It was a beautiful morning, The royal family had gathered around the long mahogany table, adorned with fine porcelain and trays of delicacies fit for a king. The table had been served with freshly baked bread, ginger biscuits and warm spiced tea. The room was so quiet, yet an unspoken tension simmered.
At the head of the table sat king Maxwell, regal and elegant with a commanding presence. Beside him, his wife Elena, a beautiful queen by title but an outsider by birth. She never really felt among and had difficulty blending into the royal lifestyle, so she moved with careful precision of a woman aware of the eyes watching her.
Directly across queen Elena, was the queen mother, sitting poised with effortless grace of one born into power, grace and royalty, observed Elena with disgust and scrutiny. The other royal family members sats in usual manner and silence, their collective disapproval clung to the air like a lingering smell.
Elena had made an etiquette mistake. While stirring her tea, allowed her spoon to strike the porcelain too forcefully. The sound, though faint, sent a shiver through the quiet room like an offense too great to ignore.
The queen mother exhaled sharply, setting down her cup slowly with deliberate precision. "Elena" she called with her face filled with absolute frustration, "how many times must I remind you that a lady stirs her tea without sound?"
Elena froze in fear, her fingers stilled over the delicate handle of her cup.
The Queen mother continued, tilting her head over slightly, seizing the moment. "It is no secret that you were no raised in the ways of royalty, yet I had hoped foolishly that time might refine you." She lifted her tea cup took a sip, carefully dropped it and continued ranting, a gaze fixed on Elena. "But day after day, you remind us all that you are… misplaced. An outsider." Elena shivering in fear, followed by a weighted silence.
"As if it weren't enough that my son married a woman of no noble standing, now we must Endure the embarrassment of a Queen who disregards our customs. Shaking hands with commoners, embracing them as if you were one of them. Such displays are unacceptable, and defy the very order of this kingdom."
Elena swallowed hard in fear, forcing herself to hold her posture, while she feels the weight of judgment pressing against her.
The Queen mother sighed, acting weary of the flaws she had witnessed. "Perhaps…"
"Enough."
The king's single word cut through like a dagger, interrupting his mother's judgment, tired of watching her berates his Queen, he set his cup down.
"Elena is my queen," he declared, reminding every one of her position. "And that is the only validation she will ever need."
The Queen mother sighed with disapproval, but she said nothing more.
Elena remained still, her heart beats like a storm within her chest. Though Maxwell words had silenced his mother for now, but she knew this wasn't over. In fact, this is just one of many days.
The king turns his gaze toward Elena, he noticed he noticed the tremors in her fingers as they rested on the table. Though she remained calm, he could see it. The emotion beneath her soft smile the unspoken fear in her soft eyes. One thing was sure, he would not allow this to continue.
With the anger and disappointment in his eyes, he stood up from his seat, drawing the attention of everyone present. Without hesitation, he reached for Elena's wrist, holding her firm with reassurance.
"My queen and I shall retire to our chamber," he announced with a commanding tone, leaving no room for dispute.
The royals exchanged glances, the Queen mother sighed with disapproval, yet no one found the courage to utter another word.
Maxwell, turned, guiding Elena beside him, walking majestically in synchrony towards the door. Untouchable. Unwavering.
The murmurs of the court fading into insignificance as the vast hall seemed to shrink behind them. The wide heavy doors swung shut, Sealing them away from the scrutinizing eyes of the Queen mother.
Maxwell loosened his grip, his fingers moving from her wrist, gently wrapping her by her waist, with a softened glance.
"You need not endure them alone, not while I stand beside you."
Elena looked up at him with absolute admiration. The tension in her face settled, she allowed herself to breathe.
Maxwell lifted his right hand to her cheek, slightly brushing her hair behind her ears, with his left hand around her waist. "From the moment I chose you, Elena, I vowed to protect you. Not just as my queen, but as the woman I love and want to rule this kingdom with." With his gaze filled with admiration.
"They may try to break you, to make you doubt your place by my side, but I will not let them. You belong here with me."
A lump of beautiful emotions formed in Elena's throat. "But they…"
"Are nothing more than voices, distractions." He interrupted gently. "And they will never be louder than mine." He held her closer, with a warmth hug, kissing her forehead so passionately, enough for her to feel his presence in her heart. "Do you trust me?" He whispered.
"Yes" she exhaled slowly, her face filled with reassurance.
And with that moment, Elena knew, no force in the kingdom, not even his family, would ever tear them apart.