~.✧ Ethira ✧.~ [COMPLETE]

~.✧ ten ✧.~

The Province Tour seemed to speed by after that. Each day was a new province, sometimes two. Some in the south were similar to Dir but none had as aggressive of a response as Marda had. The more north we traveled again, the better we were accepted. Varien explained that there were the two island provinces of Oxkley and Tes that we sadly weren't going to be able to see because they were off the mainland and the seas were too choppy this season of the year. My curious, adventurous side wished desperately to visit them, but I knew I could at a later date. I lived here now and it wasn't like a King and Queen could ignore two provinces of their kingdom all together. Varien promised we'd visit in a few months when it was safer.

I also found myself enjoying much of the trip. Staying at the inns was still hard but the day time hours were nice. I spent a lot of my time with Kes and it was easy laughing and talking with her. It almost felt like how I would talk with Saidy. Not quite, but similar enough that it pacified my heart for now.

I also spent a lot more time with Varien which was becoming much less awkward and uncomfortable by the day. I was starting to be able to call him my friend as he showed me about his home kingdom that he was so proud of. The ceremonies and greetings became easier because I didn't have to pretend to like him anymore.

We arrived back at Ethran thirteen days after we'd left and even though I'd dreaded leaving two weeks ago, I wished that the trip had been longer.

Being back at the palace also meant the recurrence of my queen lessons and Varien's more pressing responsibilities. I didn't tell anyone this—not even Kes—but three days after being back and only seeing him once, I missed him.

So when a servant arrived in my apartment on the fourth morning being back, summoning me to the King's Study, I was slightly relieved.

I'd never been to the King's Study before so I, a little awkwardly, asked the servant to direct me. When he showed me to a set of dark double doors, I hesitated outside of them, internally intimidated. But I shook myself out of it and let out a breath before nodding at the servant.

"Presenting Queen Asria, your Majesty," he said upon opening the door. He bowed as I slipped in.

Varien stood from his chair behind a large dark wooden desk, the corner of his mouth just barely tilting upward like it liked to do. I gave a shallow curtsy which signaled the servant to scurry away.

The door echoed through the tall room as it clicked shut.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," he said, tucking his hands behind his back. "Please, take a seat."

As I walked over to the two chairs in front of his desk, he sat back down as well.

He shuffled a few papers around, not meeting my gaze. I had to smile slightly. "What is it?"

His eyes snapped up and he chuckled slightly. "Right. You can tell when I'm not saying something. Um..." He released a breath and straightened his spine. "I was wondering if you might accompany me to the first Advisory Gathering this afternoon. I know it's somewhat short notice but... I'd like you there."