Chapter 9 - Allies

                                    

                                          
© All rights reserved for Queen of the Ravaged. The plot and characters are ORIGINAL and all MY OWN WORK. These are the products of my imagination and countless hours spent writing. Please do not copy/ reproduce in any way.
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CHAPTER 9 - ALLIES

The clinking of glasses and soft murmur of conversation filled the grand hall as I entered. Morning sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, bathing the room in a warm, golden glow. A long table stretched down the center of the hall, laden with an extravagant brunch spread—fresh fruits, pastries, delicate cakes, and silver trays filled with food that looked almost too perfect to eat.
Today, I wore a simple white and pink cocktail dress which Freya said was perfect for brunch. The dress was held together by ribbons at my shoulder. The bodice was tight but the skirt flared in my hips and ended just below my knees. It was perfect: simple, elegant, and beautiful.
The soreness from my recent injuries lingered, but I couldn't let it show. Today was another test, one I couldn't afford to fail. The ladies were already seated, their laughter light and effortless, masking the sharp edges beneath. I hesitated at the entrance, scanning the room for a place to sit, for a moment wondering if I should've skipped this event as the King had suggested.
But skipping it would be giving up ground, and I couldn't afford to do that. Not now, not ever.
"Miss Ava," Freya's soft voice pulled me from my thoughts. She stood beside me, her hands gentle as she adjusted the ribbon of my gown. "You look lovely. You'll do fine."
I offered her a small smile, grateful for her steady presence. Freya had been a constant source of calm in this whirlwind of events. Her quiet confidence gave me strength when I felt out of place in the gilded halls of Eldis.
Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the table. The eyes of the other women tracked my every move, but I kept my head high, determined not to let their scrutiny unsettle me. The air was thick with unspoken judgment, their gazes sizing me up. But I had survived far worse than sharp tongues and jealous stares.
I made my way further down the table, where the women seemed less concerned with who sat next to them. As I slid into an empty seat, a soft voice greeted me from my left.
"Don't mind them," the voice said, friendly and warm. I turned to see a woman with soft brown eyes and dark curls that framed her face. She wore a gown of deep blue—simple but elegant, a clear contrast to the extravagant dresses around us. "You'll get used to the way they look at you."
I offered a faint smile, grateful for the small kindness. "I don't think I'll ever get used to it."
She chuckled. "You and me both. I'm Imara," she introduced herself, extending a hand. "From Aluna. It's a small settlement by the coast. Nothing like Eldis, but it's home."
"Ava, from Theris," I said, shaking her hand. "We're small too. Mostly agricultural. I can relate to being from a place that doesn't quite... fit here."
Imara's smile grew, her eyes softening in understanding. "I know the feeling. Most of these women come from places of power and wealth, where they've never had to worry about things like food shortages or keeping their people safe. But for us... life is different."
I nodded, my thoughts drifting to Theris. The crops, the fields, the bunker that sheltered us from the dangers of the world outside. I had left all of that behind to come here, but it never really left me. Even now, in this palace of luxury, my mind kept wandering back to the needs of my people. Every decision I made, every risk I took—it was all for them.