The Castle Guard

The throne room

The throne room in itself was larger than most houses; its floor was made of emerald stones with a smooth surface. At its center it had a crimson red color with yellow lining at its margins that went in a straight wide line towards the large double doors that joined the great hall to where the thrones resided, the rest of the surface had a dull green color right up to steps leading to the thrones themselves. Arranged in three wide concentric semi-circles going upwards with crimson red color spreading on their surface, at the top two golden thrones resided the right for the king and left for the queen. Both were wider with red soft leather embedded on them a feature added probably by some monarch who got tired of sitting on hard cold metal, they were jagged at the upper part  to form a kind of triangle top from afar the intricate carvings on them look almost negligible but seeing them up close  they were the most beautiful part, starting from where the triangle top going up until the throne’s arms, whoever carved them was a real artist; at different parts small red crystals amidst the wave-like carvings. On the walls beside the portrait of the current king and queen with portraits of other monarchs deemed important enough for their pictures to be left hanging depending on their achievements more often the portraits were drawn to depict the heroic deeds or achievements. However it was a must for the current rulers to have their portraits drawn like a sign of their assent to the throne. Queen Kahlan sat on her throne alongside King Aydra she wore a long sleeve floor length full light green dress that tightened a bit over the navel with two thick golden lines encircling it, her hair let down and a crown on her head her expression was a cross between amused and almost neutral as she usually kept it, most people you couldn’t know if she is about to hug you or chop your head off, which is what she wanted to keep people guessing. It kept her enemies ‘on their toes’ The King however looked grim like he didn’t want to be there.

Prince Warren stood beside the king wearing a black golden blazer white shirt with dark brown pants he smiled widely which he rarely did. Everyone was shocked to  see him attend these kinds of gathering he'd usually give some lame excuse or none at all. He would just not appear no one asked the king particularly didn't care he had better things to worry about. But his appearance getting there early at that made everyone present wonder the reason behind, the king didn't at all seem perturbed by it he seemed deep in thought. Queen Kahlan narrowed her eyes towards Prince noticing he unusual behaviour but thought nothing of it 'maybe stumbled in by mistake while trying to escape to wherever he usually went' she thought for the Prince it was a possibility. When the beauty entered the room along with her father it all made sense over his sudden appearance he was there for her. Not that any man wouldn't the room every one's eyes turned to the door's entrance following as Adrian a entered in a yellow sleeveless dress her hair left free except for her foremost strands were tied at the back of her head to make a kind of curve on both sides forcing her hair to remain at the back. She smiled her lips glossy accentuating her besty even more, she walked gracefully the staff, guards, King's advisors and nobles present all had their gaze trained on her, her father the count coming in behind her seemed irrelevant most didn't even notice him come in until he spoke "Your Majesty!" He said while bowing Adrian did a curtsey, Queen Kahlan's lips pursed for almost a second then returned to its normal serene smile Adrian a saw it she smiled knowing the Queen was annoyed at  everyone paying attention to her she wanted more she spoke "your majesties thank you for letting us stay here for the night, your generosity knows no bounds. But we must be on our way" her father was furious at her sudden interruption he was the one supposed to be talking not her, yet no one noticed her discrepancy. "Not at all"  the Queen spoke though towards the count "your welcome here at any time you please, your devotion to the Crown,  the state and your heroic deeds leaves us externally indebted to you" she spoke with grace relishing as various people noted in approval before the count could interject Adriana continued "Your recognition and praise is payment enough"  Count Desderius was practically red with anger he hid it not wanting to make a scene in front of the king and Queen " thank you for your hospitality but we must be on our way now, the journey ahead is long and tiresome." Queen Kahlan had expected 'A request' probably in the form of gold their leave without any prior requests from the crown annoyed her more it just meant they would be more inclined to be debted to the count and his daughter despite their little words. Prince Warren looked like he was about to panic or cry or do both he expected them stay longer,

" Count Desderius and Adriana of Nickleshtone would you please stay for a few more days?" The King exclaimed out of the blue he hadn't said anything during the whole conversation

" it would be our honor" the count said " Your majesty I hope we are not however intruding wasting more time of your busy schedule?"

"You are not, stay"

"Thank you your majesty" Adriana was grinning inside 'just as planned!' She thought as she did a curtsy

" Would the lady Adriana have the pleasure of coming with me for a moment?" Prince Warren's voice came from behind them as they prepared to go back. He was smiling widely as Adriana and the count turned back.  She cursed under her breath. The Queen stared as they went her eyes filled with malice.