The palace dining room was a very large one; the dining table held a bountiful feast and could comfortably sit thirty people. Although,Mandrake sat at the head of the table and his uncle Lord Darius at the other end,his aunt Lady Juniper and Princess Sierra sat at his left hand side and Jethro and Queen Geraldine sat at his right hand side.
The Queen had not still arrived for breakfast and so the other royals started eating without her;tired of waiting. After a few minutes,Queen Geraldine burst in through the dining room doors loudly looking like a seductress. She was in one of her many blood red handless ball gowns which had a long slit all the way up her right leg ,her red stilettos which mad her even taller,her diamond necklace and earrings and her flawless makeup with included her signature cherry red lipstick.Her luscious black hair was worn up and adorned with pearls and a lovely tiara.
She had even made an outrageous law that no one except her in the kingdom was allowed to wear res lipstick but her,the beautiful Queen Geraldine.
"It's a beautiful morning,isn't it? Lovely birds,beautiful flowers and an absolutely wonderful sunset " Geraldine exclaimed,pecking Mandrake before taking the seat beside Lady Juniper.
"You're late Geraldine,it is inappropriate to keep others waiting at the dining table and that to at breakfast "Mandrake said disapproval written in his features.
"But as lovely as I am , I certainly need more time to get ready, I will not ruin my perfectly flawless appearance on the baselessness of keeping others waiting at the dining table,you started without me,not so?" Geraldine quipped arrogantly.
Before Mandrake could say another word,Lady Juniper interrupted saying " Your Majesty,you are indeed breaking your own rules by talking at the dining table "
Geraldine scoffed and served herself with pork,applesauce and blueberry pie. They all continued eating for about thirty minutes before Lord Darius said,gently "I have an announcement to make.....I am getting married soon"
Lady Juniper almost spluttered her wine;her older brother,Darius was a forty five year old man who had been putting off the issue of marriage for as long as she could remember.The man was extremely handsome; the carbon copy of Mandrake's grandfather with sandy hair and deep black eyes that had her enchanted. She had been an unhealthy relationship with Darius since she left her husband; she had been committing incest with her brother. Darius has tried to back off on the basis of the sheer scandalous nature of it but Lady Juniper held a secret of his; one he was not ready to make known to the world which she used to blackmail him.
"Big congrats Uncle Darius!Wow am I about to be the only bachelor in the family?"Jethro said jokingly.
"That's wonderful Uncle Darius! A heartfelt congratulations!" Princess Sierra exclaimed.
"Thank you...Sierra and Jethro " Lord Darius answered slowly.
"Congratulations are indeed in order,but if I may ask Uncle....who is this maiden that has captured your heart?" Mandrake asked curiously.
Everyone turned to look at Darius who's demeanor had completely changed to one that was in a state of panic.He was fiddling with his napkin and sweating irrevocably.Queen Geraldine and Lady Juniper exchanged glances; now why was he unsettled?
" Jasmine ; the eldest daughter of King Talon of Brookshire "Lord Darius responded quietly.
No one was prepared for the way Mandrake hit his hands fiercely on the table and roared "You dare defy my father....your brother's memory by getting married to his enemy's spawn?!"
"Jasmine does not approve of her father's ways and she...."
"I do not care if she is an angel!You will not defy my father's memory and as well that of my mother's by getting married to the daughter of the man who slaughtered my father in cold blood" Mandrake raged,leaving the dining room.
Looking ill,Sierra left the dining room quickly followed by a disappointed Jethro.Geraldine followed soon after, her stilettos clicking after her.
Going to lock the dining room door securely with it's bolt, Lady Juniper asked angrily looking at her brother "Now what's this madness about getting married to the daughter of our enemy?!"
"I love her and she...she's already pregnant "Lord Darius declared,taking a careful sip of water.
Going pale,Lady Juniper said "You....you cannot mean that,Darius "
"But I do Juniper,she makes me happy and I'm a little old to be putting off tying the knot and without even hearing about the baby....I would've asked her to marry me anyways "Lord Darius said with a finality that shocked Lady Juniper.
"But what about us,Darius?You know how much I deeply love and care for you....please don't leave me" Lady Juniper pleaded desperately.
"There was never us, Juniper! And everyday I'm ashamed for committing such an abomination with you.....you must get rid of this mad obsession you have with me! We share the same blood in our veins Juniper!"Lord Darius fumed.
Lady Juniper let out a loud wail as she rushed to Lord Darius, sheaving her clothes off and standing in her black underwear and black heels.Facing him eye ball to eyeball, she sobbed as she said softly " Take me Darius;I want to feel your touch at least one last time before you are snatched away from me"
"You're being delusional Juniper!I am your blood brother;this is lunacy and we must put an end to this before anyone finds out" Lord Darius said in disgust,pushing her way.
He pushed her off with such a force that she hit her head on the edge of the dining table resulting in a deep bloody cut on her forehead.
Cackling scornfully,Juniper looked at him hatefully as blood dripped into her eye as she said "You'll pay for rejecting me Darius....you forget I still have your ...secret in my palms....I shall ruin you with it"
Glaring at her coldly,Lord Darius said" I will openly announce my secret to everyone in the kingdom when I officially bring Jasmine here and for the record, I and my dearest love hold no secrets towards one another "
Pain engulfing her,Lady Juniper asked softly gripping his face with force "Even about us,Darius?"
Loosing himself from her hold he raged "Even about this abomination,YES!" and with that,he unlocked the dining hall and left living a heartbroken Lady Juniper.
Meanwhile Mandrake was brooding about his uncle's bombshell of a decision in the throne room and Geraldine sipping her apple cider without a care in the world. The council meeting was about to start and the members of the council had yet to arrive.
"Darling husband,how about having a little fun before the council members get here?Even you can't say I'm not looking like an enchantress " Geraldine said slyly,rising from her throne and going to sit on Mandrake's lap.
Going abruptly stiff,Mandrake asked furiously "What is this lunacy Geraldine?I may have to call in the kingdom's practitioner, Sir Bumble to check up on you...you seem to have lost it,haven't you?!"
"Calm your horses my king,I was just having a little fun at your expense" Queen Geraldine teased,blowing him kisses as she returned to her throne which was beside his.
The first to arrive was Lord Claudius,the oldest member of the council and Mandrake's grandfather's best friend. The old man still had a fiery spark in his eyes and had a walking stick which he used for locomotion. After exchanging pleasantries, as if on cue, the remaining members of the council arrived.
The guards of the council members all stationed behind their masters seats and the king's guards guarded the throne room door;two of his guards were also stationed by the throne,which included Arian and Esteban.
Lord Brine started the meeting by addressing the agenda which was to discuss how to expand their trade of oil beyond their lands.He suggested the usage of their ships and suggested the purchase of more ships.Some agreed to this suggestion but troublemakers like Lady Brenda, Queen Geraldine's mother had other opinions in mind.
Standing up abruptly,Lady Brenda, a short fat woman with an evil smile and her cunning ways asked "I beg to defer Lord Brine!But isn't the control of the seaport under your tutelage?Why should we trust you then when it seems you're only trying to make a profit here?"
Enraged,Lord Brine screamed " Stop spewing none sense !I am only suggesting all of this for greater good of the kingdom!"
Cackling like an old witch,Lady Brenda hit her forehead dramatically and said "You old moose!We all know what a greedy fellow you are....I suggest we discuss other options,before handing over transport of our prime resource to a thief !"
Coughing softly to attract everyone's attention,Lord Claudius said "Now calm down lads, we are all here for a collective purpose and that is to make sure our kingdom is steered towards greater heights....might I suggest everyone air out their suggestions like civil human beings instead of.....raving and acting undignified in a manner that doesn't befit a noble?"
Getting the message,Lady Brenda returned to her seat with a scoff and Lord Brine continued grumpily. Mandrake his a smile; Lord Claudius had always had his back in these meetings and could resolve conflicts with wisdom and sharp witty replies that could put anyone in their place.
Whilst Lord Brine spoke, Lord Hanford took notes of his suggestions, nodding and smiling.The tall well built man was always calculating, he was very important to the kingdom because he controlled the trade that brought in revenue and so far he had been honest.
Standing abruptly,Lord Hanford said smiling "I think you have a wonderful idea Lord Brine,using the carriages have been quicker but lesser products were being transported, but now with the usage of the ships more merchandise can be transported even though it might take a longer time span"
All the members murmured in agreement while Lord Brine smiled satisfactorily.Mandrake eager to close the meeting was about to say something of approval and conclude the meeting when Geraldine said,her eyes raised conspiratorially "There's only one tiny issue with that wonderful plan, fair council"
"What are you saying Geraldine?The council hold no objections to it as do I ,as much as I appreciate your opinions there is nothing left to be discussed here " Mandrake said in disapproval .
Tutting, Geraldine said "Uhm....dearest husband, I am the queen of this kingdom and I have the right to be heard. As such I have a proposition I'd like to bring before the council"
Opening his mouth to object,Mandrake was cut off by Lord Claudius who said with a glint of mischief " Well then, dazzle us with your wisdom, fair queen "
Smiling in glee, Geraldine said ,her hand propped under her chin "I'd like us to consider handing the control of the trade of another more suitable...capable hand"
Murmurs erupted amongst the council members and Lord Hanford rose from his seat and asked curiously " I have handled this trade for years, my family has also been in charge of this trade for four generations. Who pray tell is more suitable, more capable than I am?"
"Oh well...I'd like to suggest your very own ex wife and son, Lady Juniper and Sir Jethro " Geraldine announced to the shock of the entire council.
"But it has never been done!Never!"Lady Tabitha, one of the council members said in disapproval.
Turning to face Geraldine furiously,Mandrake asked "What is this new madness about now Geraldine?What has possessed you to suggest such a thing?My aunt and cousin are not even on the council so why are you suggesting this?Do you realize that Lord Hanford has been doing this all his life?May I add before you were born?"
Glaring daggers at Lord Hanford, Geraldine raved "Oh please enough of all this!He is an old brute who has single handedly controlled this kingdom's biggest trade!I only suggested that his dear ex wife and son who are....lest I forget to add members of the royal family , why is this then such a big issue?"
Clapping dramatically, Lord Hanford asked angrily " And let me guess Your Highness, Lady Juniper put you up to this?That old fox won't ever mend her ways will she?And you are.....none the wiser to that woman's machinations....."
"How dare you?!I am Your Queen!And you will accord some respect to me!Or else I'll have you dragged out by your cape despite whatever position you may hold !" Geraldine raged ,pointed a perfectly manicured finger at Lord Hanford.
Holding his hand up,Mandrake screamed in fury " Enough of this nonsense! I will not have disharmony in my council !This meeting is hereby adjourned till i deem it fit for you all to sit in one room!"
With that, he left the throne room,Adrian and Esteban directly behind him.The rest of the council each gathered separately, everyone whispering differently about endless possibilities.The Queen had definitely given them a topic that was worth debating in their eyes even though Lord Hanford has never cheated anyone in his dealings.
Going to meet her furious daughter who sat like an angry cat at her throne, Lady Brenda asked quietly "Was this Juniper's doing dear?You know she has always been a sly fox,I've known her since childhood and I must say the lady is a master manipulator,what say ye my dear?"
Standing suddenly,Geraldine raved "What I say Mother,is that I'll soon be in control of this damned council soon enough!I will make sure my husband dances to my tunes and everyone will feel the poisonous venom of the kingdom's black mamba snake,I,Queen Geraldine!" and with that she exited the throne room.