Chapter 15.
Queen Elizabeth was pleased with the news she heard. It was unbelievable but the announcement said it all. Arabella and Alistair were engaged. How did she do it?
The princess had more qualities than she was told. She could even tame a king.
"You have gotten what you want now," Percival smiled, closing the door behind him. He walked to where she was and stood. "What is next?"
The queen was excited so much that she couldn't hide it. She got up and went to her closet. There was a box full of gold coins "here Percival, give to the servants."
He took the box, giving her a surprise look. It was so heavy with gold "I should share it?"
Queen Elizabeth did not want anything to spoil her mood… not even Percival's comments "of course, I hope you have not become deaf?"
"No, my queen," He closed the box and took steps backward.
"Soon, I shall achieve my goal and put those enemies of mine to shame," the queen mother let out a laugh that lasted for three minutes. "Wait, I haven't seen Roland since morning."
"He is mourning, your highness."
"Mourning? In times like this?" The Queen was confused. Why will anyone mourn in this Palace today? They all knew how long it took her to find someone that Alistair would not reject. If there was anyone to be mourning then it's her dear enemy.
"I will get him for you," Percival bowed, moving his left hand to the door. He knocked and it was opened. In less than five minutes, he was outside looking for Roland. The fool was going to explain himself to the queen as to why he carried that long face all day.
Percival did not understand why Roland will fall for a girl that was meant for the king. He organized the Princess' kidnapping with the queen mother yet he still thinks he could marry her.
What a fool he was? He made Arabella feel special on their way to Aerendia because he had interest in her. The girl had nothing for him. She wanted the king. He had everything to offer unlike Roland.
Perhaps, it was the reason she rejected Roland's offer the minute he proposed.
**
Grand queen Esmeralda was going through the report of the month. It was not her duty but she managed to get it from Alistair. Her family were getting 25 percent of the state income, which she hid it from him.
Alistair was too busy to check through and his minister for finance was her nephew. He worked hand in hand with her to ensure that 10 percent out of the 25, goes to her account.
She was not only wicked but selfish. The wedding of her grand niece was coming up. If there was a way she could give her the best wedding ever in Aerendia, she would do it. Maybe it would changed Alistair's way of reasoning.
Grand queen Esmeralda did not understand why he had refused to marry. He was so young and handsome…not just that, he was powerful as well.
He was not gay, that she was sure because the king had girls, sent to his room once in a while.
She flipped through the pages, trying her best to concentrate but it was possible. Her old mind began to roam again.
Those girls who went into the king's room were never seen again. She tried to look for one of them who would stay back and marry him but there was none.
No clue was left. Roland had no idea where they were taken to. As for that lousy mouthed Percival, he never said anything. The guy claimed to be so loyal to the king and it disgusted her.
A knock came on the door and she closed the big book of report in front of her.
"Come in," She invited who ever it was.
The door opened and a young woman walked into the room. With her red head, tied into a pony tailed style, she tried to put a smile on face which faded as soon as it appeared.
The woman was dressed in a pink dress fit for a noble lady. She carried her hand fan in an awkward. Her face was rounded. Her skin pale.
She was the candidate chosen by grand mother Esmeralda to marry the king two years ago. It did not work out well, but there was hope as long as the king remains single.
"Granny," She began to cry all of sudden.
"What is it, my dear?" Grand mother Esmeralda asked with her brows furrowed in confusion. She stood up and invited her to sit on the sofa in the room. "What have happened to you, Rosalind?"
Rosalind wiped her tears and narrowed her eyes "It has happened, granny. The king got engaged."
The old woman rolled her eyes. Love? It was a very stupid feeling that brings out the foolishness in people. The king rejected the offer to marry the Thule girl.
It gave them enough time to come up with a better way for Rosalind to seduce him.
"You are not saying anything about it, granny. You knew all these while?" Rosalind interrupted her thoughts. She was beginning to wonder whose side the old woman picked.
"N-no…," Grand mother Esmeralda stuttered. "The king is still single. He did not get engaged, Angelina confirmed the news last evening."
"Last evening?," Rosalind sighed. That was her problem with old people. They always think that they know everything but the real sense, most of them don't. Like his one sitting next her, she was backwards. "The king got engaged this morning. Roland announced it in the courtyard. You need to see the big smile on the Queen's face when I walked."
Her heart skipped and it was not good for her health. Grand queen felt tightening in her chest. It seemed something was calling for her breath. Her nose became too small to inhale oxygen.
She placed her palm on her chest to see if she could get fresh air but it was impossible.
By the time Rosalind realized what was happening, it was too late. The old woman was on the floor. Too confused on what to do, she called the maids to come in.
A guard was sent to inform the king and queen mother. As for the old woman, she was locked behind closed doors with the physicians.