LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 4: Queen Mother
Elara tried to relax her muscles as she shared a dance with the King, each step measured but stiff, her mind racing as her body struggled to follow the rhythm.
After the crowning ceremony in front of the cheering masses, they had gone back to the grand hall to share a dance. Now, she and the King stood in the center of the lavish ballroom, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight and the eyes of the court. The music swirled around them, a delicate waltz that seemed to echo the beating of her heart.
Elara tried to relax her muscles as she moved with the King, his strong grip steady on her waist. Her body, still stiff with uncertainty, struggled to follow the flow of the dance, but she knew she had no choice but to follow his lead. The King, in his regal composure, guided her effortlessly across the floor, his gaze focused yet distant, as though the weight of the moment pressed upon them both.
The room was silent , like it was empty , yet she knew that behind her hazy vision were the eyes of people waiting to see if she would break and reveal who she truly was . A nobody .
As they danced, the rhythm of their steps started to blend, but Elara's nerves got the best of her. Suddenly, her foot misstepped, and she accidentally stepped on the King's foot. He jerked back slightly, a sharp intake of breath escaping him.
"Oh, sorry," Elara stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Before she could take another step back, the King's hand gripped her waist, pulling her back into his embrace with swift precision. His voice, low and commanding, came as a soft whisper in her ear ,"You are distracted , my wife , who is on your mind ?"
My wife . She couldn't get a hang of the title 'your majesty' , 'my lady' and now it was this . My wife . He was owning her , claiming her .
Did he know ? She suddenly went back to thinking of what he might know about her . But why ? Why would he throw his own wife in the dungeons? It made her blood boil but at the same frightened , she wouldn't dare provoke a man that held such power .
"On my mind ?"
"Yes ." He hums into her ears , leading her in the dance floor . "No one ." She responds lightly , before she adds ,"Just my thoughts ."
"Just your thoughts ?" He rephrases and she nods ,"Why I thought you would be thinking of our children . But don't worry , Given will have them delivered home by tomorrow. "
Children ? "Children?" Yet her voice was too low to be heard by the King when he suddenly released her , kissing the palm of her hand before he released her .
As the final notes of the music faded, the crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing throughout the square.Elara remained still, her mind swirling in a chaotic whirlwind of thoughts. The words the King had just whispered to her—the revelation that they had children together—hung heavy in her chest, drowning out the voices of the people surrounding her.
The faces of well-wishers blurred together, their words a distant hum, their compliments and congratulations nothing more than a buzz in her ears. She felt disconnected, as if she were watching the scene unfold from a distance, unable to fully process the reality of it all.
And then, as if the noise and confusion had finally become too much, the court lady stepped forward, her presence cutting through the tension like a calm before a storm. With a respectful bow, she addressed the Queen. "My lady," she said, her voice steady and composed. "The Queen Mother wishes to see you."
Elara's gaze flickered to the court lady, her heart racing with uncertainty. The mention of the Queen Mother only added to the flood of questions in her mind. Who was she? What was expected of her now? With no choice but to follow, Elara nodded faintly, her legs carrying her forward, though her thoughts remained anchored in the swirling fog of her past and present.
Upon arriving before the Queen Mother and the group of nobles that surrounded her, the Queen Mother was speaking with a smile on her lips which later the nobles around her laughed at something they said . But the moment the court lady that Elara was yet to know the name to seeked the Queen Mother's attention , everyone turned silent , the weight of their gazes heavy and suffocating to Elara before they all offered their sincere bows .
Elara still hadn't gotten the hang of all the attention towards her and the bows and greetings , yet she could only stand still like a log until they all stood up straight.
Shifting her gaze away from the nobles smiling sweetly at her, Elara's attention was drawn to the intense stare of the Queen Mother. The older woman's cold eyes locked onto hers, unwavering and sharp, like a dagger piercing through her composure. Elara quickly lowered her head in a bow, mimicking what she had seen others do. It seemed appropriate—after all, everyone else bowed to those of higher rank. Yet, no words escaped her lips.
The Queen Mother's gaze remained calculating, her scrutiny unrelenting. There was no warmth in her eyes; instead, a flicker of hatred lingered if one dared to look closely.
"Queen. Elara." The Queen Mother's voice was clipped, her words delivered with a sharp cadence that matched the rhythm of Elara's pounding heart. Was she expecting me to speak ? Elara wondered, her lips parting slightly as if to respond, but no sound came.
Before she could muster a word, the Queen Mother turned her attention to the court lady beside her. "I'll be taking a walk with the new Queen of Lunareth. She seems on edge and could use some fresh air." The Queen Mother's tone left no room for argument, though it carried an edge of sarcasm that made Elara's chest tighten further.
Elara stiffened as she heard soft snickers ripple through the nobles around them. She couldn't pinpoint the source, but the sound only added to her unease. Still, she said nothing.
The Queen Mother motioned for her to follow, and without hesitation, Elara obeyed. Together, they left the hall, her silver eyes trained on the Queen Mother's back, unsure of what awaited her beyond those gilded doors.