The Queen's Words

A few minutes later, Iyana was standing in a noisy bed chamber. Four women were running back and forward gathering different things while the Queen voiced commands. The Queen and a hand maid were in front of the end of a bed. The sounds of agony came from the woman laying on the bed, squirming.

"I need that sheet, hurry. It's coming!" The Queen shouted over her shoulder.

Jane moved to get a sheet.

"I need the water too," The Queen hollered seconds later.

Jane placed the sheet in Iyana's hands. "Take it to the Queen, please." She hurried to leave the room.

"Where's that sheet?"

Iyana jogged to the Queen's side. Holding the sheet out to the Queen, she found herself staring at a woman in the mist of giving birth.

"Thank you, dear," The Queen told Iyana, not bothering to look her way.

After a few minutes passed, the cries of a newborn infant filled the room. Every woman and young adult stood by, watching in silent fascination. Even Iyana stared big eyed at the infant, who was being cleaned by the queen. This was her first time seeing a baby being born.

The Queen held the infant close to her body. Looking into the crying infant's face, she spoke these words:

"Goddess, bless this life with many gifts.
Lunar Virgin, I ask you to watch over this new baby.
Provide her with goodness and joy
Provide her with insight and wisdom
Provide her with meaning and love
Goddess, my dear Goddess, give this life a life of fulfillment.
Guide her
Protect her
And teach her
Because, we, as your strength, will forever watch her grow into a beautiful young lady who will one day give back to you."

Smiles appeared all around the room. Iyana found herself mesmerized by the whole scene. The Queen handed the baby to the mother, watching as a smile broke out on the mother's face and tears in her eyes.

Iyana was busy staring at the newly mother to noticed that the Queen had left the bedside and was now walking toward the door.

Passing her, the Queen asked, "Join me, Iyana."

Iyana wondered what the Queen would want with her, especially after completing such a task. Falling into steps behind the Queen, she remained quiet.

"You must be exhausted after helping with such a miracle." The Queen said making her way toward a small table. "Come have a seat, and I'll get you something sweet and reviving."

Iyana watched the Queen pour what looked like tea into two small cups. Slowly, she made her way to a chair.

"Here you are." The Queen sat one of the two cups in front of Iyana. She then took the seat beside the princess.

Iyana picked up the cup. She looked down at the brown liquid, her brows knitting together. Politely, she took a small sip. Her eyes expanding when the most sweetest taste filled her mouth.

"Juice of Goddess Diane, made from the waters produced by the Lunar flower here." The Queen, whom had been watching Iyana, explain, smiling. "For times such as this, the juice is very good. After a job such as childbirth, one needs something very sweet to restore shared energies."

"What do you mean by shared energies?" She looked at the older woman.

The Queen took a long sip from her cup. "Share energy with another. It's a principle among the people of Lunar Crescent."

"Well. Is there a particular reason you brought me here, Queen Lunar Crescent?" She looked down into her cup. Her reflection stared back at her.

"Diana, dear." The Queen waved her hand.

Iyana didn't say a word. Instead, she continued to stare down into her cup. She wondered once more why the queen invited her to a private conversation.

Queen Diana answered her unasked question. "I wanted to learn more about Iyana, since she has my son's attention."

"I have his attention alright." She glared looking up.

The queen took a slip from her cup again. She didn't seem affected by the anger in her tone.

"There's so much I want say, but so little time. I suppose I'll give you some advice."

"Advice? I don't need any advice from you." Iyana didn't mean for her statement to come off in anger, but, at the same time, she didn't know any other way of saying what was on her mind.

The queen chuckled a light chuckle that could easily be mistaken for a giggle. "No, you don't. Your mother raised you well, and your father made you strong."

Her pupils diluted and she looked at the queen. "What do you know about my parents?"

"That we weren't always battling each other."

Iyana's body stiffened at the remark. She eased the cup back onto the small table between them and placed her hands in her lap.

"It was only a minor misunderstanding between the two." Diana closed her eyes, remembering. "Your father wanted my husband to marry your oldest aunt. He declined the arranged marriage for me."

"What does that have to do with my father?" She asked quietly.

"It has everything to do with him. The Velvet Crown and Luna Crescent were suppose to be allies, but with the marriage arrangement void...things spiral out of control, but that has nothing to do with you, dear."

Iyana faced the older woman.

"I want you to always remember that you can never form a union with my son."

A small gasp left Iyana's mouth. "Why-I mean, what do you mean?"

"That one of our kingdoms will fall if you marry my son."

"I don't see him lik-"

"You know this. I can see it in your eyes." The Queen interrupted her. "He likes you. A lot. But do you like my son as much as he likes you?"

"I-"

"There you are." Dominick came walking into the room. His gaze when from his mother to the princess, setting on his mother.

"Oh hello, my son."

"Mother, why is the princess here?"

"Girl talk. A new infant was just born not too long ago. You should go by and see her."

"I will. Iyana, can you come with me?'

Iyana stood to her feet, brushing her dress straight. She turned to the queen.

"Go. We'll continue our talk a bit later, if you wish that is." Diana waved her off.

A blush covered both of Iyana's cheeks. She followed Dominick out of the room into the hallway.

"What were mother talking to you about?"

"About--your culture."

Standing across from Lazarus was a medium height lady, who blinked up at the other prince shyly. Iyana saw her brushed a loose strand of her long, black hair behind her ear.

As the pair drew near, Lazarus noticed them and their conversation ceased as Lazarus and the young lady looked in their direction.

"Marissa, hello." Dominick came to a stop a few steps from the two. "I didn't expect to see you so soon."

Marissa cheeks turned a light shade of red. "Yes, My Prince." She turned her petite frame to face Dominick. "The King has send for me, and I arrived just a few minutes ago."

It was then Iyana noticed the traveling attire Marissa was wearing. She was dressed in a simple dress that reached her ankles. A thin, pink jacket over her the dress. Matching, pink gloves covered her hands that rested at her sides. Her waist length, Brown hair fell over her shoulders and she had an childlike innocence about her.

"I'm glad to see that your trip was safe and secure," Dominick said and gestured to Iyana. "Marissa meet Iyana. Iyana, Marissa."

"Nice to meet you." Marissa was polite in her words.

Iyana said hello back, but she continued to study the other girl out of curiosity.

"Well now that introductions are over," Lazarus spoke up, "I think I'll show Marissa her room. Hey, Dominick," he looked at his cousin, "Let's met up in a hour. The stables should be fine. We can race like we used to."

"Maybe a ride. I'm not up for a race." He exhaled, thinking about the broken ribs he received from Iyana the other day.

"Sounds good with me."

"Marissa, I'll speak with you later." Dominick shifted his gaze to her and gave her a small smile.

"Y-yes, I'll be ready by then, Your Highness."

The pair processed to walk pass Dominick and Iyana. The two was quiet for several minutes

"Marissa is my betrothed," Dominick said out of the blue.

Iyana's eyes widen only to return to their normal size a few seconds later. "And you're telling me this because?"

"I thought you would want to know."

In a bitter tone, she said, "I hope you didn't take her from her family and brought her here."

"No. I didn't."

"At least she won't know the real you." She moved forward, not sparring him another glance. "Now what have you requested me to do for you now?"