Chapter 6

Lady Marina Filimena POV

It's been a week since the funeral, and I'm worried about my Empress because she hasn't been the same since her mother was killed.

I get out of bed early in the morning, like every morning, and get dressed in a gown with a light pink bodice and light blue skirt. The gown had the look of a spring garden in full bloom, with a blossom-pink bodice and a whisper-of-blue skirt, as though the sky had been caught and wrapped around my waist. 

After I'm dressed, I head to Her Majesty's room so that Akino and I can help her get dressed. We pick out a black gown with red roses on the bodice. The gown is as dramatic as the night sky. Crimson roses, intricately embroidered, bloomed across the fitted black velvet bodice, their petals so vivid they seemed still wet with morning dew. The skirt flowed from her waist in an opulent cascade of black silk and blood-red tulle, a striking dual-colored curtain that pooled at her feet like a painter's deepest shades.

She picks at her food before she gets up, leaving her food untouched again as we look on sadly then we help her into her gown and a pair of red high heels.

After we dress her, we leave the room and see one of the maids, Lucy, standing outside. "Her Majesty didn't eat again, so take her food back to the kitchen," I say

"Yes, My Lady," she says with a curtsy as Caroline and Venus walk up

"How is Her Majesty doing"? says Caroline. "Not good, she didn't touch her food again. It's been a week, and she hasn't eaten more than a few bites, and she hasn't left her room. I'm starting to get worried," says Akino

"I wish there was something we could do, but she was really in love with Soren, and for him to kill her mother, she's feeling really hurt over what Soren did, and it's even worse since she is also mourning the death of her mother," I say

"We just need to give her time; she's going through a lot right now," says Venus

"Anyways, can you guys manage without me today? My brother is in town with his wife as well as his two daughters, to let the palace know that my father passed the title of Count down to him, and I wanted to see him before he goes back to Amore City," I say

"Yes, I think we can manage without you for one day," Venus says

I thank them and then head back to my room and change into a blush-pink silk gown, the color of a faint sunset. The fabric, rich and lustrous, caught the light with every soft movement. Its form-fitting bodice was stiffened with whalebone, tapering to a sharp point at the waist before giving way to a voluminous floor-length skirt. The full sleeves, gathered at the shoulders, were lined with ivory satin that peeked from beneath the pink silk. A delicate lace trim, the color of clotted cream, bordered the square neckline and cuffs, adding a final touch of understated elegance. It's more suitable for a member of a Count's family

After I'm dressed, I head outside where a carriage is waiting for me, and I get into the carriage that takes me to the noble quarters to a huge mansion that belongs to my family, for whenever we are in the capital

When I get inside, I see my brother Count Irus Filimena, who has white hair and blue eyes and is wearing blue and white pants and a blue and white top

He is sitting down on the couch next to my sister in law Countess Briara Ditris Filimena, who has blue eyes and pink hair and is wearing a pink and white dress

My two nieces are running around and come running up to me when I walk in the door, yelling Auntie. The oldest is Lady Toxaris Filimena, and she has pink hair and blue eyes and is wearing a blue and white gown

And the Youngest is Lady Itix Filimena, and she has white hair and blue eyes and is wearing a purple and white dress

My brother stands up and comes to hug me. "How's palace life treating you, little sis?" my brother asks. "It's treating me pretty good. How's Count life treating you?" I ask

I end up spending hours with my brother and his family, but I leave around lunch time as I get back to the palace, I see a Vampire girl at the gate who seems to be arguing with the guards. The girl has white hair, red eyes, and pale skin, and she looks to be about 10 years old

I get out of the carriage, I walk up to the girl and the guards, "What's going on?" I ask

"My lady, welcome back," one guard says. "This girl says she's looking for a job, but I told her that the palace isn't hiring right now," says the other guard

"Please, my lady, I need a job. My father was killed, and my uncle took over the family business and is trying to sell me into marriage to a noble, but I don't want to marry him, so please give me a job," she says

"Who are you?" I ask, " I am Revdea Ubris, the Daughter of Nyx," she says as I look at her in surprise because all the gods and goddesses have at least one mortal descendant or child, except Nyx, at least until now

I look at the guards, "I'll take it from here, tell no one about this, consider that an order from Empress Atia," I say as I walk into the castle and tell Revdea to follow me, and I lead her to the Empress's room.

We get to the door of Her Majesty's room right as Venus is leaving

"Oh, you're back, who's that?" she asks when she notices Revdea

"This is Revdea Ubris, she says she's the daughter of Nyx, and she came here looking for a job because her father died and her uncle was trying to force her into a marriage that she did not want," I say

"And you believe her," she says. "I can tell she isn't lying, so I decided to see if the Empress is up to talking to her because this is a big deal," I say

"Ok, let me check to see," she says, going back into the room. She comes out a few minutes later and ushers us into the room. When we walk in, I see Her Majesty sitting on the couch

"Your Majesty," Revdea and I say with a curtsy, then Her Majesty jesters to the chair across from the couch, and Revdea and I sit down

"So my lady in waiting, Venus, tells me that you are the daughter of Nyx, is the true" she says to Revdea

"Yes, Your Majesty," she says, "and why wasn't the palace alerted when you were born, as is the custom when a new child of the gods is born?" says Her Majesty

"My father was afraid that if people knew, then I would be taken away or used since I'm the only mortal child that Nyx has ever had, only my family and the man my uncle was trying to force me to marry knew that I was the daughter of Nyx, Your Majesty," she says

"Ok I can understand that and now that I know I want to offer you a position as one of my ladies in waiting my ladies aren't aloud to get married to anyone I don't approve of while they are in my service so your uncle wouldn't be able to force you into marriage and also if you were one of my ladies I could keep you close to protect you from those who would want to use you" says Her Majesty

"I accept your offer, Your Majesty," she says.  

"I can't officially accept you as my lady in waiting unless you are a noble, so I'm officially promoting you to the rank of Lady. Marina, go get her changed into something more befitting of one of my ladies."

"Yes Your Majesty" I say then I lead her out of the room and take her to her new room, then I go to my room and grab a green gown. The dress, the color of new spring leaves, featured light-as-air puff sleeves and a corset-like bodice that hugged her frame. Below the cinched waist, the skirt blossomed out into soft, undulating folds of fabric. My cousin grew out of it and was planning to sell it, and I take it to Revdea and help her into it.

"Tomorrow the Royal Tailors will come in to take your measurements and make you some new dresses but until then you can barrow clothes from me since my cousin left a bunch of clothes in my room that she out grew you will also be assigned a maid who will be here soon so if you need anything just let her know you are too young to officially be a lady in waiting so you're official title is Lady in waiting in training," I say

"Thank you," she says