Bab 2: 02: Chance Encounters
Thin light poured into Moonlight Palace's parlor. Clouds roiled across the autumn sky, the depth of them deep and moody. Lore was writing in delicate script on a thick parchment letter, elbows perched on the heavy mahogany desk. She paused as there was a knock at the door.
"You may enter."
A relatively short man with a gentle face, honey brown eyes, and tufted brown hair walked into the room. Clutched in his arms was a wooden box which he set down with a thunk.
Gwidon Fiore, one of Lore's oldest friends and the Captain of the Palace guard. He was outwardly friendly, but kept his cards close to his chest and never let distaste peek through his pleasant facade. In private, he was a candid storyteller never hesitant to avoid harsh topics, and was brusque in his opinions of others.
Plopping himself on the box, he grinned at Lore. A thing most not often had the chance to witness. Lore returned it with a small smile of her own.
"The latest correspondence," Fiore said, tapping the box beneath him. "But that's not all I'm here about."
"And that is?" Lore replied, raising a brow.
"That exposition match. You don't plan on participating yourself, do you?" He glanced to the bump of her belly. Unfettered worry filthied his amber gaze.
"What else would you expect? There's a point to prove."
Lore frowned to herself, continuing. "Though, I suppose it wouldn't be much mournful if I were to spar with you at the ball. Only a month. Even if I can shroud myself in spite of wearing proper clothing for the match, someone would speak out against it. Unfilial to Addicus, they'd say. Not womanly, forgetting that I am a Drusus before I am a Bonaventura."
Fiore looked at her intensely, searchingly. Then he sighed, flopping his hands in his lap and leaning back. Forgetting propriety entirely.
"I thought you didn't care much for the opinions of uppity nobles? Addicus always appreciated that in you, and I in him. Go along with it. Prove them wrong. Just... wear something to protect to the babe."
"No I, never did." Lore looked out the window, letting the silence remain for a time. Her fingertips still clutched the quill pen, her other hand pressing down the parchment firmly. "Thank you, Gwidon."
He scowled. "You know I hate that name."
She smiled at him, a blessed thing that was stark against black mourning garments. "I do."
His eyes followed where her gaze had once lingered, to the still bright clouds that fogged the sky. He could almost taste the chill of the air, of the world that was falling into winter's slumber. The silence was calm, companionable. Something to appreciate and savor.
It wasn't a silence meant to last. Dusting his pants, Fiore lifted himself from his perch. "Well. I must be off!"
Before he walked to the door, he paused and glanced to her. "Take care of yourself, okay? Your King, my friend, would have wanted me to tell you that." His brows pinched together, and he murmured softly. Sorrow painted the shape of his lips, his every word, his slumped posture. "If I had failed you both any more, you'd be dead too. Gone, murdered, just as he was."
"I wouldn't die that easily," she said dryly, "you know I'm too much a master of the sword to be felled by a mere assassin."
"A sword doesn't do much against poison! You should know that Lore!"
Lore glared at him, heavy dark gaze pinning him with wrath. The quill bent in her hand. "You think I don't know that!? My husband is dead, so I, and this child—we must live. Whether by poison or by a blade, by disease or my own carelessness... we must live."
"You're no mage. What can you do in the face of the wrath of the gods?"
Steely eyes continued to arrest him. "If I must, I will challenge those gods and bleed them dry with my own two hands. Leave, Fiore. Before I say something I mustn't."
"Addicus wouldn't want this. Please, Lore."
"Out."
A dear friend slipped away, the door clicking shut behind him. It left only Lore, with her too pale skin and deep eye bags, the window leaking frigid light, and the box of secrets waiting to be opened.
When Lore Drusus, child of the Drusus matriarch and a Desrosiers son, was engaged to the then Prince Bonaventura, the world erupted in whispers. Lore Drusus was a woman shrouded in mystery, known only by her acclaim with the blade and her relationship with a family respected and feared in equal measure. Her sudden engagement to the Prince, known as the top marriage prospect in the kingdom, led to effusive gossip. Rumors spread of the girl being a witch who ensnared the Prince in her claws.
While these were the rumors, a much more simple story was true.
Marina Luciana Drusus on rare occasions would invite some of the world's strongest warriors to challenge her daughter, supposedly an unmatched progidy, or herself, the most renowned warrior of them all. Addicus Bonaventura was the latter case.
Addicus was brash, led by his own rules, took his own path. While he maneuvered politically with ease, that didn't excuse that he would act whimsically, never withholding his opinions. He did what he wanted, for good or ill, and massively the people appreciated him for it. They knew he was honest, and so respect grew. While the second son of the King was still spoken of, he was far overshadowed by his talented and personable brother.
At the expansive Drusus Estate, he arrived early, hours before the match, and chose to explore. There he encountered Lore, who was arguing with her father about her debutante. How she did not want to debut, and instead lead disconnected from that world of betrayal and intrigue. She wouldn't have been the first Drusus to have done so.
Immediately, Addicus was infatuated with her. She was witty, unafraid, excellent in debate. Conniving, not just a prodigy in the ways of the sword but in the mind and heart.
They grew close, Addicus only growing more unafraid as Lore became quieter to compensate. She helped him pen letters, taught him to be subtle, to mislead. To tell the world a different story than was true. In return, he cherished her.
Then, he proposed.
On a night lit by fireflies and lanterns displaced in the air, held above the ground beyond rationality by the court mages. It was in the rose garden of Moonlight Palace, known also as the Thorn Palace for that among other reasons. Lore looked beautiful in white, embroidery splintered with pale red gems, pearls, and delicate beading that lead to her bosom where the dress cradled her neck. Layers of coiffed silk trailed her, where her feet were laid bare. With the tightly woven veil traced with white and red roses, and the pastel roses in her red as blood hair, she looked like a fairy.
With the veil in place, her face was never seen by cruel nobles, rich businessmen, and those who would never respect a warrior queen. If they saw her calluses, hidden by gloves as they were, they would riot. But even if they couldn't see her face, they knew she was beautiful.
With her beauty in mind, the whispers were shut away in an instant. Of course Lore Drusus and Addicus Bonaventura were to be married, the most powerful man with a sculpted face would only take the most beautiful bride.
It was evening now, and Lore had been changed into a delicate black evening gown that, luckily, hadn't needed to be adjusted to accomodate the slight curve of her stomach. Her hair was set in a plait and pinned with unique needles imported from the east. A veil was tied behind her head with a thin strip of velvety ribbon.
Her brother, Cassion Drusus, was visiting for dinner. In the Drusus family, heirship was decided by competance, and while he was skilled with blades and the machinations of noble court just as she was, it wasn't quite to the same level. Furthermore, he was the second born, younger than her, and he had a... let's say 'strong' personality. Though that didn't matter now that Lore was Queen, and Cassion was made heir of Drusus.
All the same, Lore adored him. Ever since her dear younger brother was born, she had doted on him, and he had become incredibly attached to her. Perhaps even beyond what was reasonable.
Lore sat at the dinner table, the veil feeling almost chafing against her cheekbones. Longing burned within her, nostalgia, love. Her fingers too burned, touch starved. She missed her brother. Finally, blessedly, her brother opened the doors of the dining hall. Cassion was practically vibrating with glee as he rushed over to her.
"Sister!" A grin, bright and almost reverent, nearly blinded her. Plumes of red hair framed his face, delicate and almost as feminine as her own. He was tall, over a foot taller than her when she was by no means a short woman. Roiling deep blue eyes stared into her own dark ones.
"Cassion," Lore said calmly, though excitement still fizzled through her, "It is good to see you."
She squeaked as he lifted her from her chair, spinning her around in a cradling hug. "I missed you, dearest Lore."
Lore relaxed, slumping slightly into his grasp at the comforting touch and adoring gaze. There was a slight tremor to her as some of the grief was allowed to escape in the safety of her brother's arms. "I missed you, dearest Cassion."
PERTIMBANGAN PENCIPTA 
Angela_Erdosy
Angela_Erdosy This chapter is mostly just setting things up, but next chapter will have a bit more drama. What do you think of the story and characters so far? Anything I should add, or change? Anything that needs clarification or additions? Feel free to ask anything! I really hope the world building is understandable. Thank you for reading, and I hope you've enjoyed.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone