"A noble?" Neo asked.
"Yes," Quilliene answered.
"And what do they want?" He pried.
"To ask for my hand."
For some reason, those words hit Neo rather hard. He frowned - a suitor already? It was hardly a week after her parents had died, and already some asshole was eager to take their place as the next ruler. Quilliene didn't seem to mind the information, simply rifling through her dozens of earrings and trying to pick the right ones.
He didn't understand why she was trying to look so nice. She even dismissed her maids to dress her, doing so herself before calling Neo into the room to tell him of the day's activities. The one that caught his attention the most was the fact she was meeting with a noble, and she had decided to entertain the idea of accepting his offer. It didn't make sense. Why was she doing all of it so soon?
"I don't think that's a good idea," He said slowly, frowning.
"Nobody asked you for your opinion," She said darkly.
Neo started to pace lightly, crossing his arms as he continued without a care. "I mean, getting a suitor so soon? It's not sensible - you haven't even had time to mourn properly."
"I do not need to mourn," Quilliene held up a ring, examining it before putting it back.
"I know that, but wouldn't other people think you would?" He looked up in confusion.
"They do not care," Se said.
"Royalty is so heartless," Neo mumbled, stopping his insistent pacing.
"What was that?" Quilliene looked at him through the mirror's reflection.
"Nothing," He shook his head. "Forget it."
Quilliene looked back down at her jewellery, choosing a few silver rings and a pair of amethyst decorated chandelier earrings. A necklace already hung around her neck - a pale white pendant. She wore a red and purple dress, faded from black at the top to violet, then to a scarlet shade across the bottom in a slanted decoration. Only one shoulder hung from her arm while the other was bare. Her shoes were short high heels with her toes covered and little gems encrusted around the edge, the colour being black.
She stood up. "Come," She said sharply, walking towards the door.
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Neo chased after her. "Maybe finding a suitor so soon isn't-"
"Again, Neo," Quilliene glared at him. "You were not asked to intervene. Silence your worries and keep them to yourself in that rattling mind of yours."
He stared at her for a moment, his eyebrows narrowing before she turned away. Opening the door, she ever so elegantly walked down the hall, Neo following a metre behind. He gazed at nothing in particular, frowning, a little concerned on how Quilliene would handle the noble man. Or were they a noble woman? He wasn't quite sure.
They walked on, turning before they reached the stairs and heading for the ballroom. Servants were preparing the changes to the castle appearance - red carpet was being removed, paintings were being taken down, and curtains were pulled from the windows. Neo frowned a little, wondering why she was trying to get rid of her family's legacy so quickly. It was none of his business, though.
They went through the doors, reaching the glorious chamber there. At least a thirty metre tall ceiling with skylights, showcasing the noon sun that highlighted all the beautiful stained glass. More steps with another throne and a prince's seat, mirroring the room downstairs. The only person there, who didn't seem to be part of the guard, was a fancy looking individual admiring a painting on the wall.
He turned, showing his face. Dark hair, tan skin, burning green eyes. He was dressed in a fancy black suit with gold outlines. A smile appeared on his face, but Neo knew by the look he gave - he was no one to be trusted. Quilliene simply held her head high as she approached, fearless in the face of the individual who so badly screamed danger.
"Your majesty," He bowed his head low.
"Andrew Fitzalan," She said. "It is a pleasure to meet you again."
"It has been so long," Andrew straightened himself and his eyes darted to Neo. "And who is… this?"
"My bodyguard," Quilliene answered simply. "Do ignore him. He has no purpose other than to assure my safety."
"Your majesty, do you really feel so unwelcome in my presence?" He mused, almost playful… but it was dark. "I am almost hurt."
"He was ordered by my side as the last wish of my parents," Her expression twitched. "Again, do not mind his very being. He is simply doing his job."
"Very well," Andrew raised his head. "Then might we get on with my proposal? If I remember correctly, you do not enjoy wasted time. Your majesty, I have to be in your humble abode today to ask-"
"For my hand," Quilliene finished for him.
He paused before smiling again. "Yes. How did you guess?"
"Well, Andrew Fitzalan," She raised her chin. "You were always predictable. A week after my parents' death, and you are already practically begging to take their place by my side."
Andrew squinted at her. "Whatever do you mean, your majesty?"
"That I know your kind," Quilliene hummed in a deadly tone. "You are arrogant, selfish, demeaning, and greedy. I swear by my blood, you will never be the king of this country, and most certainly not my husband."
His mouth hung open in horrid surprise, and Neo couldn't help but smirk. "Excuse me?" The duke gasped.
"I refuse to repeat myself," She hissed. "I am fairly certain you heard me."
Neo was distracted from the two when he felt a tap on his shoulder, and glanced back to see the captain of the guard standing there. Long black hair in a ponytail, bright blue eyes, and a metal helmet on her head. She made a motion for him to follow, and he pointed at Quilliene to signify he was busy. She shook her head, grabbing his wrist and pulling him out of the room. He glanced back at the queen, frowning, before they stopped outside and the captain closed the doors.
"What are you doing?" He asked.
"You are a hard man to get ahold of," She huffed, shuffling some papers on a side table by the door. "I need you to do some things - nothing big, just official documentation that you are her majesty's bodyguard."
Neo frowned. "This can't wait?"
"It is due for the advisor tonight, so no," She shook her head, handing a stack of at least twenty pages to him and a pen. "Sign your name - full - on each page."
He glared, sighed, and took the papers. Beginning to do so, he kept glancing at the doors, listening for any sounds of distress. Back in the throne room, the queen continued to insult the duke, who stared at her in surprise. He seemed angry, but she didn't care all that much. She had to scare him off, after all. Quilliene couldn't have every royal chasing her skirt, so he was an example.
"If you truly have nothing else to talk of other than taking my hand," She said the words through grit teeth. "Then I will have my leave. Good day, Andrew."
Quilliene turned, only to realise her bodyguard - Neo - was no longer there. She frowned, looking at the closed doors and hoping for his own sake he had a good reason for leaving. However, as she stepped forward, something stopped her. An iron grip clasped around her forearm, and she sucked in a breath as she was pulled back sharply to face Andrew. His face was contorted into a silent rage.
"I don't think you really mean that, your majesty," He said with venom in his tone.
"Release me, sir," She seethed, pulling her arm - but he held fast. Though skilled in magick, she was not so entertained by the thought of physical strength. "Do not make me call the guards."
"Is that really what you want?" Andrew dropped all formalities. He spun her around, chest to chest, and she gasped. "Don't tell me you'd rather be alone forever."
"Andrew," She hissed sharply. "You are not thinking straight. Let go of me, now, before I do something I regret."
"And what would that be?" He turned them both, leading her back into a wall. He hovered maybe four inches above.
She grit her teeth. "You will rue the decisions you are making today."
"Will I?" Andrew leaned down, whispering in her ear - his breath made her neck hairs stand on end. "Or will you? You'll never find someone better than me - ever. I am your best and only choice. No one would want you for you… after all, you are a queen, nothing more."
Quilliene sucked in a breath, her chest hurting as she held it. Her knee came up to his gut, making him stumble back. She raised her hand and slapped him crisply across the cheek. His head snapped to the side from the surprise attack, and she hiked up her skirt, running for the doors in use of the distraction.
Alas, his hand grasped her shoulder, throwing her back. A small yelp escaped her and she landed on her side. His eyes screamed dangerous as he raised a finger to his cheek, feeling the red spot. He snarled, as if about to attack, but she began to whisper in Latin. Stopping, he squinted at her.
"What-?"
He didn't get to finish his sentence - nor Quilliene her own spell. All because a hand, coated in white fabric, landed on Andrew's shoulder and spun him around. He stumbled as Neo raised his hand into a fist, and struck him across the same cheek. He fell, rather quickly, and landed on the ground.
Alas, Neo didn't stop there. He stood over him, grabbing his fancy suit collar and throwing him against the staircase. The man tried to defend himself desperately as Neo landed hit after hit, anger roiling off of him. Quilliene watched in surprise as Andrew began to turn into a bloody mess, and she realised the danger of the situation. Quickly, she scrambled to her feet.
"Neo," She called, grabbing his arm. "Neo!"
He spun around, the frantic look taking over the rage as he dropped the man and touched her shoulders gently. "Are you hurt?" He demanded.
"No," Quilliene breathed. "I am fine."
Neo paused before nodding. "Good," Was all he said.
"Come," She said calmly. "We need to report this so the guards may take care of the mess."
Neo simply nodded, then let go of her. She turned and strutted purposefully to the doors. Meanwhile, he glanced at his hands - stained red gloves - and then to the man behind him. Broken nose, split lip, bruises already forming on his face. He was out cold. Neo turned back to Quilliene, unsure of what he had done or why, before he followed her quickly out of the ballroom.