My adored queen

13

Eccentricity is in Vogue, or Who Can Be Trusted

Annie Wilson POV

"...Be careful and trust no one, or they will do to you what you did to me!"

Robert's eyes burned with the same fire that burns in the eyes of bulls when matadors wave red cloths in front of them. For a moment, I even imagined myself as a matador, and my cousin as an angry buffalo (horns suit him, by the way), who would now charge at me, despite the fact that the only red thing in my attire was lipstick. Well, so what if he's a defective, colorblind bull – he's still a bull. And his gaze was so dangerous, so bloodthirsty, that only escape could save me. But I didn't run away. I stood tall even when the prince came close, sobering me from my strange thoughts with his completely sober breath, which carried a terrible stench of alcohol.

My stomach whined pitifully, reminding me of everything I had eaten today and threatening to return it. My head spun for a moment. I didn't know how I would have saved myself (turning around and leaving after such a blatant threat would have been a wrong decision; I could be anything but a coward), but the arrival of the surprisingly quick-witted Count Arron saved me.

"Your Highness, Duchess Ileria was looking for you. Allow me to escort you..." the young man made up on the fly, or whether my mother really called, I don't know, but I was grateful to him for taking me from the "battlefield."

"Alright, Dan," I agreed, without thinking at all. I had nothing more to do in the crown prince's company. I had heard enough today. My conscience would be clear: Uncle ordered to send my cousin to Logan? So be it. Who am I to contradict the king's last will?

"So, we will be working together. May it be for the best," the head of security smiled, giving me an interested look, as if seeing me for the first time.

"You're not happy about this, of course?" I asked half-assertively, looking back at him. I couldn't help but notice how the golden highlights shimmered in his light brown hair, which for some reason seemed soft and silky to me. The desire to touch it to make sure was so strong that my hand reached out on its own. I barely managed to intercept it with my other hand and stop it. How strange it would look: the young heir to the throne began her reign by pulling the head of security's curls. Although the light waves, like on a lake in windless weather, could hardly be called curls.

"I am only a servant of the royal will; it is not for me to have my own opinion. But since you asked, I will answer: what is for the good of the kingdom always pleases me," a boringly intelligent answer. But for some reason, I hardly believe that the sparks of fire in those black eyes are in vain. I'm sure that the spirit of a rebel is still alive under the masks of responsibility of the head of one of the most important state sub-services. "Are you cold, milady?" he asked in surprise, misunderstanding my hand maneuvers, which were catching each other and then rubbing. I stared at him, but, fortunately, quickly caught on:

"A little... This year's beginning of autumn is not too hot."

"I agree with you. They say that it will rain and be foggy until the frost sets in," the weather is the most common topic of conversation for people of our status, but it's already bland in my mouth. Social norms bored me faster than I managed to become a princess. I couldn't read his thoughts from the count's face, although for some reason it seemed to me that he agreed with me on this issue and could find more lively and interesting topics.

Meanwhile, this gentleman, who just regretted not offering me his cloak (even if I wasn't really cold, it doesn't mean I don't need it), let me go first through the arch we approached, and gestured something with his face to the two guards. As I noticed, he was always communicating with them with his eyes, as if constantly making sure that everything was under control. Under his control. And it was fantastic: one, even strong, man with reddish hair (I'm fixated on the color of his hair, even though I've known him (not his hair, the man, of course) for many years) can ensure peace in the state. Of course, they are all guards. But servants are like sheep that need to be herded so they don't scatter. Proper command is the key to success.

Dan led me to the crimson hall, where my family was waiting (you heard right: hall! That is, they decided to call the future queen to the hall, not to the chambers, as if considering that this official tone suits us more than domestic conversations), and said quietly:

"If you need anything, just call me. I will be taking care of the security of the kingdom," bowing, the young man walked calmly in the direction we had just come from. I scoffed. Of course, you'll come even if I need tea? It's a pity he ran away so quickly, and I didn't have time to be ironic, but it's okay. We'll have enough time; we'll be working together now.

I took a deep breath, wondering how not to go deaf from the intoxicating happiness of my relatives related to my decision. I still needed to go in.

One step... Two steps... I even closed my eyes, not imagining what awaited me. Maybe they would rush to hug me. Maybe they would throw flowers. The main thing is that it's not something heavier. My relatives are very creative people. All of them are great inventors, so waiting for something extraordinary related to such a significant event in our lives is probably still worth it.

But, surprisingly, I was met with absolute calm and silence. I even began to doubt that my family was in place at all, so I looked around anxiously. Oh no, they're all here. They're standing like at a parade, straight as a string. The women curtsied, the men bowed. Seriously?

"At ease," I smiled, giving them a skeptical look. "Actually, I haven't been crowned yet, so all this pomp is premature. Or are you trying to appease the future queen, huh? Prudent," waving my index finger in front of my relatives' faces, I involuntarily relaxed: in the presence of these people, I don't have to wear masks, which from now on will become part of my image.

"Annie, my daughter," my mother sang sweetly, the first to step out of the perfect line and approach me, "You made the right decision, don't doubt it!"

"I hope so," I sighed or smiled and immediately gave my attention to my father, who also approached me.

"Mom is right; in the current situation, there is no more correct action," he supported with warm words and hurried to hug me. Orian, Nicole, Aunt Palmira, and Uncle Henry... They all supported me, encouraged me, assured me that I was doing well and that the late king had now found peace, watching from the heavens the fulfillment of his will. Well, I hope so.

I didn't count the minutes, completely forgetting in conversations with my relatives that even now I have responsibilities. Thank heavens for the people who are always ready to remind me of them.

"Your Highness, His Grace Cardinal Mastermal requests an audience," Lucenia's voice rang like a bell.

I overcame the slight surprise that I wasn't used to such addresses and matters, without showing any sign. I quickly jumped off the couch, straightened my dress, which was wrinkled after sitting, and quickly said goodbye to my relatives, only later remembering that the future queen is not supposed to hurry, but only to be dignified. A minute's walk in the direction of "straight ahead" stopped me, realizing that I was rushing things: matters are not resolved like this.

"Lucenia, where is the cardinal?"

The girl smiled awkwardly:

"Milady, he is in his chambers, but he will come to you if you agree to receive him..."

Ah, right. And where will I receive him? The royal chambers are not mine yet, and mine are not designed for meetings with such great people as His Grace. However, I won't go to the garden either for security reasons regarding the topic of conversation, because then the risk of information leakage increases, so it's better to use the king's office. So be it.

"I'm waiting for him in the late king's office," I replied confidently to the servant and continued on my way, now knowing my route for sure.

However, nothing changed the fact that the walls of the ruler's rooms were still an addition to my uncle's image in my mind. I guess it would have been easier for me to get used to it if the crown had gone to Robert, but realizing that absolutely everything in this kingdom that I associated with King Leonard was now mine still didn't work out.

The monarch's apartments were crowded. Servants were already clearing the late king's belongings to prepare everything for me. I immediately noticed the large amount of work that would have to be done. After all, I'm not going to rely on the taste of the servants, so I'll have to control everything personally. I already imagined semi-transparent, light, snow-white curtains and heavy violet curtains on those high windows. Here, a soft, large sofa. Nearby, on the wall, paintings by the famous Lantonian artist Yelieno; I adore him for the realism of his images: nature, flowers, people... he can even paint rain so that when you approach the canvas, you feel the freshness and coolness. A wide bed will stand over there, and under that wall... The cardinal! No, not under the wall, I'm not going to make the advisor-spiritual father part of the interior yet, another thing is the insolent head of security, but even he hasn't managed to provoke me yet, so let them both live. But Mastermal is waiting for me somewhere there.

"I forbid anyone to enter the office; work in the bedroom, living room, and other rooms for now," I ordered, worrying about confidentiality.

I confidently walked to the meeting place, still not getting used to my new role. I didn't sit at the table, but sat down again, like a guest, on the sofa, waiting for my mentor, who, fortunately, wasn't waiting for me yet. He appeared the next moment, because the chambers allocated to him in the palace were in the same wing as the royal ones. Of course, Mastermal had his own palace, but he visited the court so often that I can guess that he doesn't even know the location of the corridors and rooms at home.

As usual and because I haven't been crowned yet, I met this important person in the empire standing. He immediately found me with his eyes, giving me his friendly smile. He nodded his head in respect, and I kissed his hand, as was customary when meeting the main spiritual person of the state.

"You wished to see me," finishing with the tribute to traditions, I hospitably pointed the man to the chair by the table, which always belonged to him before, and sat down myself on the edge of another chair, opposite the one that I think belonged to Count Arron.