𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐗:
Queen's favorite
(1795)

"YOUR MAJESTY," Genesis curtsied. Queen Charlotte acknowledged her with a nod of her head, as regal and royal as ever. Genesis entered her Majesty's drawing room with one goal in mind. The rich brocade silk curtains in regal shades of sapphire blue and gold cover the walls, cascading softly from the ceiling to the polished floors. The room's drapes are broken up by large arched windows that let gentle, natural light in through their finely carved mahogany paneling frames.

"Lady Genesis," Queen Charlotte greets with a cunning smile, "How wonderful of you to visit. Had you gotten bored in New Orleans and decided not to meddle with the Mikaelsons?"

Queen Charlotte already knew the answer, but it was best for Genesis to say it out loud. The Queen knew of Genesis' motives, but not all. She still has many secrets to keep and intends to stay hidden. After all, the Queen has her own secrets, too, which isn't much of a secret to Genesis; she had sensed it when she entered the lavish walls of the Royal Palace.

Magic.

Queen Charlotte is a siphoner, and the rest of the royal family.

"Quite the opposite, Your Majesty. I'm having such an entertaining stay in New Orleans so far." Genesis answers with a polite nod of her head. Entertaining couldn't even begin to describe it; the hide-and-seek she's been doing with Elijah Mikaelson for the last two years has been thrilling and exhilarating at best.

The idea of being caught by Elijah has been a rush in her core, like an electrifying feeling in her bones. The line between hide and seek, between chase and capture. The feeling of her undead heart beating when the fleeting moment of knowing Elijah sensed her presence. The heat of his burning stare brushed against her skin when Elijah finally got a glimpse of her disappearing figure.

Genesis had never felt anything like it before.

Queen Charlotte hums, eyes intrigued, eyebrows raised, observing Genesis's expression, "I'm sure you know what you're doing, Lady Genesis."

"Of course, Your Majesty," Genesis responds quickly with assurance.

"What is the purpose of your visit? I have read your letters, Lady Genesis." Queen Charlotte says with a knowing tone, "And I know what you have been dealing with,"

Genesis squared her shoulders, resting her hands against her stomach as the corset around her waist seemed to grow tighter. She briefly licked her lips, chin up, and eyes, avoiding the glaring stare of the Queen.

Genesis always had a problem of asking for help. She's been alone for so long; she has lived a life of independence ever since becoming a vampire. The only time she had company was when Kol was undaggered—she'd forgotten about that for a second. She has a lot on her plate at the moment, but it's not like he'll know that she is taking her sweet time of undaggering him.

She is taking her sweet time. There's no lie about that one.

The trouble of staying in one place for so long. Especially when slavery is deeply ingrained in the city where her people are forced to such brutal working conditions in the plantations, constructions, and domestic services. Is that every white person in New Orleans is starting to underestimate and undermine her. There is only so much for Genesis to do in order to maintain her perfect facade of being an aristocratic opera singer from France.

She can't kill every racist in the city, even if she can. It'll catch the attention of the Mikaelsons, and for Genesis, that isn't the way to grab their attention.

"I gave you your title for a reason." Queen Charlotte reminds Genesis, "You are part of the Queen's court. Use it to your advantage."

Genesis purses her lips. She had thought of that, but there isn't clear proof of Genesis being a royal courtier for the Queen; if she had said that to the governor and his dimwits with a position, none of them would have believed that Genesis had an unexplainable friendship with Queen Charlotte.

"For someone centuries old, I would have thought you'd schemed to get what you want. When you first entered the palace, I even thought you were here to steal the crown for boredom's sake."

Queen Charlotte tells her with an amused tone, raising an eyebrow as she stands, gracefully walking towards Genesis; her movements are fluid, regal, and full of power that's almost oozing and filling every empty space of the drawing room.

"I may be a vampire, but I'm not an idiot to defy the crown, especially when I've known that the one who rules it is a powerful coven of siphoners." Genesis shakes her head, a chuckle escaping her lips. When she entered the royal palace, she posed as a maid. She took the perfect opportunity to talk to the Queen alone, but knowing the Queen, Her Majesty already knew that Genesis was near. But because Queen Charlotte knows her own power, she doesn't feel threatened by Genesis' presence.

Genesis had no intention of threatening Queen Charlotte, only to offer her aid; she'd heard that one of Queen Charlotte's sons had been having difficulty controlling his magic and with Genesis' knowledge of old magic, which dates back to the 14th century,

Queen Charlotte was desperate enough to accept Genesis Ackerman's help. But Genesis did not disappoint her; she helped all of Queen Charlotte's children with their siphoning tendencies, and no accidents have happened since Genesis arrived in their lives.

"True enough." Queen Charlotte hums, pondering. "Brimsley!" The grand doors opened, and the Queen's right-hand man entered with a stoic expression, chin up, hands to his back, wearing a well-tailored suit.

"Your majesty," He greeted with a dull tone as he curtsied. Queen Charlotte rolls her eyes as she says, "Draft Lady Genesis, a royal letter stating that she is my royal courtier, make it authoritative, and of great importance that she is well to be treated with respect like every royal and loyal member of the Queen's court, if not they suffer the consequences." Brimsley nodded as he bowed, "Is that all, your majesty?"

Queen Charlotte's eyes brightened with remembrance, and she pointed her middle finger up in the air. "And I want you to fetch a necklace with my symbol." Genesis and Queen Charlotte shared a look.

"Right away, your majesty." Brimsley curtsied again, turning around as he closed the grand doors shut.

"It was a long time coming, Lady Genesis. I should have given you that necklace when you exited the royal palace." Queen Charlotte tutted.

"I understand that Her Majesty has a lot in mind at the moment." Genesis gave her a polite smile. King George's illness, which had been kept secret from the public, has rapidly declined.

"Yes, well. We have other matters that we need to discuss." Queen Charlotte waved her hand in dismissal, but Genesis saw the twinge of sadness in Queen Charlotte's eyes. "So, Elijah Mikaelson." She sat back down on the plush and comfortable, luxuriously upholstered sofa. Queen Charlotte patted the empty seat beside her, urging Genesis to take a seat.

So Genesis gladly did.

"I take it that your little games have been going well?" Queen Charlotte asks with pure curiosity. Genesis hums, serving Queen Charlotte her favorite tea, "Indeed. Better than I had imagined." Queen Charlotte chuckles while taking a sip, looking at Genesis.

"And what will be your plan when you finally undaggered Kol Mikaelson?" Queen Charlotte asks, honestly; she couldn't care less if the witches are against one another. Mikaelson was undaggered. She loathed the witches in New Orleans; she'd heard of the harvest rituals that occurred once every three hundred years, and she couldn't help but scoff. The girls that were sacrificed will never be reborn. Queen Charlotte had read about it in her coven's memoirs.

"Leave." Genesis shrugs, taking a sip of her tea. Queen Charlotte scrunched her eyebrows together, placing her cup back on the table.

"You'd think that it'll be easy to leave after you've betrayed them? I heard many things about the Mikaelsons. I am sure that they do not take so kindly to those who betrayed them; take Katerina Petrova, for instance." Queen Charlotte reminds her that with a knock on the door, Queen Charlotte raises her hand towards Genesis, indicating for her to stop whatever Genesis is about to say.

"Enter."

With that, Brimsley entered the drawing room with a silver tray in hand; on the tray were parchment paper with intricate and beautiful cursive writing, an ink and quill, envelopes and a wax seal stamp, and red melted wax. Brimsley walked towards the Queen, presenting the contents of the silver tray while Queen Charlotte read the contents of the letter; with a satisfied hum, Brimsley dipped the quill on the ink, handing Queen Charlotte the quill, signing the letters and handing one to Genesis as she continued to sign.

Genesis couldn't help but grin when reading the letter. She handed it back to Brimsley. The man sealed the letter inside the envelope with the steel stamp and red wax as the royal symbol dried.

Brimsley presented the silver tray and four envelopes towards Genesis. "I am always impressed with your preparedness, your majesty." Genesis gave Brimsley a smile as she took the envelopes from the tray.

Then Brimsley handed Queen Charlotte a flat red box. "Thank you, Brimsley. That will be all. You may go." Queen Charlotte tells him as she places the red box on the table. Brimsley curtsied as he once again exited the drawing room.

"Extra copies are needed. We both know how it'll go when you present this to the governor." Queen Charlotte says, "As I was saying, Niklaus Mikaelson made it known that he is after Katerina's head. After what she did, I'm surprised she isn't dead yet."

"Please, Niklaus isn't after Katerina. He's been playing his tricks with her. If Niklaus wants someone dead, they'll be dead." Genesis scoffs; everyone in the supernatural community knows what the Mikaelsons are capable of; no one wants the Mikaelsons as enemies; it's either a friend or a foe. It's why when Niklaus spreads the news that he is after Katerina (which he isn't really), every vampire who wants to be in Niklaus' good graces has been hunting for the woman. Katerina's been on the run ever since.

"Then you know as much as I do that Niklaus will kill you if you go behind his back. There will be no games or tricks this time. He will kill you, Genesis." Queen Charlotte warns. "And if he ever successfully did so, it will be a tragic loss." Queen Charlotte tried to shrug it off, but Genesis could feel her concern.

"You worry too much, your majesty." Genesis shakes her head. "I have the utmost talent of disappearing from the earth if I want to."

"Indeed you have." Though Queen Charlotte looked skeptical. Then Queen Charlotte took the red box from the table, opening the box with care. Revealing an elegant necklace made from solid gold, the pendant's meticulously detailed and intricately engraved crest blends heraldic symbols, including a regal crown, the royal monogram, and intricate filigree patterns that frame the central design. The crown, adorned with shimmering gemstones, represents the Queen's authority.

Wearing the necklace is a statement of allegiance, a connection to the monarchy.

"Turn around." Queen Charlotte tells Genesis, and she does. She felt the heavy weight of the necklace on her neck, the gold pendant brushing against her skin. Queen Charlotte clasped the necklace. Genesis cupped the pendant in her palm. She was already wearing the necklace that Kol gave her, which complemented the necklace the Queen had bestowed upon her.

Genesis faced the Queen, seeing her grin and proud expression, "That should do it, yes?"

"More than enough, your majesty." Genesis says, "I cannot express how thankful I am for your help."

"You helped my family, and because of that, my coven remains intact." Queen Charlotte dismisses, "You have my permission to use your position to let those who undermine you show what you are capable of, with or without my assistance, Lady Genesis."

With a knock, Brimsley entered the drawing room, "A letter has arrived for Lady Genesis," He announced as he walked towards Genesis, handing the letter to her. Queen Charlotte waved her hand, dismissing Brimsley as Genesis opened the letter, reading the contents as her eyes skimmed through the contents.

"Well?" Queen Charlotte asked, raising a brow.

Genesis pursed her lips, handing Queen Charlotte the letter. The Queen raised an eyebrow, intrigued, reading the letter herself.

Dear Genesis,

I am writing this letter to inform you that Elijah Mikaelson finally managed to find your place of residence after two years. I would have thought he would have located you after the masquerade ball, but it's as if our house is invisible to the residents of New Orleans. He politely asked when you would be coming home. I told him nothing. I was a bit cryptic. As you instructed. He will not be giving up any time soon as he is very persistent in seeing you. Will you finally introduce yourself after he chased you for two years? Anyhow, I advise you to thread carefully. It looks like you've caught the attention of Klaus Mikaelson, too; rumor has it. He also wants to know who the woman who has been stringing his older brother along is, and he isn't happy by the looks of it. He came by earlier demanding to be let in, but he was quite surprised when I told him no—it looks like he hasn't heard the word in his whole life. Quite hilarious his face was, but I know that wouldn't be the last time, and I worry—but I don't know of what, and you ought to go home soon for our sake.

From,

Juliette

Queen Charlotte then sighs, "It looks like you've entered something that you aren't quite ready for, Lady Genesis."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

━━ I am establishing a new rule that I won't update any chapters until the previous chapter I posted isn't receiving the amount of attention/hype (comments & votes) I would have preferred, so this time I know that ya'll actually want to read my updates. This might get a weekly update if I am satisfied with the feedback!

━━ UHH...Enchanted come back, ig? Life has been busy, and I haven't been able to pre-write as much as I wanted. I took a break for myself when I started my summer break a week ago, and now that I'm well-rested—I think. I will try to finish Enchanted during my summer break (no promises, but I really want to finish this fic this year). Because, sorry to say, my darlings, I'm quite eager to finish Enchanted. I've been writing this fic for a long time and want to proceed with the other books of the 'Mahika Universe.' Thank you so much for your endless patience, understanding, and continued support for this fic. I hope to compensate for this long chapter for my inconsistent updates, but please remember to leave your feedback! I'd really appreciate it!

++Who misses Queen Charlotte and Brimsley from Bridgerton? I do!✋🏻