Permafrost Hollows She's nobody's fool

mmm, purred the queen, pleased by compliments. iet ees true. 

bend of back and turn of head, with a soft grasp she lifted a foreleg of lilia's, gliding her regal palm downward until it held emberlike fingers, dull, lupine nails under scrutiny. insufficient blades.

buet queen ies more than 'er kneevs. she let go of the girlish hand. and ies never bo'n, she... an elegant gesture. ascension.

yoo 'ave makin's ouf ae roy-al, zhis ee confirm. une petite princesse. ne fait pas meen yoo must... act. ies good enough to, hm, awa't. patience.

smile warm as candleflame beneath parchment. she slid down to lay, brilliant crystals of the princesse level with hers.

when old queen ies no more, when throne ies empt-ee, yoo 'ave right to crown... words drift, unfinished. thoughtful pause, her gaze up to the arched ceiling. she set her delicate chin on a painted hand.

she looked again to lilia.

...à moins que vous... 'ave ambitions for conseil du reine? advisor? dauphine? whisper in crown's ear?