Giselle still felt a phantom pain anytime she so much as stepped an inch, a sharp sting that nearly rendered her immobile for a minute.
Today was her fourth day of being in the palace and she was already aching to go home. At the thought of home, a sudden surge of homesickness rushed through her, bringing tears to her eyes. And to think just a week ago she'd been hopeful, perhaps even looking forward to a fresh start here in the palace. A rush of bile came up her throat but she tried to stay composed, brushing her skirts down with shaky hands.
Her seat was smaller than Fabio's, but not by much. His was throne-like and similar to his official throne in the conference room but less decorated. The rest of the Court would be allowed into the courtroom in just a few minutes but not once had she turned to look to her left, at her husband the King. If her eyes had strayed once or twice, it really didn't matter.
He didn't notice her. At least he didn't seem to with his head buried in a large pile of documents, probably matters to be discussed in court. He was dressed just as usual, a plain but luxurious black suit without a tie.
Giselle looked away quickly when he made the slightest movement.
What she thought of him didn't matter and neither did whatever he felt concerning her. But one thing was certain; he was a man of his word. She was simply a useless headpiece as a Queen, here to be paraded off to the Kingdom. Here to be the image of a perfect mate while he fucked another omega in his own quarters…
Fabio snapped his fingers at the doorsmen and just like that, the giant doors swung open and noblemen and women piled in noisily, each stopping to bow at the foot of the king.
Giselle knew the bows weren't meant for her at least until she was formally introduced, so she didn't react beyond a small tilt of her head, just in case. Madame Maeve had taught her to always be gracious, that regardless of her station in the King's heart, in the Court's eyes she was rightfully married to the heir and was therefore his Queen.
When the entire Court was seated, Fabio finally rose to his feet and the room quietened down.
"Greetings, Lords, Ladies and gentlemen of the Court. It is my pleasure to present my recently wedded wife and your Queen, Giselle Vanderbilt of House Vonteguarde."
At his words, the crowd applauded loudly with a few smiling at the announcement. Giselle remained seated but inclined her head at the cheering crowd.
"She will join the Court starting today. I expect her to be an active, participating member and I expect proper courtesy towards her as well."
Giselle nearly scoffed at his words. So… kingly and official and cold.
The rest of the session went as Giselle would expect; boring with nothing too intriguing about the endless discussions. Her interest was initially peaked when a councilwoman addressed the king about alarming rate of low omega births this year, but other than that she wasn't too keen. Her mind wandered before she could hear Fabio's response.
When the meeting adjourned for a break, the crowd filed out in an orderly fashion, with each pair of Lord, Lady, or whatever nobly-titled aristocrat stopping to greet the Royal couple with a low bow or curtsy.
"It is a pleasure to officially meet you, your Highness." A prude-faced woman said with a smile.
"Likewise." Giselle replied simply, not forgetting to return the smile. Madame Maeve's mantra of 'being a proper Queen' at all times repeated through her head.
Many more came and went, each with a scheming glint behind their eyes. It wasn't uncommon for aristocrats to suck up to a new noble for favors or otherwise. After all, doing so was the only way they could remain useful here in the palace else they risked getting replaced.
When all the nobles had finally dispersed, Giselle rose and curtsied at Fabio. Without a word she turned to leave.
"Giselle."
Her steps stuttered.
An icy feeling that she couldn't place spread all the way to the tips of her fingers. Even the mere thought of him invoked the memory of yesterday's severe pain.
"Yes–" Vomit threatened to lurch. She took another deep breath, "–my King?"
"Be careful."
She merely blinked, a bit stunned. She didn't know what she was expecting him to say but a simple warning wasn't part of it.
"W-what to do you mean, my King?" she said, her eyes still downcast.
"Do I need to spell it out for you, wife?" Fabio rolled his neck as if bored, "If I get wind of any… insubordination on your part, I'm sure you know what our deal was don't you, dear Queen?"
Giselle slowly nodded. She had to swallow it all up, that she realized nearly too late. Here, she wasn't worth the jewels on the King's suit and if she didn't play his game, her family could pay the price.
"Good." Fabio said, his usually vibrant blue eyes a bit subdued, "Besides, this Court isn't called the Court of Claws for nothing. If you let out too much, they will rip you to pieces."
Giselle left the room feeling worse than she'd felt walking in. Fabio had that type of effect on her; like a venomous snake encircling its prey.
A sudden pain on her shoulder made her gasp. The woman standing before her was draped in a beautiful teal morning dress and she had just bumped into her.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" she lashed bitingly.
Giselle couldn't help but be surprised at the rudeness. Everyone in court had just bowed before her… did this woman not know who she was talking to?
"Excuse me?"
The woman rolled her eyes but there was a smile on her lips. Giselle was so confused.
"I said watch where you're going. You may be the Queen but you could still get hurt, and then who will everyone blame…?"
The red-haired woman didn't know if she wanted a reply. It was almost funny how lost she was and yet the other woman just kept on rambling. The brunette scoffed when she received no reply. Giselle didn't know she was expecting a reply.
"...Me! They'll blame me. It happened with Princess Leandra too—bless her soul, she's a lovely woman—but when poor Lady Jocelyn accidentally tripped her, she was rubbished by the entire palace. It was so bad, poor lady had to leave the kingdom entirely since that was all everyone would talk about even though the Princess had already pardoned her. Then the media blew it out of proportion–"
"–I'm sorry, but who are you?"
Giselle was mildly amused by her ranting.
The woman rolled her eyes but seemed to realize whose presence she was in and stopped mid-roll. Giselle wanted to burst out laughing, it took everything she had to keep it in. Be a proper Queen, a mini Madame Maeve said somewhere in her head, propriety is key, you can't have your subjects knowing your every emotion.
"Lady Lysara–" She added after a while, "–your Highness."
"Oh, you don't have to be so formal. It's too late for that now, don't you think?"
"Well–" Lady Lysara shrugged, a move so casual and informal for a primly dressed noblewoman.
Giselle gave her a once over, her interest increasing with everything she saw. Lysara was roughly a similar height to hers, oddly round cheeks that didn't match her no-nonsense voice at all, all-seeing grey eyes and curly brown hair. She didn't seem as stiff and uptight as the other aristocrats Giselle had met even though she carried herself with so much grace that it seemed to rival even a princess's.
"When did you come to the palace, Lysara?"
"About a year ago I think. I was practically forced here by my father, Lord Karlsson, for last year's mating season." She grunted, "Worse year of my life, I'm telling you."
This time Giselle couldn't help but snort. Lysara felt like a breath of fresh air, like a mirror of who she was before all this… chaos.
"Pardon me, but you're not like any omega in this palace–"
"–and thank goodness for that!"
This time Giselle laughed aloud, clapping her hands delightedly.
"Would you like to join me for tea tomorrow, Lysara?"
The brunette's brows raised up in surprise.
"You're asking? Most royals would just command, much less the actual Queen of Montegnera."
"I think we have established that I am not most royals and neither are you. Besides, you seem honest and genuine. I like that, truly."
Lysara looked thoughtful.
"Well, you could use a friend who wouldn't try to gossip with the entire Court behind your back—I accept your invitation, u-um, your Highness."
"Call me Giselle."
"Fine. But only when we're in private, I wouldn't want the entire Kingdom breathing down my neck."
Giselle laughed again but stopped abruptly when a sharp pain pierced through her side.
Oh, no. Not again.
She gasped, staggering at the intense feeling. Lysara held her shoulder with a firm hand. Through Giselle's swimming vision she could see her worried gaze.
"Your Highness? G-giselle, are you alright?"
"I-I'm fine. I just need some rest." Giselle steeled herself with a deep inhale and exhale. "It's been a long day after all."
Lysara was still holding onto her, seemingly torn between letting her go to her quarters alone and escorting her there herself. Giselle wanted to tell the girl that her presence alone was very calming.
A group of young noblewomen sauntered down the hallway, their extravagantly ruffled dresses immediately catching Giselle's attention. She vaguely remembered meeting these women before but where, she just couldn't recall.
As if they could read her questioning stare, the brightly colored posse stopped in front of the pair. The blonde-haired woman in the center seemed especially familiar but as it would turn out Giselle wouldn't have to wonder for too long.
"Your Highness," The blonde said with a curtsy, with her copycats mimicking her move behind her.
She continued speaking in a faux-interested high-pitched voice, "Please accept my warm compliments about how effortlessly breathtaking you look on this fine day! As you can tell, I am a very passionate woman an–"
"Excuse me, who are you?" There was an energy to this woman that Giselle couldn't place; like a Janus-faced schemer that most of the upper class were. Not to mention, the omega scent was like incense and dark secrets.
"Pardon me for not introducing myself, I am the esteemed Countess Vivienne, at your service my Queen."