Chapter 174: Results
• ELOISE •
The phantom throb had gotten worse. It became similar to a migraine, but the brew wasn’t stopping it or easing. My entire body felt like a whole temperature gone wrong; it wasn’t much of a cold, but a hotness.
I kept rubbing my neck the entire day and did my best to stay concentrated, but I couldn’t. The bliss Drevon and I shared as I indulged in all my fantasies made me temporarily forget about this nagging problem. But now I was apart from him, it came forth with force.
And there was the case of nausea recently, when the goblet was brought, it wasn’t because of my apprehension of taking Damon’s blood, but the smell of it was suddenly underwhelming. This morning when I tried to take it, I felt like puking.
"There’s no reply from Lady Celia yet," Diana said, eating some snacks. "The time frame you gave is always over and still no news."
"Have patience, Diana," I mumbled, rubbing my neck, trying to ease the pain.
"Are you okay?" She asked, worried, as she noticed my patterns. "Does your neck hurt? You’ve been rubbing it awfully quite a lot."
"Yes," I admitted.
"Isn’t that Drevon’s mark?" She stretched her neck to see. "Have you told him about this?"
There wasn’t exactly time to do that when we were both feral the last week. Besides, he’d gone into the city to oversee some things. It was an official visitation that needed his urgent presence. He’d be gone for a few days.
"I don’t think it’s Drevon’s mark that hurts."
Diana stared at me, confused. "What do you mean?"
I opened my mouth to reply, but a knock came from the door.
"Your Majesty, Lady Celia is here to see you."
"Oh, would you look at that, I was worried for no reason," Diana said.
I cleared my throat and composed myself. "Let her in!"
The doors opened and Celia stepped in, curtseying. "Your Majesty."
"I didn’t think I’d expect you."
She smiled. "Forgive the delay. I have come to swear my loyalty to you."
"Oh... that’s unexpected."
"I’m sure you anticipated this."
"I take it my visions were shared in good faith and with results?"
"Yes, Your Majesty and the rest of the ladies cannot wait. Upon hearing your visions, they were more interested than I imagined."
That was a relief. I did foresee this, though. I knew the chance for change was something they were all waiting for. I was queen, and only a queen can bring about that change. They might follow Sloane, but they knew she couldn’t do anything to welcome their desires. It was just blind loyalty.
"How many?"
"More than expected, share your visions. I was hoping to bring them with me, but I thought I should make the request first."
Smart.
I looked to Diana, who smiled at me and gave a nod.
"That is pleasing to hear."
"I’m glad it is, Your Majesty."
"However, I cannot accept you completely."
Celia flinched at my words, and her smile fell. "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"
Her reaction showed me that my words caused her panic. Good.
"I cannot accept you. However, if you apologise to the princess, I might reconsider."
"A-Apologise?"
"You disrespected her in front of the noble ladies."
"I..." She looked at Diana and swallowed hard. "Forgive me, your—"
"That won’t do, Lady Celia. A heartfelt apology is usually done on your knees."
"Your Majesty—"
"You came to give me your loyalty, did you not? How am I supposed to let you into my inner court if you cannot take responsibility for your actions? Princess Diana will hold a position as the second leader of this court. Best you think wisely from there."
Her eyes trembled at my words before she closed them briefly. She walked to stand in front of Diana and dropped to her knees.
"Forgive me, Your Highness. It was wrong of me to disrespect you in front of the noble ladies."
Diana’s chest heaved as she looked at me, and I nodded, smiling.
"I’m not one to forgive easily, but as compensation for your disrespect, you shall sponsor the new hall for the inner court."
"H-Hall?"
"This won’t be just an inner court, as you know, it shall be beneficial to all the noble ladies. The hall shall be a safe space for us to dine and talk about achievements."
"You’d go that far too?"
I rose to my feet, standing above her like a high figure she couldn’t reach.
"I want to make a haven where ladies can gather and discuss their future, as well as bring any trouble to me."
"Your vision shall be achieved, Your Majesty! I shall make sure of it no matter what!"
I stretched my hand for her, and she kissed my ring of reign.
"I accept your loyalty, Lady Celia Everest of House Everest."
~•~
I ventured to the Moonhall alone, in the dead of the night. I don’t know, but for some reason, I felt like I’d get my answer from them.
The Fates were still in the empire, and according to Ravyn, they had never been around for so long, except that there was still something for them to do. What other purpose were they waiting to fulfill?
The doors opened, and I stepped through without hesitation. The Fates were already present, standing beneath the giant torch like they were expecting me.
I halted when I neared and tucked my hands into my sleeves.
"I heard you haven’t stayed long in the empire before, except that there is still a purpose you’re yet to fulfill."
"Yes... Luna. We believe we’re still needed."
"May I ask your purpose?"
"..."
Seeing that they had no intention of stating their purpose, I said. "I have come to you because of a problem... I don’t even know why I’m here, to be honest."
"You come to us because you believe we hold the answer. Our voices reached you."
I gulped.
"You—" I stopped talking when, like a mirage, one of them stepped forward, and the two others were gone.
It was that blind old woman.
"Tell me what worries you, Luna," she said with a warm smile. "I hope I can provide ease to them."