Vankara (Book 1)

by S. J. West

  “The Queen’s Marshall is a position that’s gone vacant ever since Leopold’s King’s Marshall died about twenty years ago. Basically the job requires the Marshall to lead the Queen’s guard and be the Queen’s liaison to the other two major branches of the military: the field army and the navy.”

  “Why has it gone vacant for so long?”

  “Leopold saw no need to fill the position since we weren’t at war. Fallon was offered the job as soon as Emma was crowned queen. He’s simply been refusing her offers all this time.”

  Gabriel stood from his chair.

  “Why don’t I take you to your private chambers? You should try to spend some time alone with Dena before having to be seen with her in public later this evening.”

  I stood from my seat and followed Gabriel to the door.

  “Why do you think Dena reacted the way she did to me?”

  Gabriel shook his head. “I have no idea, but you’re going to have to find a way to connect with her, preferably before the party tonight. We can’t have people wondering about her behavior towards you.”

  “Do you have any suggestions on how to work such a miracle?”

  Gabriel grinned as he opened the study door for me. “I’m afraid you’re on your own when it comes to dealing with the princess. She’s a mystery I have never been able to solve.”

  As I walked out of the room, I sent out a silent prayer to the heavens asking for divine intervention in finding a way to connect with the Queen’s daughter before her behavior towards me triggered doubt in the minds of others.

  Chapter 7

  The Queen’s quarters were located in the east wing of the palace. They were far simpler than I would have imagined royalty living in. As you walked into the suite of rooms, you were welcomed by a well appointed drawing room with white pine hardwood floors and buttercup yellow walls. On the far wall, there was a fireplace made of white marble flanked by two sets of glass doors adorned with flowing white silk curtains. The doors led to a private veranda leading down to a small garden area. The furnishings were comfortable and inviting. A large wool rug with a floral pattern in shades of yellow, beige and light green was situated in front of the fireplace with a plush beige sofa, coral chaise lounge and wingback chair situated on top of it making a warm cozy sanctuary from a winter evenings.

  There were four rooms leading off from the main room, two on each side. Gabriel informed me each was a bedroom with their own private bathrooms attached. He indicated which one was mine and told me it connected to the room beside it which belonged to Dena. One of the other bedrooms belonged to the nanny and the other one was left empty for special overnight guests.

  Gabriel and I were still standing in the main room when Emily tiptoed out of Dena’s bedroom, gently closing the door behind her to minimize sound.

  “I finally got her to lay down for her midday nap,” Emily explained, coming to stand in front of us.

  Gabriel looked at me. “A nap would do you some good too, your majesty. It’s been a long day and tonight will be even longer.”

  Now that a nap was mentioned, I was feeling a definite urge to lie down on a soft clean mattress.

  “I think you’re right. A nap might help replenish my strength for the festivities later this evening.” I looked at Emily. “Why don’t you take a few hours for yourself? I’ll open the door between my room and Dena’s. I’m sure if she needs anything she’ll find me and let me know.”

  “Are you sure, your majesty?” It was obvious Emily’s mind was now filled with doubt in my ability to take care of the princess. It was something I would definitely have to extinguish as quickly as possible.

  “Yes. I would like some time alone with my daughter. Come back this evening when it’s time to get ready for her party.”

  Emily curtsied stiffly, uncertainty lingering in her every movement. “As you wish, your majesty.”

  After Emily left the room, Gabriel said, “I hope she doesn’t start spreading rumors about the princess’ reaction to you. That’s all we need.”

  “If she does, what can we do?”

  “Dismiss her,” Gabriel replied bluntly.

  “No,” I was quick to respond. “I don’t want to cause Dena anymore distress. Taking away one of the people she knows and relies on isn’t a solution. I just need some time with Dena. Children her age sometimes need a little coaxing to get used to someone new. I’ll handle it, Gabriel. Don’t do anything rash.”

  “You’re probably right,” he agreed begrudgingly. “Hopefully it won’t take Dena long to come around. Right now, you need to get some rest. I’m sure you’re still feeling the effects of the transformation. I’ll come back later this evening to escort you and Dena to the party.”

  After Gabriel left, I stood in the center of the Queen’s living quarters and looked around me, trying to soak in the feelings of the woman who had decorated her sanctuary as an eternal homage to springtime. As I studied the floral patterns combined with simple lines surrounding me, I couldn’t help but wonder who Emma Vankar had truly been. Had she been as affable as the soft furnishings she surrounded her self with or had she used them to conceal a harder nature to those who would oppose her? I wanted to believe she found a way to be both. I hoped I could be just as strong.

  I walked over to my bedroom door and turned the iron knob letting the door swing gently open. The Queen had decorated her room tastefully with a large four-poster bed with an egg shell colored silk canopy and curtains twisted around the posts. There were two doors a distance away from the bed on either side. I assumed one was the bathroom and one the Queen’s clothes closet. On the left was a small door I could only assume led to Dena’s bedroom. Along that wall was a dressing area replete with a mirrored vanity, cushioned chair and full length mirror. I walked up to the full length mirror forcing myself to come face to face with my new reflection.

  The moment wasn’t the complete nightmare I had envisioned. I suppose it helped the Queen had been blessed with gorgeous features. So many women would love to look like her and now I did. I lifted my hands to my new face running my fingers against high cheekbones and pale flawless skin. Even though the eyes were a pale violet now instead of brown, I was surprised I could still see myself in the depths of the eyes staring back at me. The essence of who I was hadn’t been lost in the transformation. My physical state had simply altered to meet the challenges the Queen had set before me.

  I turned from my reflection to look out the large bay window on the other side of the room. The cushioned seating area was large enough for a full grown person to lie down on if they wished to take a comfortable nap. Silk draperies tinted with a hint of peach adorned the enclosure which looked out onto the private garden. Through the glass in the far distance, I spied the large oak tree the Queen had chased Dena around in the memory which surfaced in my consciousness during my transformation.

  I walked to the small door connecting to Dena’s room and opened it. I peeked in to see the little princess sleeping in a miniature version of her mother’s bed. Her head was laid to the side and knees bent underneath her causing her bottom to point straight up into the air. I couldn’t help but grin at the pure picture of innocence she made.

  I quietly left her room and returned to my own, leaving the connecting door wide open. After slipping off my shoes, I crawled underneath the floral comforter and sunk into the mound of pillows at the head of the bed. I turned to look out the bay of windows in the room and noticed a streak of lightening cut through a quickly darkening sky. As I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep, I heard the faint, deep rumble of distant thunder.

  I felt the tentative touch of small warm hands on my cheeks pulling me from the darkness of my dream world. When I opened my eyes, Dena’s face was hovering above mine, her bright blue eyes stretched wide in fear. Just then a bolt of lightening struck something close by causing the bay windows to rattle in their casings. Dena wrapped her arms around my neck and began to cry softly. It was the most pitiful, heart wrenching sound I
had ever heard. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her underneath the warmth of the comforter with me. I ran a hand up and down her back trying to sooth her, hoping it would ease her fears.

  Without even thinking about it, I began to sing her a song I had never personally heard before.

  Hush my baby, hush

  I will protect you, nothing will harm you

  Even in the darkest of times, I will always be near to watch over you

  Hush my baby hush, Mummy is with you

  After repeating the song three times, Dena finally looked up at me with her red puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks. I could see the uncertainty from our first meeting melt away, completely replaced with acceptance. She leaned in, puckered her lips and gave me a tear salted kiss on the lips.

  “Sing, Mummy, sing,” she requested quietly, putting her thumb in her mouth and laying her head snuggly against my chest.

  I sang the song to her again and even began singing another song I had never heard before. I could only assume they were from the Queen’s memories and silently thanked my predecessor for letting me share a part of herself her daughter could so readily recognize.

  I held Dena close to my heart and continued to sing to her until she fell into a peaceful slumber. I’m not sure how long I stared at the small fragile angel cradled within my arms. Never in my life had I felt such a need to shelter someone from all harm. I knew then I would do whatever it took to keep Dena safe and see her mother’s last wishes fulfilled. A bright streak of lightening drew my gaze back to the bay windows. The dark storm brewing outside seemed to hold an ominous warning of danger. I felt a shiver of dread run down my spine and pulled Dena in even closer finding safety and comfort in her warmth.

  By the time Emily came back, Dena and I were playing a game of chase. Dena’s carefree giggles filled the drawing room with joy and welcome, like the first warm day of spring, complementing the décor the Queen had surrounded her daughter in.

  “Well, I guess a nap was just what she needed.” Emily smiled with approval as she stood with a silver covered tray in her hands watching Dena try to evade my clutches unsuccessfully.

  I swept Dena up into my arms and planted a kiss on each of her apple red cheeks as she half-heartedly tried to squirm out of my arms laughing all the while.

  “I think a nap did us both a world of good,” I replied as I set Dena down on the floor.

  “Is it already time for us to get ready for the party?” I asked, not realizing we had slept and played for so long.

  “Almost. I brought you both something to eat before you need to get ready. I thought you might like to have dinner in private this evening since that man is in the castle.”

  Emily walked to the table in front of the sofa and laid down the tray. She took the cover off revealing a dish of roasted chicken, potatoes and sautéed baby carrots.

  I sat down on the sofa and Dena climbed up to sit beside me.

  “What man are you referring too?” I asked, unfolding the white napkin on the tray and laying it across my lap.

  “The king of Chromis, of course,” Emily replied, like I should have known who she was talking about.

  “Oh, yes, him.” I had completely forgotten about Aleksander Chromis. I hoped that was a sign his charms wouldn’t have any lasting effects on my psyche, if only wishful thinking could prove to be fact.

  “He’s extremely handsome,” Emily admitted reluctantly. “But there’s something about him that just doesn’t set quite right with me, if you don’t mind me saying, your majesty. He’s nothing like your late husband, Lord rest his soul.”

  I picked up the plate of food from the tray and laid it on my lap. Dena’s little hand appeared over the dish quickly snatching up a carrot and stuffing it into her mouth.

  “No, I understand what you’re saying,” I told the nanny. Unfortunately, I understood far too well.

  After Dena and I finished supper, Emily took Dena to the bathroom connected to her room to wash dinner off the little princess and begin the process of preparing her for her big night. I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to do and didn’t feel like I should ask Emily if someone would be coming to help me prepare for the festivities. The answer to my question was answered soon enough. There came a soft knock on the door to the sitting room just as Emily and Dena disappeared into the little princess’s bedchambers.

  I stood from the sofa and turned towards the door.

  “Come in,” I called.

  I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised by what walked through the doorway, but it had been so long since I last saw an automaton the sudden appearance of one in front of me took me off guard and caused me to jump slightly.

  “I’m sorry,” the machine said through its life like lips. “I did not mean to startle you, my Queen.”

  “No, I’m fine,” I told it. “You did nothing wrong. Please come in.”

  The automaton came inside the room and closed the door behind her. I always found it strange how their movements were as fluid and quiet as any human’s. Being made mostly of iron, it seemed reasonable to assume they would clank as they walked. Yet, their joints were so well made they walked without making the slightest sound. They only made the noises normally associated with movement: the rustling of clothing and the tapping of shoes against a hard surface.

  This automaton was dressed in the same dark maroon dress and white apron Emily wore. I could only assume it was the normal attire of the waiting staff at the palace. Her face was red with solid black eyes. She wore a brown wig on her head drawn back into a bun with a white cap pinned to the top of her head. The wig added a human element helping to create an illusion of humanity but a machine is a machine, or so I thought at the time.

  “I’ve come to help you prepare for the princesses birthday celebration, your majesty,” the machine said to me in a voice which was meant to be soothing but unsettled me more than anything. It was too human, too understanding and kind. Something so inhuman shouldn’t possess such qualities.

  As I looked at the automaton, I wondered how I was supposed to address her. As far as I knew, none of the machines had names, they had alphanumeric designations. I was clueless as to what this machine might be called.

  The automaton walked to the door of my bedroom and stood there silently staring at it. It took me a few seconds to realize she was waiting for me to enter my room. As I walked to the door of my bedroom, the automaton reached out for the door knob and opened the door for me. She followed in after me, shutting it closed behind us.

  “If you will sit, your majesty,” the machine said indicating my vanity, “I will style your hair for this evening’s festivities.”

  As I sat and watched the machine style my hair, I marveled at the dexterity with which she manipulated the strands with her metallic fingers. She worked so quickly I had a hard time following her movements. In no time at all, she had my hair up in a regal criss-cross bun embedded with small hairpins topped with diamonds and amethysts. While she was applying a small amount of powder and rouge to my face, there was a knock on the bedroom door.

  “Come in,” I called, not knowing who to expect to walk in.

  When the door opened, I heard Inara’s voice say, “You first bucket of bolts.”

  A male automaton dressed in a black suit strolled in with a royal purple silk dress cradled in his arms. He walked over to the bed, gently laid the dress out and promptly left the room without saying a word.

  “Hello, MJ29,” Inara said to the female automaton behind me.

  Inara was carrying a medium sized blue velvet box in her hands. She was dressed in a tailored suit, which was odd enough for a woman, but its cut was unlike anything I had ever seen before. The suit was black in color. The jacket had a ruffled black chiffon collar which trailed down the angled opening and around the edges, including the wrists. The pants were wide in the leg and almost looked like a skirt when pressed together. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a severe bun which was hidden underneath a small
black top hat slanted slightly to the right on her head.

  “Good evening, Miss Inara. Will you be attending the party for the princess?” MJ29 asked.

  “Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Inara replied sincerely.

  Inara sat the box she held in her hands on the bed and opened it. I watched her movements through the mirror but couldn’t see what she was taking out of the box since her back was to me. When she turned around she held a crown made of gold filigree, decorated with a multitude of small diamonds and amethysts just like my hair.

  MJ29 walked to Inara and held out her hands.

  “Thank you for bringing it, Miss Inara.”

  “You’re welcome.” Inara handed the crown to the automaton and turned her back to me again reaching inside the box for something else. When she turned back around, I saw it was a smaller version of my crown.

  “Dena almost ready?” Inara asked me.

  “I’m not sure,” I answered, watching MJ29 place the crown on my head. The physical weight of it was slight, but the weight of responsibility I felt from its presence was heavy indeed.

  “I’ll go take a peak,” Inara strode to the connecting door leading to Dena’s room from mine. As soon as she opened the door I could hear Dena saying, “No Emi, no!”

  I didn’t get a chance to hear the rest of Dena’s protestation because Inara closed the door behind her. It seemed odd that the wall would block so much sound between our rooms but it was the least of my worries.

  I hadn’t thought to ask Gabriel what would be expected of me at Dena’s birthday celebration. Would I have to give a speech? If I did, what would I be expected to say? Surely matters of state wouldn’t intrude on what was supposed to be a fun filled night of frivolity for the little princess. I hoped my first night of trying to pass myself off as a Queen wouldn’t be marred by my inability to address a crowd properly.

  While MJ29 was fastening the row of buttons at the back of my dress, Inara opened the connecting door looking as if she had just been mauled by a wild creature. Her top hat was tilted haphazardly on her head with strands of her once neatly coiffed blonde hair sticking out in odd places, buttons were undone on the front of her jacket and beads of sweat glistened across her brow.