“Thomas, Your Majesty.” he answered, admittedly surprised by the question but knowing better than to not answer.
“I am, Your Majesty.” he nodded politely as he tried to keep from smiling. Hopefully, Queen Irene would just see it as him being proud of his station.
Irene noted the surprise and pride in his voice. “Well then, Thomas…” The woman paused to give him an up-and-down look, scrutinizing him underneath her grey gaze. “Good for you,” she finally finished, meeting his eyes with her steely gaze. “As I said, please pass on my acceptance to Eleanor. I look forward to seeing her.”
Thomas couldn't help but feel small under Queen Irene's scrutiny and barely managed not to flinch when she looked into his eyes. A rare thing for most royalty to do in general, with the recent exception of Eleanor, but Queen Irene seemed to be in a league all of her own. “I will, Your Majesty.” he nodded, dipping into another bow before taking that as his cue to leave.
Irene watched him go, closing her door behind her as she went to go make herself presentable.
Eleanor had resigned herself to pacing anxiously. She waited for Thomas to return bearing news, good or bad.
Thomas let out a shaky breath as got closer to Eleanor’s room, finally feeling the tension leaving his shoulders. After making sure that no one was around, he allowed himself to smile slightly as he knocked on her door.
Eleanor jumped at the knock. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she barely heard it at all, but she hurried quickly over to the door and pressed her slender hands against the wood. "Who is it?"
“It's just me, my Queen.” Thomas assured, a soft smile in his voice as he patiently waited for her to let him in.
Eleanor grinned and quickly opened the door for him. She beckoned him to come in and shut the door behind him. “Well?” she asked quickly. “What did she say?”
Thomas’s smile grew as he walked into the room. “She accepted your invitation. And said that she is looking forward to seeing you.” he answered.
Eleanor’s eyes widened with shock and joy. “Oh gods, Thomas! Did she really?!” She clasped her hands over her heart and grinned excitedly. “Oh gods!”
“She did!” Thomas nodded, matching her smile. “And she actually talked to me. She asked my name and recognized me as your guard.” he added, still fairly surprised by that fact.
Eleanor’s eyes widened even further. “She did?” Her expression dulled a bit with confusion. “Where did she recognize you from? She didn’t see me with Sirus, did she?”
“I think it was from when everyone arrived.” he suggested before blushing as he remembered the scene he had glimpsed when Queen Irene had opened the door. “No. I believe she was… otherwise occupied at the time.” he assured.
Eleanor nodded quickly, relieved to hear that Irene hadn’t seen anything that had happened in the gardens. But she was confused by Thomas’ blush.
“Wait, what do you mean she was otherwise occupied…” She trailed off as potential realization hit her, and she blushed.
Thomas cleared his throat as he felt his face warm. “Well, I don't mean to spread rumors but… I saw a bottle of wine in her room and her king consort seemed… tired.” he explained. “He didn't even get up from the bed to look toward the door when she answered.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Oh!” She blinked quickly, her mind working swiftly to figure it out. But suddenly she stopped and shook her head. “It’s none of my business,” she said quietly. “I don’t need to know… but which dress should I wear?” She approached her massive wardrobe and searched for the perfect garment to wear when meeting casually with the most powerful queen on the continent.
Thomas nodded, agreeing that it was not any of their business but… “I’m afraid I may not be the best one to ask for advice on that.” he admitted, watching her look for a suitable dress.
Eleanor frowned slightly as she continued looking. "I don't want to call Lucy," she said, half to herself. "Though I probably should. This meeting is important." She drew back slightly and looked over at Thomas. "Did Queen Irene have any maids in with her? Could you tell?"
Thomas hummed thoughtfully before shaking his head. “No. I couldn't tell.” he admitted. “Though if I can say it… I’m not sure if I would be surprised if she did or not.” he told her honestly. Because Queen Irene was a very powerful, influential person. He could easily imagine her with dozens of maids to help her with anything. But at the same time she did seem like the kind of woman who could do everything without help from anyone.
Eleanor nodded slowly. "I hope I'm not too dressed down," she murmured aloud, looking back into her wardrobe. "Merrianth's royal colors are purple and black. If I wear a purple gown… but would it look like I'm trying to step across her boundary?" she worried aloud, biting her lip softly.
Thomas shrugged almost helplessly. “I'm not sure… But, do you have a dress with our colors on it and black or purple ribbon or trim on it?” he asked. “It might show more… unity between you?”
Eleanor's eyes lit up. "Yes! That would be lovely!" She reached in and snatched a golden dress with blue filigree up the sleeves and around the skirt. "I believe I have some ribbons… here!" She grinned and took up her sewing kit excitedly. "I can stitch this and be done in time to meet Queen Irene in the West Wing."
Thomas smiled, both glad and relieved that Eleanor liked his suggestion. Though he hadn't meant for her to alter one of her dresses… But she had been trained as a seamstress before so who was he to tell her not to.
Eleanor slipped out a bold purple ribbon with black lace along the edges. "Perfect," she said eagerly, and with that, she began to sew the ribbon around the sleeves, hem, and neckline of her dress.
Thomas smiled softly at her enthusiasm and took a seat nearby just to watch her work.