The surprise on Tyler's face lasted for 2 seconds before he chuckled softly.
"And I don't like the way you've been handling things. How could you bring Florence and her son into the castle?", Matilda asked gently while trying to control her anger.
"Is that why you called me?", Tyler asked with a coy smile.
"Yes and don't you dare give me that look. I am your mother!".
"That I know and since you are the king's mother, you have to think wide. Why do you think I brought Florence and her son here, think hard and for the what you said about me not having a wife. Leave it to me", Tyler said and was about to stand up before Matilda dragged him down .
"I'm not done talking", the she reduced her voice,"I'd like you to look at Duke Gregory's daughter, she's ok", then she saw the glare Tyler shot at her, "ok, just take her as a royal consort or a concubine. Please help me just this once".
"You sound so desperate, what's wrong?", Tyler asked, not that he cared.
"I kept you on the throne and it was a joint effort", she said calmly.
Tyler's mouth twitched, he didn't like it when his mother always boasted about putting him on the throne. Matilda noticed it but kept on talking anyways, "Duke Gregory helped greatly and in return, he asked that when his daughter clocks 16, you'll let her in the palace and she's already..."
"Enough", he stopped her calmly but with authority, "I'll help you out, she can stay at the harem but I won't see her tomorrow. I'll be very busy and I have guests, I'd like to ask that you don't get in their way".
Matilda nodded happily, at least he listened to her this time. "But who are these people if I may ask".
"You'll see them tommorow", he said and left. He knew if his mother found out the family he invited to the family, she's get angry at the fact that he was letting other family members enter the castle. Because Duke Denvers was his cousin too.
He quietly walked to his room, his shoes clicking loudly. He passed a few servants who greeted him. He had to admit that he was looking forward to meet this Janielle girl. When he sent Thomas to find out about the girl, he came back with nothing but praised about how hardworking, nice and freindly she was. He wondered how Denvers found the girl, he also heard she was getting suitors from far and near. No wonder Miss Peterson was so in love you with the girl.
*. *. *.
Pauline's health wasn't getting any better. She had sent multiple letters to her daughter, Janielle but she wasn't getting any reply, she then decided to give a surprise visit to the Denvers. She was on her way back from the market with her best friend, Hilda. Hilda agreed to accompany her to the market to get gifts for the Denvers for her visit and they couldn't get a nice carriage back so they decided to trek home since their home was just 3 stone throws from the market.
"Janielle has always been a nice girl and I know she's missing you. I am so sure she has not been getting your letters or she'd have written back", Hilda replied after listening to Pauline's complaint about her not getting letters from them.
"I know, it makes me wonder if she's alright or if I made a mistake by sending her there besides she has to get married soon", Pauline said bitterly, "all her friends here in this village have all gotten married and she hasn't!".
"Don't worry, just don't leave her there when you're coming back. Who knows, she might have found a suitable person for herself and is just waiting to introduce him to you", Hilda tried to tell Pauline assuring words.
Pauline sighed and didn't reply, she just kept on walking. She had too much on her mind. She wondered if Janielle was actually schooling there or if they already turned her to a maid. "I think I'll leave before Dawn tomorrow morning".
*. *. *.
The next day, breakfast was prepared early and after that the Denvers along with Janielle began preparations for the journey to the castle. Zoe and Janielle were so happy. Zoe was happier because she was so confident about the king liking her. Janielle just wanted to be at the castle. To see it.
"Girls, come downstairs, we have to leave early", Kathryn called.
Zoe was getting frustrated, she wasn't that good at makeup and stuff like that but Janielle was a pro at all those stuff but she didn't want to meet her, she felt too big. At the end, her makeup wasn't that good.
When they entered the carriage, Kathryn looked at her daughter's face, " why are you looking like this?" Then she turned to Janielle angrily, "why didn't you help her to the makeup? You just want to look prettier than her in the presence of the king, right?".
"Kathryn", Duke Denvers stopped her from throwing tantrums and then turned to Zoe, "did you meet her to help you?".
"Nonsense, even without Zoe going to meet her, wasn't she supposed to help her and Zoe took her as a sister!", Kathryn continued.
Janielle just bowed down, she was in such haste that she forgot Zoe wasn't really good at makeup.
"Get down from the carriage", Kathryn ordered Janielle. Everyone looked at Kathryn with shock but the shock in Zoe's eyes quickly changed to happiness.
Janielle looked at Duke Denvers for help, "you'll have a chance to go to the palace one day", was all he said.
Janielle tearfully climbed down from the carriage and watched the carriage disappear at a distance before turning back to enter the house. While she entered, she heard the noise of a carriage. She happily went to check the window, hoping they came back to get her. But then she saw her mother coming down from the carriage.