He treated her with the utmost respect and never spoke at her or down at her. If she stumbled or blundered he would laugh it off with her and correct her gently. It was so much like Glen that Riva found it hard not to like the King. No matter how many time she reminded herself that this man had declared war against her kingdom and that they were enemies, he was amiable and so desperate for her attention.
The only thing that worked was to remember that he had captured Glen. That always sobered her.
They would talk about innocent things. Riva suspected that he thought she was a spy. She had blatantly admitted that she had spent many years in Alsteare, it only made sense. She would describe Alsteare and the palace, the King, some of her experiences in the cities and out on the roads. His spies in Alsteare and without doubt already given his most of the details of her capital. She went on to described the library that she had spent most of her life in. They would discuss literary works, strategies and governments they had studied. Riva feigned ignorance with some of these, not wanting him to suspect her more.
She continued to sing and sing and sing. The more she saw of Court the more she despised it. It was more of a social event than one of discussion and coming together to right the kingdom. Everyone was dressed immaculately and the food was just as extravagant. It felt false. All of it felt false. Everyone dressed up and reported to the King. Riva’s sharp eyes picked up the fear and submission of the nobles. Riva knew that sometimes the use of fear and force was necessary for certain people, but all of them?
No it wasn’t fear, it was more like resignation. Woeful resignation. These people had no say, Sealidan would do what he saw fit. No one would change his mind. She had seen that side of him.
Whenever she was present at these events she took advantage of her closeness with the King and her new found fame. She talked with the nobles, learned their names, found out what was going on at the home front, who their families were, their interests, their beliefs and ideas. There was one thing she had learned: you could never have too much information. While Sealidan was similar in many ways to Alsteare the stark differences were in the details. The way a jury was run what a judge was allowed to pass by his own conviction. Little things that changed everything.
There were several members of the Court that Riva respected immediately, she could see their fierce loyalty to their lands and the people they governed. There were others who felt oily, their words slick with false promises. The women mostly seemed shallow and concerned with merely gossip, Riva still kept one eye on them. Gossip could be just as deadly as a knife.
“You know your promised me you would sing one of your favorite Alstearian songs, I have yet to hear it.” Sealidan observed one day while they headed back from a hard ride.
“I did, didn’t I? I’ll have to let Windleton know, he’ll want a full accompaniment with it. When would his Majesty like me to sing it?”
“William, my name is William, Riva. I’d like you to use it.”
Riva stopped dead in her tracks. “Your Majesty I really must protest.”
He whirled around to face her. “Why? Why must you protest? What is the harm of calling me by my name?”
She clenched her jaw. “Rumors are already spreading! And if I call you William in front of others, even the servants, it will only make them worse. You can’t be blind to this... You know why I can’t-”
“I don’t care.” He muttered stubbornly. “You are to call me William, at least when we are alone.”
Riva sighed. “You are only making more trouble for yourself.”
“I will make trouble for myself when I choose to. That is my decision.”
You aren’t the only one who gets into trouble. Riva thought, worry creeping into her mind.
*****
Later that night, after she had told Windleton about her special performance and she had gotten ready for bed, she headed for her quarters. Her things had been moved. Stopping a maid she asked, “Do you know where my clothes have gone?”“Aye, Miss. They’ve been taken to a private room up on the next floor. I’ll show you if you like.” She curtsied once.
“Thank you, I would appreciate that very much.”
Her private room was huge, larger even than the one she had had at home. The bed was raised off the floor and full of feathers, pillows the softest she had seen. In a mad fit immaturity she flung herself on the bed and reveled in the softness, bouncing up and down. A hot bath was brought up and she was able to bathe in privacy. Ah, it had been so long. She stayed in the water until her fingers wrinkled and the water went lukewarm. She’d long ago sent the maids out, wanting only to be alone. It was the most glorious night she could remember.
Her thoughts drifted. The only thing her mind ever drifted to was Glen. She closed her eyes imagining his face and his infectious grin. It never failed to make her smile. She swallowed back tears, he was most likely hurting right now. Guilt made her face twist in anguish. While she was enjoying the spoils of fame and the attentions of a King he was in a dungeon.
After that Riva quickly readied for bed and curled up in a ball on the soft bed. Eyes painfully dry and wide open.
The next morning she was slow to wake, breakfast was brought to her. He’s spoiling me. She thought irritably. Trying to impress me with all the luxuries of a Queen. She snorted softly. As if I don’t already know them.
She attacked her food bitterly.
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