#late chapter

Hiii everyone!!!!!!

I'm sorry to say, but I wasn't able to finish the next chapter. If I can, I'll post it in the next few days but if I can't the next chapter will come out on Monday.

Have a great Monday everyone!!!!!

Hey so I know was supposed to update DN toad but it just isn’t finished :( I promise it’ll be ready tomorrow!

Not sure if any of my readers are on here, but the next chapter of Meant to Be is going to be late. I caught a cold and it is kicking my ass so I haven't had time to write as often as I wanted to.

Rest assured, it will be coming out, but not exactly at midnight as I usually do. It may even be a few days after the new year, but it is coming. And it's a good one. I promise.

They’re idiots, your honor

masterlist ʚɞ next

((A.N. I promise this is as political as it gets, the rest of the discussions will be held off screen.))

Chapter 10

After watching her Maid Lead Abraxas away Lumina returned her attention to the man before her, gesturing for him to lead on, he nodded.  He was a small jittery man of an age where his salt pepper hair had begun to thin slightly and his face was well etched with lines. She hoped many of them where lines cause by good memories and not strain.

As she stepped into the large dark room where leaning over bowels of water, faces shrouded from site men and woman gazed, studying the outside world. Lumina was led to the center of the room facing a wall that rippled like water watching it a moment she lifted a hand “Open the channel.” She ordered calmly. As her hand settled at her side the wall rippled the sound of water rushing around her energy filling the air with a crackle of power before an image bloomed and The queens faced each other.  Formally Lumina bowed in greeting.

“My greetings to you Your serene highness Izira of Xeris.” She said as she stood, Izira head bowed in reply.

“My return greetings to you Queen Lumina of Aquaria.  It has been a long time.” She said adding the last as she smiled. Lumina nodded “Many years yes. I am pleased to see you in good health, it is regrettable you must approach me as queen under the circumstances.  I grieve the loss of your predecessors, they where good people.” She said formally gesturing to one of her men to ease the force of the channel. It had been a long time since outside communication, they were pushing their power to hard.

“Indeed.  I am here to formally request entrance into your Kingdom, I bring with me three maids for my needs during my visit is this acceptable?” the request was clear and Lumina nodded agreeably shifting slightly she smiled easily “Of course, A selection of my men will meet you at our boarders and escort you to the kingdom.  I shall be pleased to see you soon.” She said Izira nodded and the wall faded.

“Is this a wise decision your majesty? It has been a long while since we have opened our boarders.” The jittery man from before said nervously, “People who have lived and grown accustomed to our closed gate may panic.” He finished but Lumina smiled reassuringly to him

“Yes I believe this is the correct decision, the war is over and it is time our people regained some of their lost freedom.  I will not fully open our boarders, but for now we will welcome this connection.” She instructed “See that it is the royal guard that meets the xerian ship when it arrives.  Ensure they are given our best treatment.  We have kept to ourselves this long but that does not mean we have forgotten our hospitality.” She said strictly. The man nodded and hurried off to see to the arrangements while Lumina left the room with a heavy sigh. Now came the hard part, she’d have to exchange her lighter robes to more formal wear. The mantle of queen was heavy,  and when tending formal requirements that was quiet literal.  The multiple layers of heavy robes was not something she looked forward to.  Her only solace was knowing Izira had similar trouble , the gown she’d worn to speak through the channel had been very ornate heavy with jewels and ornaments meant to show her station.

Slipping through the halls to her room she nodded in greeting to the maids waiting for her. In the time it took for her to be robed, her hair dressed and adorned, makeup carefully applied she wanted to toss it all off and go to bed!  Knowing her duty did not make this aspect of it any more pleasant but she kept her frustrated feeling internal, so as to not worry her maids.  However the sage smile of her oldest and most loyal retainer made her aware she might not have complete control of her annoyance.  Bells softly chimed with each step she took Luminas hand where each held by a maid, mostly to help her keep balance. The Ornamentation in her hair was heavy!

She was sat at the throne but as she had explained to Gramorr previously a spell was set to help her float a few inches above the actual delicate seat. She had no doubt the thing would crumble beneath her in this heavy wear.

Everything was arranged perfectly for the greeting, to ensure perfect and most respectful presentation to her guests. An ambassador would be one thing but for a queen to visit another realm was another things entirely requiring a whole other level of preparations.  The maids moved only just slipping into their places standing either side of her when her chamberlain walked and formally introduced the queen of Xeris.

“Please enter.”

The grand doors opened and Izira stepped inside flanked by two of her maids the third following behind holding up the long heavy train of her own gown.  The two monarchs looked at each other for a moment in silent commiseration before Izira knelt bowing respectfully.  Her maids following suit bowing lower then her.

“Please rise, and know you and yours are welcome in my court.” Lumina spoke formally lifting her hand indicating they were free to stand then turned lightly gesturing to the Chamberlain who stood at the side lines “Please, a chair for our guest, I imagine your gown is just as heavy as my own.” She said lightly her smile easy hoping to break the ice, and succeeding when Izira chuckled nodding.  She thanked the Chamberlain as the chair was arranged for her sitting and sighing obviously relieved to be off her feet, Her maids kneeling on the floor on either side of her.

“Thank you for welcoming me to your lands, Queen Lumina.  It has been long since we have last spoken and I must admit I am not fully sure why that is. It is my hope we may address that as well as my other concerns while here.” She said lightly Lumina nodded. She could only move so much with the heavy layers weighing her down but she managed indicating the room be cleared “Your maids may join mine, I’m sure they would enjoy some of our native fruits.” She said sending them off as well allowing the two women relative privacy.

“Please speak your concerns I shall do my best to address them.” Lumina invited and, after a moment of thought, Izira began to speak,

“Why is it that in the last few years we have not spoken?  I don’t wish to say I forgot about you but it almost feels as if I did, what happened?  Was this a spell the result of Gramorr?” she asked.  Lumina nodded slowly

“In a way, while Gramorr was the reason for the spell he did not cast it.  I chose to ‘erase’ my kingdom, so as to protect it from the war. Understand, we are a small nation, easy pickings and I felt it best for my people to shield us, by removing knowledge of us from the surface.  This was not meant as offense, but it was my decision for the best for my people.” She explained Izira nodded acceptingly. “Aquaria has always maintained a quiet peace. If I remember correctly there is little in the way of military force is this correct?” at her question Lumina again slowly nodded

“Then, I take no offense at your choice to hide your people and keep them shielded from the troubles of our world.” Izira said lightly “I imagine however you where not wholly cut off, as clearly you are aware of the fall of Gramorr?” she asked

“Yes we are aware. The destruction of the Alter was felt even down here in fact.  The magical shockwaves where quiet startling.   We did maintain a small connection to the surface through the water, this allowed us to keep track of the situation and ensure no one stumbled upon us by accident following our removal.” Lumina explained. Izira seemed satisfied again by her answer.  Political dancing was one of the more difficult aspect of her position, words had to be chosen carefully. And while Izira herself was not so easily offended, the meeting was being magically recorded for public viewing afterwards, she had to ensure both her people and those of other nations where not offended by her choices or statements.

“Other leaders are slowly beginning to regain control of their nations, however a new threat has arisen. We have come to believe that Gramorr was not the true threat, but rather the puppet of a greater evil.  With his destruction, the master has moved to a new host.” Izira explained Gravely, Lumina nodded

“We have reached the same conclusion.” She assured “It is my understanding that The Ephidian Heir has returned to Earth along with the princess’ of Xeris and Volta?” Lumina questioned to clarify.

“Yes, as Iris was raised there we determined it would be best to ease her transition back to Ephidia, over time. With the queens return There is no immediate demand for Iris to return and assume the throne at this moment.” Izira paused “My younger sister and The Voltan princess Auriana, stayed briefly in order to reconnect with family but both have also returned to Earth, to aide in teaching Iris.”

“I see.. The princess’ of Calyx and Borealis?” Lumina asked Izira nodded “They will also be assisting, but they will be receiving their own education.  Because of their work in assisting the resistance against Gramorr there studies as heirs have been lax.”