Wearing a red velvet long cape over a cream-colored silk gown that had intricate embroidery of golden petals blooming out from the bodice, the queen shone above everyone else. The shine from a ruby necklace with matching drop earrings reflected on her long nape. Her tiara had a large ruby in the center with small ones lined on either side.
Emma and Angus bowed to the queen along with Bernice.
"Won't you introduce your daughter, Bernice?" the queen said with a smile as she gazed at Emma who was looking too simple to be Bernice's daughter.
"This is Emmalyn, Your Majesty," she said. "And this is Angus, her younger brother."
"Oh, stop calling me Your Majesty. You are my cousin! Call me Violet," the queen chirped as she nodded at Emma and made her way to the sofa.
Bernice chuckled as she found Emma with a gaping mouth. Angus too was gaping at them, his eyes darting from the queen to Bernice to Emma. Bernice waved her hand towards the couches that were opposite to the queen. Emma and Angus hurried their way towards it.
When Violet looked at Emma who was still gaping, she said, "I believe that Bernice hasn't told you anything about your heritage." She tsked and shot a glare at Bernice. Then she gave a cursory glance at Angus as if he was just a commoner.
Emma blushed and took a ragged breath. "No, she hasn't…" She shook her head. "I didn't— I didn't know—"
Violet rolled her eyes. "Of course how would you know? Your mother was a rebel in her young age. She sneaked past the portal when she was young one fine day when my aunt and uncle were busy partying in the palace and found her way to Wilyra." She sighed. "And she fell in love with your father." Violet placed her hand on her chest as if this was a blasphemy. "Well, and here you are!" She glanced at Angus again. "Unfortunately, this little fellow isn't part of our royal lineage." She turned her face to Angus and wrinkled her nose. Then she addressed Bernice, "I am so sorry Bernice, but he has to go away from Yizinia."
Bernice's face flushed. She understood the laws of the kingdom of Yizinia. "I understand," she replied in a quiet voice as Angus's face fell. Angered at her attitude, Emma felt like stomping out of the palace, but she knew better. If she did that, she might put Angus's life in peril.
A servant came with a tray of pastries and juices and tea. "Please Emma," Violet said. "You must eat something. It is always so nice to see those of the royal family in the palace and I am so happy to see you even though—" She shot another glare at Bernice. "Leave it!" she gritted her teeth. She turned to her cousin. "I wish that you had married Duke Xino!"
Bernice flushed and looked away. "Stop it Violet!" she admonished her sister.
Emma's shock just doubled. He was the man on the dragon who she had encountered when they were going to her house.
Violet waved her hand at her as if in disgust. She picked up a black grape and popped it between her teeth. "How long are you here?" Her interest in Emma was growing more than ever.
"I am here for a few days," Emma replied as she took tea from the servant.
"How are things in Wilyra?" was her next question. Violet leaned back and rested on the cushion. She sipped juice from her silver tumbler as she looked at her over the rim of her glass.
Emma pursed her lips. "Not too good… The political climate is terrible."
"How so?" Violet's brows furrowed.
Emma shook her head. Her gaze drifted to Angus nervously and the queen understood that it was a subject that couldn't be discussed in front of him. "Send my lady-in-waiting here," she ordered her servant.
The servant bowed to her and immediately rushed to get Lady Ursa. Ursa arrived in a short while and in that time they all remained silent. Angus had begun to feel very awkward. As soon as Ursa came, Violet said, "Take this young boy to the dragon's lair. I am sure he would love to see the young dragons there."
Ursa bowed to her and smiled at Angus. He got up and rushed out of the room with Ursa, only too happy to leave.
Violet resumed her conversation. "You have to tell me everything about Wilyra."
Emma shifted in her place. "Before I start, I want to know why you are interested in it, Your Majesty?"
Violet narrowed her eyes. She wasn't used to such questions. Bernice coughed and warned Emma. Emma bit her lip as she paled.
Violet laughed. "Don't worry Emma, I won't eat you up. I haven't been to Wilyra in a long time, but I have heard nice things about it. However, now that you've said that its political climate is bad, I am intrigued."
Emma let out a sigh of relief. She started with how King Victor was not ready to descend from his throne even though he was too old. He was afraid of his oldest, Lord Lazarus, who was currently standing a trial in his court.
"That old bastard!" Violet cursed. "Won't he ever step down. His greed exceeds his ambitions."
Emma worried her lips between her teeth as fresh panic bubbled in her chest. She rubbed her neck and her gown slipped down a little. A stunned silence followed. When she looked, she saw Violet and Bernice both looking at her nape with wide eyes.
"You are marked!" Bernice rasped out of shock as Violet got up to examine the marks.
"Who?" Violet asked as she lifted Emma's chin up to see the two crescent shaped mating marks on her neck.
Emma's little secret tumbled out just like that. She looked with horror at the two of them.
"Who has marked you?" Violet's voice was harsh. Her voice carried an accusation as if Emma was tainted.
"Lord Lazarus," Emma replied, her throat going dry.
The door of the room opened and a very excited Ursa entered. "Your Majesty, you have to see this!"
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