Chapter Nine—Sudden
“Well, certainly not,” Queen Marta stuttered because of James’s sudden presence. “But your queen gave me her word—”
“A promise is a promise but when one family member needs immediate care and attention, he or she deserves all the proper care and attention they need,” James replied, interrupting Queen Marta. He stood beside me and continued, “If your family had this kind of situation, we would humbly understand and move the meeting to another day.”
“In doing so, it shows you and your family don’t value time at all,” she smirked as she opened her fan, trying to cower James with her insensitive remarks.
“On the contrary, we do value time in this kingdom,” James stepped forward with a confident smile. “We value time with the people important to us. Meetings can wait and can happen at any time but when our family is in some kind of emergency, family comes first before anything.”
“Well… your son could’ve taken care of this meeting on his own,” she stuttered, trying to think of a better comeback on what James said. “He should’ve been the one who took the journey to discuss important matters with me. He’s well-capable of taking care of himself.”
“Robert has been taking care of his mother ever since she fell ill. He never left her side even though he hasn’t got enough rest,” James reasoned. “He knows what to value in life and he values time with his mother. You, of all people, should understand that the most. Am I right?”
Queen Marta cleared her throat, looking down to the ground after being embarrassed by the situation. She’s a ruling monarch. She’s a mother and she did mention that she misses the time when her children are by her side. She should’ve understood this situation from the very beginning.
“Well, if you say that this is an emergency, I guess I have to… reconsider. My apologies for being inconsiderate,” she bowed her head as she closed her fan, grasping them tightly.
“There’s no need to apologize, Your Majesty. We understand where your point is coming from,” James nodded.
“But we have to start immediately. I still have a lot to take care of back at home.” She instantly went back to her queen-ly actions after apologizing.
“This way, Your Majesty,” James answered with a smile, leading the way to the accepting room.
♔♔♔
“I came here to discuss the wedding. All the details have yet to be fully talked about,” Queen Marta started as a maid poured tea on her little cup. “The theme, the food to be prepared, the place where it will be held, the dress for the bride, the suit for the groom, outfits for the guests, even the priest that will conduct the ceremony,” she continued, sipping some tea after.
James and I cleared our throats, adjusting ourselves in our chairs as we listened to Queen Marta list everything that needs to be prepared.
“I’m curious to know if there’s still a wedding that will happen because I don’t sense any kind of urgency on your part,” she added. “I understand that the wedding is to be held by the time the young prince has turned twenty-one thousand years of age but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare.”
“Allow me to give our deepest apologies for not putting enough attention on the wedding, Your Majesty,” James said, leaning towards her. “As of the moment, we have a lot in our minds right now. As you can see, my wife’s condition isn’t of the best.”
“Then you should’ve given us the responsibility to plan everything. It wouldn’t have taken this long to discuss every important detail,” she replied, smirking with an eyebrow up.
Her reply didn’t sit right with me. Is she implicating that we’re irresponsible with this matter? As a fellow monarch, she knows we have so much to take care of and had the audacity to insult us in our own kingdom. I don’t want to believe that she traveled all the way from her little throne room just to humiliate us.
“Was that a suggestion or are you insulting my family? I asked, raising an eyebrow as well.
“I beg your pardon, young man?” she turned to me in disbelief. “I don’t think I appreciate that tone of yours.”
“Robert,” James turned to me, stopping me but that little warning of his will not work with me. I will not sit on this chair and watch someone say such words against my family.
I leaned in and put my arms on the table. “As I recall from the marriage negotiations, we agreed that we plan the wedding together, dividing all matters equally,” I started. “Your side suggested that you will handle all the gold needed and we, on our behalf, will take care of the wedding details. It seems to me that you, wanting to do the plans yourself is an insult to my family.”
“An insult?” she put her cup down. “I don’t think that I’ve said anything to offend you or your family, young man.”
“It is an insult, Your Majesty. No matter how hard you try to deny it or say it, it sounded like an insult,” I moved closer, “You see, if you do everything for this wedding, you can brag to all the other kingdoms that you took care of everything while we sat around and did nothing.” I continued, “And everybody will see us in a bad light which will destroy our reputation, something we’re very careful with.”
My answer stunned her. With wide-open eyes, she gently took another sip of tea.
“So, allow me to ask you once more: are you suggesting this idea or are you degrading my family’s name so your kingdom could have all the glory?” I repeated the question as I laid back on my chair.
There was nothing but silence within the room, tension accompanied it in its entry. I don’t speak out during these kinds of meetings but when it comes to my family, it’s a different conversation.
She then took a deep breath, clearing her throat. “It seems your son can already handle certain negotiations himself,” she turned to James. After taking one last sip, she stood up and we did the same. “I guess there’s no reason for me to break the deal on what we agreed on. Your son is very intelligent, very capable. You must be proud,” she smirked at James. “Now, if you gentlemen would excuse me, I have a kingdom to attend to.” We all did our respective bows and she just walked away, keeping her head up high. As soon as she stepped foot out of the room, the door slammed shut.
James turned to me, impressed. “You did well.”
“She sounded like she was insulting us,” I replied as I looked at him. “I never wanted a mother-in-law such as her but since there’s no way of getting out of the marriage, it’s the least I could do. I will never tolerate such behavior.”
“Spoken like a true monarch,” James smiled. “Well, your mother’s waiting. Let’s return to her bedroom.”
We shared a nod and went on our way.
♔♔♔
After I made sure that Mother was taken care of, I decided to send a letter to Princess Lorain about her mother’s abrupt visit. I had a hunch that Queen Marta may tell her children, especially Lorain, of her experience here. She might turn the whole story around, telling her children that we were arrogant monarchs when in reality, she embodied that.
I wrote, To Princess Lorain, I hope you are doing well. It has been a long time since we last communicated. I am sending this letter as a way to clear any misinformation your mother could possibly do once she arrived from our kingdom.
She visited us—absolutely a surprise to us—to discuss matters regarding our marriage and she has acted with a bit of arrogance, which is very disrespectful. She doesn’t care about the fact that my mother is currently ill, which is why we haven’t made plans for our wedding. She insulted us in a manner that she thinks isn’t degrading someone.
I know she’s about to be my in-law, but I do hope you forgive me for standing up for my family. It sounded quite offensive against her, but I won’t let anyone talk down on my family. And that includes you as you’ll soon be a part of our family.
Send me your response as soon as you can.
Prince Robert.
Folding the letter and stamping my seal, I called my page and instructed him to have the dragon messenger send this to the Middle Kingdom as it is very urgent. After he left, I headed straight to the stables and made my way to the bakery. I know that I hurt Laura and I’m not quite sure if she even wants to see me, but I have to try.
♔♔♔
Arriving at the bakery, I peeked through the window to see if Laura was inside. Not being able to see as the glass isn’t that clear, I entered and started to look around but to my dismay, she was nowhere to be found.
I began to look for Grandpa Ben but even he was nowhere in sight. And I am not asking Ronald so it’s best to ask a different person.
I walked over to another worker, “Excuse me, madam?”
She turned around and quickly smiled at me. “Yes, sir? What can I help you with?”
“I was wondering if Grandpa Ben or Laura arrived today,” I said.
“I’m sorry, young man but Grandpa Ben left an hour ago and hasn’t returned yet. I’m not sure what time he’ll return but he’ll be here later,” she answered politely.
“And Laura?” I asked.
“Laura hasn’t arrived yet since this morning. I’m not sure why but it’s either she accompanied Grandpa Ben or she’s ill,” she explained. “Is there anything I can help you with? Perhaps a message that you would want to pass on?”
“Is it okay if you tell them that I visited? Especially to Laura, I would want her to know that I came to see her,” I requested.
“May I know your name, good sir?” she inquired.
“Kindly tell them it’s Robert,” I replied with a smile.
“Thank you, sir. I will tell them once they arrived,” she smiled and returned to the kitchen. I let out a sigh and walked out of the bakery but did one last glance before leaving.
♔♔♔
When I arrived back at the castle, all the maids were running around. I looked at everybody, confused. I tried to ask some of them, but they wouldn’t answer me. I made my way to the master’s bedroom when I saw James looking out the window.
“James?” I called as I approached him.
“Robert,” he turned to me, his hands behind his back. “The gate master said you went out for a quick stroll. Is there something wrong?”
“Why are the maids running around as if they’re all a bunch of bees?” I asked, a few maids running past us.
“Your aunt has demanded some changes within the castle for your mother’s health,” he replied, letting out a sigh.
“Changes? What kind of changes?” I twisted my face slightly to the left, my brows furrowed.
“She has given a long list of demands but to keep it short: she’s turning the castle upside-down,” he answered.
“Did you tell her that she’s not allowed to enter my room?” I raised an eyebrow.
“She’s your aunt. Let her be,” he tried convincing me. “And besides, it is for your mother’s health.”
“James, my room is my place of solitude and once someone enters my room without my permission, it will be deemed as trespassing,” I replied, furious. Without another word, I rushed to my room, hoping that it’s not too late and that she hasn’t entered my room yet.