Chapter One: The Returned Daughter

Servants moved quickly through the empty court, preparing for a gathering called too suddenly to question. None of them noticed the girl pressed into the shadow of a pillar. She chose to wear the dark grey cloak that matched it. She had been there for hours, seated on the cold ground with one of her picks she usually hid in her bun. She worked on the design she had been carving in the pillar since before she could remember. It was an easy hobby as she kept an eye on who entered and what they did. 

It was still early, but as the clock ticked by, the more Rylla could sense the anticipation of this gathering. The closer the time got the more servants sped up their pace. Once the first guests arrived, Rylla put her pick back in her hair and slowly stood up, making sure not to be seen. Her small masterpiece carved in stone wasn’t why she was there today, she was there for secrets. 

As more and more advisors and nobles made their way in, the small talk began. The whispers, they were like pure gold to the thirteen year old. “What do you think this is about?” Countess Melara whispered to the group she was a part of. 

“Perhaps they’ve finally found a suitor for Princess Wrena.” Sir Loryn replied. The rest grunted and nodded. Rylla rolled her eyes, she bet her oldest sister would always be unwed. The gossip around her sister’s unbetrothed status was old news. 

She focused on another group. Lord Cedrik was always good for gossip. He was across the room with a few other high lords, but she was getting better at reading lips. “Duke Ryathor has pulled out all his business contracts from the port.” Rylla shrugged, she knew that a couple weeks ago and had already told her mother. Even when she relayed the report to Queen Lioraen it wasn’t the most valuable information, but she still gave her the slight smile and nod of approval, a payment all its own. 

“I heard that Countess Seraphina has been spending quite a lot of time with Lady Elinora. Too much time.” Rylla’s ears warmed, she heard it before she saw who said it, but as she turned to see Countess Arlina, she gave her own sly smile. The Countess always gave the sweetest gossip, ones that her mother could always use. 

Before she could poise herself, the chime of her older sister's voice rang in her ear. “You’re staring again.”

“I’m watching.” Rylla stated. 

“Yes, well, a woman of your stature should be mingling.” Wrena wore her usual dark forest green gown that complemented the dark brown hair draped across her shoulders, her posture as controlled as the court expected of her. 

Where her other siblings tended to shine in court, her eldest sister seemed to gather the light instead. Rylla appreciated how subtle her sister could be and still be one who drew people into her circle. She always thought that Wrena had the potential to be a good ruler, but in their life, that would only come by way of marriage. 

“Mingling? Sounds like a lot of work for very little reward. Why would I subject myself to societal boredom when I can gain so much knowledge in the shadows?” She asked, and smiled when Wrena gave a long sigh. 

“Because, my young sister, before long, our court will start looking at you when thinking about marrying off their sons. I'd imagine you’d prefer a say in who you will one day share a bed with?” Wrena had hit a nerve and Rylla couldn’t contain her frown as she imagined any of the boys there with their mothers and fathers being her husband. She thought about arguing back with her nineteen year old sister that she had made it well past the appropriate time for a royal woman to wed, but she had had similar arguments before. Wrena was unique in her role as a Queen, only second to their mother, High Queen Lioraen. Seeing her in court was rare, it was more common to find her in one of the hospitals or orphanages in the city, not only handing out her allowance, but gifting her time to the peasants. Though many applauded all her work, Rylla knew there was an imaginary stench around her sister when it came to nobles who married their children to royal families. 

Rylla decided a quarrel between her and Wrena was not worth the effort before their parents took their thrones. Instead, she directed it elsewhere. “I do not think anyone will think of me until our other sisters are taken care of.” Where she was positioned it was very clear to see the two other sisters who were attending court. Her sister Leonah, was in a light blue dress, very poised and contained. Her soft and gentle face had a muted smile on at all times under her red toned hair tied so tight Rylla could feel the headache her sister must’ve been feeling, but hiding very well.

Elmara, her closest sister in age, was not hard to find. No one stood too close to her, and Rylla couldn’t blame them. She didn’t show anger in her face, but there was something in her eyes that brought guilt to the surface of any one who dared to look back at her. 

“Well, let's hope so.” Wrena said with a chuckle. Rylla looked back at her to realize they were both eyeing Elmara the same way.  

Rylla wasn’t worried about being targeted for some betrothal for a fragile alliance with the royalty of Korvethis. As the second to youngest child out of nine, she had to fight to be seen. All of them had to, except Walric, her eldest brother, just a year shy of Wrena. In fact, as she and her sister stood in the shadows, it was easy to see how the gathering crowd moved around their brother. He hadn’t gone far from the dais. Once the King and Queen had taken their places, he would be the only child who would stand by them. While the other children of High King Malrik had choice in what to wear to court, Prince Walric did not. His chest bore the Korvethis crest, the same that sat above the throne; a crown caught in the heart of a rising sun. Its rays stretched outward in perfect symmetry. It was a symbol of unity, of power…and of something far less forgiving. In Korvethis, light did not simply reveal. It claimed. 

Rylla spent a few moments trying to find her second brother, Nokon, in the crowd, but realized very quickly that he wasn’t there. In his stead she found Thyren Malvos, possibly Nokon’s only friend, if he could call him that.  His gaze settled on the room not with curiosity, but assessment. As though everything before him had already been weighted and found either useful, or not. 

A loud burst of laughter took Rylla out of her stare and to the back of the court where a noticeable amount of females were gathered around her next brother Orther. Unlike his two older brothers, Orther was clumsy and loud and…well…happy. Orther looked every bit a prince, if one chose to ignore the loosened collar and the faint suggestion that he might step out of line at any moment. The appeal to the women of the court was stifling. He would chuckle, they would cackle. He’d shift his weight, they’d stifle moans. Rylla rolled her eyes. Orther always had a new lady beside him, if not more. Nothing was ever serious for Orther, he enjoyed his title with very little responsibility given. 

Her eyes glanced the opposite wall for only a moment, but a young boy caught her eye, the youngest of the royal family, Prince Cedoric. As Rylla watched her younger brother  looking meek and lost, there was a pang of guilt that was unfolding until she found herself tapping Wrena on the arm and pointing towards Cedoric. “Better go save the baby.” Rylla mumbled. 

“Of course he’s by himself, for gods sake.” Wrena hissed before she left her side, hiking up her dress to make it easier for her to get to their brother across the hall. Rylla stayed where she was, leaving Wrena to help their small brother on her own. Her interest went quickly to the last arrivals to the throne room. A stout pair of men and women who hissed nervous words between themselves as they entered. Rylla focused on their mouths as they talked, trying to read what they were so nervous about, but as she read one man’s lips say “Elora” she found herself shivering with shock, unable to focus as well as she wanted. Elora? Could it be? 

Servants at the chamber doors lifted their horns and blew a few notes to gather everyone’s attention. The chaos the crowd had been in soon turned into well designed rows of dedicated members of the court as the doors opened and Rylla’s parents walked out in all their glory. She watched in silence as they stepped out onto the dais in their full royal attire, but her head was screaming. Elora, the sister who was sent away more than a year ago. 

Rylla remembered that day, when an ambassador of their neighboring country had come to tell her mother and father that the youngest son had interest in Princess Elora, and as their custom, she would need to spend a full thirteen months in their realm as a trial. Rylla expected her parents to deny such an odd request, but almost instantly they agreed. 

She stood by the pillar as her mother and father greeted their audience. They thanked them for coming with such a quick request. They explained that they were almost as shocked with the news that their daughter had returned. The crowd grew louder and louder with their whispers before High King Malrik demanded order. 

“My daughter has returned from our neighbors of Veeque. With such a surprising turn of events, we wanted to welcome her appropriately back to court.” King Malrik stated and then clapped his hands. 

Rylla’s view slowed. As her gaze left her parents she saw Walric, he looked as worried as she felt. She found Leonah in the crowd, up on her tippytoes, a hand on her chest as if she was holding all of her hope in her heart. Thyren only turned as much as he had to, one eyebrow raised. Elmara looked shocked, almost angry as she stood, her hands clenched together in front of her stomach, her knuckles white. Wrena was holding Cedoric’s hand, both with a look of surprise on their face as the doors opened. Orther, being the closest to the door, took a step forward, his brows showing worry, but a smile still on his face. 

The entryway was empty for only a few seconds before Elora made her entrance. She walked in with a blazing white dress full of ruffles and frills. Her hair seemed to have its own wind with every step she took. 

Her face was paler than Rylla remembered. Her eyes were tired, makeup covering what she assumed were dark circles under her green eyes. She smiled at every member she passed, but Rylla knew that smile was not genuine. 

As Elora walked up to the dais and bowed, High King Malrik and High Queen Lioraen smiled sweetly to their daughter. 

“Welcome home, Princess Elora of Korvethis, my daughter.” King Malrik stated, very formally, but he opened his arms instead of keeping them by his side. “You have proven yourself as a true servant of your country and people. May the knowledge you have learned in Veeque help serve your people while you reside here.” 

“Thank you, King Malrik.” Elora said with a bow. 

“My daughter, you must be weary from your travels. Would you like to say a few words to your people before we retire?” High Queen Lioraen asked. She gestured for Elora to walk up the steps onto the dais and turn towards the crowd. 

Elora didn’t wait a moment longer to step up onto the dias and face the crowd. “Veeque is a very unique country, full of a rich history and much responsibility. I am honored to have been chosen by the royal court to someday be the wife of Archduke Kamior. I have learned much but still have much to learn.” Elora shouted, loud enough for everyone to hear. 

The crowd began to applaud, but instead of a bow or a gesture of gratitude, Elora faltered. Her knees bent quickly and Lioraen grabbed her shoulders to steady her quickly. She turned Elora around to face her and said something quietly, but Rylla only caught a few words. “You will be fine.” 

Then, before their mother turned Elora back around to the crowd, Rylla saw something she couldn’t explain. Elora’s body, hunched over in Lioraen’s grasp, vanished. Only for a second, enough for Rylla to see her mother’s hands shift inward enough for her to acknowledge what she saw. Her body was there, and then it wasn’t, and then it was there again. Rylla’s blood ran cold. She watched Lioraen turn towards her father and look at him with a glare. 

High King Malrik stopped the applause quickly and looked at his daughter. “Elora, you have served Korvethis greatly. Now please, rest before you entertain the thought of socializing with your people.”

Then quicker than Lioraen would’ve ever walked away from the throne herself, she wrapped one arm around her daughter and nearly ran into the private rooms. King Malrik took his seat on the throne and those attending who wanted to address the King on different matters began to get in line. The gathering was over for the most part, but Rylla could barely move. She couldn’t understand what she just saw, what had occurred in only a few minutes. But as she looked towards the crowd, her eyes caught Wrena’s across the room and they met with an understanding and shocked gaze. They had both seen something that shouldn’t have happened.