The King's Harem

Chapter 31

 "Your majesty you are coming along so well!" Madam gushed as she monitored my dancing.

I glided across the ballroom floor concentrating on the steps. I had already broken a sweat and the sky with not even light yet.

"Okay! Your Majesty that ends your lesson for today!"She called once I was finished

The sun was just starting to rise which dashed any hopes I had that I could get any more sleep before I had to start my day.

I made my way outside to the garden sitting next to the little fountain. At this time of year when the leaves have all fallen and the air was frigid; the fountain was frozen over. It was cold but it felt good against my heated skin. One of my many guards laid a cloak out on the bench next to me in case I got cold.

I stayed there staring unseeingly at the fountain. I was startled out of my thoughts by something being draped over me. I quickly looked up to find Prish and Tori standing before me.

"It's cold here your majesty, best you cover-up," Tori said fastening the cloak around my shoulders.

"I don't want you to call me that," I grumbled

"Call you what? Your majesty? You know we must, especially in front of others." Prish said sitting next to me.

Tori sat on my other side both pressed up against me. I did not realize how cold I was until I felt their warmth.

"Any word?" I wondered

"Not yet, he did say it would be harder to write," Prish answered

I had not heard from Ari in weeks and I was worried sick. At first, he wrote so much that one letter would come back before I could send one out. Though it got scarce, then just stopped altogether.

It was silent for a while before the cold become almost unbearable.

"Okay let's get you inside before you freeze to death," Tori said guiding me back inside the palace.

"Oh, there you are!" I heard the all too familiar screech of the Queen Mother.

She wore a blue silk dress that moved so elegantly that when she walked it looked like water. She hurried towards us not giving Prish or Tori a single glance.

"Come along we must get eh council meeting before Councilman Lee. He will have a fit if he isn't the last one there." She said linking our arms and dragging me away.

I quickly turned and waved at Tori and Prish making promises to see them later.

Later seemed to never come as time went by without seeing any of them.

"Your Majesty the annual winter's ball is coming up soon," Grisha stated as we sat in Ari's office. I was pouring over some documents when she spoke thrusting me from my concentration.

"What time is it?" I asked

"It is almost midnight your majesty," Grisha answered

"Hmm, I am not even close to being done." I started turning my attention back to the documents.

"Did you hear what I said?" Grisha asked

"Hmm? About the ball? Yes." I answered

"Well you know we have many preparations for it. Queen Mother has taken care of the guest list, invitations, decorations, and food." Grisha stated

"So, what am I needed for?" I asked

"We must get your outfit ready," Grisha answered

"Outfit? I don't have time for that." I dismissed