Chapter 206: The Rite
"Congratulations, your Majesty!" the ladies of the inner court pitched.
I chuckled nervously, eyes roaming the gifts they presented. I stretched my neck, seeing the long line in waiting.
What is this? Some presentation? I was finally able to convince Drevon to let me come to the inner court to oversee some matters, and I came to this?
I leaned over to Diana, still keeping my smile, and whispered. "I thought this news was supposed to remain in the royal family. What is this treachery?"
"Don’t ask me. There’s the culprit." She nudged her head. "I have never seen her this happy. It’s as if someone has possessed her."
I veered my gaze to the Dowager, happily speaking to the ladies and welcoming their gifts. When she caught my glare, she cleared her throat.
"The inner court is part of the royal family. Traditionally, they come bearing gifts as a measure of goodwill."
"Is that some kind of excuse?"
"Excuse? I’m not making any excuses. It’s tradition."
I gritted my teeth. "Is there any other tradition you should let me know about beforehand?"
"Oh, there is the rite."
The rite? It was what she mentioned a few days ago.
"How about we finish here, and then we get down to it?" she said, going back to welcoming more gifts.
By the time we were done, I had more gifts than I had seen in my entire life, and there was the sorting of them.
I was thankful for Diana’s help; she took all the stress for me and even the Dowager.
They brought each of them to my table to open, saying it was mandatory that I be the first to open it.
We couldn’t finish everything in one sitting because it was time for the rite.
The Dowager spoke about the rite like a great ceremony would ensue. However, at the end of the day, it was just us walking to the Moonhall before dark.
The doors opened, but the hall was dark with only a single candle lit. It was the first time I had come in and seen no light.
"You must light every candle; each candle represents the life you carry," she explained.
"All of them?" I questioned because I recalled seeing a large number of them lining the columns.
"Yes, that is the rite."
"Great, lighting candles is tradition."
"Eloise!"
"Alright, I’ll do it."
She sighed. "I know it may seem like a meaningless thing to do."
"It does," I mumbled, and she shot me a look.
"As you light the candle, you will understand the true meaning of it." She grasped the lit candle, its warm glow flickering over our faces. "When I was pregnant with my first child, I was handed this same candle to light. I cannot put it into words, but I believe you’ll understand it when it starts."
I took the candle from her and began my work. With every column I crossed, the room became brighter. There was a strange sensation that followed as I lit each candle.
I cannot explain it, but every move was suddenly driven with purpose; I could feel an energy I hadn’t felt before.
Was it the Fates?
When the entire hall was bright and every candle had light, I realized the Fates weren’t here.
Then what is that presence I felt?
"When did they leave?" I asked.
"A few days ago."
It must have been the same day my pregnancy was discovered. Did they perhaps wait until I was with child? Was that the purpose they were waiting for?
"I may come off strong, Eloise, but do not mind me. Because of you, our bloodline is preserved. The Balthar name will not die off. You give us hope."
"Or I made your dreams come through."
She sighed. "Think whatever you may, but I’m being honest."
I peeled my eyes away from her and looked at the torch, but it wasn’t burning. I wondered when it would again, when the Fates would have a reason to show themselves to the empire.
"I felt a presence."
"The moon goddess reaches you..."
"You think it’s her?"
"I know it’s her. She’s always present, but you got closer to her by offering your thanks. Each candle represents a life as well as a reverence to her."
"The feeling was like having a glow bath me. It was soothing."
"Like the moon."
Yes, like the moon.
~•~
I still haven’t found anything that had to do with the Winter Clan. I have broadened my search to Drevon’s study and even asked him, too. The only thing there was about snowbloods was in the ancient texts, but the Winter Clan wasn’t mentioned.
"Why are you sulking?" Diana asked beside me.
"I’m not sulking..."
"Yes, you are."
I didn’t even have the strength to tolerate her right now. I heard a yip beside me, and I smiled, setting my eyes on Snow.
"You’re the only one I want around, unlike this brat."
"Are you choosing me over a fox?"
"Well, you left me no choice."
"Hmph! All Snow can offer is acting cute."
"Cute is better than your bratty attitude."
"Well, I-I can be cute."
I rolled my eyes, making a turn in the corridor, where there were several knights lining the walls.
"Sounds like you’re jealous of Snow here." I teased.
"Hmph!" She turned away. "Why should I be jealous of a fox? Not even a cute fox." She rambled on as she exited.
"Good night!" I pitched, but she said nothing back.
Smiling, I shook my head and stepped through the large door into my chambers.
I spotted the box and, upon seeing it, I neared it. "Seems like Talia got it." I opened it and saw both sewing and knitting materials.
"These will do just fine." I searched for the fabrics and wools.
Abruptly, the light from the chandelier twinkled continually. Perplexed, I lift my gaze to it before veering to the window.
There was no wind.
That was the least of my worries, because there was a silhouetted figure standing just outside the glass doors leading to the balcony.