VI: Secrecy

The courtyard was filled with the beauty of the morning. The yearling sun filtered its way through the green-glass corridors, which skirted the quadrangle and bathed the small oasis in a watery pale light. There was a slight chill to the air, a thick layer of delicate dew drops still clung to the blades of grass and the water, a small sunken pond, glistened in the pale light. In the centre, obscured by a mass of fragrant shrubbery, sat Esa. She had sat precariously near the edge of the pond, obviously with intent to read judging by the closed text that lay near her. The girl had chosen instead just to stare aimlessly into the depths, playing with a tuft of grass and faintly smiling at the odd koi carp that floated into her eyesight.

Ria approached the courtyard. She had been a little amazed and annoyed to find a maid guarding one of the passageways.
'The lady wishes to be alone highness' the maid had explained
'Does her mother need a permission to pass?' enquired Ria. The maid gazed up at her, a sweetly confused expression in her eyes.
'The Princess' rule should apply to senators only, not to me.'
'Yes ma'am' the maid bowed blushing.
.Ria smiled. 'Thank you. Could I ask you to do something for me?'
'Of course highness' the maid replied, she still had her head bowed.
'Can you try and find Vela and Craxic for me, I need to speak to them.'
'Yes highness' the maid bowed and left Ria to enter the quiet courtyard.

Esa noticed the presence immediately.
'That maid isn't doing her job' she stated blankly without looking around.
'I don't think that rule applies to me' Ria replied curtly.
Esa rose to her feet and curtsied as her mother approached through the foliage.
'It is so peaceful in here. It is a world away from Mara' Ria smiled. Esa gazed around her surroundings for a moment 'I suppose you're right' she smiled back.
Ria laughed gently at this 'Except you were in a different world already.' She moved to her daughter and hugged her close.
'How was Serenity's ball? I haven't seen you for days since you stayed on Jupiter'

Esa hugged her mother back 'It was fine. I didn't want to come home. The political situation scared me'
'I'm so sorry I had to do that'
'It was for the best'. Esa's words made the two women fall silent for a moment.
'I don't suppose the Millennium would have agreed to Topaz. It tends to only be from one Planet, any relationship I mean' Esa continued. 'It saved a war. This planet has been through enough'
Ria nodded. She noticed Esa's book
'I see you enjoy our history. A little grim though?' she picked up the text and scoured a few lines of it. 'Where did you find this?'
'In the library, I really had to search though' Esa replied. 'I just find it intriguing'
'Yes' Ria nodded solemnly 'I don't quite understand Tourma. She built this beauty but what she did to make that beauty was horrendous.' she indicated the surrounding walls of Atlantis.
'Tourma was crazy' Esa agreed. 'But maybe the principle could apply here'

Ria fixed her gaze upon her daughter for a moment. Was Esa really accepting the actions she had taken? What had happened in the few days of Esa's being away? Ria settled herself upon the stone plinth behind her daughter. She decided upon a play of words.
'You know it was your predecessor who had to sort out Tourma's mess'
'I know' Esa replied warily. Her mother's voice had adopted a new, more playful tone.
'She had an affinity with Leo too. Actually she founded our close friendships'
'It's our bi-polar sign. What are you getting at?' Esa enquired icily.
'Nothing except I want you to stop being so secretive' Ria leant closer
'I have nothing to be secretive about' Esa went on the defensive.
'Except that you love her' Ria said
'The planet won't want two queens' Esa stood up and leant further over the pond. She tried to dismiss her mother
'I see' Ria understood. Esa had become incredibly icy towards her. She glanced at the sky.
'Can you leave now?' the girl interrupted, her voice abrupt and cold.
The Queen nodded her head; she lifted her aqua coloured skirt a little a rose from her seat.
'Of course. I have to meet with Craxic anyway'
'As always' Esa replied nastily. Her back was still turned to the Queen. Ria shook her head. Esa could be so cruel sometimes
'It is about your initiation to the senate actually' she remarked pointedly. 'In 6 months. And you will attend. There are also meetings I would like you to partake in before the initiation, I will be arranging these with Craxic and Vela'.

Ria received no reaction from her daughter. She sighed and began to walk back towards the Palace for her meetings.
'Wait!' Esa suddenly called.
'What is it' Ria turned to see her daughter stood upright and waiting for her reaction.
'If I want you to stop annoying me I might as well do it myself' Esa continued. Her tone did not please the Queen, Ria felt she was being dealt with in a hostile fashion for no reason, but then again she knew her daughter.
'I think I know...'
'I do love her mother. I am in love with Cassie. But it's ok, the plan will still go ahead' Esa interrupted. She tried desperately to remain steely; she tried desperately not to break down.
Ria was lost for words, she didn't know whether to say she was happy or she was sorry. But she certainly wasn't shocked. Instead she almost read her daughter's mind, which pleaded that Ria didn't give a reaction.
'I see' was all the Queen said.