The Tiger Within

Beauties of every high house entered dressed as elegantly and extravagant as they could manage. Many wore red or blue gowns to seem as though they belonged in this royal home. She couldn"t help but sigh at the display, they were good girls, but their intentions were clear. It would not matter which brother was here tonight, it was the chance at the throne that brought them here. A few however looked promising. Honest and demure looking beauties that might catch Clovis" fleeting attention half as well as that woman.

"Empress, May you shelter us for many years to come." a beautiful woman greeted her respectfully. Her long black hair brought out her fair skin and soft brown eyes. Evelyn noticed the lack of thick makeup and the simple sweeping ponytail adorned with pretty hair pins brought out the more appealing aspects of the girl. She had dressed to impress that was for sure just as these other women had, but she was wiser than the compet.i.tion.

"Lady Ramira Arrowfleet, welcome my dear." Empress Evelyn greeted her with a kind smile. The girl bowed graciously and smiled at the Empress.

"I hope you are feeling well?" She asked taking a seat at Evelyn"s side.

"I am well enough. It seems there is no healing my legs, but I am adjusting to it." The Empress replied casting a wistful glance at her slender legs. The muscles were growing weak now that she could not exercise them.

"I know a healer who does wonders with dead nerves. Perhaps he could offer you help. I hear a Forest Folk healer gave you a dreary diagnosis, but I am sure he might have some ways that she would never have heard of being from the forest." Ramira offered her voice kind and almost too sweet. There was a spark of flame that caused Evelyn"s lip to twitch. She had seen that fire before. Years ago, when The Emperor had first brought home his second bride. A hunger for power.

"I see. Perhaps. I trust The lady who healed me with my life. If there is hope however, i would be willing to consider it." She agreed as a gentle hand came to rest on her shoulder. Evelyn looked back to see her son standing behind her.

"Mother, I am glad to see you are looking well. You do not have to greet the guests. You need to rest." Clovis spoke gently to her, his eyes filled with concern. Her pale complexion looked normal to those around her because it was subtle, but as a attentive son,he could tell she was tired. Evelyn chuckled and pat his hand with her own.

"What, and miss a chance to see you and my Darling Raina dressed up and beautiful?" The Empress asked with a chuckle. He leaned down and kissed her forehead before turning his cool eyes to the woman sitting next to her. Ramira stood and bowed in greeting.

"Fourth Prince." She greeted formally, that demure soft look back in her eyes. There was no trace of the spark Eve had seen only moments before.

"Lady Arrowsfleet." He greeted her as well. There was no need to be rude, though she was not the woman he was looking forward to seeing. "Raina should be comeing soon. She begged to arrive with Lady Kyera like a true lady." He chuckled and there was a warmth in his tone that took both of the ladies aback. Ramira"s eyes narrowed just slightly before returning to normal.

"Lady Kyera? I do not remember her name." Ramira hinted, her statement a question that both royals recognized.

"Lady Kyera is a daughter of the Shadow Veil Kingdom." Clovis replied honestly not thinking to give her more formality than this. Afterall Kyera might as well be a lady of his own home as far as he was concerned.

"It makes since for her to enter with Kyera, after all the Princess should escourt a dignitary." The Empress replied nodding rather pleased by this development. Though she had no hopes of Kyera being her daughter in law, the Princess learning to be a lady was always something to be proud of.