A Savior's Worth (Book #3)

Chapter One

Junar 27, 1594

"Your Highness, I like for my work to be as accurate as possible. Therefore, if you do not smile, I cannot reflect it onto your portrait."

With every bit of her strength—which was horribly waning after sitting on this wooden stool for hours—Elouise resisted a roll of her eyes.

"Oh, how unfortunate," she said, feigning worry. "At least it will match the other portraits." As if I need or want another painting of myself hung up on these walls.

This had been the council's idea. They had mentioned something about needing to capture how much she'd grown since her last portrait. She couldn't see much of a difference, though. Her hair was longer and—because humidity despised her—frizzier. Her cheekbones were perhaps a bit firmer, too.

And, well, she supposed there was also the fact that she had no idea she had magical abilities the last time she sat on this very stool. However, that certainly wouldn't be reflected and didn't need to be.

Elouise brushed down few wrinkles she found on her layered lilac skirt. She had picked out her outfit for this painting and asked Gidget to be kind with the ties on her lace bodice. The butterfly brooch Eldon had given her was pinned to the left side of her collar. She'd also chosen her mother's favorite circlet for the occasion; a dainty silver piece with little aquamarine gems at the ends of swirls. It was one her mother wore for special events. The aquamarine had matched her eyes perfectly...

Elouise squirmed in her seat as she attempted to make herself more comfortable, earning herself a scowl from the painter. She'd forgotten his name again and felt guitly asking a third time. She mumbled an apology and resorted to her proper pose with hands folded on her lap, back straightened, and chin raised high.

She was, as Leanne often complained, bored.

Oh, she was very bored.

"Do not fret," the painter told her. "I am nearly done."

Not nearly fast enough.

It was half an hour later when the man exhaled in relief and stepped back, admiring his work. Elouise almost hopped off her seat when he gasped and held up his hand.

"Just a moment! I cannot believe I forgot your most distinct feature!" he raised his brush up to the canvas again. "Your lovely little beauty mark."

Elouise instinctively brought a finger to the round dot, pulling at the corner of her right eye. At least he hadn't been predictable and said her brown eyes were her most distinct feature. That couldn't have been so easily forgotten, though.

"Ah, there we are!" The painter set his tools aside and clapped his hands together.

Elouise stopped what she was doing and stood to stretch.

"Would you like to come see, Your Highness?"

"No," she answered flatly. "You are talented, and I am certain it looks wonderful. I simply do not wish to stare at myself." The painter, fortunately, let her go.

Elouise entered the wide corridor and smiled at a few servants passing by. She headed down to the right, eventually crossing paths with Alaina who was back in Aristol again upon her request. Alaina curtsied to her and grinned when she rose. Her smile beautifully dimpled her cheeks. Elouise gave her a quick embrace.

"Alaina, how are you? I apologize for not being there to greet you this morning."

Alaina pulled back. "There is no need to apologize. And I am well, thank you! How about yourself?"