TABLE OF CONTENT
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The pillars that supported the structure were covered with gold paint. Personally, for the queen was too much. The walls were decorated with ribbons of white flowers, enveloping the whole place with its natural fragrance. Jasmines, she thought.
The statues acquired as spoils of war by conquering other kingdoms were arranged and displayed to show all the guests the power of the king. “Mmm! Presumptuous, but effective.” The queen agreed. On the floor, from the entrance of the room to the far wall, lay the finest and most expensive Persian rug that could be purchased. Handmade for hours and hours, by the artisan masters of Middle Eastern, as a special order for this occasion. And not to mention the table that can accommodate up to eighty people. Covered with many dishes made by the best chefs in the kingdom who fought against each other to develop the best delicacy, worthy of this occasion. As well, exquisite, sweet, and caramelized fruits brought from Asia.
The queen’s stomach, seeing the feast, roared with fervour, demanding to be attended. Unfortunately for her, only the members of the bride and groom family, the political delegates, and ambassadors from between the two kingdoms would have the privilege of enjoying it. That made her an outcast here.
Not her. She did not have legal power or weight in the kingdom of her husband. Nor she had royal influence or political power, it seems. She was not even a family according to where she was sited now because he did not allow her to attend this celebration. She was just the queen.
Amberjill realized in the most painful way that her exclusive presence was only to fill a hole that had to be filled by past generations. And do not forget the heirs. According to the nobles and commoners in this kingdom, her only role from their point of view. So far, she was not doing a good job.
Two years ago, she was united in body and soul with the king, and so far, the heavens had not rewarded her with a son or a daughter. The plans she and her king made for their future together, until just a few days ago, will not come to fruition now. Alas, the queen felt cheated.
For all this, Amberjill could only watch from a distance as her beloved king and husband took a second wife. If she were in her native, beloved kingdom of Ruana, this would never have happened. The sacred vows of marriage are respected until death.
Getting married was a commitment that was revered and respected by its inhabitants. And for a king or queen to break them, showed how little commitment royalty had to their subjects.
But apparently, that was of no importance to the people of Mahala. Since, without taking into account the queen’s well-being, they welcomed the new rival. The place where her beloved king and husband, King Alcott, was from. “Oh!” The queen let out a small groan of pain. “Father, how I wish you were with me now!comfort” Even though she was no longer a child. But a 22-year-old adult. The longing that she had at that moment was to feel the comfort, and protection of the arms of her father, King Lucian Bestermor.
Queen Amberjill was devastated. And only her father could tend to her broken heart. Sadly, her mother passed away when she was three years old, so she didn’t know the maternal care. The sad queen longed to return to her father’s protective arms. But her fate was already decided. And she, herself, accepted it the moment she said, “I do”.
Amberjill continued to eye all the guests with fascination. From where she was, she had never had the opportunity to see everything from a distance. Amberjill had always been the centre of attention. But not today. This day belonged to Abba Katria of Badoro. The new and second wife of King Alcott.
Fortunately for her, the title of queen would remain hers. And the new wife would be just that, the second wife of the king. That didn’t comfort her in the least. Her king had promised her the world and beyond. That included his heart. Or so he had assured her. Also, he had told her she would be the only woman to occupy his bed.
“Oh! But he never informed me he won’t share others' beds.” The queen cynically pondered.
The guests were already well known to the queen. By part of Mahala’s reign, that is. The same emissaries and politicians as always. No one knew, so far.
In the future, she would have to socialize with the new retinue of Badoro’s kingdom that accompanied their princess, and now the king’s wife.
Taking inventory of all the new people, the queen’s curiosity focused on a man who belonged to Princess Abba’s private and trusted circle. This man stands out like a black bean in the middle of a plate of rice. In fact, the other way around. The race of Badoro’s people was darker and with black hair. This man seemed like he came from the kingdom of her father, Ruana. Hair like silver, and pale skin like the moon. But there was something that set him apart from his race. His eyes were the colour of caramel.
The queen imagined he would result from the mixture between a Ruanes, and a Badorian. It’s not that there weren’t such cases. Only a few, to be precise. However, the result of the combination was remarkable. Amberjill swore that she will figure this man out. But for today, she will remain in the shadow where her beloved husband left her.
Then, as if her eyes were drawn by a magnet, Amberjill fixed her gaze on Abba. She couldn’t help it, no matter how much she wanted to erase her from her view. Abba was a vision to behold. Her skin was the colour of honey, lustrous, and full of life. Her deep black hair was like the King's. Both of them were dark as night. But that’s where the similarities ended. Abba’s eyes were brown and round, surrounded by big, curled eyelashes.
The king’s eyes were deep green, like the forest, and endless like the biggest pine trees. Abba’s nose was small and turned up. While the king was straight, and with a strong presence.
The people from the Mahala kingdom, and the Bodoro kingdom, definitely contrasted. But what was she thinking? She looked at her hands, remembering how white and pale her skin was compared to theirs.
The queen took a bunch of her hair between her fingers, and inspect it deeply. Her hair looked like cascades of silver threads, and her eyes, the deepest blue that could be found in the sea. Sometimes it seemed that a storm lived in them.
The queen couldn’t help but doubt about her appearance. “Could it be that my king had enough of me, and is now in search of something more exotic?” Amberjill returned her gaze to Abba, watching her interact with the king. The queen’s eyes surveyed Abba’s round, perfect hips. Wide enough to carry a child full term. The fixation was so greateyes, that an idea came to mind. “The king has replaced me.” With fear and trembling, Amberjill discovered the reason for this unexpected and subtle wedding.
It is at the same time that the king had his eyes on her. As if guessing what was in her mind. That radiance, which only he had reserved for her, in his eyes shone like incandescent flames. She thought it was an illusion. Now the king would have no further use for her. Since his new wife, and more certainly the mother of his heirs, was with him. Amberjill was devastated. But she was the queen, and her face could not waver. The torrent of sensations, running wild and unchecked inside her, was kept hidden. Nobody could realize how much she was suffering.
The king looked away from her and then whispered something into the ear of Abba, his new wife. Amberjill was about to drop her mask when their gazes met. But she didn’t allow it. Her face showed peace and serenity that did not exist inside her. Just as she was instructed in her childhood to behave. The king’s eyes shone for an instant when he saw her, and then that shine faded, giving his attention to someone other than her, definitely. The king turned his back on her instead of an explanation. But the queen didn’t need one any more. She knew enough now.
Now, it was a matter of time before the king claimed the title of queen and gave it to her. Seeing that she was nothing in this kingdom, her fear increased. The poor queen began to imagine various scenarios. “And if he sends me to kill? Or throw me in the dungeon? What would my revered father do if he found out that I was in danger?” No, the queen was not as weak as they believed. Not Amberjill. She was the daughter of the king of Ruana, and as such, she would find her way out of this deadly situation.
Minutes passed until an envoy of the king approached the balcony, where the queen was still weighing her options. “My Queen. My king has sent me to you. It is time for you to retire to your chambers.” Amberjill raised her head in surprise. She was so focused on her thoughts that she didn’t hear the emissary arrive, much less hear what he said.
“Repeat what you said again. The noise is such, that I can’t understand your words.” The queen smiled politely. Hiding the turbulence she carried inside. Now, more than ever, she couldn’t alert anyone to her thoughts.
The emissary, understanding his queen, repeated everything from the beginning. “My Queen. My king has sent me to you. It is time for you to retire to your chambers.” That only meant one thing, the newly-weds were going to consummate the beginning of their marriage for the first time. Or, she thought, was the first time. Another direct stab at her fragile heart. Amberjill just smiled and nodded her head.
The emissary took a few steps back and lowered his head in reverence to his queen. Amberjill stood up with all the grace of her upbringing gave her, and left the balcony of honour, escorted by the emissary. Two of her bridesmaids were waiting for her in the hallway. Seeing her leave, they bowed and followed her without saying a word. Her two bridesmaids were the only ones she could blindly trust.
Aurora and Sandra, her faithful servants since childhood. The king generously allowed them to follow their mistress. That was not usual. Arriving at her new home, new servants would have to be appointed by the king’s mother as a tradition. But in her case, fortunately, was allowed. The king, back then, would have given anything for her. Aurora and Sandra are here to stay.
The queen stopped short as she approached the chambers she shares with her beloved husband. upbringing,The emissary was alarmed, believing that the queen was not feeling well. “My queen, what is the problem?” Amberjill turned to the emissary, thinking about what she was going to say. She hesitated for a moment, as what she was thinking would lead to a lot of inconveniences. But she had already formed a plan. And for her own good, she had to do it. “Everything is fine. There is nothing to worry about.”
The queen turned and continued down the same corridor. But she did not stop at the royal chamber. No, she walked past.
“My queen, my queen.” But Amberjill ignored him and moved on. Her maids followed her closely without saying anything. Supporting their lady in silence.
Many doors later, the queen stopped, facing the emissary.
“Tell the king that my chambers have changed.” The emissary’s face paled at the queen’s words. “My only intention is to give the king space to attend to his new wife, and nothing else.” The smile she managed to conjure up despite the deep pain in her soul was believable. Since the emissary sighed in relief, understanding that the only reason for the queen to move from her chambers was to see the interest of the king, he agrees to leave. How considerate and selfless the queen was. The emissary thought.
The queen froze at the entrance to her new chambers, and when the distant figure of the emissary disappeared, she nodded to her servants to follow her. The queen entered, and the servants followed her. Once inside, Aurora and Sandra expressed their concerns, “My queen, what was all that? Are you certain this is correct? Don’t you think the king will be upset? After all, he didn’t order it.”
The queen couldn’t listen anymore, and with fire in her blood, she replied, “I don’t care what the king could say right now. He doesn’t matter at all.”
Amberjill, seeing the surprised faces of her servants and friends, regretted her outburst. She took them by the hand and said, “I apologize for my behavior. You are not the ones I want to disintegrate with my gaze. I am terribly shocked and sad.”
“Oh! No, my queen, do not apologize to your lowly servants.” Sandra, with eyes full of tears, said, “Yes, your Majesty, we are nothing compared to you. We are here to serve you, and if you need to unload your heart, that will be our humble task.”
But Amberjill’s tears this time could not be contained. “The king, he, h-e lied to me, and he cheated on me. I am worried that he lost the love he had for me in the arms of his new wife. My life is in danger now, do you understand? I not only lost my husband, but I could even lose my life. The least of the damages could be a prison. And what of my beloved father? He would let nothing happen to me. He will attack without mercy, putting many lives at risk.”
“And what’s wrong with his majesty, the king, attacking? The kingdom of Mahala did not show one bit of loyalty to you, my queen. Why do you care about them?” Aurora, the more fearsome of the two, intervened. The queen, despite her pain, smiled. Imagining her powerful father attacking the kingdom of Mahala didn’t sound so disastrous after all. But she, shaking her head, came back to reality. No, that couldn’t happen. It will not only affect Mahala, but Ruana. War is expensive.
“No, my dear Aurora. A war must be avoided at all costs. This must be handled subtly, and with no one suspecting it. By the time my husband realizes what I plan, it will be too late.” The three of them looked at each other, and a mischievous smile formed on the faces of the servants.
Immediately, the queen’s servants began to tidy up the place. Making it lovable and worthy of her Majesty, Amberjill. Aurora and Sandra made several trips to the royal chamber to recover the objects of their beloved lady. Many hours later, the place was immaculate. Amberjill, seeing what was accomplished, sighed in appreciation.
“Well done. The place looks cozy. Now the only thing left for us is to wait for the king’s reaction.” The queen thought there would not be much of a reaction. Since her loving husband would be very busy, consummating his marriage. That depressed her more. But her mask must remain in place at all times. She couldn’t afford to waver, even in front of her loyal servants.
Amberjill turned to look out the window. Hours had passed since she was removed from the balcony of honor.
It was already past midnight, and no one had bothered to inform her of anything concerning her husband. Her heart was breaking more and more. But she refused to shed a single tear. With which she wept, they were already enough to last a lifetime. She removed her sight from the window and placed it on her untouched plate, with the dinner that her faithful maids had brought. Her stomach was clearly unhappy, but her heart and mind were uninterested.
She pushed the plate away from her and got up from the chair where she had spent most of her time since returning. Her brain was spinning over and over, reliving the events of the previous day. But what kept her from closing her eyes, which well deserved a break, was imagining her beloved husband with another woman. The fire in her heart ignited.
The queen sighed and went to the window. The view of the magnificent royal gardens greeted her. And in the distance, you could still see the movement of the people, who were still celebrating the king’s wedding. She gripped the window ledge until her fingers were white with exertion. Amberjill banged on the window suddenly, giving a small, measured cry. Nothing mattered now. Her life, as she knew it just a few weeks ago, was over. Whatever happened, her loving husband would never be the same.
“What will it feel like to share the man I love with another?” Amberjill wondered aloud. “I cannot deny my body to my husband and king.” She knew she would be accused of treason if they learned the queen was not fulfilling her only responsibility. At the thought of this, more tears threatened to spill out. But she kept them at bay.
The queen was tired and depressed. Not only that, her eyes burned from crying so much. Amberjill glanced at her spacious and comfortable bed. Without thinking of anything else, she removed her clothes by herself and took the nightgown that her maids had prepared for her in advance.
Being naked, Amberjill felt freezing and vulnerable. She crossed her arms over her chest, protectively. And it was then that reality hit her hard. She dressed and went to bed, defeated. Once there, finally, and without being able to stop it, the queen shed a river of tears. From night until dawn, till she finally could close her eyes and sleep.
But she wasn’t there to comfort him.
The king knew that all this should not have happened, but there was little he could do to stop it. This wedding had to take place, even if his relationship with Amberjill deteriorated. He knew it was necessary. Alcott was confident that he would repair any damage this might cause them. Yes, Amberjill loves him. Of that, he has no doubt. These thoughts were the justification he needed to continue this celebration.
The new royal wife, sensing his gaze, turned her head in the king’s direction. She smiled charmingly, and she carefully took the king’s hand, squeezing ever so lightly. And with eyes full of wonder, she said, “My king and husband, on this day, you have made me the happiest woman in the world. Ever since I was younger, I dreamed of this moment every day. Being able to unite our lives for all eternity.”
The king smiled appreciatively at his wife, Abba. But he said nothing, he only patted her hand, which was still in his, kipping his thought to himself. The king returned his gaze to the entertainment that was being displayed for his amusement. The fire dancers, that’s what this distraction was called in the land of his new wife, the kingdom of Badoro.
But not even the most interesting display of pyrotechnics could distract the king’s mind from thinking about his beloved Amberjill. Nervously, the king snapped his fingers, a sign of the great agitation that his heart was feeling at this moment. What is his queen thinking about him at this moment? His heart was heavy.
However, he forced himself to remain in his position, not letting on what he was really feeling.
The banquet continued, and food was served in abundance. The wine continued to be served in the golden cups that had been specially designed for this occasion. All the best for the union of the two houses. After all, it was a royal celebration.
The performances did not stop doing their tricks with fire, becoming a bit repetitive, according to the king. Nothing could be spared at King Mahala’s wedding, and these actors could not leave the venue until the last of the guests had left. The king, somewhat bored by now, bemusedly watched as his father-in-law approached the royal throne. Soto de Katria bowed in front of his throne.
“Your Majesty, it is an honor to be in your presence. The kingdom of Badoro is immensely grateful that you have honored us with your presence. But it’s time for the festivities to continue in a more private setting. It is my duty as your humble servant to ensure that the wedding is consummated.”
The king immediately understood that Soto was rushing him to close the deal. He knew it was inevitable, but he didn’t necessarily have to put his heart into it.
The king sighed internally in anguish. “Excellent, King Soto. I agree with you. It is time for the two of us to retire to our chambers.” Without discussing the matter further, the king rose from his throne and extended his hand to his new wife. Abba, for her part, blushed and without thinking, took the offered hand. She bowed briefly to her father, and hand in hand with the king, the two discreetly left the event hall.
A pair of royal guards were standing guard outside the event hall, and when they saw their king approaching, they bowed and escorted them to their chambers. The emissary who had taken care of the queen was there, with a face full of satisfaction. The emissary led the way until they reached the royal rooms. But the king stopped, causing everyone else to stop as well.
“My new wife and I will spend our wedding night in her chambers. I don’t want anyone to interrupt us.” Abba, ambitiously, thought that her king would spend the entire night with her, creating a scarlet blush, betraying her thoughts. But the king did not take it into account.
“But, your majesty, your chambers are already……” the king interrupted the emissary abruptly, raising his hand, causing him to shut up immediately. “I will not repeat myself again. I said that I will spend the night here.” The emissary shivered, hearing the sharp tone of his king. “Yes, your Majesty.”
He lowered his head sharply, closing his mouth.
The king, with his eyes, ordered one of his guards to open the door. When the door opened, the king took the hand of his new wife. “After you, my wife.” Abba’s heart was about to explode. This will be it. The long years of planning for this moment have come to an end. Her biggest dream will come true in a few more minutes. She gave a little bow, while at the same time saying, “My husband.” Saying nothing more, she allowed herself to be led inside.
The two of them, already alone, the king let out the air that was stuck in his lungs, heading to the table where his servants had cleverly arranged for the new wife a feast. He unceremoniously poured himself a generous glass of wine, downing it in a single gulp. Not enough. He poured one more, and likewise, he did not pause until the last drop was finished. Once this task was accomplished, he turned, facing his new wife. What he saw took his breath away for a few seconds, just for one second.
Abba of Katria was stunning. Her honey-coloured skin contrasted with her intense black hair, just like his. Spread out on the crimson-red silk sheets, her body was exposed to his sight. And without stopping, he ran his eyes over every part of her. His virility did not fail to be noticed, tightening his leather pants. It was evident that this woman was a seductress. Nothing in front of him had flaws. Abba spread her legs slowly, revealing the desire she felt for her husband. She patted one side of the bed while she said, “Come to me, my husband.”
The king walked slowly to the bed, where Abba desperately requested his presence. Alcott, reaching to one side, undressed. When he was naked, Abba’s mouth fell open. Her jaw dropped all the way down because the king’s body was perfect, too. Well-defined muscles graced his figure. But what almost stopped her heart was his manhood.
This created a fervor within Abba’s mind. Sending her to a dark place within her. She swore to herself at that moment that she would do anything to be pleasured by this magnificent man.
What was to become of her? The queen shook her head, trying to regain her sanity. But as much as she scratched her head, she couldn’t find the solution. The pain she felt was so immense, that she couldn’t breathe.
The queen sat up abruptly on her bed and cupped her head in her hands. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath. Amberjill had to think and think deeply about what she would do. She needed a plan. Not just to get her heart back, but not to lose her life.
The only good thing about this situation was that she was not defenseless. The queen was always considered one of the most intelligent in her kingdom, and this unfortunate incident would not defeat her so easily.
With a heavy heart, she got up from the bed. With no specific direction, Amberjill wandered around her room for what seemed like hours. But the knock on the door snapped her out of her desperate mind.
The queen saw how the door opened, and Auroradown and Sandra, without waiting for her to give them permission, entered, carrying containers of hot water. Aurora, who was the first to spot her, upon seeing her mistress’s face, her spirits plummeted. But she smiled warmly, avoiding showing her sorrow, giving her mistress a message that everything would be fine. Sandra, behind her, also wore the same smile. Yet, her eyes said the opposite.
Grief and pain manifested in them.
“Your Majesty, good morning. Your bath will be ready in just a few minutes,” Aurora said, her voice full of encouragement. “Yes, my queen, today will be a beautiful day. The sun is shining high above, and the birds have not stopped singing.”
The Queen’s mouth lifted slightly at the encouragement with which her servants tried to get her through. Amberjill turned to the window and realized that the day was indeed beautiful. But her heart was in darkness. The clouds of sadness and betrayal obscured whatever light this day brought.
The queen, not forgetting her training, forced a smile and replied, “It is indeed a beautiful day today. But we also have a lot of work to do. You two are the only ones I can count on, and I can’t trust anyone else.”
Amberjill returned her gaze to her loyal servants and sighed. “I have to contact my father. By now, I’m sure he’s figured it all out. And the worst of the matter is that he will be outraged. No, not just outraged. Furious. That is why I urgently need to send him a message. I have to calm him down, and reassure him that everything is okay.”
“Your majesty, we are your faithful servants. For you, we could do anything. Our life is yours,” Sandra said. “Yes, your Majesty, you can trust us. We will never let you down. Our lives are in your hands.” Aurora, without hesitation, declares her loyalty to her queen and their kingdom. Amberjill, upon hearing those words, her eyes filled with tears. There was no doubt the people of Ruana’s kingdom were her real people.
“Very well, my beloved servants. The first thing I will do is write a letter to my father. But one of you will have to deliver it in person. I don’t trust anyone else.” Aurora put down the water containers she was carrying and took a step forward. “I’ll go, my queen. I know the way there and back very well. Without a doubt, I will be here tomorrow afternoon. But if you send Sandra, I’m not quite sure when she’ll be back. Or, I doubt she even made it to Ruana. Therefore, there is no one better than me for this job. I know the forest, and I know its dangers. There are many thieves and wild animals. That does not worry me, since all my life I had lived there until you found me and took me with you. I know how to take care of myself.”
“Hey! Who said that I would get lost? I also know how to take care of myself.” Sandra exclaimed indignantly. The queen, smiling, shook her head. “It is already decided. Aurora, as soon as I give you the letter, you must be on your way immediately. I am certain that my father already has news of what happened, and he will not take long to express his discontent. I’m afraid of what he might do. It is better to hurry and avoid a bigger problem.” The queen’s faithful servants smiled and nodded their heads.
The three of them immediately went to work. Aurora and Sandra prepared Her Majesty’s bath, while she wrote the letter that Aurora would have to take to her father.
Seeing the words that she was writing, she immediately stopped. The humiliation and the pain of what she was about to deliver to her father took her breath away. Not only her heart was suffering, but her dignity. This insult was not only against her, but the kingdom of Ruana was being humiliated as well. If she didn’t act immediately, a terrible and devastating war was at their doorstep. Amberjill forced herself to finish the letter, despite how painful it was. Once finished, she folded it and put it in an envelope. Then, from her drawer, Amberjill took out the royal seal of Mahala. This seal was designed for the Queen exclusively when she married King Alcott.
Her father would know immediately that the letter came from her, and it would obviously be delivered from Aurora’s hands. Amberjill ran her hand over the envelope and smiled slightly. “What is my father doing now?” “Knowing the king, my queen, he will prepare his armor, and royal horse to lead his army in the direction of Mahala.” Amberjill gasped in surprise as she realized Sandra’s words.
“Aurora, leave immediately. This letter has to reach the hands of the king.” The queen got up from her chair, and with the letter in her hand, she addressed her servant. “Trust no one and give it only to my father. Did you understand correctly, Aurora? Only to my father.”
“Yes, your majesty. I will hand it over to the king, only.” Queen Amberjill gave her the letter and said, “Depart at once, my brave servant. It is in your hands to prevent a catastrophe.” Aurora, saying nothing else, took the envelope and left the queen’s room, and the castle, rushing.
From a distance, a pair of eyes followed Aurora’s movements, with no one noticing, but one. “The king was on the right,” the mysterious figure said from a window in one of the castle’s towers.
The king closed his eyes, squeezing them tight. He was tired, and last night was exhausting, physically and mentally. With all his willpower, the king sat up and left the bed, where he joined his new bride. Naked, he walked to the window and observed the beauty of the sunrise, but his mind did not share the same sentiment.
A heavy rock oppressed his heart, clouding his thoughts. The king sighed and bowed his head. In his many encounters with death, and after having conquered entire cities, the king had not been as afraid as he is today. The fear of what his beloved queen might tell him, or do, was killing him. Alcott, steeling himself, went searching for his clothes, which were scattered all over the place. After dressing to the best of his ability without the help of his servants, he headed for the door. But before leaving, he took one last look at the beautiful woman who was on the bed without moving.
Helplessly, he recalled the intense battle that lasted all night. This woman is a wild animal in bed. Alcott’s hand went to his other arm, then to his neck. The marks of passion were not only visible, but felt. The king thought that if he continued at this pace, his queen would never receive him in her bed again. This horrible revelation made his legs shake.
Closing his mind to this possibility, the king opened the door and practically ran out. The corridor was empty, save for two of his most loyal royal guards. Alcott didn’t bother to say anything but continued on his way until he reached his royal chambers, where his queen was waiting for him. He stopped in front of the door, head down. His fists were unclenching and clenching. The distraught guards could hear fingers snapping. The king did not dare to raise his hand to open the door. His limbs simply did not respond to him.
“Your majesty, your majesty.” And as if coming out of a trance, Alcott faced the guard who dared to interrupt his thoughts. “What?” he replied in a nasty tone. The guard, seeing the angry look of the king, thought once more. But hesitating in his right judgment, he continued, “Your Majesty, forgive my intrusion, but the queen is not in the royal room.”
“WHAT?” Alcott, incredulous and surprised, snapped back.
“The queen, last night......” But Alcott didn’t let him finish, as the strength he had lost in his arms a few moments ago returned in abundance. The door practically flew off, and within seconds, King Alcott was inside. “Amberjill,” the king yelled, frantically searching everywhere for his queen. Not finding her, he turned his wild gaze on his guards. They, seeing their king like this, trembled. Alcott took long, menacing strides toward them. The guard who had dared to speak a few minutes ago was his target.
Gripping him by the shoulders, the king demanded, “Where is my queen?” The king’s face was inches from the guard’s, intimidating him more than necessary.
“Your, your ma-j-jesty. The queen thought it would be better to give you space. She decided that another room for her would be the best option.” Hearing that, the king looked back into the room. In his fervor to see his queen, he didn’t notice that the room was half empty. The queen’s objects that shared the space with his were gone. His heart is getting smaller, making his chest ache. Somewhat calmed down, the king said, “Where is the queen?”
“Our queen is in the last room of this corridor.” The other guard responded promptly. Alcott released the unfortunate guard’s shoulders and nodded his head. The king started to walk towards his queen’s room when a voice stopped him. “Your Majesty, I don’t think the queen will receive your image well under these conditions. The humble opinion of your servant is that you clean yourself first, and change your clothes.” The king, recognizing that voice, faced his spy, Shadow. After hearing the truth in his words, he nodded his head and entered his quarters.
“Prepare the royal bath. Immediately.” Shadow ordered. The guards, rushing, left to fulfill their obligation.
Shadow entered the royal room and saw the king watching through the window without moving. He sighed and moved closer to him. “We need to talk. Your prediction turned out to be true. An envoy from the queen left for the kingdom of Ruana. She left the castle today, very early in the morning.”
“Yes, just as I thought it would happen.” The king answered without turning around. “And if what I also thought about the queen is true, then….” Alcott couldn’t finish his sentence, as a lump in his throat prevented him from speaking.
“Don’t get too far ahead, Your Majesty. You have to give the queen some credit. She could give her life for you. I’m sure her love will be bigger than this situation. Remember one fundamental thing about the king. You are allowed to have more than one wife. The kingdom of Ruana will not give you trouble. There are no grounds on which they justify an attack or the termination of political and commercial relations.”
The king smiled slightly, “you are very optimistic, Shadow, but I’m not concerned with what the king of Ruana does or doesn’t do. It’s my queen I’m worried about.” Alcott closed his eyes, remembering the day he had asked for Amberjill’s hand in marriage. “You are the most beautiful flower my eyes have ever seen. If you marry me, my body and heart will only belong to you. You will be the first, and the only, one.”