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Chapter Fourteen

Aurelia

“ W e’re supposed to do what with all this fabric?” one of the marchions asks, grasping the edge of the vast swath of orange silk as if he’s afraid it might smother him.

On my temporary platform in the midst of Vivencia’s largest city square, I adjust Coraya against my bosom. Motioning to all the gathered figures with my free hand, I summon the explanation Lorenzo gave me.

“You can see the path marked with paint on the cobblestones. The parents’ job is to guide all the children through the channels until they reach the end. Lift it or sway it or whatever else you need to do to direct them the right way and help them through the obstacles.”

One of the girls poised at the start of the funnel game claps her hands, her eyes sparkling as she watches the fabric already shifting ahead of her. “This is going to be fun!”

The adults lined all along the pathway that winds through the square look less certain. The nobles, despite the encouragement I’ve given in the few earlier activities, have mostly grouped together apart from the commoner parents. The commoners watch them with a mix of awe and wariness.

I suggested that everyone wear orange today in honor of Inganne and had shawls and tunics handed out for those who had no appropriate clothing in their wardrobes. But even garbed in the same hues, there’s no mistaking the division between palace and city folk.

I want to break down that barrier as much as possible by the end of this festival. Remind all of them that the people they rarely mingle with are still people, with many of the same hopes and fears.

Just as all the people outside Dariu are.

If I can stir more understanding between the Darium nobles and the ordinary civilians of their home country, will they find more compassion for the plight of those in the conquered kingdoms as well?

Of course, the day is mainly about honoring Inganne’s love of children and play. I gesture to the court musicians next, and they strike up the lively tune Lorenzo taught them.

“Move with the music!” I call out to the players. “With every laugh and dance we can stir in our city’s children, we pay homage to Inganne.”

The nobles have at least loosened up enough after the playful games they’ve already participated in to swing the fabric with the rhythm of the music. The noble and commoner children spring forward with no shortage of laughter as they spin and tumble between the shifting silk panels.

They accepted each other quickly enough. Some evaluating glances were exchanged to start, but as soon as they were called to a challenge together, they threw themselves into the simple joy of it.

As they bound on through the sort-of maze, Cleric Pierus comes over to join me.

He takes in the revelry with a pleased sparkle in his eyes.

“A festival of children. We might never have had one of those before, but the people appear to be taking well to it. Of course the regular Inganalia includes some activities for the benefit of the youth.”

“I hope our most whimsical godlen appreciates the gesture,” I say. “No matter what conflicts the empire faces, we can’t forget that our children are our future.”

The cleric nods. “I believe you’ve captured the spirit of that belief and our godlen well. Our deities do like to see reverence through action rather than mere words.”

Pierus helped me organize today’s events, but I haven’t touched on my larger purpose with him yet.

I pause before going on. “In the coming weeks, I’d like to show all our godlen how well my goals as regent align with theirs. Dariu should hold up every divine principle.”

The cleric rubs his mouth, his eyes gleaming even brighter.

“I’m not sure any previous imperial ruler has approached worship in quite that way.

But perhaps it’s what our empire needs after so much turmoil.

Re-establishing ourselves amid all the divinities.

Hmm.” His gaze slides in the direction of the palace.

“I may need to venture beyond our own library to advise you fully.”

“I wouldn’t want to take you from your other necessary duties.”

He shakes his head with a smile. “Not at all. There couldn’t be a higher duty than ensuring the empire has the favor of the gods. It’s an honor to be tasked with such a quest. Thank you, Your Imperial Highness.”

He hurries off as if to get started on his additional reading right away. Buoyed by his enthusiasm, I step down from the platform and drift along the edges of the fabric funnel game.

My guards stick closer to me than usual, their gazes twitching over the mass of people all around us. So far no one’s had anything but grins and cheers for their empress.

A day of celebration will do that. When was the last time any of these people felt they could really let loose in the presence of their ruler?

I’m not just encouraging them to collaborate with each other but to see how they can relax in my presence as well. How different an atmosphere it is when the leader of the country wants to share in their joy rather than hoarding it for himself.

Here and there where the parents and other adults who volunteered are clustered more tightly, I call away a figure or two and place them elsewhere along the path of silk. A couple of regular civilians find themselves amid a few baronissas. A viceroy and a baron end up among a group of commoners.

After an initial hesitation, they become absorbed back into their task. Voices holler encouragement to the children. Giggles and chuckles ring out alongside the music.

Coraya bobs her head against my shoulder, watching all the commotion avidly. When the activity shifts to painting the vast banner I’ll be displaying by the palace gate, I sit on a hastily procured cushion and help her pat her hand into the paint and then onto the fine linen.

Our joint host of guards hover over us, as if fencing me off from the other revelers who are adding their decorations to the banner all along its length.

I glance up at the soldiers, keeping my tone light.

“I don’t need to be outright suffocated.

Why don’t— Marc, you could make a few circuits of the square, see if you pick up on any signs of trouble that might head my way.

Hilara, you too. I think six will be plenty to protect Coraya and me when we’re not even moving. ”

Marc’s jaw tightens as if he’s offended that I’m sending him away, although I only picked him because he’s most likely to recognize a real threat to my security. He dips his head in acknowledgment all the same. “As you wish, Your Imperial Highness.”

He and Hilara stride off through the crowd in opposite directions.

Coraya burbles through placing another handprint and waves her feet when I add those too. One of her nursemaids hustles over, looking as if she’s restraining a disapproving tut and bringing a wet rag to wipe her off, but several of the other amateur artists nearby catch my gaze and grin.

It’s good for everyone to see that the empress doesn’t hold herself above her people, not when it comes to celebrating our children.

As the nursemaid fusses over her charge, I get to my feet. Bianca glides over to me, resplendent as always in a peach-orange gown. I’m not sure the vicerine ever met a color she couldn’t turn into a fashion statement.

She looks at Coraya with an upward quirk of her lips. “Barely past a month and already an artist. Our empress-to-be is quite ambitious.”

I laugh. “We’ll see how she feels about it when she’s old enough to give her opinion. She does seem to enjoy all the company.”

Naturally, at that moment my daughter breaks out in a wail.

The nursemaid gathers her up. “She sounds hungry. I’ll get her to the wetnurse.” When I start to protest, she does let herself tut. “It’s your festival, Your Imperial Highness. You shouldn’t be diverted from it. ”

She does have a point. And Coraya doesn’t go far, the wetnurse taking her to one of the little tents set up for shade from the sun. A few of our guards peel off to follow, but I hardly feel unprotected with three of them still around me.

Bianca’s gaze follows the baby and her entourage. Something shifts in her expression, as if a shadow has crossed her face. “She’s lovely, and I’m glad she delights you so much. And yet seeing motherhood firsthand hasn’t made me any more inclined to have it for myself.”

Her tone turns wry with that observation.

Another guffaw tumbles out of me. “It’s certainly not a role without its challenges. I’m sure you could meet them if you did want to, though.”

It doesn’t surprise me that she wouldn’t, considering how little interest she has even in the act that brings about a pregnancy.

The vicerine gives herself a little shake. “Well, I’m committed to being an excellent auntie. That seems an important contribution too. All the good parts, none of the work.”

She shoots me a teasing smile, but I can’t help thinking it looks a bit tight around the edges. Is she worried that I feel she hasn’t contributed enough?

I smile back at her with all the friendly warmth I can summon. “You’re welcome to that part. I’m sure she’ll appreciate having all the devotees she can get.”

I no longer question whether Bianca means her comments genuinely. She might like the prestige of being the empress’s friend and doting honorary aunt to the empire’s future ruler… but I know she actually cares for our own sake as well as hers. Any doubts about her loyalties have long since vanished.

I was just talking with my princes a few days ago about whether we could trust Baronissa Hivette to send a message to Lorenzo’s family. She never knew what the paper I had her transport with her gift said on it, but that didn’t appear to worry her at all.

She did worry about being able to transmit it correctly. I have to be able to picture the place where it’ll arrive , she’d told me when I first asked her.