"You're not going, are you?"
"Aye, I was. Unless…" she trailed off, the implication clear in her voice.
His grin widened, "'Tis tempting, darling, but I have a few questions first."
She stepped closer, the top of her head almost fitting cleanly under his chin, "You know you need only ask."
"Who was that boy stand next to the princess?" His eyes glittered with malice.
"That child? Didya not hear of it?" Her eyes widened with shocked realization. "Ah, it's no wonder then! That means his majesty knows nothing of it either."
"What do you mean, darling? Does he have something to do with the princess then?"
"To be sure, he has. That boy is the princess' son and his majesty's grandson. I'm bettin' the king doesn't know of him, aye?"
"You'd be winning that bet, sure." He smiled, his eyes glowing with all the delight his discovery gave him. He knew just the thing to say to lead the King to the worst of decisions. He looked down at the expectant face and gave her the kiss she was waiting for. Her hands clasped around his neck, as his tongue explored her mouth. She moaned in delight as he pressed nearer.
When she came away breathless, he whispered, "We'll have to continue this later. I have things I need to attend to before dinner."
She took a ragged breath and nodded, her hands sliding down his back as his arms reflexively tightened embrace. He stepped back, breaking her embrace, but he tipped her chin up to look at him.
"You will come to me later, aye?" When she nodded again, he kissed her lightly, turned on his heel, and marched with purpose down the hall. Maybe he could find out few more tidbits before dinner that could be used to his purpose.
As dinner approached, Friedrich had not learned anything new, but he had reinforced and rebuilt his former relationships with the staff as he would need their help if his plans were to succeed. He sauntered down the hall on his way to the great hall where the "intimate," family dinner would be served. He smiled at the thought of the spectacle that would doubtlessly take place this evening. It would be glorious, and he completely intended to capitalize on it.
He arrived early and took a seat in the middle of the table, not too close to the king but not so far away that he would have no influence over the flow of the conversation. Friedrich knew that if he demonstrated a patina of humility, the monarch would believe that the nature of his court magician had changed for the better. Friedrich smirked at the thought. He knew that the king was still very hesitant to trust him, so he would need to make sure that he played his part well if he wished to adequately re-ingratiate himself.
Cordelia led her son into the dining room, timidly glancing around the room, hoping that she was the first to arrive, but she soon discovered that the former chief magician had beat her to the table. She froze, feeling the pressure of his malicious gaze, but she summoned her courage, lifted her chin, and marched into the dining room. She strode to the head of the table that her father usually occupied and pulled out a chair for her son. John was gazing at her with an odd expression as if he couldn't quite figure out what was the matter with his mother.
"Have you something to say?" Cordelia asked coldly, refusing to look in the magician's direction.
Friedrich smirked and began in mock surprise, "Why my lady, your father never mentioned that you had married. I do believe that I owe you congratulations. Only, I'm curious, where is your esteemed husband?"
Cordelia's spine stiffened, but she did not dignify the man with even a throw away glance. "By now, I'm sure you're aware that I have not married."
"Oh, indeed?" Friedrich nearly chortled in glee, "I must say that is surprising, but surely your father is aware and has bestowed his forgiveness upon you."
Cordelia closed her and tried to steady her roiling emotion. It felt as though the room was collapsing upon her, and she resisted the urge to look at the odious man in the room with her.
The three sat in a painfully awkward silence for many moments, and Friedrich, feeling the euphoria of drawing closer to his aim, push himself to his feet, and closed the distance between them.
Cordelia turned her face away from him, but he invaded her space, whispering, "I am going to enjoy seeing you humiliated, my lady." He said the perfunctory title with disdain.
When Cordelia refused to respond, he pulled away, chuckling low in his throat. He said nothing more and simply sauntered back the seat he had chosen. Sitting down in his seat slowly, he stared at the princess with open disdain and delighted anticipation until the other esteemed officials that lived on the grounds began filing into the dining room.
When King Wilhelm finally arrived for dinner, he took his seat at the head with nary a second thought. He nodded to the waiting servants, indicating that it was time to serve their meal as he was turning to Cordelia, he saw the bot sitting beside her and froze. Shock was the first expression that crossed the King's face. Confusion, incredulity, and anger swiftly followed, and Cordelia steeled herself against the tempest that was about to be unleashed against her.
"Father," Cordelia pushed the word past the lump in her throat.
Fire seemed to leap into his gaze at the reminder of their relationship. His jaw clenched so tightly that Cordelia felt that he would crack his teeth.
Through his tightly clenched teeth, King Wilhelm said, "Cordelia, you will explain yourself."