The moment they stepped through the court doors every person in the room rose. A collective stillness fell over the chamber, no one moving, no one speaking, until Vangelis took his seat. Then the room followed, the sound of it settling like a single exhale.
"Let us begin," Vangelis said.
Mrs. Valeria entered.
Behind her came a procession of maids, arms laden with fabrics of the finest quality, trays of silver jewels set with blue gems catching the court light, bottles of perfume and oils arranged with careful precision.
Mrs. Valeria came to a stop before Roxanne and addressed the court as much as she addressed her.
"You may have wondered why your colours are silver and blue." Her voice carried clearly through the chamber. "The answer lies in our custom. A political Duchess, one who holds no duty to bear children for the king, is distinguished by these colours alone. You are bound to blue fabric and silver jewels set with blue gems in all things." She gestured to the maids who began laying the items before Roxanne one by one. "Blue represents calmness. Humility. And above all, great intelligence. It is not a limitation, Your Grace. It is a declaration of what you are."
The court listened in silence.
Roxanne looked at the fabrics and jewels spread before her, the silver and blue gems catching the light together, deep and unwavering.
"The Queen, by contrast, is dressed in gold accessories exclusively and holds the freedom to wear any fabric colour she chooses. Her dress carries no restriction because her position carries no limitation." Mrs. Valeria clasped her hands neatly. "If you recall, Your Grace, at your first ceremony with the king you were presented with a diamond necklace and a fuller set of accessories. That was the dressing code of a Duchess who carries the responsibility of childbirth and holds the possibility of ascending to queen."
Roxanne absorbed this without expression.
"And concubines?" she asked. "What is their dressing code?"
Mrs. Valeria's composure did not waver.
"Concubines are dressed in bronze accessories and are veiled at all times in public. The veil signals their status and separates them from titled women within the court. They hold no political standing and may not address the king or queen directly without permission."
The court remained attentive and still.
Roxanne nodded slowly, filing every detail away behind eyes that revealed nothing.
"I see," she said simply.
"The concubines are seated in the upper floor of the court," Mrs. Valeria continued, her voice carrying the practiced neutrality of someone reciting what has always been. "This placement signifies that they belong exclusively to the king. They hold no voice in political matters and carry no standing in court proceedings. Their purpose is service to the king alone."
A murmur moved through the benches.
At the throne, Fiona leaned slightly toward Vangelis, her voice dropping low enough for only him to catch.
"No one ever told me any of this."
"Because it was never your responsibility to know," Vangelis said quietly. "The Duchess carries that burden. Roxanne now oversees all the women within this palace, the lands of Bloodmoon and the cities at the battle zone. That is her domain."
Fiona straightened and said nothing further.
Her eyes moved to Roxanne seated below, composed and still, absorbing everything with the patience of someone who arrived already knowing she would need all of it.
That afternoon Roxanne stood at the entrance of Vangelis's office, her ladies in waiting arranged quietly behind her.
"His Majesty is available now, Your Grace. You may go in," the guard said.
"Wait here," Roxanne said to her maids and stepped inside alone.
She carried a small tray with her, setting it on the edge of his desk as she greeted him.
"Greetings, my Lord."
Vangelis looked up from his work. "Greetings, Your Grace. What brings you here this afternoon?"
"I made these myself." She gestured to the tray. "Sweets infused with caramel and lime. I hope they are to your taste." She settled into the seat across from him.
"But that is not my only reason for coming." She folded her hands neatly. "I have been observing the palace since my arrival and I noticed something that I believe requires attention." A brief pause. "Your mother currently holds no title. From what I have been told, a title can only be granted to her once her son has ascended the throne and taken either a Queen or Duchess." She met his eyes directly. "You have both. And I believe it is long past time she was recognised accordingly."
Vangelis was quiet for a moment, his eyes dropping briefly to the tray of sweets before he reached for one.
"You are right that she holds no title," he said. "My mother was not a Queen, nor a Duchess, nor a concubine. She was the daughter of a wealthy family, well regarded but untitled. She and my father were not yet married when I was born." He paused, something old and carefully carried moving briefly across his face. "He passed before they could wed. And with that, any path she had to the throne closed before it ever opened."
Roxanne said nothing, giving him the space to finish.
"As things stand now, a Queen is already seated on the throne of Bloodmoon." He leaned back slightly. "That title is no longer available to her. It is too late for that." He looked at Roxanne with a mix of resignation and quiet curiosity. "And you, as Duchess, already hold authority over the treasury, the maids and much of what she might otherwise oversee. I confess I do not know what title remains that would be fitting."
Roxanne looked at him calmly.
"In Silvermoon," Roxanne began, "there is a title given to the uncle or aunt of a reigning king or queen. Specifically to one who is not a previous queen, princess or concubine, but who stood beside the throne before it was occupied." She held his gaze steadily. "They are called the Shadow Matriarch. The protector of the throne. The one who kept watch over it when it stood empty." She paused. "I believe your mother did exactly that."
Vangelis was still for a moment.