Vishendor's unlikely Queen

It was already dusk by the time Theron walked me back to Mother's shop. The sky was bruised with purple clouds, and the scent of distant firewood lingered on the wind.

"Greet Mother for me," he said, adjusting the collar of his tunic. "I'm heading off to see a friend."

"A friend?" I arched an eyebrow, teasing him with a sly smile. "And might I know who she is?"

He gave me a crooked grin. "I never said it was a lady. I said a friend."

I stayed where I stood, arms crossed, grinning at him expectantly, like I was waiting for the real story.

He laughed and shook his head. "Will you stop looking at me like that and go help Mother close the shop? I'm going to meet Coren."

"I'm going to meet coren" I mimicked his voice, smirking as I waved him off.

He waved back before disappearing down the narrow street, the lantern light flickering against the back of his cloak.

----

The familiar scent of lavender and fabric dye welcomed me as I stepped into the shop. My mother was seated by the window, surrounded by silks and cottons in every shade imaginable. Her hands moved like magic, weaving thread through a gown she was stitching—her full attention locked on every detail.

Near her sat Daphne, perched like a smug little queen beside a row of finished dresses, admiring them as though she'd stitched them herself.

"Mother!" I called out softly, my voice floating toward her.

She turned toward me, needle paused in mid-air. "And what kept you so long?" she asked, her brow rising.

Before I could speak, Daphne jumped in.

"Oh please, if not training, what else? It's not like she's out courting or in the garden plucking flowers," she said with her usual bite, eyes gleaming.

I ignored her—just like always.

"We spent more time practicing today," I explained with a small smile. "The general requested an updated list of recruits, and Theron wanted it ready."

Mother exhaled, setting her needle down for a moment. "Just be careful, darling. You're not wanted to be out so late—especially now that the Western Region has been breached."

"I will," I assured her, giving a warm smile.

---

The shop was quiet save for the gentle rustle of fabric and the rhythmic clink of sewing tools. I had just finished folding a bolt of sapphire velvet when Anna's voice rang in from the doorway.

"Good evening, Mother," she chimed, glowing with her usual cheer. "Ariel, Daphne," she added, flashing us both a smile that could soften stone.

Mother gave her a stern glance. "And where have you been, young lady?"

Her tone was playful but firm—exactly how she always spoke to us when she knew we were keeping secrets."So, Anna," I said, unable to keep the curiosity from my voice, "what's with the sudden glow? You look like someone whose face has been kissed by the moon."

Anna didn't answer. Instead, she settled beside Mother, her lips curved in a quiet smile that was rare and precious.

Of course, Daphne couldn't resist.

"Well, she was out visiting her old friend," she said, her voice thick with sarcasm. "Such joy."

Mother, ever the peacekeeper, laid a gentle hand on Anna's. Her voice softened into the coaxing tone she used whenever she wanted secrets from our mouths and promises from our hearts.

"Anna, darling," she said sweetly, "is there something you'd like to share with the family?"

Anna's cheeks flushed with color, the same shade as the blush-pink silk resting on the sewing table. She dipped her head, biting her lip like a girl caught in the middle of her favorite daydream.

"Mother…" she began, "I met my mate."

The room fell silent.

"Your what?" Mother asked, eyes wide with disbelief, as though she hadn't heard her correctly.

"My mate," Anna repeated, laughter slipping from her lips like music.

Mother's hands flew to her mouth before they reached for Anna's again, this time trembling with delight.

"And… and who could this gentleman possibly be?" she asked, grinning like a child who'd just found a treasure buried in the garden.

Anna sat straighter, the pride evident in her tone. "He's my friend's brother. The Duke of Morveth."

"Oh! Don't tell me—Lora's brother?" Mother gasped. "When did he arrive?"

"Last night," Anna replied, her smile lingering like the last light of sunset.

"I'm so happy for you, my dear," Mother said, her voice filled with warmth. She reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind Anna's ear. "Truly, I am."

---

As the joy still danced in the air, Mother stood and clapped her hands softly. "Girls, come help me close the shop."

I moved to gather the folded fabrics, but my gaze lingered on Anna. There was something magical about her tonight—like she'd stumbled into one of those fairy tales we used to whisper about under candlelight.

Daphne, however, wouldn't go quietly.

"Well," she said, sweeping her hair back with a dramatic flair, "I'm happy for you, Anna. And I expect you'll be just as thrilled when I marry the king."

She lifted a stack of fabric and headed to the storage closet like royalty, leaving behind a silence thick with disbelief.

No one responded. No one had to.

We were all too wrapped up in Anna's quiet happiness—and perhaps a little lost in dreams of our own."Well, Anna, I'm really happy for you," I said, my voice soft yet full of genuine joy.

She turned to me, her smile still glowing with something gentle and new. "Thank you, Ariel," she said. "Don't worry, yours will be far better than anyone's. You're a precious diamond, a beautiful one at that."

Her words warmed something quiet inside me.

"Marriage isn't really my passion," I replied with a chuckle, brushing a lock of hair from my face. "But still, thank you."

She laughed lightly. "That's what I used to say too… until fate had other plans."

I rolled my eyes. "If fate ever knocks, I hope he's strong enough to dodge my sword first."

We both laughed this time, our voices weaving together like threads in one of Mother's gowns.

Outside, the last of the sunlight faded beyond Velmira's rooftops, and the stars began to blink awake—like the heavens themselves were listening in.

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