One of the queen's many informants in the high keep informed her of the events that occurred in the great hall in her absence, Maeve had intentionally skipped the princess' birthday banquet simply because she couldn't care less.
She also heard that the princess has been seen spending time with Lord Jasper's son Alastair, she would hope that they get married, so she finally gets out of her way. She should feel bad that she lost a potential ally, but what is one kingdom, when she had the remaining eight for the taking, and when her son takes the throne, all of them would kneel to them. Her plans were slowly falling into place, and she hadn't lifted a finger, how glorious.
She had also heard that her husband had given the princess the Highmount ancestral territory of Mountcrest, this should have made the queen happy in some way, but it didn't, on one hand, with Mountcrest under the princess' dominion, that would give her another reason to abandon court, but on the other hand, giving Mountcrest to her is basically telling everyone that Anessa is his heir.
This infuriated her in ways she could not understand, if he gave his daughter a symbol of legitimacy, the lords and ladies of the realm would rally to Anessa's side over her son and she would not allow it, she would have a talk with Sebastian and get to the bottom of this. As much as Mountcrest is a just an island, it is rich in history, giving her that castle is making a statement.
She climbed up the many flights of stairs that led to the king's study, the passageway was filled with servants, cleaning and when they caught sight of her, they all gave her a low bow, with her head held high, she paid them no mind as a guard opened the door to the king's study.
The guard announced her entrance. As Maeve entered the study, the scent of old leather and parchment enveloped her. Oak paneling lined the walls, adorned with towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch up to the ceiling, their shelves bursting with dusty tomes and curious trinkets. The king was at his table, a quill on his right-handwriting letters to people she didn't care to know.
"My king" she mumbled and curtsied, the king raised his head and looked at her with an uninterested look "Do you need something wife?" it is no surprise to her that the king treated her this way, he does not mistreat her, she gets everything that she wants, but he does not pay her any mind, he gives her the attention one gives a wall painted in white.
"I came to discuss something with you my king" he dropped the quill and gave her his attention "I heard you gave the princess Mountcrest as a gift, I want to know why that is." The queen knew this would end up in an argument, that is why she came in as a queen and not as his wife, the wife is inferior to the husband, but she believes as queen she would stand on equal footing with the king.
"I gave it to her because she asked for it, is there a problem" he answered in an uninterested tone that matched his face "Of course there is a problem" she responded with a slightly raised voice "That island was meant for our son Eryx" he gave her a narrowed gaze before answering
"That island has been abandoned for years Maeve, yet you refused to lay claim to it, neither did our son, but now that I gave it to my daughter, you have a problem with it?"
Her face twisted in Irritation "It's not about laying claim to anything Sebastian, it is his right" the king gave a slight chuckle before answering "How so Maeve?" she held his hand in hers, hoping to make him see reason "Eryx is your first-born son Sebastian, your rightful heir, that island was a symbol of legitimacy, handing it to Anessa is denying your son his future."
The king removed his hands from hers abruptly "Anessa is my first-born child, she is my heir and the future queen" Anger replaced the frustration she felt earlier "My king, the princess has been seen spending time with lord Alastair, it is the hope that they would marry, and when they do, she will be the lady of Arcania, ruling alongside him, Eryx is next in line, you cannot deny him this" the king stood up from his seat, anger decorating his features "I am not denying our son anything, he is a prince of the realm."
"What more do you want Sebastian, I have given you sons, three sons, a feat Seraphina could not have acc-" before she could finish that statement, she saw cold fury in the king's eyes and his hand connected to her cheek. A slap so loud it echoed through the study, she felt tears trickle from her eyes, but she held them back.
"You will not speak of her" the king hissed. She tried to speak once more and the king raised a hand to silence her, "I will hear no more from you" he scolded, and with that, she quietly left the room.
Anger still had a hold of her, and it led her to a not so very unexpected place.
She took the lower stairs and found herself in the guest wing of the castle, a few steps later and she stood in front of a door. She was still angry, and she needed a way to sedate her anger, as she stood in front of the door of the chamber that hosted her husband's guest, she knocked, hoping he would open the door.