The Queen Mother picks up one of my necklaces and looks at it closely before her gaze shifts to me.
“My condolences,” She starts, the words she says don’t match with her eyes. “Poor dear is probably traumatised, although you don’t look like it, more like you are… glad.” Her gaze shifts away from me when she starts to study my chambers.
“You remind me of my younger self, when I was engaged my fiance also ‘accidentally’ died from a horse attack.” She states while she is still wandering around the room. “I don't know you personally, I know what you are capable of and that you are a young woman who hates formalities.”
“I used to be just like that, but then I got involved with the Royals and the dirty games they play, are you sure you’re ready for that?” She spoke and turned towards me.
“I don’t think I understand what you mean.”
“You seem like a lovely girl, but your appearance at this court stirred a lot in these past few weeks.” Her tone changed and she looked at me directly, like a tiger staring at its meal. “Listen carefully my child, I am going to give you two options. One, leave.” She went straight to the point with that one. “Leave, don’t return and you cut all the contact between us, the royals.” “Or two, stay.” What? “You will stay, follow your heart and take the position of the King’s mistress.”
“Excuse me?” I stammered. What is going on here? Does she want me to be with Isaac?
She scoffs before she answers “Everyone knows what's going on between you two. I know my son, and I have never ever seen him fixated on a woman. He has romantic feelings towards you Victoria. Everyone sees it in his eyes. And your fiance has passed, you are free to go to any man you want and I know that that is Isaac.” I sigh at her statement and look at her walking towards the door.
“Think carefully, I will be on your side, Charlotte has never been a good Queen and she never will be so that is why I am trusting you to make the right decision, but if you believe you can’t handle this then don’t.” I nodded at her words.
“Everyone craves a love that drowns oceans, but yours could drown kingdoms.” And with those words spoken from her lips she left me standing in the middle of my room staring at the oak doors, thinking about everything.
The words ran through my head forever.I don’t know if I can believe her and I honestly don’t know what to choose. When she gave me the options I first thought that I would leave and forget this part of my life, do what my brother wants and what is best for this Kingdom. Now I start doubting, yes it is better for everyone that I leave, but for the first time in my life I want to act selfish, do what my heart desires and not what my mind knows is good for me. Mistress is a horrible title and two days ago I fled back here because I couldn’t bear the thought of being called like that and now- I don’t know.
Isaac and I are from different worlds, as Hortensia mentioned, I hate formalities, while Isaac is exactly that. I hate being controlled but living side by side with Isaac will control me more than anything. But I do have feelings towards him and even though we barely talked and went straight to scandal, I do love his passion for his work, for the feelings he has towards his folks and everything he would risk for them. But if my partner would be the King I would always be second, first the country than family.
Honestly I don’t know it anymore, I need wine and a lot of it.
[]
Miraculously black suited me more than I expected. I wore a black dress which was embroidered with golden thread, it was truly beautiful. Wherever the maids got this dress from it sure was expensive. My hair is full of black pins and my braid reaches my hips as I walk towards the throne room where people are dancing around. Everyone feels so full of themselves, as women throw themselves on men and men drink their stomach full of alcohol.
Everything reminds me of the first day that I arrived, where I stood in the corner of the room drinking my wine as I was introduced to the view of Isaac.
I saw my brother while the same woman rested on his lap and whispered something in his ear, he fed her wine and kissed her passionately. Couples who were dancing were standing too close to each other to make it appropriate. There was some kind of show going on where a few people were holding different colours of fabric to create some kind of barrier as people behind the barrier were kissing passionately and almost consummating. There was something erotic in the air as people fed each other, it felt like I stepped into the wrong room, this is a child’s celebration ball and this isn’t, what’s happening?
The thrones are still empty and even her grace, Hortensia, hasn’t still made her appearance. As confused as I am, I didn’t forget about my lack of wine over the past few days. The last time I drank a lot of things happened which had a lot of consequences.
“The King and Queen are arriving soon.”
Everyone stood up and moved away from each other, the music changed, the little show was gone in a matter of seconds and clothing was put back on. Is this what happens before every party? I catch my brother’s eye, he studies me for a while before his attention is retrieved by the brunette who sat seconds before on his lap and fed him grapes. Seems like my brother hasn’t changed at all, now I understand why he never wants me to come early to balls.
“The King of France, Isaac George Valois!” The messenger shouted before guards opened the door and Isaac walked in. His uniform was more formal than usual, his hair had grown a bit longer now that I noticed and he was still as tall as ever.
“The Queen of France, Charlotte Lola Valois!” The messenger shouted again and the Queen walked in. She walked straight towards her throne and sat down. She wore a beautiful blue satin gown with white thread embellishments, she looked stunning, I must admit. Every man probably desired her but she only had eyes for Isaac.
“The special guest, King of Portugal, Verdinand of Maia!” I was curiously looking at the door to see a man around my age walk into the throne room, a sword hung against his hip and just as Isaac he wore a crown and rings to show off his wealth. He walked as all Kings did powerful and I can’t really put my finger on the feeling that ran through me as I locked eyes with him, he winked as he walked closer towards the throne. He’s cheeky.
I wonder what kind of business he does with the King.