“Thank you for the warm welcome. Silene, Fionn, and I are grateful for your hospitality and are thrilled to be here in Thayaria.” I flash my most charming grin, and I see it working on several of the younger advisors. Though I was nervous when I first began speaking, my next words surprise me. “I would like to learn more about your magical education system, your trade agreements with other kingdoms, and your programs for supporting small family-owned businesses.” I didn’t realize I cared about those topics, but I find myself excited at the prospect of learning more.

Silene steps on my foot again. “I’ll discuss this with Silene and Fionn and provide a thorough list to you by tomorrow,” I add for Silene’s benefit, and she relaxes. I’ve apparently said what she wants me to say.

Admon claps his hands. “Excellent, Your Highness. We’ll await your missive and begin setting up the additional meetings.” With that, he dismisses the Council, and the advisors all stand and begin to make their way out of the chambers.

“Admon,” I say. He turns to me. “When will I meet Her Majesty, Queen Laurel? I expected to have been introduced by now.”

“Her Majesty has many other responsibilities. As I said, she has wholly entrusted the Velmaran relationship to her Council. I am to be your primary point of contact.”

I don’t respond, reading between the lines. They don’t intend for me to meet Queen Laurel.

Laurel

Only the most powerful of light channelers can bend light to mask or cloak themselves and remain invisible in certain circumstances. Even rarer is the ability to bend light around another person or object.

The Unabridged History of Magical Orders, Volume I

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” the fae baker says, bowing to me, eyes filled with tears of joy. Today I’m holding court, a monthly open-door session where citizens can petition me or my advisors on any topic. The male currently walking away came because the price of flour has risen significantly, cutting his margins in half. I assured him I would instruct the Chancellor of the food imports sub-committee to look into procuring more grain to increase supply and thus decrease prices for the goods. It should be easy enough to do after the recent Forum negotiations.

The next petitioner is called forward, and I struggle to remain upright and listening. After five hours of this, with another hour to go, my mind wanders often. My parents used to trade off when they held these sessions so that they remained sharp and alert, able to respond to the people with empathy and attentiveness. I don’t have the luxury of a partner, so I acutely feel my aching back and foggy attention.