Kingdoms

Chapter 3 - Aurelia

Ingrid collapses in her room at the palace the second the servants leave, the enormity of the journey, it's happenings and what is now expected of her hits her. Gone is the life she dreamt of, like her mother. Although even if her mother were alive she would also be powerless against her father. He's never had any softness about him. The land they come from doesn't allow any. Ignarath is harsh, full of ash and fire, unlike here in Aureial where life just blooms like the golden fields. Everything was loud here. Not like the quiet of Ignarath.

Gone is the dream of a good match to a wealthy Lord and hunter in Ignarath where she could fill the days with solitude, books and quietness while her husband would be gone days at a time hunting the lands. Gone is the dream of peace and contentment, now she must accept her fate. The fate her father has set for her. Thoughts of her father fill her mouth with vomit as she remembers what he did to her on the journey here, the taste of his seed in her mouth.

Pushing down the vomit she stands. I suppose she could have had it worse, he could have completely ruined her maidenhood, spoiling her for any man, I suppose the fact he wanted her for the King had saved her or that terror. Still she wanted to wash away the remnants of the memory. She pulls the rope bell and asks the answering maid to fill the bath for her.

Enveloped in the water she allows the warmth to soothe her. Knowing she must ready herself for what comes. There's no knowing that the King will even like her, let alone want to marry her. And if the rumours of how much he loved his wife are true, the King may never marry again. Then what? Who will her father pick then for her to marry? Who will get her father the most power? Footsteps appear behind her, Footsteps she recognises as her father's. Dread fills her, not again, please no, not again.

Illieth steps towards his daughter in the bath, the scent of jasmine flowers rising with the hot water hitting his senses. "Tomorrow you will clothe yourself in your finest dress and be in the rose garden with your needlework after breakfast". Ingrid nods in response to her fathers order. "Yes father" tension filling her body waiting for his next action. Illieth reaches out to touch her face, sliding his fingertips down her cheek, then trailing lower, reaching her breasts, he circles her n*****s before moving hand lower, his fingers finding her p***y, he strokes her warm c**t. "Don't worry daughter, this cunt belongs to the King". He pulls his hand away and sticks his fingers into his mouth licking them, then exits the room.

Ingrid blows out the breathe she was holding, f**k, she wanted her father dead for touching her like that again. She hated him, hated this life she was now forced into. The water that was soothing now felt tainted. Rising from the bath she grabs her robe and dries off. Donning her nightdress she climbs into bed for a fitful nights sleep.

Dawn comes too fast, bringing her lady's maid in to help her dress for the day ahead. She picks out her finest silk dress, a deep emerald green that compliments her skin. Picking up her needlework she heads to the rose garden, she may as well eat breakfast out there and be early, her father would skin her alive if she was late. Absorbing herself in her needlework she didn't even hear when her father walking with the King approached. It wasn't until the King spoke that she realised they were there.

"Well, who do we have here? The King asks. Ingrid looks up from her needlework the picture of radiance. Illieth couldn't have staged it any better. "My daughter your majesty, Ingrid". Illieth replies. Ingrid rising from the seating steps towards the King and curtsies deeply. The King takes her hand pulling her to her feet and kisses her hand "Welcome to Aureila Ingrid, how do you like the palace so far?" He asks her. "It is beautiful your majesty, I'm especially fond of the rose garden, it is most peaceful". Ingrid replies and finds there is genuine truth in that response her father scripted for her. "It pleases me to hear that" the King replies while plucking a rose from bush next to him and presenting it to Aureila. "A beautiful rose for a beautiful lady" he adds and he carries on walking, her father following. Ingrid returns to her seat and admires the rose in her hand. Confused about the revelation of finding peace among it's flowers. Maybe she could find happiness here?

"You must be Lady Ingrid, a pleasure to meet you". A woman around a similar age to Ingrid sits down at the table with her. "I'm Lady Lyra, from Lunaverde" the woman adds. Ingrid smiles "Well met, Lady Lyra, I was just about to go for a walk actually" Ingrid tells her as she gets to her feet. "Would you mind if I joined you? I could use some company" Lady Lyra asks. The two start to wander around the gardens. Lady Lyra tells her that all the Lords of the other seven kingdoms have either arrived or are still travelling to Aureila with their daughters or other female relatives to meet the King and offer condolences.

Ingrid thinks it's rather sad, she tells Lady Lyra so. All those poor women forced into competition for a King who from rumour doesn't want any of them, just wants his Queen back. Lady Lyra agrees, telling Ingrid that her own father has brought her and her three sisters here for that same reason. Ingrid remains guarded, it's one thing that people suspect she's been brought here for that reason but it's not something she will admit to. They continue walking the gardens and Lady Lyra points out different people and tells her their names, introducing her to other young women like them that have been dragged here. Ingrid will never remember all their names but tries to keep up.

Igor, Ingrids brother finds her sometime later having afternoon tea with Lady Lyra, and her three sisters, Lady Selena, Lady, Mirella and Lady Thalia. "Sister, father wants to see you, now" Igor holds his arm out for his sister. "Until later Ladies" she announces to the women and takes her brothers arm. Igor leads her into the palace, to a room just passed the great hall, the room is beautiful, well lit and comfortable, and soft chais long and other seating centre of the room, great tapestries and art adorn the walls. One particular painting stands out, it's a painting of the palace rose garden, the artist has captured it perfectly, the brush strokes so soft and delicate the roses almost look real. "Wait here" Igor tells her but she's too busy staring at the painting to reply.

A noise behind her snaps her attention back to the present. She turns suddenly to see the King standing there, clearly surprised to see anyone in here with him. "I beg your pardon your majesty" Ingrid curtsies. "You like art Lady Ingrid? The King asks her. "Yes, your majesty, particularly ones like this, where the artists brush strokes are so... exquisite" Ingrid struggled to find the right word to describe the strokes. The King nods in agreement his face lighting up in genuine smile. "I completely agree Lady Ingrid, you have a keen eye I see, do you paint yourself?" The king asks stepping closer to her and the painting. "Yes your majesty, although good quality paints are hard to come by in Ignarath so producing anything as beautiful as this would be difficult" Ingrid looks up at the King as she replies. The King is still fairly handsome even if weathered by the years or rule. He has a little bit of a gut, probably from fine food, ale, wine and the love of a good woman, but he radiates power and respect. He's close enough now that his arm brushes against hers. It's not uncomfortable the Kings presence although not sparks and chemistry, is comforting and safe.