Not Your Pretty Picture

Whatever the young lady thought she focused on Princess Genevieve. A smile came to her then visibly excited. She has not had another lady around her other than her handmaiden Maya. No sister. No friend. It gave Miranda an opportunity to be close to another young lady. That is the best gift in a marriage. Extra family.

"Oh I so look forward to seeing you again Princess," she confessed her excitement in that. "I am so happy you and my cousin are together. I remember him telling me of you once before. As children you met."

Corvus hummed. "My dear little cousin wishes to spill my secrets."

Miranda gave a playful smirk. "Why should it be so secret that you are over the moon? It is true. I see it."

"She does have an eye for such," the king admitted.

Miranda did feel proud of herself. Even going as far to share her secret little smile with Genevieve. Surely she would enjoy poking at Corvus. Who wouldn't want to know all those little details? He is in love. It is plain to her if it may be hard to read for others. There is something to be said about their close bond. Not many would garner such protection from the one known as the Bloody King. Said behind his back by naysayers but never to his face. She has heard it before but to her he is simply her loving cousin, the brother she never had. The one who murdered his grandfather before he had her and Holland burned.

"The Emerald Realm is so beautiful. It is true, Princess. Maybe one day we shall go together. It would do me good to have a companion to travel with. One who would go shopping in the markets."

"Miranda." A stern voice interrupted this meeting. Holland approached, wiping away the girl's smile. "You should be resting after your long journey home."

"I did rest mother," she countered, giving her a smile. "I had to meet Princess Genevieve before they depart."

"Well it appears our guests are able to leave." Holland offered the news now to Corvus' princess. Lord Conan had already gone to alert the other Violet royals.

Corvus narrowed his eyes. "All is well then. You see," he added, taking Gen's hand despite the etiquette. "None will keep you safer."

"Scandalous even," another whispered, indulging in the breakfast given with gossip on their breath. "The Violet Princess is bold. Perhaps a good match after all."

The goings on within the Red Keep always kept an intrigue in the young cousin. It is one thing to be related to royals. It is another to be seen as a little sister of the sole heir to the throne. Her Cousin Corvus had did more for her than anyone else. Certainly more than Lady Holland would agree but she had a curious air about her today. Even as Miranda went to change and rest a bit; she could see Holland whispering something to Lord Conan.

While he is a handsome man there is an iciness that creeps into her spine. Ice beneath the fire he wields. Tales of The Sect of Severin are similar to ghost stories. She finds them both fascinating and frightening.

Miranda made her way to breakfast. Ignoring any protests from her mother. As if she cannot simply do as she likes when this is her home.

She could hear the whispers. The hushed words of all around her seem typical. Everyone is a flutter when it involves royalty. Especially her cousin. Corvus is not only a king but a handsome king. All the girls have something to say. Some would love to flock. Others want to fly away. They are the ones who view him as evil. She knows there are people who do not appreciate what he has done. He has kept the kingdom thriving. If anyone was evil it is the deceased King Vladislav.

".....Lady Miranda....I wonder if she is jealous."

Those words stilled her steps immediately. She scrunched up her nose. Jealous?! Why would she be jealous? That is absurd. She pursed her lips, much as her mother, and shot them an icy blue eyed glare. They ceased their prattle then knowing she heard.

Just as easily as smile returned seeing her cousin at breakfast but he was not enjoying alone. Dipping his head forward to eat a strawberry fro the the hand of a very beautiful young girl; the violet princess? It must be. Yes! She could not believe the bold affections in the middle of the banquet. She is certain her mother would find it appalling.

Good. Let her. It is clear how happy he is. Oh it is absolutely true then. Her cousin and the princess are besotted with each other. It was like those romance stories she heard as a child. Faraway lands with princesses finding their true loves.

Miranda approached. Unsure if she should interrupt but she has been dying to meet Princess Genevieve. Her mother will not stop her at least meeting the Violet royal. "Pardon me dear cousin," the young lady bowed her head.

Corvus paid her mind only after a second of pause. His sight finally left his betrothed. "Ah. Miranda," he greeted his little cousin by rising to his feet and offering her a chaste kiss to the cheek. "Princess Genevieve may I introduce my cousin Lady Miranda. She has just returned from a trip to the Emerald realm."

Miranda curtsied to the princess, a warm bright smile gracing her lips. "Princess. I am so delighted to meet you."

Finally it calls for their family to have that. After Vladislav she only wishes for it. If anyone can lead their people to better lives it is Corvus. He already has given them more than other realms could dream. Of course that is with the help of Elijah.

Miranda is grateful for them both. If there are any good men in her life she could have they are those men. Without her father it only makes sense. Though neither one equals that type of bond. No there is something else entirely with Elijah. It is just nice to have someone other than her mother.

"Thank you, Elijah."

She smiled at his nickname. Mira. No one else called her that. It made her heart beat slightly faster. A ridiculous reaction surely. But -

"I will see you soon. No more extensive trips I hope. I - missed you and the castle." She wanted to be home. The Red Keeps is a place of comfort. It may not be for others but this is her home. Holland can keep pushing her out to become something she wants. Miranda will do as she pleases. No one will tell her otherwise.

She gave him a final smile before leaving through the door. Servants moved about tending to the castle as she did so. Miss Lorelei passed by. Once again too busy to chat but Miranda's distraction was enough to catch her of guard.

"Miranda. Where have you been?" Lady Holland stepped forward. Her expression was cool. "I had to hear from Lord Conan that you have returned. Did you forget to see me?"

"I am sorry mother. I was relaxing. It was a long trip and -"

"Relaxing in Sir Elijah's study?" She glared at her daughter. "Do not be coy with me."

Miranda glared right back. "I am NOT being coy. Perhaps you may tell me why the Sect of Severin's leader had to tell you I was here. Did you ask him to spy on me too?" Everyone knows they are not to be rifled with. Having the lord report to her mother about her leaves her feeling antsy. He always has such a blank broody look upon his face. She wonders if he knows how to smile. He may be handsome but he frightens her. Those stories of the Silver Kingdom do not help.

Holland did not answer her. She has no time for this. When the Violet Royals are leaving today, she has to make sure they are given a proper farewell. Wherever Corvus is she must see that he has not no other surprises in store. Obviously he was preoccupied with the princess. Perhaps it is clear to King Nicholas. If Corvus does not get what he wants all hell will break loose. That is never a good thing for anyone outside of the Red Kingdom. "Mind your manners and keep to yourself. Away from Sir Elijah."

The more she presses that the more Miranda refuses to listen. Would she not know it by now? Forcing her only makes her do the opposite.

"I would much rather see my cousin," the young lady dismisses her mother's ridiculous demands. No one can tell another who they are to spend time with.

"No," Holland refused to be finished. "We are going to straighten out your -"

"Cousin Corvus!" Miranda lit up, calling to the king with a bright smile. She rushed past her mother towards him, happy to finally see him. The sway of her dress caught the eye of Holland as she noticed the back cut of it for the first time. Far too revealing. Miranda knew she would see but cared little. She met Corvus in the middle of the corridor, hugging arms around him. Her lips pressed a kiss to his cheekbone.

She wonders about his family. His parents. Do they regret pushing him away? He said he ran from there. He ran from everything didn't he?

Miranda hesitated a moment. Before she had cold feet in it, she took his hand between hers. A touch of comfort. His hand is warm. Far better than the fireplace in her room. She smiled, shaking her head.

"You were brave to run, Sir Elijah. To be who you are meant and not what you are told. Sometimes I wish I were that brave." Miranda let go, instead taking the book now.

Beautiful binding. A beautiful cross but as he said not its true interior. That is something she should have done. Anything to ward off prying eyes of Lady Holland. She would have something to say now that she sought him first. She could not let her gift sit. It may have been lost or stolen before then.

"Intelligence is something to be praised for. Not shunned. You are that. Intelligent. I like that about you," she confessed a little bit of how she was feeling towards him. Innocent confessions. Nothing obscene of course. Her smile grew, tracing fingers against the cross. "I will treasure reading it. My mother will not know a thing with this cover."

She laughed. It is a bit naughty. She will say.

"Elijah, I wonder. If you would watch me show what I learned in the Emerald Realm when I seek my cousin. It is a traditional dance. My mother sent me off to learn more about music when I already play the harp and piano. The dance invokes the swaying of the mind. Tranquil hypnotism. That is why I asked." Miranda gave him a coy smile now. "I admit it is a bit forbidden. Much as your books."

She moved over to the door. Corvus will wish to see her. She has missed him so. "I find the burning of books the most ghastly sin in the world. That monastery sounds evil." A blaspheme a lady should not make but she did not care. "You deserved better."

Corvus is a much better king. He is allowing all these advances. They benefit everyone. It makes her happy to see. As should Sir Elijah.

"No one should judge a person without knowing them," she dismissed Holland's views. Her mother had issue with most. It was daunting to deal with. "She did not even like my father as I remember."

Jonathan Royce fell dead one eve. He had been away. Out in the countryside. Her mother told her it was likely bandits or Outlanders. Miranda will never know.

She stared off. Only briefly did she fall into her mind. Part of her imagines he ran off. Maybe he was unable to take Holland. Could she blame him then?

"Cousin Corvus is in love then." There is a little bit of slyness to her comment. She did not have many to talk about it. Elijah is her best option. "My cousin is handsome. Dashing. I know many girls would love to be with him. He is picky though." She waved a hand, almost teasing him behind his back. She is one of the few who could without consequence. "I am happy for him. It has been near two years since he became king. He deserves a wife."

As does Elijah. Her thought brought a small smile. "If there is one thing I want for everyone it is to have love. There are so many forms of it."

She laughed. "I sound boring today. Call it my excitement having been away. Without the watchful eye of my mother it was exhilarating. There is something I wanted to ask you, Elijah. In the Emerald Realm they spoke of hypnotism. Do you know anything about it? I thought it was fascinating. They have soothsayers who supposedly can suggest things to a person. I wonder what is more fanciful. That or alchemy."

Holland would not approve of her topics. She never approves of anything. She shook her head. "Mother wants me to be prim and proper. To look pretty only. What good is being pretty if I am not intelligent? No one wants a boring girl around especially not when the king's cousin."

Part of the reason she grew attached to him is to be rebellious. At first. Now she is truly fascinated when he talks about his projects. It is so beautiful what he does. Everything helps their kingdom. Whatever helps the kingdom helps their people.

She smiled up at him. "You are just saying that," the young lady countered, lifting her chin higher. Though she might have challenged it her eyes were soft, red lips holding their happy curve.

"I hope my mother was not terrible to you." It came as a real concern. Sometimes she thinks Holland wants to put a rift. Make it so she can no longer be friends with him.

The thought only saddened her. She frowned. "I know you don't get along. I do not need you to if you do not like her. I just want to keep seeing you." Miranda trailed off, sweeping over to the window. She looked out onto the estate from there. "For our talks," she added to make it sound less as if she wanted courtship. That is not what she meant. But she does not want to make it seem so. She is happy to have his friendship. Even if people say he is not one to make friends.

Miranda's eyes followed several of the sect moving past. Lord Conan doled out orders. Specifically he bade the young blonde man, Sir Daniel to go somewhere. As long as he was far away. She did not like him

She froze when Conan looked up as if he were searching for this window. Her gaze met his and she abruptly broke it, turning away from there. "She is a bore anyway. She does not understand your work. I find it spectacular. Or else the other realms would not use it would they? That you can tell her." A bit of a coy disregard for what Lady Holland tried to make her believe.

"Tell me about the princess from Chateau Violet. Does Cousin Corvus like her? He said something before my trip. I believe he met her once. When they were children."

"Did you know the Lord Conan was on the estate? He brought the men of Severin with him." She may be a young lady but she knew they were not kind. At least not to the Silver Kingdom they were not. When she first heard the stories come in it frightened. She had just turned eighteen when the Old War ended. King Vladislav had fallen. She wishes death on no one but he terrified her. He wanted to hurt her mother.

Miranda overheard once. She heard Corvus say he would not allow it. Her dear cousin. She missed him too.

"They spoke of an incident in the market during the feast. I know nothing else. They forced me inside." A light roll of her eyes showed a bit of rebellion. The hidden drive to do as she pleases without consequence. Ladies are not permitted. It is grossly unfair at times.

Today she chose to do as she liked by visiting Elijah. Her mother does not approve of it. But he is such a wonderful man. A handsome smart man that her cousin adores. Miranda herself may say she adores him too. "I am glad you like it. The Emerald Realm has many of your innovations they are putting to use. I was in awe of everything. It made me think of you everywhere."

She trailed a hand against several books. Neatly stored. All subjects that drew her curiosity. She wonders at times if he would ever teach her. "I hope I did not miss the Violet Royals. I wished I could have been there." She hoped her mother was not her usual boorish self. "I also purchased this dress there," the young lady gave a small twirl to show him the back. Her skin highly visible in the cut. Something her mother would despise. It is such a beautiful style that is very much the norm in that realm. Some are far more cut to favor skin. "I am glad they had red. I want to see Corvus as presentable as I can. Do you," Miranda spoke as she closed the distance between them. "Think it acceptable?"

The thought still drove a smile on her ruby lips. The blonde lady herself donned red. She was a beacon of the Red Kingdom. Some might say she doesn’t fit. Not with her fairer skin and gold hair; she may be of the Gold Kingdom to some. That would not be so out of the context of her family. Roots stretch there. She would have liked to visit there instead. 

Her mother decided if she wanted to ‘be spoiled’ she should go learn to play music in the Emerald Realm. They had such famous and fancy composition. They were also graceful dancers. Which is what Miranda actually to dip her toes in. She already knew how to play music. The harp. The piano. What more could Lady Holland possibly want out of her. 

Imagine the look on faces when she shows off her dance ability. No one in the Red Keep will call her clumsy then. In fact no one has. Just her mother. 

Miranda frowned. She peered a head out of the carriage. Her smile bloomed fully seeing the Red Keep so close. It was coming home again and she was! She laughed a bit. A little giddy. Oh! She almost forgot! 

Reaching into her bags, she produced a box. Lifting the lid to check the gift, she made sure the hands ticked on the silver pocket watch. A raven etched and blended Engraved. Fine handcrafted. 

“We are at the gate my lady!” 

Miranda closed the box. Immediately pushing her door open, she froze, her smile dropping at the outside escort. Why are so many congregated about here? Did something happen? Though it truly was the appearance of several men from the Sect of Severin that made her uncomfortable. She had no choice bu to accept the hand of the sect leader himself. Lord Conan. A tall man who wore steel gray ice in his eyes. His face always held the same expression. She wondered if he even knew how to smile.

“Lady Miranda. Enter the castle without delay.” Conan waved his hand to the driver to retrieve and bring her belongings on his own. 

She watched them commandeer the carriage. As if she was a criminal transport! She narrowed eyes. “Why? What happened?” 

“We are under investigation of an incident in the market. That is all you need to know.” Miranda opened her mouth to question further but stopped at a second man shifting into view. Unease swallowed her. The blonde young man stared at her. She turned away to get rid of his eyes on her and did as she was instructed. 

Entering the castle gave relief but she was not about to stop for her mother. It seemed there would be no greeting anyway. The whole staff is up in arms. At least they are scrubbing away. The feast must have been so festive. She is glad. “Oh, Ms Lorelei!” 

The old woman turned her head quick. “Lady Miranda. We are busy we are.”

“Is Sir Elijah in?”

“When isn’t he? Trapped in that study of his.”

Miranda ignored Lorelei’s distaste and climbed several stairs. Winding. Lengthy. Red Keep is known for it’s tremendous amount of stairs. She knew there were several places he could have been before inquiring fully. One she is not allowed. The study is accessible. That is a good thing. She carried her gift to his door before knocking gently. “Sir Elijah!” Miranda opened the door abruptly in a bit of surprise. “I have come back from my trip! I brought you something.”