Lessons in Etiquette by Christopher Nuttall

Author:Christopher Nuttall [Nuttall, Christopher]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Magicians, Magic, alternate world, Fantasy, Young Adult, sorcerers
ISBN: 9781606192993
Publisher: Twilight Times Books
Published: 2014-05-15T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Two

ALASSA’S ROOMS WERE MUCH LARGER THAN Emily’s and crammed with servants, half of whom seemed to be doing nothing more than standing around trying to look attentive. Unlike the maids she’d encountered on the journey, there were clear hierarchies amongst them, with one of the maids firmly in charge of the others. Alassa herself sat in the middle of the room, waiting patiently while the maids fixed her hair. The fact that she was wearing nothing more than a shift in the middle of a crowd of people didn’t seem to bother her.

“Take a seat,” she said, when Emily arrived. “They’ll be done in a few minutes.”

The servants turned to face Emily and curtseyed, almost as one. Emily flushed brightly; somehow, she suspected that she would never get used to the regal treatment. At least they weren’t staying on their knees this time, she told herself, as the maids turned back to watching Alassa. She couldn’t imagine how her friend could tolerate having so many people around her at all times. Did they even sleep at the foot of her bed when she finally went to sleep?

She looked around the room, shaking her head at the sheer luxury of it all. The walls were painted bright blue, decorated with portraits of royal women throughout the ages, starting with the first Queen of Zangaria. She had been a determined woman, from the look in the picture’s eye, but it was hard to see how she was related to Alassa. But then, the Royal Bloodline practically defined the looks of those who were born with it. Queen Marlena didn’t look anything like her child either.

One large window looked out over the castle grounds. Emily walked over to it and peered down to see a group of workmen constructing a small stadium on the grounds far below. It took her a moment to realize that it was actually being set up to allow the princes to joust, although she honestly wasn’t sure why King Randor would allow it. If one of the princes felt humiliated, what might happen next? They should have been warned to be on their best behavior, but they were royal princes, unused to anyone telling them no.

Emily wondered just who they expected to impress. Alassa hadn’t been any more amused by team sports than Emily herself, though she’d had different reasons. Maybe the commoners from the city would be invited to come and watch…no, that was unlikely. There was no reason anyone would invite people who had nothing to contribute. The thought was absurd.

“You are all dismissed,” Alassa said, from behind her. “Go.”

Emily turned, just in time to see the servants filing out. Few of them looked happy at being dismissed, even though they’d had nothing to do. A handful even threw cross glances at Emily, as if she was personally to blame for their misfortunes. Did they actually think that she had ordered them out? But then, it was safer to blame the visitor than the royal princess.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.