Snippet #1737024

Outside on one of the few high-tower balconies one would find Queen Helena leaning against the cool cream stone. Her bright green eyes, rare in their luster and color, rested calmly on the grounds of the castle. It was night, though determining the time of day was mostly a game of assumption. The main hints that it was night was the fact that one, the skies were were darker without a smidgeon of natural light, as well the land grew quite silent during this time. Below, Helena could see the serene canals that gently caressed the banks of their castle walls and corridors. Hanging lanterns scattered throughout the masonry provided the necessary lighting needed to move about. Beyond the royal grounds, Helena was able to see the rest of the Underworld due to the height of this tower. The darkness didn’t effect her vision, for living most of her life in the Underworld made many of the inhabitants nocturnal and their sight sharp. Woods that met the horizon were barren with occasional brown leaves clenching to thin branches with what little life they could muster up. Fog blanketed the land and one could almost see the cold air that hung stationary in these fields of darkness and mystery. There was poetic beauty to it all. More beauty than any green grass could compare to, at least in Helena’s opinion.

The power gem of the Hitsuya’s, a deep crimson ruby, gently kissed the pale forehead of the Queen. It was held in place by her precious golden chain that, when fully extended, was 3 feet in length. It allowed for a variety of different hairstyles-- and with the length of her hair that came past her hips-- she needed a sturdy chain to work with. Because it was sleeping hours, Helena’s hair was braided loosely down her back, the long gold chain locking in each curve of her braid until excess chain hung freely behind her. She was dressed in a simple black silk nightgown with red and gold embroidered slippers. The balcony Helena was present on in particular was the one right off her private suite in the castle. Inside was a nearly bare room. The walls were grey slate stone all around, as well as the ceiling and the floor. The center of the room composed of the only furniture. There was a hanging chandelier composed of 12 candles, always lit. Below, a scarlet velvet fainting couch accompanied by a worn golden rug, circular in shape, that provided some much needed warmth to the room. Besides those things and the balcony itself, the room was quite desolate. Even so, it was a room that Helena often found the most comfort in, away from any distraction of normal royal business. The King let her be in this room, happy to provide Helena a place of solace. Reflecting on it, the King quite possibly has never set foot in this room, and she preferred it that way. Her children, on the other hand, had found this an ideal place to come if wanting their mother’s attention. When the three were adolescents, it wasn’t uncommon to hear their tiny footsteps pattering up the tower stairs to find her resting on her couch, or out on her balcony. Now that the three were older, they didn’t visit her as much in here, and yet the door was always open just enough to where any could come in and feel welcome if need be.

The Queen felt the most comfortable in the silence of the night. She never was one of much words, seeing it unnecessary to have conversations of fluff, or if nothing would get accomplished at the end of speaking. Her family members were some of the only few that had the luxury of hearing her voice and advice, that and some of her personal maids. All in all, Helena was a mystery to the common folk, and her intentions were to keep it so. It wasn’t that she was reclusive and disliked others, because that technically wasn’t so. She was kinder than one might think the wife of Baphomet was supposed to be like... it was the fact that Helena’s exterior was what many would think the wife of Baphomet would be like: emotionless, chiseled features with almost soulless pools of green eyes. Those that had seen the Queen in public might have guessed her as a statue if she didn’t move. A crack in her composer would be nearly impossible to manage. It was all about keeping the presentation and expectancies of what a Queen’s role should be. Being of royalty, her presence had to stand out above the rest, just as her unique beauty. As youthful as she looks, no one would ever believe she was indeed 47-years-old. Appearance was power. She expected the same out of her children as well. Most of the time they behaved during lessons, but of course none of them were perfect. Whether they were too kind or too high-strung, the middle ground was absent in her children. It made her job slightly more challenging, and at times required an iron fist of rule. This said, Helena has accepted their quirks for they are her beloved children.

It was at this moment that she noticed a hooded figure run across the castle bridge that connected one part of the grounds to the other as a canal divided the two. Helena tilted her head, some loose strands of hair falling out of the braid. Her hands firmly gripped the edge of the balcony, eyes narrowing on the swift figure below. It took here a few mere seconds to realize who it was. ”Jeremy” she thought to herself, her heart beating at a cool, steady pace. Her brows didn’t raise nor did her body show any signs of worry. As said, this was who she was-- rarely anything stirred a reaction out of her except in the course of battle and war. Her first son Jeremy was indeed a free spirit, much to the dismay of the King. A short sigh escaped the red lips of Helena as she watched him exit the castle and into the neighboring towns. Knowing this particular son, he was the type to break the rules and push the limits. That it was Helena wasn’t going to bother telling the King. Jeremy would be back before the morning came, and if he wasn’t, then Jeremy would have to be prepared for the consequences. And of course, Jeremy was now going to receive a brief scolding from herself as soon as he returned. In private of course, there was no need to make a big deal out of it. He was lucky she was so low key. Very, very lucky.

Helena continued to stay perched on her balcony now, more awake knowing her son was doing something he shouldn’t out there. She would wait here until he returned. Sleep was never an important factor, for she never felt fatigue.