"It was the devil," Morgana babbled.
"The devil? Catherine asked in disbelief.
"Yes, queen mother. I was passing near the king and queen's bathing chamber and was so curious to see what it looked like since I've never been in there, that was when I saw queen Zara and a man. His back was turned to me, so I didn't know he was the king. I don't know what made me assume it was another man, and I ran and told lady Gwen about it. I'm really sorry queen mother."
Catherine was speechless. Although she didn't believe a word Morgana said, she just kept mum.
Gwen on the other hand was so happy. "I'm glad this lowlife servant didn't expose me. It's a good thing she didn't think queen Catherine could protect her or she would just be fooling herself and digging her own grave."
Morgana saw the smile on Gwen's face and almost scoffed. All high-class people are the same. Gwen had put all the blame on her because she was a servant and would never be able to defend herself.
Although she had wanted to expose Gwen, she decided against it. Yes, queen Catherine's word of assurance was tempting, but she couldn't risk it.
Catherine thought about what to do to the two women. She just didn't want to talk more about the issue because she didn't have proof. But it didn't mean that she was willing to let them go without punishment.
"Lady Gwen, for accusing queen Zara of such a crime, you will have to clean the horse's stable for seven days."
What! Gwen shrieked, her eyes almost bulging out of the socket. A lady of her status, cleaning the stable.
"Queen mother isn't your punishment too harsh, it wasn't my fault, Morgana just confirmed it," Gwen ty to reason.
"I know she did, but I'm letting you off the hook so easily. You should be happy I'm this lenient, or do you want me to take this matter to the council?"
Fear gripped Gwen at the mention of the council. She knew that if Catherine took the matter to the council, she would be in trouble. They would have investigated it and found out about her involvement.
"No queen mother, I'll clean the stable."
"Morgana as from now, you are no longer lady Gwen's servant, but my servant. And for your punishment, you will work at the mine for seven days."
"But queen mother, Morgana is my servant," Gwen complained.
"Not anymore. I'll assign someone else to you. Now leave my presence."
Gwen stormed off angrily. The nerve of that woman. How could she make me clean the stable and also take away my servant?
Gwen was sure that Catherine was still suspicious. "What if she questions her behind my back," Gwen worried.
She couldn't get rid of Morgana because that would make things worse. Catherine will surely know that she was behind it.
"Morgana, you too should leave my presence, you have work to do."
Morgana bows her head in respect before walking out. She was grateful, that she would no longer have to work for Gwen.
...
CARL'S POV
When Gwen accused Zara, I felt rage building up inside me. I didn't expect that from her. I felt the urge to punish her for speaking ill of Zara. Why would she do such a thing?
I paced around in the chamber, and shortly after Zara came in. She stared at me for a while, before trailing towards me.
Why do I feel attracted to her? Even when we were in the bath together, I felt something, that I've never felt. I wanted to be close to her. I wanted to do many dirty things to her.
"King Carl, let's go hunting," she mumbled, smiling sweetly.
My breath hitched, and my heart thundered loud against my chest. What is wrong with me?
"King Carl..." Zara singsonged, and I glared at her, moving away slightly.
"Why would I go hunting with you?"
"So you would get your mind off some things," she answered.
"Then, why would I go with you, a woman, when I could just go with men instead?"
"What's so wrong in going with a woman? Are you trying to say women are weak?" Zara said, frowning.
"I didn't say that Princess."
"But that's clearly what you meant?"
I sighed, not knowing what to say. Lately, this woman has been rendering me speechless.
"You can prove to me that you don't see women as weak, only if you go hunting with me," Zara muttered.
She always knows how to get what she wants. She knew I wouldn't refuse her if she puts it that way.
"Fine Princess, I agree to go hunting with you, but only after, we've bid our guest goodbye."
"Okay King Carl, just make sure you keep your word," Zara said.
Rolling my eyes, I replied. "I'm a man of my word princess."
She nodded. "Why don't we go horse riding for now?" She mumbled, giving me a hopeful look.
I stared at her in disbelief. She just asked if we could go hunting, and now horse riding, what is she up to?
"I'm bored King Carl, please. We don't have to go outside the palace, it will just be within the palace. Please Carl, please."
I didn't have a choice but to agree to her demands. "Okay, princess, let's go."
Zara squealed like a little girl, clasping my hand, and together, we made our way to the stable.
...
Gwen was cleaning the stable when she heard Carl's voice. She twirled in his direction, to see both him and Zara walking toward the stable, holding his hands.
Gwen scowled, clenching her fist, if only her plan was successful, Zara would be out of the way already.
She quickly hid behind a white horse to avoid being seen by Carl. As it is, she was already embarrassed, she didn't want him to see her looking like a servant, because she was dirty and covered in horse dung.
Furthermore, she didn't want her enemy and rival, Zara to see her, or she might just laugh at her.
She crunched down, taking an occasional peek at Carl and Zara. Little did Gwen know that she was hiding behind Fury(Zara's horse).
Fury squealed, excreting on Gwen's head, then raised its legs and kicked her away. The impact of the kick, sent Gwen flying, and she face landed in another horse's dung.
Gwen didn't even know whether to laugh or cry. She looked ridiculous, like a servant, or even worse than a Servant.
Zara ran to her horse, patting its face, while Carl stood beside her watching. She glanced over and saw someone lying on the floor covered in feces.
"Are you alright," she asked, not recognizing Gwen.
Gwen sneered, cursing Zara inwardly, but didn't reply.
"Are you alright?" Zara asked again, looking concerned.
"I'm fine," Gwen replied, in a high-pitched voice.
"My king," Jerald yelled, running toward Carl and Zara.
"Queen Zara's parents said they would like to return to Azrael as soon as possible, to tend to an urgent matter," Jerald announced.
Carl and Zara both turn to each other, before exiting the stable.
...
"Do you think we should tell King Carl and Zara about it?" Queen Lyarra questioned.
"No Lyarra, we can't do that. they have only recently gotten married, it won't be right to bother them with our problem. It's Azrael's problem, we need to solve it ourselves, without Zara or Carl finding out," king Alan reasoned.
"Father, mother," Zara called, walking toward her parent, with Carl trailing along.
"Why do you want to leave all of a sudden," Zara questioned, worriedly.
Carl who was standing beside them also gave them, a questioning look.
"Zara, your mother and I have to go back now, it's not right for us to stay here, leaving Azrael without a ruler and open to treat," king Alan answered.
"But, why so urgent King Alan?" Carl asked.
"My kingsmen in Azrael sent me a message, that there's been a dispute among some of my people, regarding a matter, it's only right I go back and solve it," king Alan lied.
Carl gave him a suspicious look. something is not right, he thought but didn't voice it out. He suspected that there was more to what Zara's dad was let on.
"Okay King Alan, if you insist," Carl muttered.
...
King Alan and queen Lyarra left immediately after saying their goodbyes. Lady Anna had wanted to go with them, but they had refused, saying, it would be best if she stayed back, for the time being, that way queen Catherine and little prince Aiden wouldn't be lonely.
It took days before they finally reached Azrael.
IN AZRAEL
"Your highness, the situation is really bad. Some of the towns near the border, have been destroyed, and about fifty people dead, and twenty injured."
"Yes, your majesty, the constant attack is alarming, and we need to do something about it before it gets out of hand. As it is, the people are already panicking."
King Alan listened to each of his council members as they complained. He was still in Everton when he received the message about the attack.
He had to lie to both Zara and Carl in other to stop them from worrying.
"Do you have any idea, who is behind the attack?" King Alan inquired.
"Your majesty, we think the one behind it, is...