"A dance party?" Lanna asks and Astrid signals her to shush.
"Tam... Lady Tamara said that the Governor of the Private Chambers asked The Lady Chaperone to choose some girls to dance for the king and his family. They will probably choose favorites, but we get to help around and join the feast!" Astrid says, excited. She was in the kitchen earlier preparing to bring breakfast for the princess and she managed to catch a glimpse of the delicious food the cooks were preparing.
"Governor of the Private Chambers?" Lanna asks, amused.
Astrid laughs.
"I know. It sounds made up. I thought Tamara was joking, but they do have that position. It's important too, apparently."
"These people are so pompous. It's insane."
The girls laugh until The Lady Chaperone enters the big room where they all relax. She looks around and seems mad.
"Staying around all day. You understood nothing of what I told you!" She hits the ground with her cane and all the girls rush to form a line and bow their heads.
They've been here for almost two weeks. As such they started to figure out the court rules. Even Astrid, after that talk with Tamara, has started to give this place a chance.
"Tonight we will have a party. I will choose some lucky girls to dance for the king. And if you dance well enough and you catch the attention of the king, you may even become a favorite. This is your chance, girls." Lady Chaperone says and then starts to move from girl to girl, looking at them, asking them to dance or to sing.
When it's Astrid's turn, she tries to spin around, but she trips on her dress and falls down. The Lady Chaperone shakes her head and asks her to go back in line.
Lanna dances beautifully, moving as delicately as a leaf in the soft summer wind.
"What was that?" Lanna asks when The Lady Chaperone moves away from them.
"What was what?" Astrid asks back.
"You faked it."
"I may have resigned the hope of leaving this place, but I will not dance for him." Astrid wishers and Lanna rolls her eyes.
"But he is so handsome!"
It's Astrid's turn to roll her eyes. Ever since they met him in the garden Lanna can't stop praising the king.
Their conversation is interrupted by The Lady Chaperone.
"If I call your names, you go to the bathhouse to prepare. If I don't, you go with the eunuchs to arrange the tables." She clears her voice. "Estra!" A tall, blonde girl jumps happily and starts running to the bathhouse. "Karyn! Alexa! Sofia! Elisa! Esmee! Lanna!"
Astrid looks at Lanna. The girl is all smiles for a second, until she seems to remember something. She looks at Astrid, worried.
"Go!" Astrid gives her an encouraging smile and the girl jumps to run after the others.
She may not hate the king anymore, but she still doesn't like him. And she wishes for Lanna to be happy. And being a favorite would mean Lanna will be safe. And just because the king stopped the slave gifting doesn't make him like a good person. I mean, probably he's acceptable. Yeah, acceptable at best. And Lanna deserves happiness. And, she thinks he is gorgeous so she will be happy. Astrid can't see it though... I mean... his eyes are a very nice shade of blue. And they do seem deep, like their gaze can pierce throughout the heart. And I guess his lips are full and they seem very soft.
Astrid shakes her head.
What was she thinking?
She is certainly going insane. Maybe Lanna's talk really got to her.
Now she only needs to focus on helping Tamara get ready for the party. She likes helping the princess with her preparations. And this time for a big party! The dresses she wears are breathtaking and they get to choose jewelry, tiaras, and shoes. They eat sweets and talk about the different combinations.
But when she gets inside the princess' room, she finds her annoyed.
"Out, everyone! Astrid, sit!" Her tone cold and distant. "I saw you earlier. Surprising that you fell. When we were dancing yesterday you seemed very coordinated."
"It was an accident..." Astrid shutters and Tamara slams the table.
"Don't lie. I hate lying. I told you before, be direct with me. This palace is full of ass kissers, I don't need one in my service."
"I just don't want to dance for him..."
Tamara sighs, calming down.
"I can't blame you for that. And I'm not mad. I told you I won't force you. But The Lady Chaperone choose only Sansa's maids."
"Why is that so bad?" Astrid asks, wondering if Lanna is one of Sansa's maids too.
"Sansa only chooses weak-minded girls that she can groom into being blindly loyal to her. And only to her. And if one of them becomes a favorite they think is thanks to my sister and because they worship the very ground she walks on. Instead of a harem for the king, it's slowly becoming Sansa's place."
"Why does she care so much anyway?"
Tamara looks at Astrid like the girl just grew another head.
"Whoever influences the harem, influences the king, possibly the next king too. Dynasties are built in this place, by the women in it. At the moment, Sansa rules the harem, as the king's oldest female sibling. But that can change if a smart concubine sweeps the king off his feet."
"And Lysa? Isn't she the main favorite? The mother of the heir?"
"Lysa doesn't have nearly as much power as she thinks. The king likes her enough, but he's not in love with her. She knows that, but she is too proud to drop the facade."
"And you?"
Tamara seems taken back and then laughs.
"I just want someone to support my brother like my mother supported my dad. Me and him. We were born just two years apart. Shortly after, our mother died. When my dad found his relief in other women's arms, we only had each other. We tried to get close to Sansa, but her mother hated ours, so she hated us. When Tommen was born, we were already older and we never got to bond with him."
"Nothing for yourself?" Astrid asks, but regrets it, as she is not entitled to know the princess' motives.
"Peace around the court. With so many sides equally influential, or, more non-influential enough, it's a constant war. When my mother was alive everything was peaceful. I want to rebuild that." Tamara answers, looking away, lost in her oldest memories.
"Sorry, I am not the help you imagined."
"If it doesn't come from the heart, it's pointless anyway. And, I like you as a friend. That can be enough." She grabs Astrid's hand and sighs. "But you'll still come and sit with me. If I have to have another boring conversation with my sister I will die!"
The two of them laugh and start getting ready for the party. But despite wanting to, Astrid can't shake the feeling that this place hides more than she can comprehend.
"Come on, try it for me." Tamara says after Astrid looks suspiciously at the red velvet dress that's been thrown onto the bed.
"It's... a lot." Astrid comments, but does put on the dress. Friends or no friends, she won't choose this hill to die on with the princess.
"It's amazing." Tamara proudly says as they both look into the mirror.
Astrid can't deny that the dress is absolutely gorgeous, but she's afraid she is going to attract too much attention.
She blushes thinking that the king may notice her again but shakes this though. With so many beauties there, dressed so much better probably, she will simply blend with the background. A forgotten maid. Like she wants. No? …
The music starts filling the halls and the two women hurry up in the banquette room.
Tables full of all the drinks and food a foolish heart could desire, beautifully women dancing around to the sound of the most divine music, scented candles that give the room a mystique feeling.
How can one belive that all of these are here to hide the most tremendous games for power?
When everyone is seated, a well-dressed man blows a little horn and announces the entrance of the king. Everyone rises and bows their heads as he enters the room.
Astrid can't restrain herself, she takes a small sneak peek at him. He looks just like he looked the first time he saw him. Imposing, with his head held up high and a serious expression on his face.
The girls all around seem to have entered a trance.
Astrid can understand why. His rough beauty has something magnetic about it. Not like those innocent boys with bright eyes that would try to ask her out after Sunday sermon. But something deeper, more dangerously hot, more seductive. Like fire.
Everyone sits down and Astrid grabs a glass of water. Her throat suddenly feels dry.
The party starts and the chosen girls dance around the king, but he doesn't seem to pay too much attention to them. He looks around the room like he is searching for something.
When his eyes finally meet Astrid's, she turns away, her face red.
She takes a deep breath. Probably just a coincidence, she thinks. He was looking around after all. She looks back at him as he eyes the velvet handkerchief in his hand. He smiles for a moment, but bites his cheek and stops. Or did she just imagine that?
"Will he give the handkerchief?" Tamara asks herself and Astrid gets curious.
"What?"
"If she gives the handkerchief to a woman he publicly makes her a favorite. She will go to his room tonight."
Astrid's heart skips a beat. Was he looking after her earlier?
When the dance is over, all the dancers kneel in the middle of the room. Everyone holds their breath. They all saw it.
And when the king throws the little velvet cloth in the air, the whole world stops.
And when it lands on Lanna's shoulder, Astrid's world turns upside down.
Astrid can't seem to find her sleep tonight. The events from earlier still play through her mind over and over again.She sighs, opening her eyes. It's pointless to try and fall asleep now, the sun will be up in an hour or two anyway. She makes her way to the balcony, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.The cold air cleans her mind, at least a little bit.Why was she so bothered anyway? She told herself that it’s because she was worried about something bad happening to Lanna, but she knows that's a lie. And Lanna was so happy. She even smiled at Astrid once the party was over and she was rushed to be prepared. She will become a favorite, doing nothing but making sure she looks pretty all day.And Astrid is happy for her friend. Astrid should be happy for her friend. But earlier, when the king locked eyes with her from across the room, she felt something.She shakes her head. Everyone telling her she was somehow special to the king must have gotten into her head. And she didn't
Astrid didn't expect a royal dinner to be this... casual. They laugh, they drink and they tell stories from their past. Tamara didn't exaggerate at all, they do seem very close to one another. And to her surprise, Astrid didn't feel like the third wheel to the cart, their comfort around each other extended to her and she was able to join their conversations in a way that felt natural. She told stories from her childhood, laughed, and joked like she was around her own family. The king listened to her, laughed and shared his stories too. As the night continued, they seemed so engaged in their own conversation that they didn't even notice Tamara going to the balcony. And it was not like Astrid imagined. He wasn't seductive, not in an aggressive way, he was charming and open. He made Astrid feel like...home. When about an hour passed and they realized Tamara was gone, the king went to check on her on the balcony and Astrid was left behind to take a look around the huge room. "Astrid,
A knock on the door snaps Astrid back to reality. She feels her face wet and almost laughs. Such a weird feeling to not realize you're crying. "Lady Astrid?" A eunuch comes in, even though she didn't answer. But she got used to them. They are the shadows of the harem, coming and going as they please. "Does Lady Tamara need anything?" Astrid asks. She didn't tell Tamara what happened, she just lied and said she was not feeling well. It's not that she wanted to lie to her, it's just that Tamara would try and defend her actions and she doesn't want that now. She wants the blame and the shame to drown her. "No. The king sent me." The eunuch answers and hands her a golden handkerchief. "I am not feeling well." Astrid answers and tries to give it back. "My lady, the king may had taken an interest in you, but that doesn't make you better than us. We all obey his word in this harem. I was ordered to give you this. You are ordered to go tonight. Please don't make this harder for me. If yo
"Can't I just stay with Tamara?" Astrid asks in the morning as they eat breakfast. "You want to stay in my sister's service instead of living on the favorite's floor?" Loras asks while pushing a weird-looking pastry, covered with something red into Astrid's mouth. "No way. It looks disgusting!" She protests, but he doesn't move. "Try." She relunctly opens her mouth and her eyes lighten up. "Amazing!" She tries to say with her mouth full. He chuckles. He was born a prince and he grew up to be a king. Not even his sister was so care-free around him. The protocol was always followed and no one left their guard down. But this one... This little slave from the barbaric tribes of the north. She looks him straight in the eyes. Like no one did before. "And yes," She continues, not aware that he has been staring at her. "I like spending time with Tamara. It's not like she gives me a lot to do. Enough not to get bored. I hate sitting around all day." "Then you can go to the garden. Take w
The heavy doors open and in the silence of the night, their sound feels like a lonely heartbeat. Astrid takes a few steps inside the room before they close behind her, sealing her fate."Your Majesty..." She says, kneeling down, but her tone is cold and distant, nothing of the nervousness of last night."Come closer, Astrid. Let me see how beautiful you are in the moonlight." He says and his honey-covered voice almost makes her lose her determination.She takes his hand and they walk on the balcony. The full moon is shining brightly over the sea."Why is the full moon night sacred?" She asks, not wanting to open the subject directly."Shh. Listen carefully."She does as he asks and hears the dragon. His growls are not scary tonight, they sound like a melody. A song filled with melancholy and sadness."He is the last of his kind. When the moon was full, dragons mated. Now, he can only sing, hoping a mate would come. It's a sacred night because a dragon child conceived in this night wil
Now that she took this decision, Astrid has to talk with her friend. If they are to compete for the heart of the same man, she wants to do it openly, not behind Lanna's back. She owes her at least that much.She wants to go to Lanna's room directly, but her appearance is still a little messy since that... kiss. Her heart beats like a drum when she thinks about that. How lost she was in the moment. How amazing his touch felt. How soft and sweet his mouth was.She shakes her head. A bath will clear her mind and as it's still quite early in the morning, no other favorite is awake, so the bathhouse is empty.As she lets the water pour over her body, Astrid hears steps behind her. She doesn't bother to check as she thinks it's probably a maid, here to take an early bath before the work begins.She doesn't really have time to react when someone grabs her by the hair and smashes her head on the wall. The adrenaline hits and Astrid turns around and pushes the person off her."Who are you?" Sh
Astrid is grateful to the medic. The trip to the Summer Baths was long and every move of the carriage was extremely painful. She would have gone insane if the medic wouldn't have given her drops of a potion that made her sleep most of the time."She is a fighter." Loras stares at her almost amused under the worried look."She is, Your Majesty. I didn't expect her to recover and even on the road..." The medic answers while Astrid looks at them in silence. How boring it is to listen to a conversation and not be able to join. This is why she is so grateful to Loras. When they stop for breaks, the pain is manageable so she doesn't have to sleep. Loras stays next to her and reads her poetry so she wouldn't feel lonely. The sound of his voice is soothing and the looks on the guard's faces when they see their king reading poetry to a slave are priceless.Astrid sees the sun almost lost under the trees. Evening. When she last fell asleep it was only noon.She stares at the window and then at
What a blessing and a curse to be confined in a dark, wet cave with the king.Most of the time he is semi-naked and protests when Astrid asks him to put on some clothes. Her argument is that it's inappropriate, his argument is that she is his woman. His argument is better, but truly, she can't tell him that the real reason she wants him to put something on is that she isn’t constantly drooling after him.Well, an option is not to look, but she realized fast enough she can't..."Aren't you cold?" She tries again."No." He answers, containing a smile, as he always does."How about...?""No."She is done! If he's going to play this game, no reason for her not to win.She strips down and throws her dress on the ground. He gives her a curious look, but says nothing.For the next hour, she just walks around, naked as the day she was born, and enjoys seeing him covering his hardened manhood. She expected this to be harder, as she is not the type that is comfortable sitting like this, even if