The Oppressed Queen

Chapter 5

I spent the next day thinking about what my life will be like in Qador. At lunch time, Phoebe comes into the dining room in an extravagant royal blue dress with starched white lace trimmings. “Mira, is this dress appropriate for an Opera house?” She asks, ensuring she has my full attention.

“It is an elegant and beautiful dress, Phoebe. It is fitting for a visit to an Opera house. You will be a beauty for all to gaze upon in that dress,” I reply with a smile.

“Kyro has invited me to attend a play with him.”

“Oh, good, he did invite you as I asked. I am far too busy with the seamstress designing my gown for my birthday, so I was unable to go. I do hope you enjoy. It’s said to be a lovely play,” I remark. I watch as anger clouds her face. Before she could speak, Mother walked in to take her seat at the table.

“Phoebe, you look radiant in that dress,” Mother coos.

“Kyro has invited me to attend a play at the Opera house this evening,” Phoebe announces with a smug smile.

“Oh, I don’t think that’s fitting, dear. Giving the circumstances of the coming month,” Mother states.

“It is all right, Mother. Kyro had invited me, but I am scheduled to take measurements for my birthday gown tonight. I encouraged him to invite Phoebe in my place, as I felt terrible not having time to accompany him,” I quickly said.

“Very well. Phoebe, I hope you have a wonderful time. I’ll be sure to send you with a chaperone for protection,” Mother added. “You know the rules.”

“Kyro will have plenty of men chaperoning him. Do I truly have to bring my own?” Phoebe whined.

“I will speak to your father and ask. If he feels Kyro’s protection detail will be sufficient, then we’ll leave it be,” Mother answers sweetly.

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At dinner, I am alone with my parents as Phoebe and her chaperone left with Kyro over three hours ago to travel to the Opera house. “It is so nice of Kyro to take Phoebe with him,” Mother states. “I am saddened that you were busy with an appointment for your dress. I think it would have been a wonderful opportunity to get to know Kyro more. I remember how you once would argue, whine, and throw a fit over someone else spending time with him.”

“I realized how foolish I looked, and it greatly displeased Kyro,” I answer. Not to mention, Grandmother scolded me for behaving in such a way over a boy. She told me that if a man was meant to be my husband, he’d prove it to me through actions.

“You have certainly matured over the past year,” Father gruffed. “Have you made any decisions?”

“Father, you assured me that I would have five days to consider all my options. I assure you that I will have an answer in two days from now,” I reply.

“I see what you are doing, dear. Playing coy to see what Kyro will do for you,” Mother noted. “Don’t push for too much, or it may chase him into someone else's arms.”

“I’m not worried about that,” I said confidently. I’m not ready to tell them that I have decided that marrying Calder is the better of the two options, because if I even hint that Kyro is no longer in the running, chaos will break out.

“Confidence suits you well, Mira,” Father smiles.

“Thank you, Father. I have been meditating a lot since Grandmother’s passing, and have gained great clarity from it,” I reply.

“Well, then. Keep it up,” Father encourages before rising from his seat and walking out of the dining hall. I believe that’s the nicest compliment my father has given me since I was seven, when Phoebe came into our lives.

“Make sure you are also working on the dress for your wedding,” Mother advises. “That comes too quickly after our 18th birthday. I remember how I almost didn’t have a proper wedding gown made because I forgot that it is tradition to choose a husband shortly after an 18th birthday.”

“I discussed it with the dressmaker today while she took my measurements for my birthday gown.”

“I cannot believe that both my daughters are going to be 18 already. I do wish your father had asked both you girls to choose your husbands together. Then again, I can see you both choosing Kyro, which would lead to a fight and someone in tears,” Mother said with a loud sigh.

“I’m the legal princess by blood,” I murmur under my breath as I stand to leave.

“What’s that, dear?”

“I was agreeing with you,” I reply before leaving the room. The stone ritual proved that I was their true daughter, even if they raised Phoebe as their daughter as well, she only has a minor amount of Valariel blood. I believe that is why Father is having me choose my husband first, because I am expected to carry on the Valariel bloodline, not Phoebe, and Grandmother made sure it was in writing before she died. Honestly, though, I plan to urge my father to allow Phoebe to marry Kyro when I announce my decision. It’s only fitting as they will still go through with mating before the wedding.