Another set of rugs were under her bed which she placed on the floor.
Marlena had never engaged in strenuous work and she complained while she carried out this task. She even had to burn the princess's fruits in her fireplace by herself.
"ANNA!".
She had told Anna to go get some cheese for her, knowing that she had to leave the palace to get it. She knew they were out of cheese in the kitchen and were only going to restock tomorrow morning.
Anna was just coming back when she heard the queen's call, she hurried into the room. [So much smoke], "My Queen"
"Why are you just coming? Clear up this place. The Princess didn't honor my invitation. I guess her dislike for me will be eternal", she feigned sadness.
[Strange], Anna thought, [The queen sad about this? Things must be changing around here]
"Don't worry, your majesty. She will come around"
"Just carry the plates out and leave me be. I need to rest tonight. I think it is that time of the night"
[My queen is chatty tonight. I hope she is okay], Anna thought and even prayed that it should be pregnancy making her weird. [That would be one good news]
Anna carried the plates and left the queen's room.
"Has she gone?"
Queen Marlena had been lying on her bed with her back to Anna. When she heard the door close, Marlena waited for some hours, picked up the dark cloak and the box.
En route the covenstead.
* * *
"I am here"
"I smell blood and fertility", the witch said.
"What do you mean by 'fertility'?
"What you carry would have birthed seven children"
Marlena wondered how the witch knew that and she cussed at the fact that she had forgotten to bring her handkerchief to protect her lungs from the smell.
The witch took the box from her, set it down, and opened it.
She brought out the womb, set it on a wooden board, and walked deeper into the covenstead. When she came out again, she held a dagger that looked so dirty like it hadn't been washed in years.
'INCANTATIONS'
'CHOP CHOP'... she chopped and chopped.
Putting the diced organ into the small cauldron that was on a set of firewood, burning by the side, she stirred the contents.
More incantations filled the place.
"Cut a handful of your pubic hairs", she stretched out her ragged hand as if to receive it already.
"What?!". Marlena had heard but she didn't want to believe her ears.
The witch said nothing, not withdrawing her outstretched arm.
Just then, Marlena lifted up her cloak and dress and pulled, "ARGH... OUCH!"
Then the desperate queen gave the witch the hairs that were in her hands, praying that it would be enough for the ritual. Marlena wiped the tears that had come out freely from her eyes. [Why must I go through so much pain?], she thought.
Sieving the liquid out, the witch handed her a jar she had filled with the brewed potion. "Drink this... every night. Starting from this night. Make sure you lay with the King before the sun is up"
"I should drink this?"
"You ask too many questions. Do not make any mistake otherwise, you will have yourself to blame"
"I will not make any mistakes"
"It should finish in three days, and you should have conceived by then... only if you do it right"
"You mean that?"
Marlena was so happy that she had the urge to hug the witch, but she quickly arranged her emotions and said, "Thank you". She turned, put her hood back on, and left the place.
* * *
Getting to her room, she dumped the cloak in her fireplace and took a gulp of the awful liquid.
She brushed her hair, changed her clothes, and sprayed the perfume that she knew the king liked the most. Marlena hoped that blood didn't leave its smell on her. She was paranoid that people would look at her and see what she had done on her face.
With purpose and hope, she left her room with a velvety burgundy robe and black silk negligee underneath.
"I have to calm down"... she took several deep breaths in a bid to steady her nerves and her trembling hands. "The King will have to do a good job tonight"
Marlena didn't have to knock on the door to his bed chambers as the guards outside gave her space, seeing her outfit.
"King Tymon"... she slurred.
King Tymon was just thinking about her and it looked as if she was psychic, coming to his room dressed like that.
"Come lie beside me, My Marlena"
As she did that, he grabbed her with so much passion, it even surprised her. "I see you are ready for me tonight, Tymon"
"Yes. You were everywhere on my mind", he slammed his lips on hers and kissed her passionately.
What she wanted was exactly what was happening. Marlena couldn't be happier. [This time around, I will not leave empty], she thought.
He groaned and fell to his side of the bed.
[Too perfect, I got what I came for...], Marlena thought. Still, her mind was full of guilt as she hoped he wouldn't ask for the whereabouts of Karina, or see how unsettled she was.
[I hope Frodo did a good job with disposing of the body. If it comes back to me, I will kill him too], Marlena thought. "Calm down, Marlena", she whispered to herself, then immediately held her mouth. She had forgotten for a second that she was in Tymon's room.
[What if people begin to ask questions? Who had the princess told about the meeting between us?]... [Why am I even disturbed? I will hold my son soon, that is payment enough for what I did]
The sound of him snoring brought Marlena out of her pondering. She arranged her nightdress, picked up her robe that had fallen to the ground, and walked out of the room.
* * *
"THE PRINCESS!!", Aneta shouted... running up and down the hallway.
Amidst all the ruckus going on in the princess' part of the palace, Queen Marlena was vomiting in her room, with Anna holding her hair back for her.