PaulMichaels
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IGIWS FIRST DRAFT: Ch.366 The Queen of the Court
🕑 Added 2025-06-09 02:39:15 +0000 UTC(About an hour ago went Rianna entered the ballroom.)
"Your Majesty, if I may, I think you've overstepped your boundaries. Finding husbands is the duty of the father and the mother. Not the King and the Queen," Leandra said.
Rianna had a glint in her eye. Leandra had taken the bait and was ready to fight. The Duchess has totally forgot about accusing Rya of murdering Marcus by grandstanding and making the Dark Elf look like a villain.
"I'm sorry, Duchess, but I don't understand. Lydia's coming-of-age ball is to announce that she's ready to find a partner to be engaged to. And she's my niece. I may have missed throwing a ball for my older nieces, but that ends today," Rianna stated.
"B-But, it's not up to you to decide!" Leandra sputtered.
"I think the King and I are the perfect choice. As I recall, Lydia was so shy that she hid behind Sara at the party last year. I want her to enjoy herself this year. And I'll be sure that happens," Rianna said confidently as she continue down the stairs.
Leandra was so focus on Rianna that she forgot about Rya.
The dark elf quietly thanked Rianna in her head as she stepped away from the Major Noblewomen. Rya made her way towards Tayna, Nieren, Elaine, and a Dalia, who was still standing by the carving station, while Rianna made her way to her Sister-In-Law, Leandra.
The Duchess was furious, but she was able to maintain her composure.
"Rianna, are you sure it's a good idea to take this upon yourself? Lydia always said how I'm a good judge of character," Leandra said, trying not to snap.
A few of Rianna's allies balked at her. Of all the women here Leandra was the least qualified to be a matchmaker.
"Hm. I didn't realize that you were planning on becoming a jester. I almost cracked a smile there," Rianna said sarcastically.
Everyone had a laugh at the remark.
Leandra glare at her friend Evelina Dravenhart who stopped laughing when the Duchess gave her a harsh glare.
The Duchess didn't say anything, but she did have a look that said 'Really?'
"You've made your point, Rianna... But it seems to convenient. Are you sure your motives are pure? Or are you looking to punish your nieces for some petty reason?" Leandra asked, trying to sound reasonable.
Rianna shook her head and looked down.
"I've got no reason to be angry with them. They aren't the ones looking to ruin my family's lives," Rianna stated with stern eyes.
The Ladies of the Court couldn't help whisper about what the Queen said. Yuliana, Ysandra, Saffron, and the rest of the Queen's allies gathered around her, while Leandra's allies wavered at first, but the Duchess gave them a glare to stay in line.
"I suppose that's true... In the past, I would have agreed with you. But we paid the price, and yet, you still refuse to believe that we were remorseful for our actions and my son has lost his life to that—" Leandra paused for a moment as she realized that Rya wasn't by them. 'Oh?... You've become a clever girl, Rianna...' She continued, "Dark Elf... All my son was doing was protecting the realms."
Half of Leandra's allies gasped, while Rianna, Yuliana, and the rest of Rianna's allies looked unamused.
"Your son probably shouldn't have abandoned, my son—"
"From who's words?... My son, nor his bodyguards made it out of the labyrinth alive! Only your son, his retainers, and that untrustworthy elf survived!"
Rianna wasn't fazed at all, and was standing firm with her allies.
Leandra's allies were shocked that she cut off the Queen. Sure most of them either didn't like Rianna or was indifferent at best, but they still wouldn't go so far as to cut off a Queen.
"Are you putting on an act or is this what you are really like?" Rianna asked with a cold gaze.
Leandra took a deep breath. She needed to look like a grieving mother and not some vengeful witch, even though she was both. But she needed to win these women to her side and make them question Rianna.
"I... I just don't know what I can do to prove it to you... We've done everything in our power to right our wrongs. Why can't you see that?..."
Rianna cold glare became even more intense and at first, Leandra thought she was going to get the unhinged response she wanted.
"Because it was a slap on the wrist. You and your husband haven't learned anything! And the only reason you are standing here today is thanks to the Prime Minister's stupidity..."
Marchioness Isabella Wrightwood felt really uncomfortable when the Queen addressed her husband's actions that day. She knew that Duval was afraid that a civil war would have broken out if he let Duke be executed. But the fact the Queen called him a fool, made her worry about what the Queen will do to her and her family. She felt like she needed to defuse the situation.
"Your Highness... I have to say that your skin looks so youthful these days. It's almost like their is a glow to you. What's your secret? Is there a new potion from the Crown Pharmacy that we should know about?" Isabella asked trying to change the subject.
Rianna glanced over to the Marchioness who was giving her one of most forced smiles she's ever seen. Every time Rianna has seen Isabella compliment someone was either to butter up to get some gossip out of them or get away from a conversation she didn't like. It was rarely ever genuine, but in Rianna's case it was true. Her appearance has become more youthful after Rya unknowingly healed her from the Sterilith Bloom that was still flowing through her body for over twenty years. Not only that, but with Rya's help she was able to slay monsters in a safe environment, which allowed her to develop her mana vein, which in turn helped her look even younger as the mana activated a special vein that runs along side the Mana Vein, called the Heritage Veins, and it's a special bloodline inherited by most of the humans of Corialis. The only difference is her noble lineage, which made her Heritage Veins stronger than the commoners or lesser nobles of Corialis. Plus, the unknown early days of her pregnancy has added to her glow.
Rianna looked back to Leandra who was looking a bit jealous of this positive attention towards her. This made Rianna smile on the inside.
"I'm glad you've noticed, Marchioness. I must say it's a little embarrassing to be complimented so openly. But I think it's the lack of stress that has helped my complexion. I didn't know that it was that noticeable," Rianna said while feigning modesty.
This made Leandra a bit irritated as the Marchioness' fake smile became genuine along with Countess Alexandria, and a few of the other women around them.
Rianna has kept the knowledge that she can slay monsters to herself, only telling those close to her, like her husband, son, and her inner circle. It was a trump card that she needed to keep to herself until the right time.
"You're too modest, Your Highness. It's more than the lack of stress. You look like a new woman, almost as if you were reborn. If it isn't something from the Crown Pharmacy then is it the Dark Elf—"
"Princess Rya," Yuliana interjected as she didn't want Isabella to refer to her daughter by her race.
Isabella looked a little annoyed but continued on, "Ah, yes, Princess Rya's healing magic has affected you in some way?"
Leandra couldn't believe what an idiot Isabella was, bringing up Dark Elf's best attribute. That being her healing magic, which hasn't been seen in over centuries.
Rianna smiled, "Well, I can say for certain, but it is convenient to have a future daughter-in-law who has such an affinity for healing magic. I was having a couple of weeks bad nausea for some reason that the Royal Doctors couldn't pinpoint, but Rya was able to fix me right up."
This made all the nobles look at Rya who was chatting away with the younger generation of women on the far side of the ballroom.
"Tsk! Future daughter in law? Don't put the cart in front of the horse just yet, Your Highness," Leandra said with a forced smile.
Rianna laughed, "Why not? She's saved my son's life enough times for the King and I to trust her. She's managed to find commoners who are born with mage veins or maja warriors, while being incredible mage in her own right. She will bring Fiafyr to a whole new age, one where mages are the backbone of the military. So why wouldn't I want her to marry my son? Besides, she has a wonderful personality and looks. I can't wait for her to get pregnant."
"Oh, but what about the Dark—um... Isn't the princess's race an issue?" Countess Alexandria asked. "What if she can't conceive a heir? That has to be trouble."
"YES! The odds that she can bear a heir is impossible, and if by some divine intervention were to happen. I'm sure the heir of a mixed breed would be hideous and wouldn't be welcomed in Fiafyr," Leandra added.
Rianna looked blankly at the duchess at first, but then she smiled as Yuliana adopting Elaine was pure genius.
"Princess Yuliana. Can you point out your youngest daughter again. It seems my dear sister-in-law wasn't paying attention during her introduction. I can't see her from this angle," Rianna asked coyly.
Yuliana with her head held high glanced to her left a bit until she spotted her youngest daughter who was near the center of the Grand ballroom, chatting with the youngest girls, including Leandra's daughters, Lydia and Clara.
Comments
Marek Gwalt
TFTC
Katherine
Nice! Thanks for the chapter!
Micheal Kennedy
Thanks for the chapter! Glad to see the Queen getting into the mix.
PaulMichaels
Hey all, was hoping to get more written today, but my child didn't have their usual nap and I was too tired to get all of Yuliana's part in before calling it. I think I have two more chapters with the battle of wits before getting back to Rya for the climax. Anywho, hope you all are having a great day.
