Emmaline shifted in her seat, slightly opening her eyes squinting as they adjusted to the bright light of the morning, she could see the Thirmos Castle in the distance getting closer and closer as they moved, she glanced out the window looking at one of the many guards who circled her carriage, her mother and sister traveled with her, while her ladies traveled in the carriage behind them, also heavily guarded.
”How much further?” Emmaline asked in a soft voice still half asleep, she hadn’t slept well, and wouldn’t have been surprised if she got less than three hours of sleep. “About half an hour Your Grace.” The Guard replied with a bow of his head, Emmaline nodded in return before turning back to face her Mother who looked like had just woken up herself.
It had been a few months since Emmaline had visited Thirmos and Luras, as her Fathers recent passing was still taking a toll on her Family, and on Emmaline herself, something she didn’t readily show or express, Luras and his family were aware of her Fathers passing and her recent ascension to her Fathers throne, she could almost hear the sympathy in their voices already, it caused a sick feeling to arise in her stomach, she had no wish to be consoled anymore, she had the sympathy of her whole Kingdom behind her, Emmaline also knew there was nothing she could do about it, it was a formality, a custom to console someone after the loss of a loved one.
Emmaline had spent the months she hadn’t seen Luras writing letters back and forth like they usually did, it gave her time to escape from everything she dealt with in the day, though when Emmaline was younger she hated the fact she had to marry such an immature boy, though as she grew older and both of them matured she became fonder of him and had grown fairly close to him, even though his childhood arrogance and mischief stayed with him, something she silently wondered would cause problems. She couldn’t wrap her head around the fact that this was the last time she would travel this road, as she was not returning to her Kingdom, she was to rule in Thirmos by Luras, and Rule Sevaviel by his side as well, while she relayed the orders her mother would enforce them in her absence, Emmaline wasn’t confident in it, but was reassured that many did it that way and would usually let the matter drop.
As they arrived Emmaline could see the crowds gathering on either side of the main path to greet her as they always did, she smiled seeing that the Royal family had already arrived as well standing at the top of the path fairly well guarded, precautions in case of any uprisings in the crowd, it was something Emmaline was familiar with. As soon as the carriage door opened a hand was extended to help Emmaline out, she had to remind herself that as Queen she was to exit first, she was so accustom to her mother leaving first that every time she traveled anywhere she had to remind herself, she tried to avoid looking at the dress her mother was wearing as it was black, the color of morning and it made Emmaline’s throat tighten, just another reminder her Father wasn’t there, wasn’t with her.
Emmaline waited for her ladies to come to her side before starting to move up the path, another thing she was getting used to was how everyone followed her, no one was to walk before her, but either beside her or behind her, she enjoyed having her friends walk beside her instead of behind her, but instead, her Mother walked on one side and her sister on the other, something she didn’t mind at all.
She smiled coming to a stop in front of the DeNoyen’s. She lowered her head slightly as a sign of respect to the King and Queen lifting hers when they did the same, the formalities were so different from when she was a Princess, she would normally curtsy before a King and Queen, but now they were equal it was no longer required. ”King Cyprian, Queen Anne, Prince Luras, Price Lucas, Princess Lucille it is a pleasure to be back at your Court, my family and I would like to thank you for yours and your families hospitality.” Emmaline took a breath looking at Luras who seemed as posed as ever, she looked over to her sister.”May I introduce my sister, Princess Madeline.” Emmaline gestured to her little sister with a small smile. ”And my Mother, Alessandra, Queen Regent of Sevaviel, who you have already been acquainted with.” Emmaline held her hands tightly in front of her body keeping her posture correct, this part was always tedious, a part she always wished to get over and done with.