PART TWENTY-SIX:
Striking invitations and images:
Rifra marched purposefully to the other side of the small royal guest parlor. Four servants trailed him just as purposefully, carrying trays of food and refreshments. When the housekeeper got to the large table to which he was headed. He indicated by instructions and the movement of his hands, where various items on the tray needed to be placed. As the servants set to work, he walked back outside to the royal waiting room. He had deliberately, but not unusually walked through the guest waiting room on his way to the parlor initially. Though each royal unit had its own private entrance. Some like this posh and elegant waiting area were adjoined to a corresponding reception, sitting and dining room.
Even though the parlor's private entrance was more convenient for the movement of preparation and service. The housekeeper chose to use the adjoining entrance this day. At least he planned to, until the guests were finally seated before the royals. When he got to the beautifully furnished waiting room again, he glanced briefly towards the older man and the young woman deep in conversation.
Straining a little, he watched the woman’s face closely. He had initially found himself almost doing a double take, when he first saw her. Thinking somehow, that she looked eerily familiar. But that train of thought soon made way for a strange and unsettling feeling. A sense of disturbance, for which he could not really place his finger on.
The older healer was a familiar, frequent and respected guest at the royal palace. So welcome was he, that he did not need an invitation to visit. Unless of course the royals were tied up with activities and would not be able to meet with him.
However, today he had showed up with a stranger. A young woman, whom he had introduced as his new worker. But for her outfit, poise and stated profession. He had almost mistaken her for someone else….
“Is the small royal guest parlor ready for his majesty, the queen and their guest?” Rifra startled slightly at the voice of one of the king’s guards. What was supposed to be a quick and discreet glance. Had apparently left him starring and lost in his questioning thoughts.
Turning to the guard, who stood stoically waiting for an answer. The housekeeper regained his composure and spoke with the confidence of having fully carried out his duties. “Yes it is. The small parlor is now set for the king, the queen and their guests.”
“I will let his majesty know right away then.” Stated the guard with a nod, as he turned around and headed towards the king’s chambers. Rifra turned again, towards the two talking heads one more time. Hoping as he did, to get another glimpse of the woman’s face. But unfortunately for him, she now had her back turned partially towards the door where he stood. She was listening intently to something the older healer was saying to her. Turning towards the door in disappointment and unresolved puzzlement. The housekeeper headed out the same way the guard had left a few minutes earlier.
The young woman watched in intrigue, at the pump and pageantry of palace preparations. The gallant synchronization of settling the royals for their meeting. Rapt as she watched and highly impressed by the intense attention given to details. First the servants had moved in a special couch for the queen who was quite heavy now with child. A temporarily assigned personal maid for her majesty, supervised the adjustments. While the king stood by watching intently. He would not be seated it seemed, until he was sure the queen had been taken good care of. Thereafter, the guests or any other person in the room for that matter. Would then seat, after the king himself was seated. This new guest, looked on in fascination.
When everyone was finally settled down. Another group of servants, began dishing and serving the vast array of food, drinks, fruits and vegetables. It was indeed a royal feast, howbeit a very intimate and small version.
“So how long, have you been a mid-wife?” The queen asked the young woman, her signature smile playing on her face. That one had been seated directly opposite the royal. “For a little over ten years now, your majesty.” Was her nervous but clear reply. Fidgeting and worrying as she spoke. The female guest thought that maybe she had something stuck to her teeth, when she responded to the royal. She felt completely out of her league and largely unprepared.
This was her first time ever at the palace. And almost immediately and without prepping. She now found herself seated in the presence of the king and his queen. Munching on assorted arrangements of rare delicacies. All she knew about the royals and their kingdom, she had heard and learned from her sister. How she missed her dearly every day and even more so now. If she were still around, she would have definitely prepared her much better for this grand and majestic meeting. She had always been so knowledgeable and versed about palace etiquette and protocols. And why not? She had lived here in the palace herself.
“You know.” Began the queen again, still wearing a smile on her face. “You remind me of someone, one who was very dear to my family and I. Unfortunately and sadly, she is no longer with us. So I could not even prove the striking resemblance, if I tried.” The queen’s smile was replaced by a distant expression that disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. The visiting woman nodded her head slightly and then lowered it. The king’s voice could be heard clearly in the background, conversing with the older healer. After a few moments of silence and while the queen busied herself with the extra heap of fruits the king had transferred to her plate. The woman lifted her head and began to speak.
“Your majesty, with all due respect. I do not know if this is a good time or place. There is something I have to let you know.” She had lowered her voice as she spoke and then proceeded to lower her head again also. Waiting for the queen’s response and the permission to continue. The was yet another bout of silence between the two women. As all that could be heard, were the shuffling of the servant’s feet and the clinking of silver on glass. And of course the king’s voice as he heartily conversed with the healer. The royal was seated next to his wife, but engrossed in his own banter with the longtime family friend and healer.
When the queen finally spoke, breaking the temporary silence in her lane. It was not to the woman sitting in anticipation in front of her.
“Is anything the matter Rifra?” The housekeeper had returned unnoticed and was discreetly hovering around the queen and her female guest. He paced nervously as a worried expression spread across his face. It was not uncommon, for the housekeeper to check on the royals and their guests while they dined. They would ensure that everything was running smoothly and as expected. Even though the servers were trained and capable of carrying out their duties. The housekeeper would periodically look in, to see that everything and process was in absolute order and running as it should be.
However, in that particular instance. Rifra looked like something else other than the logistics of dinner was on his mind. He had wandered from one end of the room to the other mindlessly. Even as the servants bustled around him. The queen had noticed the bizarre behavior. Howbeit, that she had not raised her head to look at him. She had continued in her conversation with her guest and merely spoke up when the housekeeper had come even closer within hearing earshot of their discussion.
She may have to be waited hand and foot she thought, for the sake of royal protocol. But she was very much aware and informed to a necessary extent, about what happened in the palace. It was still her home after all.
“No your majesty,” replied a solemn Rifra. “Nothing is the matter. Just checking to make sure that everything is fine.”
“Very well then,” accepted the queen with a nod. But not before noticing how his eyes darted uncomfortably towards the visiting woman.
As if on cue and just at the same time. The king turned to the queen, to ask if everything was alright. He had sensed that her chatter had gradually ceased. Even as he himself was busy speaking. And also, there stood the housekeeper rigid and rooted in one spot. As if he had come bearing bad news.
When Rifra saw the king turning to speak with the queen, he quickly grabbed a tray from a passing server and bolted for the exit.
“Set up an appointment, with my personal aide before you leave today.” The queen spoke almost suddenly, breaking the near awkward silence. The mid-wife who had been watching her in admiration and anticipation the whole time, nodded profusely. The king who had also heard the instruction, nodded his agreement.
“So,” began the king speaking directly to the woman now. “The healer tells me that….”
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