Royal court

[earthrealmblade]

She was surprised to get a summons so soon. She'd been away from court for four months,  time spent  mourning a husband that while she couldn't exactly say she 'loved' him, she respected him enough to honor his memory as was due.  Then, not a day after her mourning period had ended, did she received an official summons back to Court : it must've been sent while she only had days left, there was no other reason for it to arrive this fast.

Of course she responded.  She'd been raised in there, in an environment where the wrong action or phrase could send one to prison, exile or death. The emperor ruled over everyone and everyone sought his favor and influence.  She hadn't reached high as she had by playing stupid or ignorant-she knew well enough how girls like that ended.

She'd been sent to the queen at a young age, to both assist as a maid-in-waiting, while also picking up secrets where a man might draw suspicion .  Years later, she caught the eye of the Emperor, found herself becoming his mistress, being pulled into secrets and lust that left her giddy and powerful. Everyone knew of course, for all she tried to keep discreet; no one expected their Emperor to keep to just one wife after all. Then again, no one-herself included-expected to remain in that position for long. He grew tired of her, that was always inevitable; she just didn't expect to turn out as favorable as he'd treated her. While some ladies were passed off without a second glance, her 'reward' for years of service was more than just a few small counties-but also marriage to a one of his military advisers. True, the man turned out boring outside of the battle field, but he was courteous, preferred a wife who was pragmatic and sensible, and was also tempted by the land gifted to her.

In all, no one could say she was ill used. Indeed, word spread around the castle that she was one of the few women who left the Emperor's bed better off then when she was first taken.

Now, she was a widow. Her husband being killed in battle-and herself summoned back to court with his wealth now belonging to her.

That evening, shortly after her arrive, a  note arrived for her while she was seated at dinner with some of the queen's ladies, telling her to come to the royal chambers, and she was too well into her position, not to mention curious, as to wonder what it was about.  She followed the servant to the Emperor's personal chambers, her mind working what it could be about. A small part of her wondered if he was going to request her presence in his bed once more, but she dismissed the thought. Relations between her and the Emperor may have been civil, but she had long since accepted that her time with him had passed.