1.2 KMAS: The Lady and the Queen

Esmeralda and her mother were coming back to their stall in the market district when they saw a carriage from the Magnus estate. There was no need to guess who was in it. The Great Mage was not around, which meant that the occupant of the vehicle traveling towards the palace could only be Lady Liriel Magnus. Trailing behind the carriage were a handful of estate guards. It was not like Lady Magnus needed any protection in Meridian. No one was dumb enough to lay hands on the wife of the Great Mage. But she was also one of the most important business leaders of the kingdom, and as such, she was expected to have a security detail, if not for protection, then at least for prestige.

The people around the street bowed respectfully as the carriage passed by. Esmeralda and her mother followed suit. After the bow, Esmeralda's mother tried to get a quick glimpse of Lady Magnus through the carriage windows and was shocked to see that Liriel was watching them. Lady Magnus smiled. Esmeralda waved. Liriel waved back. And Esmeralda's mother watched the the Great Mage's wife with her mouth hanging open. The carriage and its guards soon passed them by, along with the street urchins and orphans running behind it.

"Mom, did you pass out again?" Esmeralda asked.

Esmeralda's mother shook her head and blinked a couple of times, trying to anchor herself back in reality. "Pass out? What are you talking about?"

"You know, like the time when you passed out when Lady Magnus came by the stall with the Great Mage."

"I did not pass out," Esmeralda's mother protested while still watching the now distant carriage.

"You definitely did. The Great Mage had to check in on you and everything."

"I panicked, okay? You would panic too if the most beautiful woman in the world one day just randomly came by to purchase flowers from your stall."

"I didn't panic. I was there," Esmeralda said proudly.

"Well, what do you know? You are just a kid. She is so elegant, graceful, and dignified, and she is a high elf. I mean, how could I not panic?"

Esmeralda was also now keenly watching the distant vehicle and did not pay much attention to her mother's words.

Not hearing any response, the mother turned around to check on her daughter. "What are you looking at so seriously?"

"It's those kids. I wish I was an orphan," Esmeralda said with a look of deep longing in her eyes.

"You wish me to die, you evil child?"

"No, of course not. It's just that those guys get the best meals at Magnus Estate three times a day. But I have to make do with your cooking."

"Well, I am sorry for my lack of skill. Maybe I should just send you to one of Lady Magnus' orphanages. You can then have all the tasty meals you want."

"Really? Can we do that?"

"No. Now go and study. If you don't finish your multiplication tables by noon, you won't have your mother's bad cooking either."

As the carriage continued on its way to the palace, Liriel kept making mental notes of possible business opportunities and potential future meetings around the city. As they came closer to the palace and passed by residences of the more well-to-do citizens of the capital, now in addition to respectful bows, there was an occasional wave of the hand from the young noble women who were friends with Liriel. There were also a few curtsies from the little girls.

The carriage was momentarily stopped at the palace gates. When the guards confirmed that it was Lady Magnus inside, they were allowed to pass without further interruption. Once inside the palace grounds and out of the carriage, Liriel was escorted by the maids to the palace gardens, where Liriel and Seraphina usually had tea. Sera was not there yet; she still had to finish up the morning session of court. So, Liriel occupied herself with reviewing some business documents she had brought along and munching on the little biscuits on the tea table.

Finally, half an hour later, Queen Seraphina arrived. She was no longer wearing her crown or the formal gown she wore to court. Queen Sera was now dressed in her usual riding clothes, something Liriel thought suited her better than the gown ever did.

"Sorry, Liri. Busy day at court," Seraphina said as she plopped down on the seat in front of Liriel.

"I guessed as much. Did your ministers and advisors annoy you a lot?"

"Of course they did. The straightforward solution is never good enough. It's always too rash, or too risqué, or too upsetting for tradition. Ugh... Why can't there be more problems I can just solve with my sword?"

Liriel had met Sera only after marrying Kyros, and the two women had just clicked and become best friends on their very first meeting, much to Kyros' delight and mild horror. From the childhood stories Kyros had told her, Liriel had gathered that Sera had always been a bit of a tomboy, often getting into fights with the royal guards or helping Kyros in his pranking endeavors. Even though she was now a progressive and well-loved queen, Liriel had no doubt that Seraphina would be much more comfortable traveling the world or challenging random knights to duels.

Liriel chuckled at Sera's comment. "Well, if you are facing problems you have to solve with a sword, then the kingdom is in real trouble."

"I know, I know," the Queen replied. "I am trying to be a mature, refined working woman, just like you, Liri. But not everyone has your unending strength and patience. Sometimes I wish I had a brother or sister I could dump all this responsibility on. But then I realize that I would be too anxious about them messing it all up and try to micromanage them anyway."

"Well, you have Kyros."

"Oh please! I am talking about someone mature. Not that overgrown toddler you call a husband."

Teasing Kyros was a favorite hobby of both women, and today was no different. Liriel was the first to laugh, and the Queen soon followed suit. Once they had both settled down, Liriel poured the Queen some tea and some more for herself.

"How come you are here early today, Liri?" Sera asked.

"I was just feeling restless sitting at home. So, I decided to come."

"Missing him?"

"Terribly," Liriel said. "And since you are responsible for this, I am holding you accountable. You are in charge of making me feel better."

"I am responsible?! What are you saying, Lady Magnus?" Sera was pretending to be shocked, but the effect was slightly offset by her being unable to stop smiling.

"Well, you are the one who sent him on the mission."

"It was meant to be a two-day thing. He was just supposed to take care of the Griffon problem and come back."

"And now it has become a five-day thing."

"Your husband alone is responsible for that. Who told him to find the Griffon nest? Next thing you know he is feeling bad for the babies and trying to set up a sanctuary for them. Do you know how much of a headache in paperwork he has caused?"

"I can imagine," smiled Liriel.

"So, if anything, you and Kyros owe me an apology?"

"What did I do?"

"Well, he is your husband."

At that both women once again burst out laughing.

"But seriously Sera, I am really bored. I had to sit through two meetings today, and you must be tired of all the petitions. Let's go do something fun."

"How about riding?"

"No, thank you. Your horses hate me," Liriel said.

"They hate how bad of a rider you are, Liri," Sera teased, which earned her a pout from Liriel.

"How about some dice games, card games, or chess?"

"Nope. We have played everything hundreds of times. I want to do something outside."

The Queen thought for a little while before giving her friend a wide wicked grin.

"Now, let me suggest something, Liri. Hear me out, okay?" Sera began.

"Oh boy. With a start like that, I can only imagine what it's going to be. Go ahead, I won't interrupt."

"You know that the Kyros Magnus Appreciation Society..."

"No."

"You didn't even let me finish."

"Because I know what you are going to say, and my answer is, no."

"Come on, Liri. It will be fun. They have their monthly meeting today. Let's go and see what goes on in one of these meetings. We can go in disguise."

Liriel knew that the meeting was today. She was an avid subscriber of the Appreciation Society newsletter. A fact she would never tell Sera and absolutely never ever tell Kyros.

"Sera, no," said Liriel. "His fans, they can get a bit weird."

"That's the funny part. Come on, Liri. Do you really want to just sit indoors and mope? Kyros is having fun with baby Griffons; it's only right that we have some fun at his expense."

Liriel thought about it for a little while, weighing all the pros and cons like she usually did. "Ohh, fine. As you wish," she finally said. "Let's go to this stupid meeting."