I rolled on the bed and let out a loud yawn. Getting up, I walked to the window and opened the curtains, revealing the early morning sunshine that shone directly on my face. I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh morning air filled with various scents.
"That's definitely the smell of lemon flowers. I think it's nearby," I muttered.
"It must be coming from me. That's what I added to my bathwater this morning, my queen," a voice came from my left ear. I snapped my eyes open to see Natasha's wide smile. I wondered if she was in a good mood today.
"Oh, I see. How long have you been here?"
"Not long. Good morning, my queen," Natasha greeted with her head bowed. I was starting to get suspicious of her.
"Is there som...." As I started to speak, she quickly raised her head, blinked rapidly, and gave a light cough, whispering, "Maintain a good composure."
"Aren't you going to greet the queen?" She turned away from me, addressing someone behind me. I turned back to see ten maids holding different layers of dresses, accessories, and shoes.
"Good morning, my queen," they all replied in unison, their voices sounding as if they were being forced.
I looked at Natasha, waiting for her to explain what was going on. Natasha faced me with a wide, creepy smile.
"Alpha…,...no, I mean, the king ordered one of the best dresses in the entire nation for you and commanded us to ensure you attend this morning's royal banquet." She delivered the news, and I was surprised because I hadn't heard about a banquet being held today.
A royal banquet wasn't just a small gathering; it was a grand celebration of significant matters, and every important guest would be invited. For there to be a banquet today, it must have been announced a few days ago, yet I was only being informed now. That was really amazing.
"Banquet? But I wasn't informed about that before. Why would he suddenly expect me to get a message today and attend it? Besides, I thought he told me to eat, drink, and just keep breathing. That dumbass never mentioned I had to attend any banquet."
"Leave us," Natasha commanded the other maids. They all turned around and left my chamber, shutting the door behind them.
"You should watch your language in front of others. I might be able to keep quiet, but trust me, nothing good will come if they speak out about how you are insulting the king."
"I never insulted him, just trying to quote what he said to me."
"Yes, I know, and that is exactly what you have to stop doing. He has the right to say some... inappropriate words to you while you have no such right."
"Of course I do. He is the king, and I'm the queen. So why do I have to endure his insults while I can't even say anything behind his back? It's not as if he is here."
"Oh, that's right. He is the king with ultimate power, while you are the queen whom even the maids find it hard to acknowledge," she seethed in anger. I found it hard to respond to her words as she seemed right.
I was just a queen in name, with no power or supporters in this palace since my family had abandoned me. I lowered my gaze, turning back to the window in embarrassment.
"Okay, I understand every point you have made, but I just want us to get dressed immediately because the banquet will soon begin. Have you forgotten that you told me you would do anything to survive this palace?" She reminded me and then turned around to call the maids back in but stopped when she heard what I said.
"I have no plans of attending any banquet to which I'm just now getting an invitation."
"What?"
"Yes, why should I attend it when I wasn't given the respect I deserve?"
"But all the lords and officials will be present. The seven elders of Wraitmoor will also be there, and you are thinking of not going?"
"Don't waste your time. I am not going anywhere."
"But why?" Natasha asked aloud, already feeling frustrated. "If you don't go, I will be the one to answer for your absence. Do you want me to be punished?"
"I don't want you to be punished, but the way it was arranged is an insult to me. The maids he sent didn't even want to greet me, and I was just informed about the banquet today. If I attend, it will be as if I have no dignity, and that is the only thing I have left, which I'm trying hard to keep intact."
"Okay, since that is what you want to do, then it's fine. Who knows, perhaps they will discuss your dethronement at the banquet since Lady Elsa and Lady Laura will be there," Natasha said, and I froze immediately.
Hearing that the two of them would be present meant they might likely talk about my dethronement, and I couldn't afford to lose my position at this time. This was the only thing I had left. I put on a bright smile and turned back to her.
"Actually, what I said was just an excuse. Of course, he is the king and can decide whom to invite and when. What really made me not want to go was because you told me to avoid Laura."
"Yes, I did, but this is a banquet, and you will be seated on the throne next to the king while she will be far away from you. So there is no way both of you can meet."
"Oh, I see. Since you have explained kindly, then I will go."
Natasha called in the maids, and they all entered immediately.