Chapter 323 - Welcome to Arda (1/2)
Dressed in more suitable attire, class 2A made its way towards the throne room. Before that, the servants gave a summary of how to present oneself before the queen. Shaking in their boots with overwhelming reluctance, the students approached.
”Stop shivering,” voiced Simone towards Fletcher.
Frowned, ”-I'm not shivering,” staring over the shoulder, ”-I'm just cold that's all.”
”Cold you say,” chuckled Timothy nervously, ”-do pardon my presumption, thee do seem to sweat from the forehead,” a cheeky remark that had the others grinning.
Up ahead of the boys, walked the first with sharp posture and dignity. Nobles were of a class of their own. Eira led the way for she knew the palace in and out. It came as a surprise to see that the portals didn't link to the Overseer's room. Else, it opened into passageways and room similar to a normal castle.
”I fear the coming meet,” said Kim who straightened her round glasses.
”Is the Queen harsher than the King?” asked Christina who twirled a lock of hair around her index. A subconscious way to keep the mind busy.
”Have thee not met her during the closing ceremony?” asked Eira with a cold expression.
”Not that I remember, no,” voiced Mille with her hands wrapped around itself.
”I suppose I must apologize?” spoken, another massive door came with haste.
”Mind thyselves,” voiced Rosetta who had the door opened with a single press. Magic opposed to technology, a silent unlock. Stood in order, guards stretched onto till the podium where sat a mysterious figure. Along the red carpet, glances towards the first floor showed people in expensive coats and attire peering down with wine glasses. Towards the left, in a corner, a few shadowy figures were grouped. They seemed to only speak in one another's ears.
”Majesty,” bowed Rosetta, ”-I've brought our guests.” Led to this instant, pressure turned into a fog that had spread throughout the throne room. What they saw wasn't the grandiose décor or show of prestige, through said mist; a single-window atop which glared the queen.
”Majesty,” knelt Eira with a lowered gaze.
”Majesty,” said the others who did the same. Nods of acknowledgment were given by the judgmental nobles. They who were adamant on any intruder to be very respectful of their monarch had no trouble.
”Raise thy heads,” ordered she who held power. Dressed beautifully in a radiating dress of which the shoulders had frills running up and down the sleeve. Ending with a white glove and rings, her eyes were as green as the leaves on a bright Sunday morning. Far from being combed, the hair was left to be long and straight.
One by one, they stared to only avert her gaze and admire the tapestry behind. Changed depending on the occasion, the wall behind the throne could be either wall of flowers, tapestries, and even portraits. Today was one that had the sun as the main attention, the light radiated towards shadows who rose from a canyon.
”Welcome to Arda,” stood sharply, Simone gasped. Few cold gazes could be felt on the back, gulped, the attention turned to the queen.
”Today thee will stay as guests of the royal family. A buffet has been organized and we also host a hot spring. Relax and have some fun, I do warn thee from venturing outside the castle. An alliance might be in place, some of the more extreme pro-Ardanians are yet to calm their thirst for vengeance.”
”As you wish, majesty,” voiced Eira who held a fearful gaze. First was it to have witnessed Xula's cold and harsh personality.
Blinked helplessly, ”-all questions are to be sent to King Staxius for he's in charge of thine class,” elegantly stepped off her seat, ”-Rosetta, make sure that they don't cause trouble,” an order overheard by a few students alone. Still knelt, the nobles teleported away, soon, the guards would march leaving only two.
”Stand up,” spoke Rosetta, ”-good job,” her ears rose, the head tilted followed by a comforting smile.
”Man, that was tough,” hands behind his back, Tony lounged on the red carpet, ”-the queen of Arda is as beautiful as she is scary.”
”Say that twice,” interjected Simone who fully laid on the floor; chandeliers resembling stars were hung. Not intent of speaking, Fletcher, Harold, and Timothy were content to just catch their breaths.
”Eira, is thy mother that cold?” asked Christina with warm eyes.
”I dare not say,” she smiled, ”-hot and cold, I'm sure Queen Shanna had her reasons.”
Approached without sound nor presence, ”-relieved?” peered down, Staxius held a grin.
”Majesty,” sat upright, Tony's face changed to dread. The yell had the others turned in fear.
”Rest assured,” posture straightened, ”-it's normal to get the cold-shoulder at first. Tis how we of Arda perceive people. The more of a good impression that is made, the warmer the feeling will return. Treat people as thou'd want to be treated,” held out, Tony accepted and took Staxius's hand to then be pulled. ”I know that it's intimidating to be in a foreign kingdom without humans around. Believe me, I found it frightening at first,” spoken gently, the tenseness subsided.
”What do you mean at first, majesty?” asked Kim as the class grouped around.
”I forgot to say,” deep breaths with a grin, ”-I was a student of Claireville Academy around a decade ago.”
”Around a decade ago?” asked Mille, ”-thou doth not seem that old.”
”Flattery shan't get you favor,” chuckled, ”-I'm very much thirty-six, I think.”
”You said at first, that implied that his majesty was human or still is human?” interjected Timothy.
”Astute, that is correct. I was human for my birth town was Krigi of Old. I grew up in a warzone, and I think that Eira did the same. We both grew on the battlefield, subjected to watch as people were left for dead.”
”Majesty,” called Youst, ”-the meal is running cold.”
”Let's follow the conversation later.”
”As you wish, majesty,” simultaneous, he left in the company of Serene.
”Quite a change in persona, from the helipad to now, the King is very interesting a man,” added Anastasia who spoke for the first time. ”What's the matter?” she asked with a squint for her classmate stared with smug faces.
”Nothing that particular,” whispered Ysmay, ”-it's that that you didn't lash out and cause a problem,” finished Christina.
”How dare you,” fist clenched, ”-thee speak as if I but create issues every time might mouth is opened,” shrugged away, she breathed a humph of dismissal.
”Right…” in harmony, they exchanged glances to then burst in laughter.