The breeze was the perfect temperature for a day of festivities. The nature was giving it's best for the royal family, it was almost unfair.
Just like one would have invocate the God, as it is done to in some parts of the world to give his participation above others. All was coordinate in the best way since the morning as it was nearing 7 pm the sky was already full of stars.
Women and men from only the finest of the society was there. One could see all the Senate members, most of the staff of both the university and Porys high school since most of them were the children of the old families gathered there.
From a corner, two women who were used to all of it, just took it all in, amused by how predictable they all were. Like fishs in a bocal that was really well kept they just were doing what was waited of them. Mingle and chat, egos boasting each others like all the years before. Almost the same people, except of a little addition.
The annual birthday of Alfred the second son of the throne was like usual, far more alluring than his brother, the future heir. It was prince Lincoln desire though, he wanted his brother to feel that he counted too. It was really rare to witness no inimity between brothers like that with no attempt from Alfred to take his brother place by trying evil things behind his back.
Chatting with the said brother Alfred laughed so freely it please their mother whose eyes then met professor Kelvin ones near her. Doing a once over toward Amanda Alyn who was sitting in a corner entertaining her pupils that was also invited.
The Queen knew she was not forced to do it but given how mature theirs conversations inevitably had her attention, she stayed by their side for already the most of the day. They had been the first to arrive, greeted by the Queen who wanted it to happen before she started to get involved in the process of the birthday.
"She is taking it all good. I see." Her remark had the professor looking that way too.
Nodding like she was almost waiting to be asked that, professor Kelvin held her glass of drink a little near her lips stopping herself from drinking before answering.
" Like a fish in the water actually. It is almost refreshing to see her doing something else than stay stuck in that big library all day for once. The students results are above what I thought possible."
"Hmm."
" At the university it is all fine. They took it in a way that was unexpected. Prince Alfred help a lot. "
"Yes. So I was told. That is good." Smiling at the woman she took as a friend, the Queen nodded happy to hear what she was saying before looking straight at the entrance of the large room were Arthur was greetings some of his old friend. Most he had been to school with.
The finest of the kingdom were still arriving given the protocol hours. They would not even do half an hour since they were already nearing the end of the ball, that was mostly due to their ages or health condition. Nevertheless, Those already there were chating, laughing in the best of the world so happy they were invited.
The king was hid usual harmless personnality with the outside world. Like he put it himself, "His" people. Though she knew better.
Katiandra thought maybe it was some kind of bipolar, schizophrenic side of his she and some people had the privilege to see. He has always been like that. She had discovered it sooner, excusing herself from keeping their relationship up like a married couple in it's traditional way.
Even though she had spoken to her in-law, they were adamant doing the one who was blind. Not that his parents would have wanted it being diagnosed. His mother was the first to accept for them to sleep in different bedrooms fearing for her daughter in law well-being, while the father mostly care about the investment she was for his land.
Only now was she sure that, that disociated personnality of his was certainly because of his use of magic. His late mother, however sweat with her tended to become heartless sometimes in a point she had to lock herself away for many days in a row sometimes.
Cominf out of her thoughts, she could see that after greeting him most of this people started directing themselves to her. Obliged turned her front to them in an inviting way, time for civilities needing her undivided attention, after giving Kelvin a sorry but real smile, she finally focused on the man that was almost at her level, with a smile that was not reaching her eyes.
Kelvin witnessed it for the first time, being able to tell the difference while she walked away to leave her do her job.
Now this was what the Queen really dislike, to be face to face with fake people. Most had mastered the art of deception.
Faking to be happy with those people was second nature to her now. That was the reason why she prefered her people, those she cared about to be there earlier, she could not enjoyed their presence through the evening in a reverse manner. With that she could add the fact that, she also had to make sure her orders were been followed by the service around.
The moment a movement of yellow she had kept in her eyes line from the beginning of the festivities, started heading towards the lady's room she excuse herself with a dazzling smile to sugar coat her abruptness five minutes later. As she did the results was what she had expected.
Almost knocking someone on her way to the toilet the Queen gave her an irritated stare walking away like nothing happened. If it was not a door handle that halted her fall as she was abled to grasp it in time, Leigh Robertson would have sprawled on the heavy carpet second ago in an unceremonious way.
Flabbergasted she wondered who that cold woman was, for she has never been treated like that by her. Plus she did not even excuses herself. Looking front and around her for the space between her and the other woman, she evaluated the possibilities for that kind of accident to happen, it was totally intentional.
Why? She could not tell. Feeling her blood becoming cold, she made sure the shawl that had almost fell on the carpet returned on her slightly shaking shoulders. It could not changed the shivers of fear that took placed in her though.
Wonder and injustice was the only thing going in her mind and body. She knew through her husband, the ambassador, that an incident report with the crown or any kind of inimity could only get ugly. Since the departure of his daughter via their plane the king had them tagged. The diplomacy was not in the best of term with their country behind the beautiful words King Arthur never fail to say about them in the medias.
A small thing was all he needed to have them out of the country. The bodyguards that had followed the Queen was now standing still, near the lady's door, his stillness was unbearable by the way he was not even acknowledging her. Like she was invisible or something.
Frowning she wondered what he was doing there, she knew he was the one always following her around. Looking from the door to him she wondered but shook her head no.
"Why would she do that?" She thought meeting his eyes in a stare that was longer than she would have expected , then he looked at the ladies closed door like he wants to say something then decided against it. The man was clever, only his orbs moved nothing else.
Huffing irritated now, she left him standing there going directly to her husband, faking smile to the others invitees. She was not trying to have the king asking why she was off all of a sudden he was the one they first met when they arrived a little a while.
"What is it?" Leaning toward her, her husband asked worry
"Back in 10." Kissing his jaw in return she mumbled, her eyes second after meeting as she did the eyes of the one who was exiting the toilet corridor the famous bodyguard behind her.
Terrorized she completely froze, it was really the Queen! Not her usual charming self, it was her but a side she had only heard from people that hate her.
Leigh was not someone unto whom hard feeling was possible. She hated conflicts. The mean cold eyes, knowing it fully well, sized her a moment dominance oozing through her to leave a mark on her chosen prey before she looked away dismissively without a word or even a fake smile.
Waiting patiently for her husband to bid his farewells to whom deserved them, they finally had to go to the Royal couple, but then the Queen seeing them, the moment they arrived dimed it important to leave them to turn and speak to her son Alfred.
Leaving her husband to handle them, as she did for good measure, she took her time to look them up and down while doing so. Many did not see it but Leigh and her husband did.
Making a sign to the man in charge of the music , Queen Katiandra waited a moment for the silence to surround then made noise with her ring on her glass.
"Hi everyone I'm so happy to have you all here. I will take this time to give an announcement"
The moment she had everyone attention she held her hand up to Alfred as he took it she smiled sweetly at him.
" My son. I am so happy to have you so grown up. A real man. You worked hard to my sincere happiness. You are able to make the difference between the bad and the good now. You became a reference in your world not only here but in the others countries."
All surprised by his mother words, since it was always the king who was in charge of all the talk, Alfred stood still near her contemplating her in a way everyone could see he was profoundly touched. If it was not for his natural tan skin he would certainly be like a tomato by the time she stopped to just take him in.
Satisfied by how he was reacting, his shoulders straight like a real king, she smiled so fondly at how he had made himself a man. The late years were really intense on him, on her doing, she always kept her promises, but not once did he gave up because of the heavy work put on him. Instead he took initiatives of his own.
"I followed how you have been giving your vacations to help those that have no one to defend them in court. And that my dear, in my booklet of how to become a king, you certainly fit. You were born a King love. That run in your blood. Yes your brother was proclaimed by his birth as the first, but rank does not count here. There is no him without you. You know that. "
Nodding at his mother as he was doing the best to not let tears spill in from of the old blood of the kingdom, he met his brother eyes at his left as he did the same, confirming what their mother just said.
Arthur who was as surprised as everyone, standing opposite them just lifted his glasses of red wine. The moment was really like those that are frozen in time. No one said a word, all was witnessing something rare, an intimate moment. They all knew it.
"This kingdom is really blessed to have you two, my sons. Leaders that are models for the youth. Models of integrity and hard work. Even though luxury is what makes yours days. You are still interested in making the world a better place. That is why I decided that... "
Completely turning to her Alfred squinter his eyes like he was used to when a situation was going overboard. He was not used to his mother gifts. She rarely made them, and to earn one from her, it was a process of hard work.
" For now own you will be, the CEO of Zurow firm. I will no longer be a part of the board, my place is yours. And ..." At his grasp that was followed by the crowd applause, she stopped waiting for them to die down.
"... Starting of this day, the position of chancellor previously held by me at the head of Zurrow Alister ELITE, High school and university are also your responsibilities. I could n-- Please let me finish- thanks you, you are all wonderful" looking around she added that in a way that was so motherly that they all laughed to release the tension in the room.
Alfred was now straighter than he had never been. To have her letting go of places she had kept for so long was under his understanding, even to leave them to him! His mind had difficulties to align but he was at the moment the perfect image of his old brother. All tall and wise, an image which had Katiandra heart swelling with pride.
"I know someone would tell, she chosed her son when there are valuables people who respected the process who could do that. Then that person would have to keep in mind that those positions are strategical ones to rule our land. Which need someone who would have in their heart and mind to serve only Porys interests. Zurrow firm may not be the ministry of justice, but most cases, use theirs lawyer."
" PORYS ELITE, may not represent all the image of our educational system, but our students it is clear will rules various layers of this world we live in tomorrow, it is all the meaning behind 'ELITE' That is why at twenty-five I was chosen to carry all Those legacies far from what your grand father did, and now it is your turn, because you proved not only to me but anyone else that you are worthy of those responsibilities."
After a round of applause she held her hand up eyes fixated on Robertson couple, not giving them the death stare but her focus lingered longer enough for it to be seen by the two foreigners.
"I-- believe, justice and education will be in good hands from now on. In your hands I am sure the reign of the truth will always prevail... Be sure of that."
After kissing Alfred who was so speechless it was of no use to let him said anything. He just held her in his arms for a moment then let go to accept his father then brother congratulations.
After the family, he started shaking hands with all the people around, while his parents stepped aside to let him be.
Arthur, really happy, made for once that rare true smile only reserve for his sons. Turning to his associate wife as he now called her, he wanted to said something but had her smiling that fake smile of hers to him, while moving away from him after a squeezed of his arm. Puzzled the king met eyes with Robertson, who was now two feet away his wife was now speaking with a very happy Lincoln.
Tightening her hold on her husband arm, Leigh shivers alarmed her husband who looked down at her his right palm patting the hand, he was sure would leave a mark there. Even for him she had clearly seen them coming.
Even the king had to fake smile to them. He had seen that his wife was not really warm in regards to theirs strangers couple.
"What is going on?" Not departing of his smile the embassador asked his wife whose hand was slightly shaky on his arm.
Before she could answers the king was already in their personal space trying to cover his wife lack of manners
"Roberson! I pray you to excuse my wife. She has perfection in her. Seem like people come to her randomly. She work everywhere. The success of this evening-- it is all her. Dear Leigh, you know you are her preferred of all the people around her today."
They nodded at him bittersweet like, his last words were exactly what had them trying to run away from the place in the first place.
Playing it all as the man pleased they finally retreated to their car in a total silence.
"What did I do to have her almost knocking me down in that hallway. She came out of nowhere and did not even apologize. Looked at me or anything. When she came out she looked at me like dirt user her shoes, then left."
At his wife distraught face, the ambassador clenched his jaws wondering too what has changed in the Queen behaviors, in their relationship. She knew for instance that Malone had married Killian and had took care of her own in his country for a moment in time. To have her acting out like that was not sometimes that seat right in him.
It was so out of the woman general character that it raised many belts in him. Everyone he knew have seen the cold shoulders she gave them. Was it the mood of the month, he knew it could for she was not one to give her emotions out like that. She was the kind of cold blood, that could pierce someone heart smiling. She never depart from her smile, fake or true one. So what happened then?
He was not one to let someone hurt his wife without saying something but diplomatic issues, before being caused should be treated with attention.
His eyes solely focused on her while she undressed herself, he was wondering if it was not some kind of message he had to interpret when a neatly folded piece of paper fell out of Leigh bra causing him to releases a breath he unconsciously held.
"Honey, honey. It was not against you!" Almost jumping off the bed he kneeled to pick the item turning it from side to side.
Looking toward him as if he had lost his mind, hurt he was not believing her, Leigh sighed softly then as he moved his hand in front of her face, her face focused on what he was holding up for her to see. Surprised, she doubled checked to see what it was.
At first she thought it was one of his trick to deviate the harm that was done to her put he point at her chest with his index, lowering her gaze she saw a small mark on the porcelain color of her breast which now that she was giving it proper attention had been uncomfortable since the incident. But she did not pay attention to it since all she could focus in was her hurting feeling.
"Why couldn't she just hand it to me?" Shaking her head she took it in her palm wandering what it was.
Enlarging his eyes in a funny way, he took it again from her palm to unfold the paper.
"The cameras, love. They are everywhere even in the toilets. Ypu had used. Those are under each gender protection. That is why I never like to use them when I am out. I do my business here, and restrict myself from drinking too much out."
At the face she made he nodded smirking. For good measure he leaned his head to have a clear look of her face making her tried to slap him.
"Yeah love even in the stalls. I know you did not asked me but even if I told you so before you thought I was bluffing right? You have your proofs now. Why do you think her bodyguards follow her even there? For them cameras are cut in the private toilet she picks." Seeing his gleaming eyes she snorted almost blushing.
"Eyh. I hope you did it goo.."
"Prick shut up!"
"Why? I'm just trying to help!"
Laughing together for a moment, they finally calmed down happy for the same reasons it was a misunderstanding. It would have been terrible because Queen Katiandra was actually Leigh model in all she did, it was Queen Katiandra this, Queen Katiandra that. Robertson mind was sometimes worry of that fan thing his wife had for the Queen.
"Hey, joke aside. This is certainly strategic. She certainly thought about it before going into action. Think about it. We are the one who helped princess Kayley to get out of here . The king already knows it. But may not know it is his wife that took her to us. Which made it clear she shouldn't not have us in her heart-- Like him. If the king think she hates us. The better. Plus dear secret under pressure in you are not safe."
Nodding at what he said she finally breathed all resentment out leaning to see what was in that paper that was forced on her.
"Hmm, what does she says."
" Nothing really. But this."
There were signs figures on the paper he did not understand right away but his wife was apparently the one who did since she took the paper back in her hand that was firmer looking it near her face
"These are old hieroglyphs. Woah! The woman is too clever. See how she dispersed them. One would think it is garbage from someone who was studying if it was to fall in strangers hands."
"Yeah, yeah. And what does it say old hieroglyphs expert?"
"This one is 'two' that one ' moon', and here it is, wait, 'straight'. I can say two- moon - straight?"
" Two - moon. Two moon. Can you say if moon is plural or no."
The way she looked at him strangely, had him shrugging
" I don't know it may help. I Know with Hebrew, Greek, or Chinese it can make the difference. You taught me that. I am just a good student."
Giving up at how clever he could be, she looked down to study the sign, seeing the way the Queen had drawn them. After rechecking she nodded frowning.
"Moon is actually singular. There is this thing she put here. Which mean it is 'two moon' that ..."
"That it is certainly a figurative meaning than what it actually saying. A case. Maybe. We know she is more concerned by law than her husband. Her son Alfred is taking her place at the head of the Zurrow board as she confirmed it tonight. IT has been a concern of ours for ages, the justice here, as she explained it is taken in that firm rather than by the one that should do it. Those places put him in the position of ministry but the man has values. OMG! now I understand it better. Wait!"
Meeting her gaze he pondered in his mind seeing the implications. Remembering how her gaze met his and Leigh when she announced a new era for justice and equity with her son at the head of the greatest firm law of the kingdom.
" Wait, wait, wait! She said with Alfred at the head of the firm, we are sure that the reign of true will always prevail.' right?"
Meeting his wife gaze she nodded remembering the Queen saying that, when she had done it her gaze had lingered on Leigh. At that moment she had thought it was some kind of ugly game she was playing. Leigh now could tell her gaze was not on her but on her sore breast, on the piece of paper she had put in her clothe.
Looking at each other as they came to the same conclusion, they both said.
"It is a case!"
Taking the paper from her husband hand the woman who was good at crosswords or chess games, pondered on it for a moment then massaging her temple then looked at her husband.
"Is there a case you know that could be closed from moon? Something that was in the media's. Something that made a scandal?"
"I believe the closest thing is Mounth. An affair that made our homeland lost theirs shit. But that was quickly close. It was decades ago. A little before king Arthur became king. If it is the Mounth case, why two?"
" Hmmm. In that case we should not take the other words for want they are. Two maybe too, straight can be changed to stray?"
"I--Â stray from the Mounth case too- No. TOO, too? Yes! TOO! Thodore Orlando Ori! Oh my God! We should stray from the Mounth case and look at T.O.O. the man is a Gosh in the mafia world! What does the two have in common?"
Walking around the room searching the relationship between the case and that man, he finally stopped in front of his wife knowing by himself he could not reach any form of results. Then he caressed her face with love.
"You are a genius my love. She knew it, that is why she came to you. I may feel insulted but I am too proud of my wife. I love you. Never doubt that. Okay? Hmm? I have to examine this. What is sure is that she wants something. Let's see if we do too."
After giving her a very deep kiss he left her in a hurry to go and contact his superiors.