Chapter 8: Chaotic Happenings
2029 Words
"Your Majesty," Czarina mumbled in a low voice, peeking up into the bookshelves to find the Queen consort.
The library is vast and has a stunning venue with its intricate black-cast iron balconies, and painted wooden shelves surrounded with golden decorations, and with more than 200,000 volumes of a book. The ceilings were also decorated with frescoes and sculptures which made for a mesmerizing impression.
"Czarina, my child!" The Queen appeared from the bookshelves, clutching a thick brown book.
Czarina kneeled to give honor to the Queen Consort. She was surprised to see that the Queen is wearing a velvet long gown covered with a luxurious tunic. However, she is also wondering why the Queen is not wearing a tiara.
"Your Majesty, why do you want to see me?" she asked politely, keeping her eyes to the ground.
The Queen settled down to the red cushion lounge chair with gold decorations around it. She motioned and signaled Czarina to sit parallel to her. After Czarina settled down, the Queen dragged the book into the turnery table and looked at her.
"As the surrogate mother for my grandson, you are also like a granddaughter to me, Czarina. I called you here to give you this." The Queen pulled out a ruby casket decorated in gold and diamonds.
Czarina was astounded to see such a gorgeous casket in front of her. "I don't think I deserve that, Your Majesty. I am just a peasant after all," she mumbled shyly.
The Queen Consort bent her body towards Czarina and opened the casket. The ornate-emerald necklace with a heart-shaped diamond pendant is whimsical. Czarina has never seen something royal betrothal in her entire life and it makes her happy, seeing something like that.
Czarina began to shiver. "I cannot accept that, Your Majesty. It is so much for a peasant like me," she retorted, wiggling her hands, indicating that she won't receive it.
"I insist, Czarina," the Queen asserted firmly.
Czarina can't do anything now so she just bent her body towards the Queen and accepted the necklace. It has been the most pricey treasure she has ever received and she will wholly cherish it.
"I don't know what to say, Your Majesty, but thank you so much for giving me such a magnificent and your most treasured gift," she mumbled, lowering her body.
The Queen's age is already on its halt, as well as King Phillip. They were already in their old age and were ready to give the crown to their next successor which is Duke Nicholas of Emerald, Prince Grey's father.
"I've heard that Princess Arabella's condition is getting horrible, what are the Physicians and nurses doing?" she asked in a furious tone.
The whole kingdom is in the mourning stage right now because of the inaccurate buzzes about the Princess's situation. Her body cannot handle the illness and is getting worse as time passes by that makes the Princes furious and chaotic.
Czarina gazed at the door when it creaked. A Dame entered the room and walked towards the Queen Consort. She kneeled before saying a word.
"Your Majesty, the Duke and Duchess of Croshine are here," she said in a polite manner, stooping her head as a sign of respect to the royalty.
The Queen scoffed. "Oh yes yes, I already forgot about it. Tell them I'll be meeting them in the big hall in fifteen minutes." The Queen stood up and gazed at Czarina. "I'll leave you here, my child. You can do whatever you want and you can also leave whenever," she added.
Czarina stood up and kneeled. "I will, Your Majesty. Thank you for this gift."
The Queen together with other regimentals left the royal library. Czarina was left inside and pondered about what she might accomplish inside. She walked into the shelves to find some good books to read. When she was still in the holding facility, they had limited books to read, since only a few volumes of books were given to them.
Czarina hung around in the library for over thirty minutes. When she got drowsy, she left and decided to go back to her room. When she was talking along the hallway of the palace, she was distracted when the dames were changing the curtains into emerald and setting the long red carpets on the marble floors.
She stopped by the two dames who are currently cleaning the glass vases of different kinds of flowers.
"Uhmm, excuse me," she uttered.
The two dames gleamed at her and bowed down.
Why are they bowing at me? She pondered.
"What is it, Lady Czarina?" the one with the subtle ombre hair asked her.
Czarina was surprised to hear her name. She doesn't know that even the dames knew her name and even addressed her as Lady.
"Is there an upcoming festival or banquet around the palace?" she retorted, leaning her head towards the two dames.
The dame holding a white lamb's wool duster smiled at her. "Yes, Lady Czarina. The May Day Festival is starting tomorrow, it will be a two-day festival and all people are gathered around Emerald City to celebrate here in the Palace for a royal banquet and dance around."
"Is that so? Can I help you?" Czarina insisted.
The two dames instantly wiggled their hands to renounce Czarina's offer.
"You can't, Lady Czarina. You are not a dame, so you shouldn't let your hands dirty."
Czarina smiled at them. "It's okay, I'll just wear some comfortable clothes." Czarina didn't wait for their response and went directly to her room to change clothes.
Czarina found some casual clothes inside her dressing room. She wore an ankle-length linen tunic belted at the waist and a pair of sandals. She walked towards the vanity mirror to check herself out. She recognized that it's been a while since she got to wear that kind of clothing.
She immediately came back to the two dames who are still cleaning and changing the curtains.
"I'm back. So, what can I help?" she asked the two of them. "By the way, can I know your names?" She added.
The two dames were uncomfortable conversing with Czarina. They both stopped doing their jobs and leaned towards her.
"I am Petal, Lady Czarina." The one with subtle ombre hair stated.
"And I am Juliet." The other dame mumbled.
Czarina took some dusters and started cleaning the vases of flowers. She hasn't been charged with surrogacy procedures, so she can still stride freely without obtaining any hazards. After they finished cleaning, they proceeded in changing the curtains into emerald colors. Czarina who is having a hard time hoisting the curtains and just laughed.
"I apologize. It's just I haven't lifted something so hefty like this for a long time," she pleaded, trying to help out the two dames.
Juliet smiled at her. "We got this, Lady Czarina. It's really okay."
Later, they finished hanging up the curtains and Czarina was really glad to help them. She has been staying in the palace without anything to do as it makes her sick. Her body is not drilling.
"Lady Czarina?"
A familiar voice called upon Czarina. She immediately looked back to see Felice clasping a big gold box in her arms.
"Felice!" she blurted out. "What are you doing here? Didn't the Prince tell you not to leave the Princess in her room?" she asked worriedly.
Czarina doesn't want anything bad to happen to Felice. It's just too risky knowing what the Prince is capable of doing.
Felice walked towards her. "What are you doing here, Lady Czarina? And what are you wearing, why are you like that?"
Czarina chuckled and tapped Felice's right shoulder. "It's okay, don't worry. I decided to help them up since I have nothing to do today."
Felice is worried since she couldn't be seen by any royal family, and should not be doing things like this as the surrogate for the Grand Prince and the Princess. She is still the mother of the next heir so she must attain her prestige.
"You really should not be here, Lady Czarina. Let's go!" Felice pulled her out nicely.
"Oh I'm sorry," she asserted and diverted her gaze into the two dames. "It's nice meeting you Petal and Juliet."
Czarina followed Felice until they arrived in her room. Felice dragged the box into Czarina's bedside table.
"This is from the Duchess of Croshine and she wanted to give this to you, Lady Czarina," Felice mumbled.
Czarina glimpsed at the gold box and grabbed it. "What is this?"
"Open it."
The gold crystal bracelet is revealed in Czarina. It looks magnificent and luxurious. Czarina can't believe that she'll be having these kinds of gifts in her entire life. When she was in Soulhearth, her mother gave her a bracelet made of copper. It was already the best gift she has received, not because of the copper itself but because her mother gave it with affection and compassion.
Czarina was astounded. "This is too much. The Queen Consort also gave me a necklace I couldn't reject."
"You deserved it, Lady Czarina. Oh, by the way, the Queen told me to dress you up since the Duke and Duchess of Croshine will join the royal dinner later," she mumbled.
Czarina nodded. "Okay, but you don't need to help me. I can dress up myself and can fix my hair up. You should be taking care of the Princess now."
"Then that's good, Lady Czarina. I'll just send some servants here to look upon you," she retorted.
"Better idea."
Felice directly left the room. Czarina spent her time in her dressing room and found some decent dress to wear. After a few minutes, Czarina has chosen a dress. A velvet-red v-neck trumpet sweep train gown with a basque waist and decorated with laces and jewels. When Czarina first glanced at the gown, she definitely thought it's for her to wear.
When she got out of her dressing room, she was about to take a shower when she heard a faint knock.
"Come in!" she mumbled.
"Czarina?" A familiar voice echoed in her room.
She instantly looked back and saw Princess Arabella's pale face.
"Princess!" Czarina hurled to assist the Princess. "Why are you here Princess?" she raised a question.
Czarina supported the Princess until she crouched on the plush cushion chair parallel to Czarina's bed. The Princess's skin is as pale as snow and her reflexes are totally weak.
Princess Arabella smiled at her. "I just want to see the mother of my child. Please take care of yourself, Czarina. You will be a good mother and wife..."
The Princess immediately passed out, which made Czarina panic out of despair. She knows the Prince would really be angry towards her if he finds out. Tears started rolling in her eyes not because of nervousness, but because of the situation of the Princess right now. She's just hopeless.
"Help!" Czarina cried out.
Seconds passed when someone hastily opened the door. Guards were on the door and after a moment, Felice and the Grand Prince went inside Czarina's room.
"What happened?" Prince Grey asked Czarina, walking towards her wife.
"She just passed out, Your Highness. I didn't do anything I swear," Czarina answered, her hands shivering.
The Prince ignored her and carried her out of the room. The Queen Consort together with the Duke and Duchess also went inside. Czarina is still sobbing and whimpering, thinking that it is all her fault.
The Queen Consort walked towards her. "It's okay, my child. You didn't do anything."
Czarina knows how kind the Princess is, and the Prince loves her so much. If anything bad happens to the Princess, she would be at fault. She doesn't want to be persecuted.
Czarina can't stop herself from whimpering out. "Will the Princess be okay, Your Majesty?"
The Queen Consort and Czarina remained in her room. The Queen caressed her back to calm her out of the situation. She didn't know why she loved Czarina after seeing her for the first time. It's just surreal having a peasant loved by the Queen itself. There is just something about Czarina.
- Writer
