Chapter 32. Ravens, Peacocks, Eurasian Eagle Owls
Evening had dropped its dark curtain over the Raven Harpy's Lands and mountainous alpine Kingdom. It was picturesque and brimming with the mysterious atmosphere it sometimes held. The castle being carved into the tops of the tallest of the three mountains, the one in the centre, meant that despite the thick cloud cover that all of those below the summit would experience tonight, the royal household and all of those who dwelled within would get to enjoy the spectacle of the crescent moon.
The stars shimmered and glistened around the moon, as did each of the beads that were woven onto Lady Nox's dark evening dress; slimmer and fitting, but still holding a regal aura to it. If it were not for the Raven Queen's snow white skin, no one would have known she was there. Her dress and wings perfectly camouflaged her into the sky of her stone balcony. She still slept in the King's bedroom, having never moved their things.
Of course, no high-born Raven Harpy would consider being seen without their signature black breast plate. Anything other was... lower and unsightly. Lighter metals were usually weaker than the Raven's black steel. There were a few Clans among the harpies who could fight - willing or not. The Ravens' prowess was as feared as it was revered.
The earlier commotions and spectacles of the castle had not reached the Queen's ears or chambers. This was something that all would be glad of.
Had she even the slightest inclination of what went on in her music room earlier... or, that it was often used by Sephora for non-musical endevours, she would have been very quick to enjoy her cold and merciless side that she was, oh so well known for. She might have been the twins' mother; she was still the Queen now, and that could never change.
In Raven Harpy society, to do such things to a female… without consent....especially one who had not yet been bound to her mate. It was a crime of the highest consideration.
While an older and more specifically, a widowed raven harpy, would be allowed to indulge in male servants, which appealed to them, some nobles even petitioned out to sate more exotic tastes… for their entertainment, in a variety of sorts. The caveat was that the individual no longer had a living mate.
Raven's were not peacocks.
They were not frivolous.
If they so were… as Sephora rebelliously dared herself to be without the queen knowing… There was often an undertone about that person. That brought with it a lessening expectation of one's very character. This was a standard and in this society, character and standing was influenced, and that was all an individual had. Each time that the younger Raven princess sullied herself with house help, frivolous nights with noble sons and... not-quite-high-borns. If it ever all came out... her very reputation? She would be lessened, her own reputation among her own people would crumble.
Each time any rumours were fed back to the Queen, Lady Nox would dismiss them as "Gossip," and claim that, "my youngest daughter is pure." Eventually, there had been too many whisperings lately. To the Queen, her youngest daughter's standing was gravely lessened further in her own eyes. Barely work the royal blood that ran through her veins, and she had sullied it... There were so many names, so many rumours that the Queen could never guess that all, if not most, were true. She assumed that only one might be.
Raven's were not frivolous, and never should be.
As Lady Nox's considered both of her daughters' futures for a moment, and their current and future positions, gazing at the calm of the crescent moon from her balcony. A knock at the door of her chambers disturbed her thoughts.
With a, "Humph, who goes there?" the Raven Queen sauntered back into her chambers, through the arched glass doors. A slight breeze caught onto one of the curtains as she passed, and it rippled like a fan fair towards her as she crossed the large room.
"Don't stand outside my door all evening. Tell me what you want or come in." Authority now colouring her voice. She would not say it again.
As soon as this was uttered, the large dark wood door opened with a groaning creak. It was one of the servant girls, but the Queen never paid too much attention to the names or faces.
Most often, they were just "boy," or "girl," to her. She didn't recognise this one. Must be new. The Queen guessed.
The servant curtsied politely, keeping her eyes to the ground, "Your Majesty. You asked that Lord Easton might be summoned and brought to your chambers. Is there any further service that you need, which I might provide?"
It was comical; the size difference of Lord Easton, King of the Eurasian Eagle Owl Harpy, behind this slight, low-born Raven girl with hair, eyes and wings, of a 'dirty' red colour that was not dark enough for Raven beauty standards. "That is all. You may leave."
The servant turned and left without returning her eyes to the Queen or so much as a backwards glance.
"Lord Easton!" The Queen's tone softened and lightened. "Finally, it is just the two of us."
The Eurasian King strode into the room, and confidence radiated off of his large stature. This had always been something which Lady Nox had found both annoying and endearing at the same time about Lord Easton. The Raven Queen also knew that the Eurasians had their own notoriety for being tricky and difficult - they meddled. However, her and Lord Easton went far back in their shared histories, long before she was ever a Queen; nonetheless, she would not underestimate him being another royal.
As such, of course, he was someone she considered to be somewhat of an equal in many ways, although not all. "I am so glad that you could join this evening. As I understand, are there items of business which you want to discuss?"
Lord Easton took Lady Nox's hand and kissed the large steel ring, bejewelled with onyx that was so dark it seemed to absorb the light from around it. "The Lady of Ravens is looking remarkable this night." This was a customary practice of any harpy Queen, although usually in more formal and public settings, and this was a custom that was fully expected, no matter what the business being discussed would be.
"Quite the charmer, as ever expected from the Eurasian's King." A flash of something crossed Lady Nox's black eyes; locked with his own, "How does the Eurasian Queen fair this evening?" Instantly, Lord Easton dropped the Raven Queen's hand. As though a jolt of electricity had been transmitted through her.
Righting his stance, he replied, sounding the most formal he had since arriving in the Raven Queen's presence. "I'm here to negotiate the future of a daughter or two."
Lady Nox's poker face was excellent.
Still, giving nothing away. "Interesting; shall we walk…" she turned, and her dark dress swirled around her at the dance-like motion and trotted back out to her balcony. It was easy to forget, she had been a formidable military general before she married the late king. One of the best Raven Harpy warriors. Glancing behind her, back at Lord Easton still inside, "…or fly whilst we're negotiating?"
The moment she unfurled her dark wings, the Eurasian King took a gulp and then hastily followed her out. What did the Queen know that she wouldn't say within the castle walls?