𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒢𝓇𝒶𝒸𝑒, 𝑀𝓎 𝒦𝒾𝓃𝑔 Book 1

#14 "you better leave now"

The King said he would meet you for breakfast this morning, but he seemed to be running a little behind. You walk around the room looking at all the art on the walls. Paintings of past Kings and Queens, their children... Oh, children! You have not yet talked to him about children.

You place a hand on your flat stomach and wonder if a child might already be there. You smile to yourself as you imagine what a child could look like with a mixture of your features and the King's. A sound behind you startled you and you turned to look at what it was.

You drop into a curtsy before the King's mother. She was Queen before her son descended to the throne. "Good morning M'Lady. It is so good to see you." You lowered your gaze and bowed your head in respect.

"Come now child, you are no longer a member of the lower class. You are to be my daughter-in-law after all. And if we are to be family, then we should get used to seeing one another around the halls of the Palace, should we not." She placed a slender finger under your chin and raised your face up. "Let me get a good look at you. Stand up child, come come."

You pull yourself up straight and allow the dowager queen to inspect you. "Yes, M'Lady."

"Please, call me Mum would you?" She said as she made a gesture for you to spin. You do one slow spin for her then look at her with a questioned look on your face.

"Would you like to join me for Breakfast Mum?" You were nervous but knew that you should probably get to know her since she was correct, you were going to be family in less than a fortnight. The two of you made your way to the dining room table, and the servants quickly made another place setting for the dowager queen.

She adjusted her skirts and then took a seat, "So my dear, tell me... What is it like going from a consort to a future Queen?" She took her napkin and placed it in her lap before she returned her gaze to you. She raised her eyebrow. "Well, cat have your tongue (Y/N)?"

You shake your head slightly to bring your mind into focus, it is hard to keep reminding yourself that you will be queen after you marry him. "It feels like a fairy tale, one that has not fully sunk in yet. With the guidance that your son will knowingly give me, I know I can only succeed."

She nods her head at you, "An acceptable answer. But a word of advice. Try not to lean on one's husband fully. Make sure you find strength and independence. You will need it.

This title comes with a heavy responsibility, one that I sure as hell could never prepare myself for. But if you love your husband, love your children, love your country... everything else will fall into place. Don't give one thought towards what fork to use when eating each thing on your plate, not one blood well cares my dear. I used to stress over each little detail until I was pulling my hair out, but it doesn't matter." She covered your hand with hers, "But if you hurt my son, I will see to it that you hang from those gallows myself, understood?"

What was it with this family and those damn gallows! "Yes, mum." You shake your head yes and manage to smile at her. She pats your hand and returns her attention to her breakfast.

She takes a bite of her eggs, then asks you a question. "So, do you honestly believe the people will accept you as their consort Queen?"

You dropped your fork on your plate, but before you could respond the sound of someone clearing their throat behind you stopped any words from leaving your mouth.

"You better leave now, mother." The King's voice was calm but dark. You could hear the anger below the surface, but when it came to his mother, and while in a public space, he would keep his composure. His eyes darted to your face, "Are you alright?"

You nodded at him, "I am fine. Her words have a bite, but she can stay. Would you care to join us, My Love?"

He smiled at you before returning his gaze to his mother, "You see there, she is not affected by your harsh words, unlike the others." He strode to you and kissed your cheek, then kissed his mother's hand. "I will leave you ladies to your breakfast. But I do warn you mother, be nice."