Lady went up a flight of twisted stairs to her chambers; the largest in the castle. She lit a candle. Standing by her vanity, she took off her crown and brushed out her long dark brown hair, and sat the crown aside. It was her favorite, a gift from her lover; the entertainer and father to Roland. He had said it was a gift from a far away land, she could never remember where. It wasn't the family crown. No. The family crown was a simple circlet that held the family colored jewels, one large purple amethyst in the center and two smaller silver gems to the sides. This was the crown she would pass on. She put it on her head and sighed at her reflection. "A silly thing should not have so much meaning," and she was not only talking about the crown.
Her eyes then found the picture of her late husband which sat on her desk. Lady had never truly loved him, it was a simple diplomatic arrangement. "He never once ruled, not really. It was all me. He was only an appearance." She put the photo face down on his desk. She turned away to look out her window. She could smell the chilling air, winter was on its way. She was already planning another party. She loved to throw masquerades. She could tell each person from behind the masks, it was a fun game. The snow would lock her guests in for nearly a week, and a large party would flourish. And this year would be most interesting. It would give her children a chance to spread their name, gain allies and influence, and gain knowledge and power, if they played their cards right.
As she looked out she tended to her flowers which hung out the window. Black roses. The roses were unnatural and only came into being by her magic. They once were simple red roses but her black magic she used to care for them turned them black and imbued power into their petals. She picked one and stuck it in her hair. It smelt so good. It held the smell of power and death. The death of her brothers and sisters were shown in the roses, though its smell. "So delicious," she grinned evilly.
She turned to the door and out of the corner of her eye saw a white ghost perching by the door. "Oh clever boy," she smiled. This gave her joy. "Ellis you will go far. Now fly little birdie, fly to tell my boy what you have seen. I send my love with you, give it all to my son."Lady then went to see the others at the table.