The walls of the Grimstone Kingdom was built even before the first king ascended the throne.Inside those walls was a thriving community of people; rich and poor, young and old,weak and strong.The King,Mandrake III, was a young and handsome man who took over the reins of the kingdom when he was of age. His father had died in battle against their age long enemies, the kingdom of Brookshire; and his mother already down with an ailment, died shortly after receiving the news of her husband's death.
The young heir was then raised by his father's sister, Lady Juniper and on the eve of his eighteenth birthday, he was crowned the king ; a young man at his prime, trained by the most skillful men in all the lands in archery, swordsmanship and mortal combat.As soon as he was crowned king, his aunt,Lady Juniper arranged for his marriage with a fair maiden of one of the noble families, Geraldine.
Geraldine was beautiful but Mandrake's strong heart did not beat for her and so, the queen grew bitter and vengeful towards everyone beneath her, for she saw her husband's rejection as an expression of resentment.
Geraldine loved lounging in the gardens of the massive castle ;and there,her maids tended to her and fulfilled her every whim. Lifting her glass high ,Geraldine called out " My apple cider is nearly exhausted, I want a refill !"
Jumping into her action,Luna , her chief maid poured more cider into her mistress' flute from the jug she held. The other maids were Tiana and Greta, who stood quietly ready in case their mistress needed anything.
A fiery spirit indeed,Greta was sold to the royal family to pay off a debt her father owed to the former king.Brought in when she was just ten years old,she had grown up in the castle alongside Mandrake although they never crossed paths; she was eventually under the tutelage of Luna's mother, the late queen's most trusted servant,Ana, the old woman treated her kindly until her death. Drawn together by a mutual loss of a lovin' elderly figure, Luna and Greta became best friends.They were both polar opposites but were inseparable; Luna was a fair blond with a calm demeanor and soft spoken nature while Greta,was a long red haired fair maiden with a fiery temperament and outspoken behavior.
Suddenly getting up from her seat in the garden;Queen Geraldine said briskly "It's getting sunny out here and I wouldn't want to ruin my delightful skin by staying in the scorching heat!"
"Of Course,Your Majesty "the maids concurred.
Looking at each of them arrogantly ,her gaze settled on Greta and long red hair that fell far from her dress and was held back by a single head tie,saying "And you Greta.....your hair is a bit too long ,find a way to get it all bundled up or get it cut by the castle hairdresser soon "
"Of...course,Your Majesty "Greta responded with as much meekness she could muster.
With a scoff,Queen Geraldine led the way back into the palace with the maids in hot pursuit. As soon as she was in her quarters, Lady Juniper who had been waiting for her in her room called out richly "Fair Queen Geraldine!I seek your company "
Beaming brightly at the king's aunt,Geraldine replied " I would never refuse your company Lady Juniper!I am rather excited to see you "
The maids stood outside the open doors of the queen's quarters while Queen Geraldine settled down on her bed,with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she asked "Now what would you have me do,Your Grace?"
Lady Juniper's lips curled into an evil smirk,since Queen Geraldine was brought in as the King's wife she had been receiving orders from Lady Juniper who was more like a mentor to her. The Queen was her eyes and ears around the castle and in council meetings, she would give suggestions and council the king based on her instruction.Lady Juniper was always wearing a black bodied ball gown with her lips in the darkest shade of black lipstick and eyes green with evil.
"There's a council meeting with the King,the day after tomorrow,I think they're going to be discussing plans of expanding our trade of oil across these lands; I want you to convince the King to put me and Jethro in charge of the trade" Lady Juniper said, eyes twinkling.
"But Your Grace, isn't that trade already in Lord Hanford's control?You know as well as I do that he won't go down without a fight and he...."
"Hanford has held the trade for too long!I and Jethro deserve a piece of this power pie and Hanford either relinquish his position or he will go DOWN!" Lady Juniper roared.
Jethro was Lady Juniper's son from her failed marriage with Lord Hanford , a rich noble who controlled the trade of oil which is a major source of revenue to the kingdom. The noble had divorced Lady Juniper after he discovered the princess' infidelity and vile ways.
"Of course, Your Grace "Queen Geraldine squirmed.
Outside the maids gasped but held their peace;as soon as they were appointed Geraldine's personal attendants, they were sworn to an oath of secrecy by the queen herself as she knew she would never want her nefarious deeds exposed.
"Do as I say Geraldine or I will remind you the reason you are here today is because I brought you for the King; so you must do my bidding or face the consequences " Lady Juniper warned as she left the room with ill grace.