtians, all of them chatting. The only thing they know is that the great Itzamatul requested everyone to gather today.
The reason is not so secret to Proteus. He looks at his older companion, his mentor.
"Sir Beryl, what do you think it could be?" he patiently asks.
Sir Beryl shrugs, eyes focused on the gallery.
"Perhaps a new declaration? Or maybe a new rochade at the court?"
"A rochade indeed..." Proteus mumbles for himself. Sir Beryl looks at him, his look inspective... but Proteus just shakes his head.
A bit away, Rhodonite leans on one of the pillars, arms crossed and a smirk on his face. He ventured all the way out of his library for this event... He wanted to see the moment when that fiery new Queen steps out.
Citrine is next to him, a drink in her hand. She swirls the glass.
"It's not every day our head librarian gets his head out of his books."
"And it's not every day he gets to witness what will surely be a scandal of the century," Rhodonite laughs in response. "I can't wait to see what you've done with her."
"Oh, scandal won't even begin to cover it."
Dioptase stands near the steps, nervously playing with one of her claws... behind her back, of course. She can't believe she's being kept in the dark, that she was tasked with organizing the crowd instead of making sure the Queen doesn't uproot the entire palace...
---
"You look beautiful," Duarte's sleek voice interrupts me.
I turn my head to him with a grin.
"Scandalous, some may say," I chirp.
"Not 'may', but 'will'. And not 'some', but 'many'." He approaches me and touches my long red hair. "I see you went all out with a Niemi attire. I'll have to have a stern talk with Citrine."
"No need to. This was my choice."
"And I'm sure she happily agreed to it."
"She tried to warn me."
He snorts. "In vain, of course. Just like that gryphon, you are a beast of your own mind."
"Are you comparing me to a beast?"
"What else would I? Because you're surely not a timid, shy human, like most of your kin."
I smile. "I'll take it as a compliment then."
He then offers me his arm. "Shall we?"
I nod, smile unwavering.
---
The voices get louder as we approach the gallery hall. And then Dioptase clears her voice.
"Lord of Gold, the Great Dragon, Itzamatul... and... the great Seer, her Gilded Sight, Enya."
'Her Gilded Sight'? I stiffle a chuckle... I know exactly who told Dioptase to use that nickname. And I don't even have to guess much because from my position I can see Citrine, and the way she chuckles and elbows Rhodonite...
Duarte firmly takes my hand and leads me forward... my bare feet, decorated with jingling bells, make rhythmical sounds as they glide across the cold floor. I have a hood on my head... and a sly smile on my lips. The voices get quieter and I can feel the air become tense...
All those coins and beads on me ring as I walk forth... like a cimbalom. And I can hear the silence of the crowd get louder.
When we finally step out... the silence is broken by shocked gasps.
I stand atop the gallery, next to Duarte... and then whispers start.
"Is that the new Seer?"
"What happened to Madam Garnet?"
"Is she barefoot? Oh Celestia, she is..."
Duarte smiles at me and I catch his quick glance. Those gasps are about to get much more scandalized.
"He brought a Niemi harlot to the court..."
"Their prophecies are not of Celestia!"
"And decorated with coins to invite spirits..."
My smile grows larger and larger. I can see Dioptase who is as pale as Moon itself. Larimar uncomfortably stands in the crowd. Citrine is giggling and Rhodonite has a mysterious smile on his face.
"Please, lords and ladies, a moment of silence..." Duarte at last raises his hand. "I understand you must have many questions, though one answer will have to suffice them all, since this is not a decision I will allow any of you to criticize or repeatedly prod and poke."
The whispers die in the crowd...
"I have always believed nobody would be able to steal anything from me. I am the Great Itzamatul, after all? Who would dare touch a single golden coin of mine?" he says and squeezes my hand tighter. "But fool I was, looking after my coin purse... for I forgot to look after something far more important. My heart."
Whispers pick up again. Shocked comments, high-pitched questions...
"Meet, not only the new Seer, but also my bethroted. Enya Visperia." Duarte bows to the courtians.
What happens next is an eruption. A cacophony of noises and protests; whispers long forgotten. Citrine is laughing, Rhodonite silently studies me, and Larimar seems on edge of crying.
"Bethroted?!"
"A harlot?! A dirty human?!"
"Less than human! One of the Mutes!"
"How will she say any prophecies when her tongue is tied!"
I snort and drop my hood... my hair falls out like a waterfall of red.
"Who says my tongue is tied?" I snark back.
This causes even more rage. Dioptase shoots me a glance. I'm glad Duarte is not stopping the whole show... I'm quite enjoying it, even if I'm seconds away from being stoned.
In the crowd, I notice a few pairs of eyes that don't seem surprised at all by the news. They watch me, cold and calculated... and each of them sport a bloodstone broche.
But I know well those are not the only enemies I have in this court.
"Does Celestia know?!" someone yells.
"You might be a Lord, but you are not all-mighty!" Another scream is heard.
"Celestia won't like it!"
And then Duarte snarls.
My heart skips a beat from the sudden noise and I turn to him, puzzled. From her back sprouts a large pair of wings... and he spreads them. The effect is instant - everyone quickly shuts up.
"I have already said I will not have my decision questioned..." he hisses. "This Court is mine. And Celestia is welcome to come and inspect it if it so desires."
"And Celestia indeed will," someone hisses back.
"Celestia's officials are welcome at Aurea Spira at any time of day or night. They do not need a common courtian like you, Sapphire, to speak." Duarte's voice is ice cold.
The girl who spoke, petite woman with long blue hair, frowns at him. She is wearing a blue ballgown, decorated with tiny stones.
"And I do not doubt for a second Celestia already knows," Duarte coldly adds.
I notice his look wander off, to the window... atop of which, a small white dove is perched. I blink in confusion. The bird stares at us for a couple of seconds before spreading its wings and taking off.