Matilda was angry and restless, "I know my son, I just feel he's unnecessarily interested in that idiot. She must leave this castle with her mother!".
Gwen was kneeling beside her trying to calm her lady down, "My lady, don't forget you are the king's mother and apart from that, your influence and power is unmatchable among the women in this kingdom. Nothing will happen that you don't like".
Matilda felt like crying and throwing tantrums but she had to maintain her composure in front of her hand maid, Gwen, "But things are already getting out of my control! I need to play a major card that will bring Tyler back under my grasp".
"Why don't you get a woman for him", Gwen suggested.
Matilda looked lost in thought before she finally smirked. She had thought of something, "Gwen, you have to keep an eye on that lowly new kitchen servant. You should always stay around the guest palace. I wonder why Tyler hasn't moved her to the servant quarters but nevermind. Just do as I say and make sure you report every of her movements to me and I'll take care of the rest".
Gwen looked shocked and confused, "I do not dare question you my lady but if I'm there all the time who would take care of you?"
"Just do as I say and then call Yvonne for me", Matilda said.
Gwen frowned but she still bowed reluctantly, she wasn't happy that Matilda was going to replace her.
"I don't know what you're thinking but I am not replacing you, idiot. You're just the only one I trust for this job and you'll have to hurry up and find something except you want to keep watching her. When you find something interesting, you'll return to my palace", Matilda said with an evil grin and then she stood up. She had to start the next move immediately. She immediately went to meet Tyler in his court room.
She entered gracefully and as she entered, everyone bowed except Tyler.
"Is anything wrong?", He asked knowing fully well that his mother had come to give him another head ache.
"Nothing, I would like to request that this meeting end as I'd want to have a word with you and it's urgent", Matilda said confidently but silently hoping her son wouldn't embarrass her. Honestly, she didn't know what was wrong with her son!.
"Ok", Tyler replied calmly and ordered them to all leave except Thomas. Matilda frowned and turned to Thomas.
"Tyler, the matter is between us", she asked while eyeing Thomas.
"Rest assured, Thomas is my loyal servant", Tyler replied calmly but deep down he was laughing, enjoying the sight of his mother like that. He was purposely driving her to the edge.
Matilda was trying to keep herself from exploding out of anger so deeply inhaled to calm herself down.
"Ok, you promised me you'll meet Duke Gregory's daughter, you have to meet her tomorrow. Duke Gregory's holding a soiree tomorrow", Matilda said calmly though she was raging inside.
Tyler pretended to think about it for a while, he was wondering the kind of deal his mother made with him. "Ok".
Matilda was careful not to show any triumphant expression rather she remained indifferent. She wanted her son to be scared and curious as to what she was thinking. "I'll also want to speak to the wives of your late father in the castle".
Tyler's expression turned from shock to surprise to worry and then he chuckled. Matilda didn't care about him chuckling, she remained indifferent but then inwardly smiled after seeing Tyler's expression when she said it. Since he became king, she had never seen him loosing composure after hearing someone speak.
"Why? if I may ask", Tyler asked.
Thomas was shocked too but as usual his face remained expressionless.
"As the mother of the present king, I have the right to address the former harem of my husband and I'd like to have a permission the have meeting", Matilda said.
"Ok, but in the guest great Hall", Tyler said, "it's just that this is a very risky decision for your safety"
"That's also one of the reasons I came to meet you. I Know you'll take care of it", Matilda said with authority and walked out without saying bye or bowing. Tyler just stared at her back with disbelief.
"Do you want me to spy on her?", Thomas suggested.
"No, I'm sure that's what she's expecting and I'm not planning to give her what she's expecting. Surprised are better".
*. *. *.
The next day, Janielle woke up too early but then she was so prepared when her mother came to escort her to the carriage. Gwen saw that Janielle was dressed like she wanted to leave the castle and she quickly ran to tell Matilda.
While Janielle was about entering the carriage, she heard Matilda's voice.
"Stop right there!"
Janielle and Pauline froze. How did she find out?! They made sure they only told the head maid who they were sure they could trust. Pauline wouldn't have to the head maid but they needed help getting a carriage and sneaking out. Did she betray them?!
Matilda gracefully walked up to them with long strides.
"And where do you think you're going? Or... Are you spies?", Matilda asked with an amused face, "such effrontery you have".
"Please my lady, leave my daughter, it is all my fault", Pauline begged and fell on her knees immediately.
"Oh please shut up and don't try to play loving mother or super hero. The king must hear about this! Where were you planning to send your daughter to? And don't you dare lie!", Matilda said angrily. She was so happy she finally found a reasonable excuse to send them out of the castle. She knew she could trust Gwen.
"My daughter wanted to go to the Christian gathering", Pauline replied still on her knees and Janielle joined her mom on her knees too.
Matilda was shocked, "Christian gathering? In this kingdom? Impossible!!".