Epilogue
Two guards followed a respectful distance behind Lord Vesik, their boots snapping on the smooth floor in an almost pleasing rhythm as they made their way to the queen's private offices. Vesik's wiry frame ate the distance with long strides, though the queen's elite White Guard officers were able to keep pace seemingly without changing theirs.
Anger, fear, and frustration gave him a clarity of thought he hadn't had for some time. Since the incident at the stables things had spiraled downward as one might have expected. Soon after, there was no point in showing up at Court meetings even when he could resist the seductresses at home long enough to go. The greetings of his fellows were perfunctory. Beyond that, they only spoke to him when they absolutely had to. Then there was the fact that hushed conversations and laughter would abruptly stop when he approached, as though they all didn't know what the topic was.
He had to admit that was a small blessing though compared to when some simply didn't seem to care if he was there or not when he heard whispers like 'criminal,' disgrace to all of Court', and 'southie.' The most overt action though was the fact that Queen Evaline simply would not appear anywhere he was expected to be and, if he appeared, she was quickly ushered away. The overt snub was not unnoticed by anyone. Rumors escaped as they do and even the populace at large began to wonder what sort of scandal was consuming the House of Vesik.
He approached Bae. Known as the queen's right hand, wherever the queen was, so was she. Dressed in thin, cream-colored, embroidered robes with hands tucked within the oversized sleeves, she waited, her sandy hair bobbed and green eyes looking at him with clear disdain and an unmistakable desire to turn up her nose, as though he'd brought a stench to her presence.
Women. Untamed sluts, all of them.
His gaze hardened, his dark eyes attempting to bore through hers to show her he would never be intimidated by the likes of her.
Only her sense of propriety kept her from laughing in his face over the ridiculous male puffing. It was rumored that she herself was a member of the White Guard, but no one had had cause to test that theory. Her hands came into view briefly as they reached behind her to turn the gold handles of the doors. Once open, she extended her arms to either side, propping them open as she stepped back, not taking her eyes from him.
She moved to the right as he strode in, stopping before the antique wooden desk that looked like it could withstand a siege all on its own. Behind it in a high-backed chair that looked like a smaller version of the throne itself sat the queen. Her dress was a somber brown in tone and buttoned to the collar in a show of absolute modesty. Her hair was simply done and the makeup was minimal, with just a hint of color on her round cheeks. It was clear this meeting was a priority for her.
"Majesty."
"Lord Vesik." She uttered the title quickly to be done with it. "I trust we can dispense with the 'why' of your presence?"
"The misunderstanding at the riding grounds, no doubt."
She eyed him, "You have a singular wit, though it has always seemed mostly unintentional. Your word choice understates the spectacle greatly, but I would prefer not to discuss the reason behind your presence today so much as what we will accomplish by it."
His brow knotted in curiosity and he touched his beard. "And what is that, Majesty?"
"Your removal from Court."
