"Can someone tell me why I heard the name of my daughter Vanessa?" Alexia demanded, only for Gabriella and Elizabeth to glance at each other shaking their head mischievously.
Totally ignoring Alexia, Gabriella faced Queen Mother Elizabeth and said, "Grandmother, I had been sent on an errand by the king, permit me to go and report to him first before anything else."
"Sure, I will be waiting for you in my chamber. You have a lot to tell me. I've missed to hear your funny adventures, my child." A loving smile graced her face as she parted Gabriella's cheeks.
As Gabriella bowed to Elizabeth and turned to leave, Alexia quickly blocked her way. "I was speaking to you, Gabriella." Her eyes roamed over Gabriella in a disdainful glare.
Gabriella scoffed, fully aware that Alexia respected no one in the palace except the king. Even in the presence of Queen Mother, she could throw insults at anyone. Although Alexia was always polite and respectful in front of the king, Gabriella's watchful eyes and attentive ears knew that behind the curtain, Alexia's sharp lips bashed the king.
Gabriella shifted her gaze to Alexia, cleared her throat and with a cold yet calm voice, she spoke, "Lady Alexia if you heard your daughter's name, it must have been because of her beauty and her intelligence that is been complimented." Gabriella replied sarcastically. The irony in her words was strong enough to make Alexia's eyes gleam with anger.
"If that is so, why do I sniffle in the bad air that comes with this compliment?" Alexia returned the smiling gaze of Gabriella which was at the same time compounded with hatred.
The smile gradually turned to a glare but this glare was not strong enough to make Gabriella flinch or to stop tormenting Alexia with words.
"Why won't you sniffle in bad air? After all, you're the rotten egg standing here within us." She smiled and added. "If you can permit me now, I must report to the King now. Later, if you wish, you can come and settle the matter with me."
Now this statement provoked Alexia's spirit. Her blood was boiling but she remained calm. As Gabriella took another step to leave, she again blocked her way. "Tsk, Gabriella. Every day I find it hard to take the insult I get from you. But I tell you, the day you'll pay for it is coming soon."
Unable to conjure her anger anymore, Gabriella blurted, "If you don't want this insult, you can simply denounce your stay here as a mistress."
"Gabriella!" Alexia got choked by her anger.
"I hope the words didn't hurt so much, right?" Gabriella smiled sarcastically. She knew that there was only one way to wriggle Alexia's heart and that was to boldly announce her position as a mistress in the castle.
"How dare you speak to me in such a manner?!" Alexia raised her hands to hit Gabriella.
"Go on, try to hit me!" Gabriella retorted, aiming for Alexia's hand in the air which retracted back by the voice of Queen Mother.
"That's enough! Have both of you forgotten that I'm still here? Have you lost your mind?!" The voice of Queen Mother jolted the ladies. But Alexia was quick to get herself back without flinching again.
Gabriella turned to Queen Mother while realizing her mistake. "I'm sorry Queen Mother, I didn't mean to use these words in front of you."
Elizabeth faced Alexia, expecting to hear an apology from her. But instead of Alexia apologizing, she rolled her eyes in horror and said, "Mark my words, Gabriella, I will not stop until I have brought you down."
Gabriella's eyes narrowed, staring sharply at Alexia. She was about to retort but was distracted by gallant footsteps that walked on the marble floor of the corridor, which warranted their necks to turn and they were surprised to see King Tristan Gibon.
"Good day, Father." Gabriella bowed and greeted the king.
"Good day, your Majesty," Alexia bowed putting back her best attitude.
"Son, you need to speak to these two ladies. I don't know what has gotten into their heads," Elizabeth cautioned.
"Can someone explain to me why I can't stay peacefully in this castle anymore?" The King's audacious voice echoed in the hallway.
"Your Majesty, you sent your daughter on an errand only for her to return and be a nuisance here?" Alexia was the first to speak.
"No, Father, that is wrong. Lady Alexia here started it all." Gabriella defended.
"That's not true, your Majesty. I heard Gabriella talking about my daughter and I only demanded to know what she talked about without any ill intentions, only for her to pick an offence with my question. I couldn't take it anymore when she began to insult and curse me and my daughter. That's why I got angry. I'm sincerely sorry for provoking you, Your Majesty. I should have kept my anger at bay."
"Gabriella, why did you insult and curse on her?" The king demanded.
"Father, I never laid any curse on her. I had done my best to control myself but she had pushed me to the wall. Forgive me, Father, I will never let this repeat itself."
"You two should learn to control yourselves! If this repeats itself, I will not accept any apology. I'm I understood." His voice became fierce.
"Yes, your Majesty."
"Yes, Father." Gabriella's bow deepened while Alexia's eyes narrowed at her, her hands clenching so hard on her dress.
"I want to see you in my chamber right now, Gabriella."
"Yes, Father." Gabriella bowed and followed the King behind.
Entering the King's chamber, the air was rich with the scent of candles, bathing the room in a warm, flickering light. The walls were painted in gold, and the ceiling was decorated with intricate frescoes.
Against one wall stood a heavy oak wardrobe, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and gleaming with gold filigree.
The massive oak chair, was supported by four sturdy legs carved in the shape of a horn and at the headrest was the carving of a dragon's head. Around this chair were silver candlesticks and overflowing bowls of pomegranates and grapes which helped adorn the King's seat.
The floor was so highly polished that it reflected the flickering candlelight and the steady movement of the maids attending to the king's every need.
Gabriella saw her mother the Queen come out from the inner room. Immediately she bowed before her. "Good day, Mother."
"Welcome back, Gabriella. I can see you have the report from the priest."
"Yes, mother."
"That's good, I can't wait to hear the good news. "
"Thank you, Mother," Gabriella answered and gently raised her head.
Queen Catalina nodded, and turned to the king, saying, "Your Majesty," She bowed towards the king who waited for him to take his seat before she sat down at the right-hand side beside him.
The moment was interrupted by the voice of a woman and when she turned to see who it was, Alexia stood there with her head bowed. "Your Majesty, for the love of the kingdom, my daughter and I also want to know what the priest had said concerning the forthcoming event."
"I will also want to hear the good news from the priest." Another voice came and this time, it was Queen Mother, tapping her walking stick steadily on the floor as she walked towards the door.
"Son, if you will permit, good news is supposed to be shared among those who would love to hear and appreciate it." Elizabeth further spoke while waiting for the King's permission.
With a wave of his hand, the King permitted the Queen's mother and Alexia to walk in.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Alexia's face beamed with a smile as she walked in and took her seat on the left-hand side of the King while Elizabeth took her position facing directly to the king.
"You can proceed, Gabriella." The king commanded.
"Yes, your Majesty." Gabriella brought out a scroll and knelt on one kneel while stretching her hands to enable her to have a clear view of the writing.
She began, "To King Tristan Gibon, the great Alpha and king of Horndragon,"