PaulMichaels
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IGIWS: FIRST DRAFT: Ch.336 Getting Mentally Ready.
🕑 Added 2025-03-02 03:25:40 +0000 UTCIt was mid-morning as Rya, Rianna, and the rest of their entourage made there way to the courtyard of the palace grounds where multiple carriages awaiting the ladies.
Baroness Ysandra Fairchild and Saffron Fairchild went into their own carriage that have their house sigil all over it. Lady Tayna Dule had one of her family carriages. Joining her was Dalia and Lady Fyrella Coldforge.
Johan kissed Tayna's hand and helped her into the carriage.
"I wish I can join you to get my mother and sister to see reason. I tried to convince them. But they are so stubborn." Johan sighed.
"Well... Should we stop the facade and tell your parents that you are a mage and that we actually love each other?" Tayna asked with a raised brow.
Johan sighed and thought for a moment before shaking his head. "I want to. But we need to see who is against us and my family. They won't come out of the shadows if they know how strong we are... I'm tried of the world thinking you're a political marriage, when it's really the opposite."
Tayna chuckled. "Well... It will let me weed out which Ladies of the Court that hate me and still think I'm disfigured," she said while wiggling her fingers from her left hand that was covered in a black glove that went all the way up her arm. The scars from the slime monster were long gone thanks to Rya. But she needed to keep up the facade, not for her sake, but for her husband and her friends. Once Quinus and Rya were married and Johan baits his enemies out of the shadows, they will strike down them down to root out the corruption in their kingdoms.
Johan shook his head. "Or you can use it to find out true friends." He leaned into the carriage and kissed her lips.
"Mmmm... I will. See you later," Tayna said with a smile.
"See you, darling," Johan said as he stepped back and let Percy help Dalia into the carriage.
"Just remember to behave and you don't have to stand on your feet all day," Percy said with concern over his pregnant girlfriend.
"Geez, Gamma... I know I'm pregnant but that doesn't mean I can't do anything." Dalia rolled her eyes but her black fur tail wagged.
"And remember to stay hydrated! But that doesn't mean alcohol or—Mmmmh!?" Percy was cut off when Dalia pulled him into a passionate kiss.
"I promise to behave... Even though I'm not going to like it," Dalia said after she broke the kiss and saw him dazed and smiling like an idiot.
The wolfkin winked at her boyfriend before finding a seat inside the carriage.
Lady Fyrella Coldforge, couldn't help but smile at the love between these young youths, but then she thought about her son's failure to marry a proper lady of any sort. First she wanted him to find a good Dwarven girl, but he was so awkward and Arathar would lose his patience and but in to try and help his son only make things worse as Zellin would argue with his father only to scare off any potential suitors. At this point, Fyrella doesn't care if her son married a dwarf, human, elf, or beastkin female. Hell she wouldn't care if her son married an matron ogre as long as she gets a grandchild within the next three decades.
Fyrella shook her head and straightened up her posture which showed off her blue dress with yellow lace and gold trim and a blue cloak with a white fox fur collar and a pair of simple black shoes. She tapped Percy with her cane.
"Huh? Oh! Sorry, my Lady." Percy was pulled from his daze and offered a hand to help Fyrella get into the carriage.
"Thank you, my dear boy. And don't worry about your fiancée's behavior. I'll make sure she behaves," the elderly dwarf woman said with a knowing smirk.
Dalia's head snapped towards Fyrella with worried eyes. The wolfkin remembered the loud crack of her cane hitting her chair or her as the old dwarf drilled rules and expectations for nobility and a lady into her head.
"That's a relief. I don't know what I would do if Dalia gets banned from attending high-class events." Percy smiled while oblivious to Dalia's fear and Fyrella's sadistic glee.
"M-mhm! We-we should get going. It's rude to keep the host waiting," Dalia said in a hurry as her posture and tone became formal as she held her hands on her lap.
Percy was confused, but he shook it off as Dalia getting into her role as a lady to Rya.
"Well, I hope everything works out. And Dalia! I'll make sure to have the chief bake your favorite sweets when you get back home. Okay?" Percy said as he closed the door to their carriage.
Dalia's ears perked up and tail wagged a bit before Lady Fyrella hit the floor of the carriage with her cane causing Dalia to flinch and sit still like a statue.
"That's if she behaves... But I don't she her disappointing Rya... Or me... Isn't that Right, Lady Dalia Nightshade?" Fyrella smiled as her tone darkened.
Dalia gulped and nodded. "Of course, my Lady."
"Good girl." Fyrella petted Dalia's head.
Dalia was relieved that she didn't screw up. She just needed to be good for five to seven hours.
'Hehe hee! This shouldn't be a problem! I just need to lose Lady Shorty and hide for the rest of the part and my favorite sweets are as good as—'
"You weren't thinking about running away or hiding, were you?" Fyrella asked with a raised brow and a hint of amusement in her tone.
Dalia stiffened and turned to face Fyrella who had a smile on her lips.
"W-Why would I do something like that?"
"Because that's what I would do," Fyrella laughed and patted Dalia's head. "No, you will need to be by your mistress's side the entire party. And I'll be beside you. Just like when you were training to become a lady. But if I don't see you next to Rya in over ten minutes... Well, let's just say that your punishment will me eating all those sweets in front of you."
"N-No! You wouldn't!"
"I would," Fyrella said as she looked at the Wolfkin. "Just behave and remember your training, and everything will be fine."
"R-Right..."
Tayna couldn't help be giggle to herself as she remembered her training in Noble etiquette. Granted her teacher wasn't half as harsh as Fyrella.
"Don't worry, Lady Dalia. It'll be over before you know it," Tayna assured.
Dalia pouted as she was having a hard time believing them.
***
From Tayna's carriage to another, Queen Rianna's carriage wasn't subtle in the slightest. She had her royal carriage pulled by eight white horses and decorated with the finest gems and crystals. Gold, platinum, and silver lined the exterior. The roof was adorned with a large sun emblem with the Fiafyr crest in the middle.
It was the only one of its kind as it was meant to show off the wealth and power of the kingdom.
The interior was spacious and comfortable.
Elaine was looking at this carriage and thought there must be a mistake. She's only been adopted by Princess Yuliana for two days and she was going to a noble coming of age party in this. This humble teenage Half-Elf was coming down with a major case of imposter syndrome.
Elaine stopped short when she saw her mother, entering the Royal Carriage and found a spot, sitting on the cushions, looking back at her.
"Hm? Are you alright, Elaine?" Yuliana asked as she saw her youngest daughter stop dead in her tracks looking at the carriage in shock and awe.
She blinked her eyes and quickly snapped out of it.
"Um... S-Shouldn't I go in one of the other carriages, mother?... I-I mean, I'm not sure that I'm worthy to ride with you..."
Yuliana's heart warmed, knowing that Elaine is being sincere.
"It is fine, Elaine. Come, take a seat."
"I-I don't know... I wasn't born—"
"A Princess?" Queen Rianna spoke from behind young Elaine and the poor girl nearly jumped out of her stunning green dress.
"GAH!... Oh! I'm sorry, your Majesty," she said and immediately bowed to her.
Queen Rianna giggled at the young elf, "I thought you have excellent hearing and it is tough to surprise a Elf?"
Elaine blushed, "I'm a Half-Elf, your Majesty... B-But when I am lost in thought, I forget to use my ears... Sorry, your Majesty..."
Rianna smiled at the young teen. She could remember feeling a similar thing when she found out that Cyndre was announced as the Crown Prince one year after she was engaged to him. Parliament at the time was struggling to believe that Alaric was a legitim son to King Ethan Meredydd. The King's health wasn't going well and the Major Nobles at the time weren't sure if they should allow Alaric to take the throne or not. And since Ethan's health was an issue they had to change the heir.
So Parliament agreed that Cyndre should take the throne before Ethan died, and the King didn't have time to argue. In the end, Ethan wanted his son's not to start a civil war. Queen Judith was furious that Ethan wouldn't allow her older son to take the throne as he was her golden boy.
Surprisingly, Alaric was okay with this. He didn't want to kill his younger brother, but he also had a plan to give the throne to his next heir once Leandra gave birth to them. All Alaric needed was an excuse to make sure that Cyndre couldn't take mistresses if he was the King. Sadly, the young and upcoming Marquess, Duval Wrightwood had outmaneuvered Alaric in getting the support of the next heirs to half the Major Houses.
If Alaric knew at the time that most of the old guard was plotting to make Cyndre king, then he wouldn't have allowed Duval to win over most of the next heirs as he easily became the next Prime Minister of Fiafyr.
Rianna couldn't believe that she went from living a simpler life as a political wife to Crown Princess. She thought it must have been one big misunderstanding. But her she was, Queen of Fiafyr, with a husband that loved her, and given birth to a son that has a Demi-God Level Mana Vein. She thought beginning trapped in Royalty was a nightmare, but now it was a dream. That is why she needs to help Rya, to root out the corrupt and disloyal members of Parliament, and give her future Daughter-In-Law the chance to have the same happiness she has.
Rianna looked at the nervous girl with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Rianna's mother gave her words of advice that she needed to hear to change her way of thinking when She found out that she was going to become the Crown Princess and she always wish to do something similar for one of her children. But she only had Quinus, and he didn't have a confidence issue like Elaine, so she might as well use it on this girl.
The Queen walked up to Elaine who stood up straight when she saw her walking towards her. Elaine didn't know what to say, so she didn't say anything as the Queen sized her up.
"You're now a princess, Elaine... Doubt is no longer in your being. Whatever you once were doesn't matter. Whatever you think you can't do, doesn't matter. Your past is the past. You are the future. You will be a Princess. A woman fit to rule and guild her people to greatness." The Queen said before she turned around and started to walk towards her carriage.
But as the Queen started to walk away, she paused and looked back at Elaine.
"You've got this, Elaine. If I can be a queen, then you can be a princess. Just be the best version of yourself."
The Queen smiled and winked before entering her carriage.
Rianna sat back in her carriage and smiled. She didn't have to say all those things, but she thought that Elaine could use a boost. It was just like her mother did for her when she was nervous about becoming Queen.
Yuliana tilted her head and looked at Rianna with a raised brow. The Queen glanced at Yuliana and gave her a slight smirk.
"You're welcome, Crown Princess Yuliana Vellanax," The Queen said and leaned back and closed her eyes.
Yuliana was a little shocked at what the Queen had just done. She didn't think the Queen would go that far to help her daughter and she called her a Crown Princess even though she was kingdomless. Yuliana smiled and bowed her head.
"Thank you, Queen Rianna Meredydd. This is very kind and thoughtful of you," Yuliana said with a smile.
Rianna nodded. "Well, we are going to have to get along with each other when your daughter marries my son," She said as she slowly opened her eyes. "And you're a woman that should be ruling a country. You deserve more than just being a princess."
Yuliana chuckled and leaned back in her seat.
"Well... I... You humans surprise me, Queen Rianna. In a good way, of course. Thank you," Yuliana said, trying to hide the blush that crept across her face.
The two women shared a laugh as Elaine took what Rianna said to heart.
'I-I'm a princess, now... I'm a princess! Yeah, I have to trust myself, like the Queen said. I can do this. I'm a princess!' Elaine said in her head and she felt more confident than ever before. Her body language reflective that she was no longer feeling nervous or shy.
'I am a princess and I will do my best to be a good one. I will try to do the right thing, for the people and the country.' Elaine thought to herself as she gracefully entered the carriage and sat next to her mother.
Rya was holding Quinus arm with Nieren and Miss Anna following behind. Rya was having her own intern doubts as she approached the Royal Carriage.
'Stupid food! Being extra delicious!' Rya shook her head to rid her disappointment of having three full servings. 'Stop it! I needed to have a full stomach to focus on the task at hand.' Rya nodded to herself as she ran through the list of names and backgrounds of the minor nobility.
'Bethany von Maus! Family motto, "Grace in Shadows." She's an ally to the Duchess, so watch her!... Anastasia Amelia Abernathy! She's neutral so she can be won over... Her family motto is... Um? Oh yeah! "Elegance in All Things." I feel that's a bit pretentious, but what do I know. And Katie Clements! Oh, her family motto is awesome! "Duty in Honor!" She's an enemy... Wait, no. She's neutral too! Damnit! WHY ARE THERE SO MANY WOMEN COMING TO THIS PARTY!' Rya cursed at her the overwhelming amount of names and faces to remember.
"Rya? Are you okay?" Quinus asked, concern written all over his face.
"Ugh... Hey, Quin? What would be your thoughts about possibly, considering, maybe wanting to abdicate the throne?" Rya asked quietly.
Quinus' had an amused expression on his face. He smiled at her, "You're struggling to remember all the Ladies of the Court's names, aren't you?"
"What? No, of course not! I can totally remember everyone's name?!" Rya replied defensively. 'If I had a few more days to study them... God dammit! I was the one who put it off until yesterday! I hate you past self!'
Quinus' smile grew bigger as he saw how his Fiancee was.
"Well, first off, your left eye is twitching. Second, you have a vein on your temple that is bulging. Third, you have a habit of tapping your finger when you're trying to memorize something. And last, you're squeezing my arm really hard, almost like you're trying to break it."
"Y-You're just seeing... Rah! Fine! You were right that I should have made an effort to learn everyone's name every once in awhile about a month ago... You don't have to be smug about it!" Rya huff and let go of Quinus' arm and turned her back on him, pouting.
Nieren and Anna held back their laughter while Quinus sighed and turned Rya around to look at him. "Rya... You just learned over a hundred names of Minor Noblewomen in a day. Trust yourself in the ones you do remember and you're not alone," he smiled at her.
Rya blushed with embarrassment, 'God... Quin's, right. I need to lean on Rianna, Ysandra, Saffron, Fyrella, and most importantly Tayna. Even Seraphina Valerian can help me and we just met yesterday... It's fine if I forget a name here and there. The important thing is that I try my best and trust my people.'
The dark elf took a deep breath before looking into Quin's golden eyes. She felt at ease again, and a smile spread on her lips. "Don't let this win go to your head, Quin. But I really do appreciate it."
"Me? Never... But I'll let this one time go," Quinus replied playfully as he pulled her close and gave her a gentle kiss. Rya smiled into the kiss and enjoyed the embrace.
'Hehe... He's getting more bolder,' Rya thought to herself, blushing as Quinus let her go.
"Okay. Let's get this over with..." Rya said, trying to hide her excitement.
Miss Anna nodded and held out Rya's purse, "Here you go, My Lady. It's stocked up with your tampons," she said quietly.
Rya blushed even more as she took her purse and opened the top flap and saw that Miss Anna put at least five boxes worth of loose Tampons inside.
"T-Thank you, Anna. I hope there's at least one woman dealing with her period or I'll feel like an idiot bringing over a hundred tampons with me," Rya said, looking at her purse.
"You'll be in a room with over a hundred human Noblewomen and their daughters. You'll get a opportunity to give them one... I'm sure it will come up at some point. So you won't be an idiot. You'll be a hero to some poor lady that might be stuffing her undergarment with napkins or towels," Miss Anna chuckled.
"Well, I'll keep and ear out. Too bad you can't come along. It would be nice having as much moral support I can get... And to have a client," Rya said, giving Miss Anna a sad smile.
Anna just smiled and bowed, "I doubt that you need my testimony about your tampon invention, My Lady," she giggled.
"Hey! Am I not enough moral support for you, Sis?" Nieren asked, faking hurt feelings.
"Haha. You and Dalia are my backbone, sis," Rya chuckled.
Quinus smiled but he noticed that his mother was pointing at him. "You are holding up the convoy. Now let's move out, my son!"
"Y-Yes, Mother," Quinus said and took Rya's and Nieren's hands, leading them to his carriage.
Nieren was over the moons while Rya giggled, "You alright, Nieren? I don't think I've seen you this happy in a while."
"Huh!? It's nothing! I'm just trying to not make the Prince look silly by walking around with his arms out like an idiot," Nieren said, looking away from Rya and blushing.
"I feel like we are making him look like a playboy right now," Rya giggled.
"Pff! Well you've attracted a lot of beautiful woman as your friends, Rya. And it would be rude of me to neglect your sister. Right, Nieren? We don't want her to feel left out, do we?" Quinus chuckled, grinning at the blushing wood elf.
Nieren blushed, "S-Shut up! You're so cheesy, Your Highness," she said, smiling. But Nieren will treasure this moment for a long time.
When they arrive at the carriage Nieren entered first and sat on the other side of her mother and Rya was about followed in behind her when she heard the quick footsteps of a certain foreign Princess coming out of the palace.
Princess Hilda was one of her usual white dresses and was followed by her made Dori. She was annoyed that she almost missed the Queen's convoy as Dori was taking forever to get her hair just right as the maid convinced Hilda to style it up in a fancy up-do.
'By the Three—I mean, by the New Three. My head feels like it weighs ten pounds m—'
Hilda stopped in her tracks when she saw Rya staring at her from the Royal Carriage. She saw Rya's pink dress that looked stunning on her but then she noticed that she wasn't showing off as much skin as she usually did and that white shawl was so long that the Dark Elf was covering her belly.
'Oh?... Is the wicked one finally receiving some Divine punishment?... Yes, it has to be... B-But she still looks gorgeous! And my Prince is still holding her hand! The Goddesses powers must not be strong enough to make ugly. Stupid Dark Elves and there ability to still look attractive even though their race is made up of evil and vile creatures. Curse them!'
Hilda smiled as she glanced at Rya trying to cover herself with her shawl. Rya used her off hand to make sure her shawl was hiding her stomach. She felt like Hilda was judging her because the shawl wasn't something she usually wore.
'That stupid little virgin! She still praying for me to get fat! Oh! I'm going to make your life a living hell if it was one of your prayers that got the Gods to punish me, you little prude! If it wasn't for the fact that I still look good and no one but you and I know what's under my shawl I'd have no problem kicking your ass for the rest of the trip. Just you wait until the party Hilda! You'll wish you were never born.'
The two glared at each other as Hilda walked to her private carriage the was near the front of the convoy. Quinus noticed that the two were having a stair off and decided to intervene. Quin smiled at Hilda and waved to her causing the foreign Princess to blush and wave back nervously.
'He noticed me! He actually noticed me! Oh, Quin! I'm slowly winning his heart! Don't worry, my Prince! You'll be freed from that witch soon. I'll rescue you and take you away from this vile Dark Elf!'
Rya noticed that Quin was smiling and waving at someone, and she looked to see Hilda smiling back with a bright red face. Rya pouted at Quin and whispered, "What the hell are you doing?"
Quin kept up his smile and whispered back, "She's not a bad person, Babe... She just has a misunderstanding about you. Maybe if we try and be nice to her she will realize that you are not a bad person and that we love each other. That way we can help break free from the Divine Three and find her someone who does love her."
Rya rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"Quin... Do you really think she's just misunderstanding me? I don't know... I mean she is so adamant about me cursing or enchanting you like some evil seductress that I doubt she'll ever change her mind. Plus, she's always been a thorn in my side. I mean she thinks she needs to save you. That's no way in hell I'll be the first to offer her Olive branch," she whispered.
"We should at least try, babe. I mean, what's the worth that could happen. She goes from not trusting you to not trusting you. She can't hate you more, right? And maybe she'll even trust us enough to stop trying to stop our marriage. You never know. But at least it's better than nothing."
"You are so naïve, Quin," Rya said with a sigh as they watched Hilda bumping into the door frame of her Carriage carriage and played it off like it didn't happen. Dori helped her mistress into the carriage and closed the door for her.
"But that's why you love me," he replied with a smug grin.
Rya tried to glared at him but he was too damn adorable when he smirked. Rya sighed again and nodded her head.
"Okay, okay... I'll try to play nice, but no promises that she'll play along," Rya said while wagging her pointer finger at him.
Quin grinned and gave her a hug and kiss.
"I'm proud of you babe. And who knows? Maybe it'll work and she'll start leaving you alone," he whispered.
Rya just kissed his cheek and went inside the carriage and sat next to Nieren. "Quin... I don't see any scenario where we are at each other's throats. But I'll give it one try. And I'll choose when the best time will be. But not while she's looking at you like that."
"I trust your judgment, my Love. Now have fun, and mother?"
Rianna was trying not to look at her son's flirting with Rya.
"Yes, Dear?" she said with a slight blush.
"Keep Rya out of trouble. I'm counting on you, mom," he said with a wink.
"Well, it depends on her, son," Rianna said as she glanced at the dark elf.
Quinus smiled at his mother and couldn't help but feel that she looked younger than he remembered. Sort of noticed it during breakfast but it wasn't until now that it hit him. He felt like a fool for not noticing earlier. His mother looked ten years younger than she should be.
"Mother? Do you do something with your hair? Because you look fabulous," he asked.
Rianna's regal mask faded for a moment before her eyes darted around the carriage.
"I... It must be your imagination... Anyway, I promise to help Rya. You don't need to compliment me to get my assistance, Quin."
"Mother? I would never. I know how much you hate compliments," Quinus replied.
"I don't hate compliments... As long as they are genuine, of course."
Quinus smiled, "You're the best mother, I have ever known."
Rianna opened her fan to cover her face and shooed her son away, "Go away you silly boy. Go make sure your father is okay."
Quinus raised a brow but he didn't react. All he did was take his mother's hand and kissed the back of it before closing the door to the carriage. He winked at Rya before stepping back.
The Royal Knights led by Lady Rachel called out to the coachman to move out. The horses whinnied and pulled the carriage out of the courtyard. The knights on horseback surrounded the carriage, followed by the royal knights.
Quinus stood there with Johan, Percy, and Sir George as the convoy slowly left the palace.
"There they go... Hopefully, Lady Rya can work her magic and get most of the Court to side with her," Johan said.
"Aye! But it sickens that we can't watch, Lady Rya's back. I feel worthless waiting here in the palace when something as important as this is happening," Sir George grumbled. "What if the Duke tries to show up to a Ladies of the Court only party? It's not him to do so."
Quinus smirked, "That would be the biggest mistake of his life if he thinks he can intimidate, Rya..."
Once the last of the Royal Knights had left the Palace grounds, Quinus turned to his friend and retainers, "Well, I guess we should check in on my father. I have a feeling that my mother has been... A little more active than usual."
The three men all looked at each other with confusion before looking back at the Crown Prince.
"Come on. There isn't much to do today and I need to get distracted," Quinus said, motioning the group into the palace.
Percy was the first one to shrug and follow Quinus, then Johan, and finally Sir George.
***
Back in the Royal Carriage, which was in the tail of the convoy, the Queen sighed and closed her fan. She had a slight smile as she was lost in thought for a moment.
'My son is ten times the charmer than Cyndre... It is no wonder how he got Rya to fall for him... She's luckier than she realizes,' Queen Rianna thought.
Queen Rianna opened her fan once again and started fanning herself, "Well... Are you ready, Rya? I can lead you through these socialite games... But you will need to play along, dear."
Rya closed her eyes and took a deep breath. With a couple emphatic nods, she was ready, "I delt with Duval and his bureaucratic stunts... Once I get a feel for the room, I can adapt and turn things in my favor."
Rianna grinned and gave her daughter-in-law a proud look, "Excellent. You might be Royal material after all."
Rya snorted, "I never imagined myself a part of the Royal Court... Or having to deal with these kinds of schemes. But if I'm going to have my ideal future, I have to deal with the politics... Just like everyone else."
Queen Rianna nodded, "May the Goddess have Mercy on those who wrong you..."
Yuliana, Nieren, and Elaine looked at Rya with curiosity. They had a feeling that Rya was going to be the star of the party.
"Is it me, or are we heading towards a battle of the fittest?" Yuliana whispered. "I'm not used to human politics..."
"When it comes to the Ladies of the Court? Sometimes, they're more vicious than any monster or foe men have ever faced," Rianna said, chuckling, "But... This should be an enjoyable challenge. Especially, when I know who my enemies are."
Rya and the others looked at Queen Rianna and could see the fire and passion burning in her eyes.
"So... You want Leandra all to yourself, My Queen?" Rya asked, tilting her head.
"Let's just say the duchess won't be able to focus on you, Rya... I will make sure she has to worry about me... And I can't wait to ruin her day," Queen Rianna replied, with a wicked smirk.
'Yikes!... Note to self. Don't get on Rianna's bad side... Ever...' Rya thought.
"Well, enough of that. Let's see what you've remembered, Rya. Who's Leandra's allies and her enemies?" Queen Rianna asked.
Rya nodded her head and began her quick refresher on the players in the game of politics. And so, as the convoy made its way towards the Revelia estate, Rya and the queen went over the names and the backstories of all the major players and their supporters and who to look for first.
Comments
Micheal Kennedy
Thank for the chapter
Marek Gwalt
TFTC
