Chapter 37: THE DESIGNERS (1)
After her meal, Velmoria led Arella to the drawing room to meet with the designers. Velmoria called it a room, but it was more like a grand hall. Crimson drapes cascaded from the high windows, their edges trimmed with silver thread. Velvet settees lined the walls, and an ornate obsidian table stood at the center, laden with fabric, samples and sketches. There were around ten demons in the room, and Velmoria introduced the three main designers.
Arella eased herself onto one of the settees with effortless grace. Her back was straightened, the elegant curve of her wings framing her silhouette. The fabric of her gown pooled around her as she crossed one leg over the other. One hand rested casually on the arm of the settee, her fingers tracing idle patterns against the smooth surface. The soft glow of her halo bathed her in a gentle radiance, further accentuating her angelic power. Echo settled himself next to her feet, settling his eyes on the designers.
"Your Majesty, they are ready to begin." Velmoria spoke up after Arella was settled down.
"They may begin."
The first demon was a short, wiry demon Velmoria had introduced as Lorthiel. Curled delicately around her head like a crown were crimson horns. Her hair was a deep silver gray, and her eyes were blue like the sky. Her demeanor was professional, and one of her assistants walked forward with a leather-bound portfolio filled with designs. "Your majesty, it is an honor." She bowed slightly as Arella accepted the portfolio.
The second demon was a towering male with serpentine eyes and scales running down his arms. His tunic was sleeveless, showing two tattoos circling around the arm, just above the point where his green and blue scales ended. He had been introduced as Azrathion. His eyes were green and slitted, gleaming with curiosity. His assistant also stepped forward to hand her a portfolio; this time it was fabric bound, and a flowery scent emanated from the velvet.
He offered her a smile, his sharp teeth barely visible. "Queen Arella," the towering demon bowed his head, his green locks flopping over his eyes as he bowed. "I look forward to creating something truly divine for you."
The third demon made no attempt to hide her disdain for Arella. Her nose was practically turned up all the way in the air, scrunched up as if she was smelling something completely foul. She had been introduced as Melasva, and her demeanor reflected her pale, ice blue skin. She stood with her arms crossed, her silver eyes narrowing as she looked Arella up and down.
Arella raised a brow at her actions, her green eyes shining. Some altercation was bound to happen with a demon looking so very hostile. How exciting.
Melasva glared at the other two demons. Her lips pulled up into a sneer that exposed her fangs. "Are you two truly stupid? I still do not understand why we are designing for an angel." She tapped her foot rhythmically onto the floor. "A demon queen should be draped in demonic energy, in power, not halos and feathers."
Velmoria, who had been standing slightly behind the settee Arella was seated on, held her breath. This was the first openly hostile demon the queen was facing. Velmoria had simply called the designers that usually made outfits for the king, not expecting that any of them would show hostility to the queen.