she was a wild, wicked slip of a girl

The tiny flicker of hope he had suddenly went out, and Elric was left even more miserable than he had been before. But he kept a smile on his face, although he expected Roslin could see through it to the disappointment underneath. He did not want her to think that he blamed her in the slightest, because this struggle was affecting both of them. Instead, he put one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close so he could kiss the top of her head. “It will happen, we just have to keep trying.” In an attempt to lighten the mood, he joked “I hope sharing my bed is not too terrible for you.”

As always, Elric’s smile was perfect but it could not fool her. She watched the light leave his eyes as he realized that she was still not with child. They’d been trying far too long without any luck, each failure stinging a bit more than the last, Roslin starting to hate herself as the months kept passing. “I’m sorry.”, she said softly as his lips pressed against her forehead, her voice so small and sad that only he could hear her.  

“I’ve had to deal with the repercussions of people not understanding those from the other kingdoms. Luckily the prince and king of Calydon did not share those values. I was welcomed into their home with open arms. It took a while but now I’m settled and have made it my home. I don’t know if we’ll get to that point with everyone but even an understanding would be welcome.” 

Vianne smiled at her. “Pleasure. I’ve actually been hoping to meet you. Your story has given hope to so many little girls everywhere. I’m not sure if you know that. They realize they aren’t stuck in their station and can actually move up. It’s pretty wonderful.” 

“Absolutely, even I can recognize that true progress takes time and these meetings can’t possibly fix all of what has been broken for so long. But tonight seems like a promising first step.”, Roslin answered, “Speaking of, I have yet to meet the King and Prince of Calydon. Perhaps you might introduce me tonight?”

“I wish it wasn’t the case either. But, to be frank with you, it was the only way it was going to happen. There’s too much bad blood from something that happened long ago. Without something to unite us and make us see that we’re not all so different….I’m not sure that would have ever happened.” She shrugged her shoulders then. “At least I think that way.”

Vi couldn’t help but smile once more. “I will do that, your highness. I doubt I will need to, though. They all seem quite lovely.” It was at that moment she realized she hadn’t introduced herself. “I’m Vianne.”

“Again, I agree. Before now, even I was shamed for my friends from other kingdoms, be they allies to Abdera or otherwise. I always found the prejudice ridiculous, but then again, I’d already been facing prejudice for years.”, she shrugged then, leveling with the girl, “No matter what it has taken I am excited by the prospect of these meetings, all of the growth and mutual understanding we all have to gain. Myself included.” 

He could tell that there was something on her mind, but could not press much further when they were surrounded by so many people. Although Elric had a good idea what Roslin was thinking about, as it had been their main goal for a while now. “Is it anything to do with…” He spoke quietly and made the subtle gesture of placing his hand on his stomach. It was better that they discussed this in private, but if their attempts to have a child were on Roslin’s mind, then he wanted to know. If she had found out what was causing their trouble, or if - and suddenly there was a tiny glimmer of hope - she had discovered she was pregnant and wanted to wait until they were alone to tell him, then he wanted to know. Regardless of the people around them, if they had finally managed to conceive a child, then he had to know right now.

Aracelia gave a light laugh. “I suppose an empty room would be quite strange after being surrounded by people all these years. It’s admirable how well you’ve managed to adapt to your responsibilities as queen, if I were meeting you for the first time tonight I would think your were born into royalty!” Her heart filled with pride when she saw how far Roslin had come. When Elric had first asked her advice on the engagement, Aracelia could not help but feel scared for the girl. To be thrust into the dangerous world of politics as a complete outsider was no easy feat, but Roslin had managed it with grace. “Elric? Yes I spoke to him earlier, but only briefly. I imagine he has very little time between hosting all these guests and the meetings.”

“Well, thank you. That sentiment holds a lot of weight coming from you, Aracelia.”, Roslin answered, touched that her friend could see the growth in her, especially when the Queen herself constantly felt as if she was still falling short, “Besides, it’s you that deserves most of the credit for my transformation. I couldn’t have become the queen I am without you and, despite my writing it in all of our letters, I want to say once more in person that I am eternally grateful for your help.” 

How well she knew his moods. His face betrayed nothing to any casual observer, but his wife knew him well enough to be aware that the evening was taking its toll on him. “Three hours,” He whispered back. “My jaw is aching from keeping this smile up for so long.” Fortunately he now had his queen for reinforcements. hey could balance the guests between them and be done with their small talk and pleasantries much sooner.

After a cursory glance around the room, Elric’s eyes met hers again. Like always, he was struck by the love in them and wondered how he had gotten so lucky. Being a king had its trials, but he felt he could conquer anything with his beloved queen by his side. He was about to lean in to kiss her when he noticed her smile falter. it was just a tiny twitch of her mouth, but her gaze dropped away and he knew something was bothering her. “Darling, what is it?”

Roslin smiled sympathetically, her lips moving to place a kiss on that jaw he’d made so sore tonight. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be here sooner.”, she answered him, happy to share in these responsibilities now, always wishing to lighten the royal burden on his shoulders. The woman, grown now, still remembers the first time she saw just how squarely that weight pressed against him, watching him rise in the early morning light so many years ago, the soft escape of sleep long gone as he dressed and prepared for another grueling day: his father’s funeral. 

“It’s an opportunity that I think is necessary. If the threat is as pressing as it seems to be, we will need to work together. There is no way to get around that. If we all stay separate we will fall. But together? Together we can stop them and be together in a way we’ve never been before.” She smiled once more, hoping she wasn’t overstepping. Sometimes she forgot things weren’t as relaxed as in Calydon. 

It was clear that the queen still remembered where she came from. Not many royals would give the credit out like that. “They have done a great job. Our rooms are wonderful, even as not members of the royal party. I know it’s a stressful time for people and it has truly helped to feel not too far from home. I will be sure to thank them when I see them.” 

Roslin knew that most would be quick to watch their words around her, especially those that didn’t yet know her, but the Queen respected her candor. “I agree wholeheartedly, I just wish it hadn’t taken a dangerous force to bring us all together as one.” 

“Good evening, your Majesty,” Aracelia greeted her friend warmly. Though they had been in regular correspondence, it had been a while since she had last visited the palace. Knowing that talks between the kingdoms would soon be beginning in Abdera, Aracelia had spent the last few months tending to business in Ryvelin and ensuring that all would run smoothly in her absence.  

“My journey was as smooth as can be expected with so many carriages travelling towards the palace. It was made easier knowing that I would soon be returning to my second home, and family,” she answered llightly, breaking into a smile. “How has it been at court? I don’t image you’ve had much time to yourself with all of these guest arriving.”

“Aracelia!”, Roslin said happily, surprised to see her friend finally back in the castle. The letters had been so helpful to the young queen, taking Aracelia’s sage advice in all things but she missed her companionship most of all. “I’m so glad you’re here, relieved really. In a crowd filled with strangers, it’s wonderful to see a familiar face.” 

     the tears that welled in her eyes now were unwelcome. .  but it seemed the queen’s soft demeanor invited out a side of luna she had rather kept hidden. “roslin.” luna spoke, the informality something her father would have cursed her for had he been present. a smile pulled at the corners of her sad mouth, arms wrapping around the girls neck to pull her into a close embrace. “i’ve missed you more than these gardens, i promise.” her voice though sad was riddled with a soft laughter now, as she pulled away. “it seems these days its easier to get an appointment with the gardens than it is the queen.”

She smiled as the girl wrapped her in an embrace, Roslin’s arms circling the woman and holding her tight as well, “I should hope so! And I’ve missed you as well, Luna.” Her smile remained sweet at they parted, a laugh hidden in the edges of her eyes as she listened to her friend complain about how very hard it was to get an audience with her. “You don’t need an appointment, just get word to my handmaidens you wish to see me and I’ll appear.” 

Elric had been stuck greeting guests in what seemed like an eternal loop. It was his duty as the king to welcome all of his guests, but making the same small talk over and over was tedious. It had been literal centuries since all of the species had been together and interacting, and everyone was sizing each other up. No one wanted to give away too much, not yet, and he had noticed that the delegations from each kingdom were standing mainly with their own kind. But it was still early, and hopefully people would be mingling more after a few drinks.

In a moment’s break from the tedium of making small talk, Elric noticed Roslin across the room. She looked the perfect picture of royalty, and he knew she would have taken care to make sure every tiny detail was correct. Roslin always looked exactly as a queen should. They had been married for four years, together for almost ten, and yet Elric’s heart still skipped a beat whenever he saw her. Making his way across the room, he caught his wife between guests and slipped his hand into hers. “How are you, my love?” He kissed her cheek before turning his head and smiling dutifully at a passing noble. “You’re not finding this too strenuous, are you?”

The moment she felt fingers twining with hers, Roslin knew her husband was beside her. She smiled as she turned to look at him, the ghost of his kiss lingering on her cheek. While this all may still feel like a new world to Roslin at times, Elric was an expert at leading their kingdom, and she always felt more at ease with him by her side. “Not anymore.”, she answered, squeezing his hand in hers gently as Roslin whispered into his ear, “But I’m sure you’re nearly spent. How long have you been trapped down here?” 

Her eyes met his again, Roslin nearly falling into the depths of all that blue even after all these years together. He was still a marvel to her, the prince a young maid knew she could not possibly be in love with, the man who’d won every once of the hard earned trust, and the husband even she hadn’t been daring enough to hope for. Soon, she hoped to add father to that list. They both did. But thoughts lingering on her failures in that department made the Queen’s smile falter, her eyes leaving his to look at her shoes. 

Vianne was a bit startled when she saw the queen next to her. Just because this wasn’t her country, it didn’t mean she didn’t know the other rulers. She had to admit, she felt a bit of a kinship with the woman. She had been a maid just like her before her marriage. It had been quite the talk around the kingdom when it happened. Vi couldn’t help but think the woman was wonderful. If only showing that if you’re a good person, what you were born as doesn’t matter. 

“It was,” she said with a smile, taking a sip of her drink. Sure she had crashed the party but who could blame her. “It was quite a lovely journey. I haven’t been to this part of the kingdom. It’s been fun exploring. Though I know some in my party think it’s a bit cramped. What can you do with wolves?” She chuckled then, hoping her humor was understood. “I can’t imagine what you’ve had to do to prepare for this whole thing.”

“This city has always been a wonderful place to explore.”, Roslin noted, happy to be entertaining a guest without such noble blood. It put the woman at ease to see the the girl, so obviously out of place but so obviously unbothered by it. She reminded Roslin of a younger version of herself, one that she sometimes wished she could return to. Her comment about wolves made the Queen laugh, a giggle coloring her features as she replied, “I honestly haven’t a clue.. but that’s what we all stand to gain from these talks. We all finally have the opportunity to learn about and understand one another.” 

     the gardens had long since been luna’s favorite place to hide among the palace walls. floral walls had practically been her home during her first stay here, nearly five years ago. this place, once housing hope, only seemed now to taunt her… serving as a reminder of stolen kisses and secret rendezvous. cursed fingertips plucked a flower from its towering partition like bush, steel eyes rolling over both its beauty and its faults. 

     rustling brush had luna turning her head, flower falling from its spot between her forefinger and thumb. “is someone there?” she called out, internally cursing herself before the last word had even left her lips. 

“Just me.”, Roslin said gently, appearing around the corner and in front of the woman she once knew. They were both just girls then, making so many mistakes, so unprepared for the reality of their futures. “I knew you’d find the gardens eventually..”, the Queen said softly, leaning down to pick up the flower from the ground so she could place it back between her fingers. “They always were your favorite.” 

“Good evening..”, she cooed at visiting courtiers, rather liking the way the room had filled with guests. The last time she’d seen Kyrenia this crowded, she’d been a simple maid vying for a Prince’s heart, watching as princesses, duchesses, and other noble girls filled this very room in the hopes of one day being his bride. None of them had the slightest idea that the woman who’d become their queen was simply among them serving drinks. “I do hope your arrival was a smooth one?”