Hidden Majesty, 2/? P.2 - Of Antagonists, P.2
Hidden Majesty
CH.2, P.2 (Of Antagonists, P.2)
Of Antagonists, P.2
Rain pelted the windowpane of her chambers, reminding her of the hell she was living in. It had been raining for near a week, and there didn't seem to be any end in sight. Part of her was grateful - during the rainy season, the palace where court usually resided was prone to terrible flooding. Grover had a much higher elevation.
But it still lacked the hustle and bustle of a royal court, and Vala was truly missing it. Especially her children, even if she'd seen them less and less in the last few years. She was hoping to leave some impression on them before Tomin's tutors completely corrupted them to her. Vala had a sneaking suspicion that was another reason she had been exiled.
Rising from the chair by the window, she picked up the lantern by her bed and made for the door. It was eerily quiet - had been since the rain had started. It did nothing to help stem the loneliness she had begun to feel after only a month of being at Grover.
The door creaked open, and Vala met the gaze of the Knight acting as her guard. She'd seen this young man several times before, most usually with *him*. Simon, she believed was his name, if the whisperings from her ladies were correct.
"Knight..." Vala said, then decided his name would seem more friendly. "Simon."
He looked up, slightly startled by the use of his name. "Majesty? Is everything alright?"
Vala nodded. "Yes, everything is fine. I just thought I would make sure you hadn't fallen asleep on the job or something."
"No, Majesty, I would never-" Simon stammered.
Holding up her hand, Vala shook her head. "It's okay, I wasn't implying you would. I was just making a note that this is..." She looked up and down the hall. "An extremely boring post, at least right now."
Simon relaxed a little, though still looking slightly tense. "Whatever the condition of the post, ma'am, I have to obey my orders."
"You were ordered to stand here all day?" She asked, slightly surprised. "Second in command of my security detail, and you’re pulling watchdog duty?"
Straightening, Simon put on an almost stubborn look. At least it would've been stubborn if he wasn't so intimidated by the Queen. "Second in command or not, I must obey the orders D-" He paused. "My commander gives me."
Vala quirked an eyebrow at the almost slip. "And what is your commander doing while you stand here?"
"I can't tell you what, Majesty." Simon said. "But he did say he would be in the study for the rest of the afternoon, should he be needed."
A smile came to her lips. "The study, you say?" As the young man nodded, Vala licked her lips. If she couldn't go outside, and she had to suffer through boredom, at least she could have fun annoying that man. "Thank you, Simon."
As she started to walk down the corridor towards the study, Simon moved to follow. Vala held up her free hand.
"No, you don't have to follow." She said. At the man's conflicting look, she offered a reassuring smile. "Go, do whatever you can to stem the boredom - I will deal with your commander, should it be necessary."
Continued in Of Intrigue, P.1
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