Vol 5 Prologue (2/2)
The door promptly opened and Marilène appeared, lifting the hem of her long dress.
The queen was from the neighbouring state of Cherik. Hardross had often crossed swords with that neighbour situated on the other side of Lake Soma. Twelve years earlier however, repeated negotiations bore fruit and the two countries were bound together in a peace treaty. As proof of the treaty and of the alliance, the king of Cherik's daughter, Marilène, married into Helio. Marilène was fourteen years old at the time. But she was already renowned for her beauty throughout Tauran.
Far from being spoiled, that beauty was at its height now that she had reached maturity. She was dazzlingly adorned with golden necklaces and bracelets. Her sleeveless tunic open at her breast and her transparent silk skirt were so bold that within Tauran, which made a virtue of not exposing skin, she would probably be rebuked for being ”immoral” simply for standing there.
Appearing not to notice that the irritation in Hardross' eyes had deepened, the queen lightly curtsied.
”It has been a long time. How are you doing, Father?”
Her voice was as clear as a bell but Hardross glared angrily.
”You are no longer my daughter in any way. You know that and yet you still call me ”father”? Is it so that I will have to correct you myself? Marilène, you have made clear that you no longer share a blood relations.h.i.+p with the rulers of Helio.”
In front of her former father-in-law who spoke in gasps, Marilène smiled calmly.
Even though Elargon had died, she was still ”queen”. What on earth did that mean? If they were to happen to come across the name ”Marilène” being whispered on one of Helio's street corners, even a traveller unaware of the circ.u.mstances would share the fury of the people of Helio.
”I'm in your way. I whose existence is the last remaining symbol of Helio's royalty am trying your patience, you who covet sole possession here. That's why you've come on pretence of paying me a get-well visit. You've come to measure with your own eyes how long this old man has left to live.”
”My lord.”
One of the chamberlains hurriedly rushed up as Hardross' face as he lay in bed had turned bright crimson. But the former king shook off the chamberlain's soothingly outstretched hand.
”You vixen!” His voice was loud enough to shake the very air within the room. ”A wh.o.r.e who chose to become the wife of a rebel to protect her own social position. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that this was all Cherik's plot. No doubt you'll tell me that everything is going according to plans laid twelve years ago, from when you were married!”
He was so vigorous it looked as though any moment now he would seize the longsword decorating the wall behind him and run the queen through with it.
”I am glad that you seem to be doing well.” Marilène didn't move an inch as she smiled. ”Please continue to keep up your strength. The people will not forget the power of the Helio family. As long as the father of the nation is in good health, even this predicament that all of Tauran finds itself in need not be feared.”
She curtsied once then, having no further business with the old man and, without paying him any further attention, she left the room accompanied by her ladies-in-waiting.
Hardross' head fell with a thud.
”My lord.”
He raised his thin hand like a master of ceremonies would. But his eyes glittered with anger and he snorted from overwhelming impatience and frustration.
Within less than a day, the exchange between the former king and the current queen turned into a rumour and spread throughout the city of Helio. Marilène's infamy grew even more.
But –
”Soma”
What did not become gossip, perhaps because those present did not understand its meaning, was what Hardross suddenly muttered only a few minutes after the queen had left.
”Will lake Soma sparkle again this morning?”
Lake Soma was the halfway point between Helio and Marilène's home country of Cherik. While it could be said to be the symbol of the two countries' history of quarrels, there was probably no one within Helio who would be able to understand what Hardross was feeling or what he was thinking of when he murmured that name.
– There was probably not a single person within Helio who could understand his meaning.
That it concerned none other than Marilène could be considered to be Helio's greatest sorrow at that time.
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