Page 59 of North Queen
While Norah hadn’t forgotten about the state, one benefit of being overwhelmed by the world was that it desensitized her to the crushing weight of other things sometimes. But her mind turned back to the meeting with the council, and her stomach twisted. It had been delayed to move up the coronation, but she had to face it now.
Catherine lowered the cat gently to the floor and stood. Then she moved for the door but paused and eyed the dresses. “Wear the blue. I’ll see you in the judisaept.”
Norah pushed out another breath, brimming with frustration as the door closed behind Catherine. She wanted to scream. Did Catherine think she could decide everything?
Rebecca reached for the blue gown.
“No,” Norah told her. “I’ll wear the green.”
The council was already in the judisaept when Norah arrived, as were her grandmother and Alexander. She had thought her nerves had calmed as she had walked through the morning air, but the anxiousness came flooding back as soon as she saw them. The iron gaze of her grandmother didn’t help. Perhaps she should have worn the blue dress. She felt childish now, which did nothing for her confidence.
While Catherine hadn’t spoken to her much since the night before, she had worked to prepare her as much as possible for this meeting. Norah had her planned responses—her very vague and very short responses. They’d focus on the alliance with Aleonandthe marriage.Norah would rather talk about anything else, but she reminded herself of the circumstances: the state of Mercia, the plight of their people, the threat of the Shadow King. She knew what she had accepted by taking the crown. It didn’t make it easier, though.
The councilmen were so deep in a heated conversation that they barely noticed her entrance.
“Councilmen,” Alexander called their attention when he saw her.
Edward turned. “Ah! Queen Norah.” He bowed. “Forgive us. We were caught up in some disappointing news. But let’s get started. I’d like to welcome you to your first state.”
“What news?” she asked.
He paused in surprise but quickly recovered. “Nothing for you to worry about. These matters are why you have a council.” His tone held an air of condescension that brought a heat to her cheeks. “Now, as Lady Catherine reminded me, you’ve not spent much time with the council, even before your… leaving. And it would be good to get reacquainted.”
A small whisper of relief filled her lungs. That was very smart and very much appreciated. She glanced at Catherine, her earlier morning frustration forgotten, and her grandmother gave her the faintest of nods. But the mention of disappointing news still needled the back of her mind.
Edward motioned to each council member around the room. “Councilman Alastair, Henricus, Elias, Charles, and of course you know James.”
Each councilman gave a respectful bow of his head as his name was said, and James smiled reassuringly. Catherine had walked through their descriptions with her before, and Norah felt solid on them now.
“We know you’re stepping into a role that can be overwhelming for any person,” Edward said. “And we’ll guide you through each challenge.”
They looked to her for a response. She had to say something, something that didn’t sound like a woman completely in over her head. She clenched her hands together as she nodded. “Thank you, Councilman Edward.” Her eyes rounded the table. She could feel her pulse in her palms. “Thanks to all of you. I only want to serve Mercia the best I can. I trust that, true to your titles, you’ll counsel me in these matters of state to do what’s right for our people.”
The councilmen nodded, with smiles on their lips. They were pleased.Good. This was a good start. Her confidence grew… slightly.
Edward motioned to the chair at the head of the table. “Please, Queen Norah.”
She took her chair, and the councilmen followed in seating themselves.
Edward nodded. “So, we’ll start with—”
“The news,” she said, now that they were past formalities. “Let’s start with the news that came.”
The room fell silent. It felt like the wrong thing to say, but why would it be wrong? News had come. She was queen. She should know.
“Ah,” Edward said finally, clearly surprised again. “Very well.” He wet his lips. “Word has come that a usurper has overthrown King Orrid, the king of Rael.”
She wasn’t familiar with the king of Rael, or his kingdom. Not that she was quick to assume this wasn’t bad news, but she couldn’t help but feel thankful it wasn’t directly related to Mercia. Or was it? “Is the king of Rael a friend of Mercia?”
Edward puffed a small breath, seemingly amused at her inexperience, and her cheeks grew hotter.
“He’s a godly man. It’s a tragedy.”
That was a yes, then? But before she could ask more questions, he pivoted the conversation.
“But let me once again convey how happy we are that you’re with us. Now, to more pressing matters.”
He was moving her on, and she didn’t have the boldness yet to stop him. Not that she was keen to. She had enough to focus on in Mercia without worrying about another king in another kingdom.
