Elvie sputtered, but Fleur had a no-nonsense approach that soon got her moving in the direction she wanted. ‘I’ve laid out a nice dress in your room, and you might get a quick moment to run a comb through your hair.’

‘What’s wrong with my hair?’ Elvie asked, but Fleur ignored her to continue.

‘A quick wash of your face as well. That might take some of the paleness out of your complexion. Oh yes, that’s needed. I’m not sure whether those eyes make you look in poor health or not? Tsk, never mind, after we freshen you up quickly, we’ll go to the anteroom. We need to hurry. Time is short as it has taken me too long to find you.’

Her criticisms of Elvie’s appearance continued as she walked, but Elvie drew the line when she touched on her Elder cloak.

‘What’s wrong with my cloak?’ She’d worn it for so long now that it had started to feel like a second skin.

‘You need to look the part, and a cloak with a hole in the arm and traces of blood does not meet the level of respect required when meeting royalty.’

‘I don’t really have anything else.’

‘No other clothes. That just won’t do. I will speak to Lord Calderbrook at once.’

Elvie just shrugged in reply. Fleur was not getting her hands on Elvie’s Elder cloak, even if she had to hide it.

They rushed through the hallways back to Elvie’s room. On the bed, laid out nicely, was a basic cut, but richly made thick blue dress, with a white collar and cuffs.

‘This was the best we could find, so I hope it fits.’

Elvie nodded, and as Fleur gave her some privacy, she pulled on the dress. Once done, she ran her fingers through her curled hair, trying to settle it back and off her face. In the end, she did take her nurses’ advice and wash her face on a clean cloth.

Fleur returned, and cast an eye over Elvie. ‘It will have to do. It’s not perfect, but I’m not a housemaid, and you’re already running late. Come on, come on.’

She bustled Elvie out into the corridors and led her through the residences. ‘Now, do you know how to behave when you meet a Queen? It’s such a rare honour, you understand?’

‘Not really,’ she replied honestly.

Fleur scoffed. ‘Seriously, who has been responsible for your education? It’s simple. When you enter, curtsy deeply until you’re told to rise. Never stare at the King or Queen, and only answer questions when you’re asked. Oh, and refer to their majesties as Your Majesty or, my King, or my Queen.’

‘Do you know what this is about?’ Elvie asked nervously.

‘Of course not! The nobility doesn’t have time for a nurse. You’ve been summoned, and you will go.’

They made their way through several small side doors and down a long corridor with interspersed pictures of old gentlemen hunting. At the end of the hall, three guards policed a large double door of solid oak.

‘Your business?’ one guard asked in a firm voice.

The nurse replied, and Elvie tried not to stare. In the man's arms rested the butt of a worn rifle – with his finger caressing its trigger. A sideways glance at the other two guards revealed there were also as wary as the one speaking. Was this what the attack had done – set everyone on edge so that even a young girl and nurse were suspected of plotting?

The doors parted to reveal a portly man, who tapped his foot with an anxious expression. ‘What took you so long? No wait, never mind, that will slow us further. Thank you, nurse,’ he dismissed Fleur.

‘Chamberlain,’ she bid him farewell, and with a tremulous smile at Elvie, backed through the closing door.

‘And you, Elvie, sit on this chair and don’t move. I will announce you and see if you are to be received.’ He disappeared through another oak door, leaving Elvie alone in the room.

She tried not to be calm, but a tide of panic rose within. The whirlwind of motion from being summoned to dressing to transfer – hustled all the way –would leave anyone with a feeling of anxiousness. Besides, she was about to meet royalty!

The Chamberlain returned swiftly, and with him, unfortunately, was Sir Josiah Jennings.

He smirked while the Chamberlain shifted from side to side awkwardly. This was clearly not part of his plan, so what did Jennings want?

‘Eldridge’s ward,’ he said without preamble. ‘We meet at last.’

Elvie nodded in greeting but chose not to verbally reply.

‘I’ve eagerly awaited this meeting between you and I. People have seen you do wondrous magic after all. Where was it, at Eldridge’s estate? No, perhaps it was on an island road? No, wait, I know now; it was, of course, the arena and throneroom.’

Elvie was confused for a heartbeat before a lightbulb went off in her mind. His emphasis on the word people was deliberate. That and his list of every occasion I saw the golem, she thought to herself. How annoying.

She could play his game too. ‘It’s been a rocky road for me.’

Sir Jennings laughed delightedly, and the smirk on his face faded. The Chamberlain wrung his hands, dumbstruck by the strange conversation.

‘We’re going to have to talk sometime,’ Sir Jennings said amicably. ‘I have an offer I’d like to make, one which you might consider too good to refuse. For now, however, our time together must be brief.’

He made to exit back through the doorway as Elvie said: ‘What offer?’

‘You’ll soon see. Don’t worry, we will speak again shortly. I doubt you’ll be going anywhere for a while.’ He smiled like a shark watching a baby seal’s first foray into the ocean.

‘Ah…’ The Chamberlain pulled on her arm as Jennings left. ‘It’s time.’

She entered into the same room she’d magically transported herself to days before. Repairs had removed some of the damage, although it appeared a difficult job to replace the hole in the roof. Floors and carpets gleamed like new, but the charred wood was hard to repair, especially where… No, don’t look there. Trust the cat; he said that Darius Vermont was alive.

The Chamberlain gave Elvie a slight nudge as she paused to get her moving forward.

People fanned out in front of the throne. She didn’t recognise any, but they stared at her like she had come from the moon. One lady even put her hand across her mouth to hide a gasp. That was an over-reaction! They’d formed an aisle of sorts, which the Chamberlain subtlety directed her down. Normally, she’d hesitate, but on the front left, the smiling form of Eldridge stood.

She made her way down the impromptu aisle and dropped into a deep curtsy before a man and woman wearing crowns and extravagantly expensive clothing.

‘Rise,’ the King bade her.

Elvie glanced up and gave a small smile to the King, hoping her etiquette was correct.

He looked friendly, although his thick and bushy moustache was comical. He had lush brown hair combed straight back, and a trimmed-down beard. Elvie hadn’t ever heard of Queen Mary in her studies, but she was a shorter and stockier lady with a regal bearing. She’d also been in the room during the attack.

Despite the events which had taken place in the room, the Queen’s voice was like strong iron. She ignored the destruction to convey a calm presence as she stepped forward to address those gathered. ‘The House of Windsor was attacked but a few days ago. Those scars, which you see around you today, are evidence of a battle poets will describe for ages to come. But know this. The attack failed. Evil was overcome. And now, we who have fought tyranny before, shall do so again. Always, without fail.’ Many around the room nodded vigorously.

‘The act of terror committed but a few days ago was resolved by one, although we do recognise the assistance rendered by those valuable to the throne. But this one is special. This one stands before you now. While destruction was wrought within this palace, and its many servants fought for their lives, this young lady was the weapon that struck back. She destroyed the threat.’

A round of applause broke out across the throneroom, triggering a deep blush across Elvie’s face. Were they cheering her actions? Yes… they were.

The Queen continued. ‘Your bravery, young Lady, is beyond reproach, and you are to be rewarded for this service to the Crown.’

The King stepped forward. In contrast to the Queen, his voice was not as clear. ‘Fir-fi-firstly, a petition which was p-put before me shall be f-fulfilled. With your consent, Elvie Harper, by order of this Royal Court, you shall f-f-formally be recognised as the ward of Lord Eldridge Calderbrook. Do you consent?’

Elvie smiled at his Majesty. ‘I agree,’ she answered formally. As long as she remained here, Eldridge would be her protector. She risked a glimpse towards him to see a large smile break across his face.

The King drew her attention back. ‘Secondly, for your uncalled upon ser-v-vice, for willingly putting your life bef-f.’ He paused to gather his words. ‘Before that of the monarchy, and f-for the great injury bestowed upon you as a result, we formally recognise the dignity of your bloodline, and raise you to the position of Baroness.’

Elvie was speechless. The King reached out a hand, smiling, and said: ‘Arise, Lady Elvie Harper of Calderbrook Estate.’