Chapter 109: Entertainment. Humiliation.
The parasol flapped lazily in the sea breeze, shading Sienna and Queen Serenya. In the distance, Ali made loud noises, giggling as she flew a kite with Uncle Jorik. Above it, Aunt Linera flew in the air, following like a guardian.
"Maybe they should fly kites." The queen joked. "Your fox cub is sure having fun doing it, as are the falcon relatives my husband keeps calling refugees."
Sienna laughed.
From the sand, Eli piped up, his small voice with authority far beyond his five years. "A kite! A kite! You want Beast Lords to chase a Kite! Papa says the idea is novel but whatever entertainment is chosen must be dignified."
Queen Serenya rolled her eyes. "Shut up, little cub." She said it softly, not to hurt the little one’s feelings, but to stop him from being a bad spy.
Eli huffed.
Sienna chuckled.
The queen picked a glass of wine, and she said thoughtfully, "Dancing. Every year, dancing is the activity chosen for entertainment. Not all beast Lords partake in it of course. I have never seen your husband engaging." She mused, sipping her wine. "Mine on the other hand, he makes a fool out of himself on the dance floor. Last year, he led a group of lions in a dance they called the worm! They laid on the ground and did some kind of weird crawling."
Sienna burst into laughter. "No way! How do lion beast men do the worm?"
The queen sighed. "I had the same question just a minute before I confiscated every recording device and made sure that the footage would never see the light of day. Just as this story will never be shared over one of your family camp fires or live streams."
Sienna snorted. "My lips are sealed far firmer than a vault. And I will make sure that there are no recording devices to catch the noble, respected Lords belly dancing."
Both women laughed, shrilly.
Eli piped up again, "Papa says that belly dancing is not dignified. So, no belly dancing, no body juggling of any kind. Only approved choreography."
Sienna glared at him. "Elijah. You are supposed to be flying kites with your sister. At this rate, you are going to turn into a parrot."
The boy puffed his chest. "Papa says a fox cub cannot turn into a parrot. He also says that only fox approved steps are allowed for all dances."
Sienna groaned and screamed, "Aunt Linera, come and take this brat."
"Liman, come and protect me." Eli screamed as well.
Two beast women clashed on the beach while the Queen laughed. And for some reason, Mija joined the fight! Sienna and the queen pretended not to notice the three women as they tangled.
"So, what are fox approved dance steps?" The queen asked. " Is that standing with a scowl and wine glass like the fox Lord does?"
Sienna leaned closer, conspiratorial. "Exactly, if he could have his way, there would be no entertainment at all. It would be one long meeting in a closed room, with no escape, until every issue has been ironed."
Ali suddenly ran past then, her kite soaring high, the string tangled around her waist. "Mama, the kite is taking me flying."
Sienna waved at her. "If it drops you and you get a single scratch on your body, I will beat it."
"Nooo, no beating Kitey." Ali replied, voice disappearing in the air as she was lifted. Not by the kite, but Uncle Jorik’s claws that had a firm grip on the kite. Three guards followed, running through the sand to keep up.
Sienna sighed. "She is too spirited and daring."
Queen Serenya sighed. "Most cubs are. Now, back to entertainment, I don’t see fireworks on the program. The Eagle tribe did it last year and it was amazing. I think you should do it too. Of course, you would have to outdo the Eagles and make it grander. So here is what I think you should do. Day one: tribal dances. Day two: dance or game competitions. Day three: feasting, singing and fireworks. This is your first time acting as a hostess for the summit. You should play it safe and stick to familiar ground instead of trying out new things. Go for variety rather than novelty."
Eli interrupted again, his little voice sharp. "Papa says fireworks are wasteful. He thinks the summit should end with a speech, not explosions."
Sienna rolled her eyes so hard that the queen was afraid they might roll into the sea. "Your father does not know how to have fun. And that is why I am adding games like wrestling, a height contest, a strength contest , a drinking contest, a two legged race, and other silly games to the entertainment."
Queen Serenya perked up. "Entertainment, competition and humiliation. Very devious Sienna Veythar."
Sienna raised her glass. "It is all a part of my job, your highness."
Before Eli could begin another ’papa says...,’ Sienna snapped her fingers. "Hey Short spark, go and eat fruit."
As if summoned, servants arrived with trays piled high: strawberries chopped into smaller pieces, grapes, bananas, mangoes. They even brought glasses of milk. Ali abandoned the kite immediately, swooping down like a hawk. "Fruits!" she cried. "Mama, can I eat?"
As soon as Sienna nodded, the little one chugged her milk.
"Slow down," Sienna said softly, wiping sweat from Ali’s forehead. "The milk is not going anywhere. You don’t need to rush."
Still, the glass was emptied in seconds. Then, the little one’s fingers stretched to the grapes. She stuffed her cheeks until she looked like a chipmunk.
Eli sniffed. "Does your governess teach you how to be graceful?"
Ali kicked sand at him in response.
The queen nearly fell off her chair, laughing. "Sienna, your household is chaos. How do you survive between them, Elias, your mother-in-law, the falcons, snake, mer prince, Evira and all the other drama in your life?"
Sienna raised her glass. "Lots of walks on the beach, lots of naps. A pan. And ignoring my husband’s five year old spy."
Eli swallowed his melon and declared solemnly. "She has many servants and a large paternal family that is willing to help her with everything. Lots of guards, and not to forget all of my papa’s wealth. That’s the real trick."
The queen squealed. It seemed to her like Sienna had finally met a nemesis she could not just hit with a pan or make go away with a harsh insult.