Photo by Shirly Niv Marton on Unsplash Luzena has been queen for three months now, but her new advisor is proving to be very annoying. This is the sequel to Luzena the Mercenary. To read Luzena the Mercenary, go to Short Stories for the ebook version, or find it on this blog page. “See? This is what happens when you marry a mercenary,” one of the advisors looked pointedly at Jazer, then fixed an angry stare on me. I rolled my eyes.
Three months had passed since I’d married Jazer and become queen. The coronation had not only bestowed the crown on us, but also a host of advisors to guide us. The most ardent of our advisors was a fifty-something woman named Annora. But if you asked me, Annoying would have been a more suitable name for her. “What is wrong with what I’m wearing?” I asked her. Jazer, Sabina, and I were seated on a settee, posing for a painting. I had come wearing my usual mercenary clothes: dark tunic and black trousers, and my trusted dagger. “It’s not regal,” the advisor said. “You’re a queen now, not a mercenary.” I sighed. “Shouldn’t the painting show us as we really are?” I asked. “I spent a good part of my life as a mercenary. Why do I have to hide who I am?” “Because that’s the tradition,” Annora said. A servant came in and handed her a shimmering dress that sparkled with jewels. “Now go change into this.” “Fine,” I said, reluctantly taking the dress. I wasn’t the only one who looked stifled. I looked at Jazer and saw that ridiculous fur collar he was forced to wear for the painting. He looked stiff and I saw perspiration along his neck and throat. Sabina was sitting wearing a dress that looked too tight and I noticed her hands were white from being clenched. “Sabina? Are you all right?” I asked. She didn’t answer but slowly closed her eyes and fainted. Jazer quickly caught her, setting her down gently on the carpeted floor. “She’s not breathing!” he looked around in alarm. “Sabina!” I hurried over to her and flipped her over onto her stomach. I started untying the laces on the back of her bodice. “The laces are too tight! She can barely breathe,” I said. I turned her back over and waited. At last, Sabina began to breathe normally. She gradually opened her eyes. “What happened?” she asked. “Queen Luzena was undressing you in front of everyone!” Annora seemed mortified. I glared at her, then turned back to Sabina. “Let’s go,” I said. I scooped her up into my arms and carried her to her chambers. * “How is she?” Jazer asked. I was in the combat room, practicing my swordsmanship. I always headed to the combat room when I needed some air. Annora had given me quite the mouthful after that last episode. “She’s fine,” I said, putting the sword away. “I didn’t know a dress could be that dangerous,” Jazer said. “Annora was displeased when you started untying Sabina’s clothes.” I laughed. “Yeah, Annora cares more about dangerous fashion rather than comfort and well-being.” “Well, you’ve got to admit that the whole thing was hilarious,” Jazer smiled. “We should do more things to get on Annora’s nerves.” “Yeah,” I grinned. “She’s the most-“ A knock came just then. “Enter,” Jazer called. The door opened and Annora came in. “Your Majesties, there you are,” she said. “I’ve rescheduled the time for the royal painting and have made daily schedules for both of you. Here you go.” She handed us each a piece of parchment and then left. I studied the schedule. “But I had horse-back riding set aside during that time,” I said. “I told her that, but she replaced it with needlework. What will I ever need needlework for?” I gave a frustrated sigh. “Oh no, she cut down my office time and replaced it with royal etiquette training,” Jazer said. “I don’t know which is worse, etiquette or needlework?” “Definitely etiquette,” I smiled. “Maybe she doesn’t think you’re polite enough.” “Then I’ll be extra polite at the dinner table next time,” Jazer grinned. “Let’s see if I can kill her with exaggerated politeness.” “If that even exists,” I said. “Oh, I’m sure it can be done,” Jazer grinned.
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