JiMina Collection

More Than Gold ~ Part 26

     Eleanor was patient. She slept soundly that night, basking in the knowledge that the fate of the kingdom could change at her hands. The following morning, she readied herself accordingly, putting extra care in keeping appearances. Eleanor considered herself well above the competition, both in looks and sense. Whereas the other women were stuck foolishly fawning over the crown prince, she chose to play it smart.

    She had spent the past few weeks occasionally speaking with the king. However, she purposefully spoke little of the prince, instead striking up conversation concerning the well-being of the kingdom. She had been coached in the kingdom's affairs by her father, who was a powerful and wealthy man in the eyes of the court. Eleanor planned to further that power. 

     By outwardly displaying her concern for the kingdom to his Majesty, she would be drawing attention to her prowess as a potential candidate for Queen. And now that, as of last night, she'd managed to get her hands on such a useful piece of information, all her hard work was about to pay off. Nothing happened without thought, without a plan. Eleanor was always several steps ahead. Her moves were deliberate, much like they were about to be now. With purpose in her stride, she made her way to the throne room.

     Eleanor heard the king before she saw him. 

"You worthless swine!" The King's voice echoed through the halls. 

     She smoothed down the dark green silk of her gown and strode in with her chin held high. The King was perched stoutly upon his throne, barking orders at the servants who cowered at his feet. At the sound of the throne room doors opening, he whipped around to yell at the intruder.

"Who dares-" The King started. Upon seeing it was one of the thirty guests, he calmed himself. While he was far from welcoming, he was, at the very least, acting civil. Eleanor knew this was her chance to convince him, once and for all, that she was the future of his kingdom, as well as to get rid of any pests that stood in her way.

"It is I, Lady Eleanor, your Majesty." She bowed as per common courtesy.

"Is something the matter?" The King grunted begrudgingly. "You may speak."

"Yes," She remained calm, but could feel her inner-self smirking. This was all going according to plan. "There is something that troubles me, sire."

"Are the maids not doing their jobs properly?" The King barked. "I will see to it that they are punished."

     Eleanor almost laughed at how the maids stationed by the throne room walls flinched violently. As deliciously tempting as that was, she had business to attend to. "No, sire." she crooned. "I merely came to commend you for your will in taking action for the future of this kingdom. You remember our discussion about my father, I presume?"

"Ah yes, I do recall such a conversation." The King stroked his beard in thought. "Continue."

"He has funded many of the castle's endeavours and has thereby instilled within me a passion for your kingdom and its legacy. This is why I come to you with great worry."

     Eleanor could tell that she had piqued the King's interest by how he leaned forward from his seat. As long as he took the bait, she would be queen before the first sunrise of the following week.

"Your Majesty," She knew this was her chance to trick the old fool. "I seek not power, nor recognition. I only fear for our future. I understand how important this union is. The prince must find a noblewoman to become queen and propel the kingdom into another era of greatness, as is tradition. Although I certainly do not feel the need to become queen myself, I worry that the prince does not seem to grasp how dire this situation is."

"What do you mean?" The King subtly agreed.

"Well, sire, he hardly shows up to any of the events that have been planned for him. Without these events, he does not do his duty to spend time choosing a candidate. Furthermore, he is nowhere to be found in between arrangements. The only time the noblewomen can see him is during meal hours, your Majesty. It is as though he is purposefully defying your will."

"Oh is he now?" The King's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"I do not presume to know," She continued purposefully. "It is simply an observation of mine. If only he would refrain from sauntering off with that peasant -"

"The what!?" The King's harsh voice rendered the throne room as still as stone.

     Eleanor pretended to backtrack. "Oh, I do apologize. It is not my place to say-"

"Out with it!" The King bellowed.

"You do not know?" It took effort for her not to smirk. This was it. "He spends all his time chasing after a peasant girl instead of properly evaluating which candidate he should take as queen."

     Shock hung heavy in the air. The servants had stopped in their tracks. The King's chest was heaving with anger. Eleanor basked in the sweet sensations of success.

"A peasant. In my castle?!" He growled.

     Eleanor adopted a calm, nonchalant tone of voice. "I must say, I do wonder how she convinced the prince to abandon all duty-"

"Who is she?! Answer me!" The King shrieked, spittle flying out of his mouth at high velocity.

"Why, Myoui Mina, of course. The only peasant candidate."

     A maid somewhere far down the throne room dropped a platter, quickly stooping down to clean up the mess with shaking hands. All the servants feared for the kind girl who had become a bright light in the gloomy confines of the castle. Nevertheless, the shattering glass did nothing to distract from the King's fury.

"No filthy lowlifes such as her are allowed to defile my castle!" The King turned forcefully on his servants. "Bring that- that witch of a woman to me!"

"S-Sire?" The maids were reluctant to move.

"Now!" The King roared.

     Servants scattered like mice as the King continued to bark insults at every living soul in his vicinity. In the midst of all the chaos, Eleanor slipped out of the throne room with a devilish grin beginning to crawl its way up her face. Everything was going according to plan.

Queen.

She liked the sound of that.