There was a cold breeze blowing from Count Valin’s office. Hot air puffed from my lips as I stepped onto the third floor. Everywhere seemed to be in the grips of an ethereal winter.
Poor Lilly, she was a good house - and even if she was fortified against Father's magic, it probably wasnt comfortable.
Father rarely let his affinity affect his surroundings, but the icy frost that crept over our beautiful tree slowly expanded down the hallway.
Mother’s voice could be heard faintly coming from the office as I reached the open door, “They've summoned her officially my love, there's nothing we can do - and stop leaking everywhere. What if you hurt Oak Lilly? She's a fine tree and doesn't deserve your outbursts.”
I tapped twice to get their attention.
Father was doing breathing exercises to help control his temper, and Mother was reading an official document much like the one in my own hand.
I eyed mother’s dubiously.
“Peregrine, excellent timing. Tell us what you've received.” Mother ordered.
“I have an invite to the Spring Ball, Mother. Just as Madame Potts predicted.” I gave her the invite and both parents read it – Father glancing over Mother's shoulder. He placed one supportive hand on Primrose’s shoulder.
“Valin, I don't like where this is going.” Mother stated, looking up at my father. “The queen won't let this opportunity slide…”
He nodded, and drew another calming breath.
“And you, my dear, should read this.” Primrose handed over a letter from the Queen.
It was an invitation, though more like an order, to attend the Royal Palace for tea that afternoon.
Some small nervous bubble rose up in my stomach, “This afternoon?”
“It is a blessing that they didn’t drag you off immediately.” My mother sighed. “We might have enough time to prepare your court dress...”
There was no way I was going to get out of this. I waved at the invitation from North Sumbria. “Should I sign this now, or wait?”
Mother sighed, “As much as I think it proper to wait for Their Majesties… let's have you sign it now.”
I raised my eyebrows at that.
Countess Primrose handed over a quill and explained. “I don't want them abusing the invitation. We say you were so excited that you signed the waiver right away – the folly of youth. Then we only have to worry about who they’ll send as your plus one.”
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I took the quill and dipped it into the dark purple ink my father used for signing things. Slowly, I calligraphed my name, Countess Peregrine Fern, in swirling finesse. As I finished dotting the ‘i’, the invitation shone with a golden light.
It was official, I was going to be attending this year's Spring Ball.
…
As with all dwellings in Sumbria, the Royal Palace was built into the trees.
Where my house was crafted around a beautiful ancient oak, the Sumbrian Palace was formed in a grove of forty giant maple trees. Their names were reserved for the royal's pleasure.
Mother and I were escorted to a patio overlooking the palace gardens. And while the Fern's were punctual, Their Majesties were not.
“An interesting choice.” Countess Primrose mused after that first a half hour.
“What is?”
“I am in Her Majesty's retinue,” Primrose pointed out. “So I'm wondering how they thought that using this kind of waiting tactic would intimidate us.”
Countess Primrose Fern was in charge of the royal wardrobe, and worked directly with the court scheduler to be prepared for the day. She was a fashion icon, and currently wore a green fishu and a stunning A cut lavender coloured dress with flowing skirts and hand-stitched oak leaves on the neck, wrist and waist.
“Maybe they are just running late from an important meeting?” I said, not believing it myself.
“Uh huh.” Mother sounded unconvinced. Changing the subject, she turned on my with a bright smile, a fierce twinkle in her eye. “So, what is your current high score on the royal rounds?”
“Just 418.” I feigned modesty. A Royal Round was the official archery scoring for Sumbria, and I was in the top 5 in my bracket.
“Well done,” Mother smiled approvingly. “Which part did you miss?”
“The Blades of Flaming Night.” I confessed. The room was pitch black, with daggers flying across the field between the archer and the moving target. “[Observe] gives me an advantage, but I’m not able to dodge all of the shots without a fast travel perk.”
“It doesn’t matter how many headshots you get if you’re dead.” My mother mused. “I wish we could've levelled you up some more before you leave. We'll have to focus on that when you get home.”
“Yes Mother.” Of course, both of us knew that I already had a fast travel skill– I just couldn’t use it while keeping my real level a secret.
At this point, a palace attendant in green liveries coughed in the doorway. He announced, “Their Majesties Queen Terran and King Jarred.”
The pair swept in looking imperious and aloof, glancing down their noses as mother and I stood and bowed. I bent fully at the waist, delicately raising my right hand to touch over my heart. I held still until the queen stated, “You may rise.”
Her Majesty took a seat, the king following a second behind. Both wore court finery. The king had donned a mantle, the front latched with a thread of twine tied with dried orange slices and rosemary, the scent of citrus and herbs filled the room.
The queen wore a soft orange gown with green fig leaves embroidered over all.
Mother and I stood, waiting for a palace servant to serve the royals tea. Then the queen added, “It is good of you to join us Primrose. Come, sit down.”
Ah, the joys of Etiquette.
“If it pleases you.” Countess Primrose said and we retook our seats. “The House of Fern is humbled to be allowed this great honor.”
“Of course you are,” the queen nodded, as if that were expected. “Now, tell us, what is new with you? The forest is aflutter with your family name.”
Mother waved for me to speak.
If they wanted to skip an hour of polite discussion about the changing flora and go right to business, I would not deny them.
I pulled out the invitation. “My queen, my king, I have received a letter.”
