Savior Of Power

Chapter 4

James and I started frequenting each other's rooms. It became so obvious and I did not care to hide it anymore. We were officially courting so fuck all other opinions to be quite honest...The three men would usually spar on the training grounds in the morning while I was busy doing one thing or the other. Today, Helena, duchess of Riveth came to visit me and I told her about James and I.
She gasped and whispered "you've finally had a man inside you! How do you feel?!"
I chuckled and replied "I feel normal honestly...it's surreal.. we're finally courting after so many years"
She smiled "well then I can collect my money from Augustus. He owes me a thousand shillings"
"Whatever for?!" I exclaimed.
"Augustus had a bet about the both of you on when you would start courting... I predicted that it would be before your twenty first birthday.. Augustus predicted that it would be when you turned twenty three. Now i win!"
I was shocked  "the both of you!"
She laughed....we went to the sparring grounds to watch the boys spar.... it was Finnie and James. James moved flawlessly compared to Finnie. The way he held his weapon with such grace and ease turned me on quick..and I was impressed. James looked at me and smiled. His sweaty body reminded me of last night....
Just then, Flora, my maid approached me and whispered in my ears: "your highness, I'm afraid the king and queen are having a bit of a squabble."
Knowing fully well that flora was somewhat of a gossip, I asked "whatever for? They haven't had a squabble in years!"
She continued "Lady Absinthe sent a letter that was meant for the king, but the Queen intercepted it and read it. It was a love letter. Your highness it seems she is the king's concubine"..
I was perplexed! How could he! Not after what happened last time!!! Father was lucky that the queen mother, Queen Regina I(the first) was here when it happened. And if there's anything I know about my father's mother, it's that she can solve issues so discreetly that no one would hear of it....
"Is everything alright your Highness?" Helena asked.
I smiled "of course my dear friend. Why don't you enjoy yourself a bit, I have to attend to my mother. I shall see you for dinner"
She curtsied and I left with flora.
I walked to my mother's room but I didn't want to  show my true emotions on my face as the lords of the land were hanging around the hallway... There was one in particular who had taken a liking to me. And it irritated me. Lord Eugene Belmont of the house Belmont. He stopped me.
"Your highness, you look ever so dashing today. A true stallion of the realm." He bowed, taking my hand to kiss the back of my palm but I withdrew my hand in a subtle manner. This man made me uncomfortable.
"Thank you Lord Belmont. I would've loved to stay for a chat but you see, I'm tired and in need of rest. I shall see you some other time"
He smiled and said "I look forward to spending more time with you your highness".
Flora was trying to hide her disgust. I wouldn't blame her tho, he's old enough to be my father...
As I drew closer to my mother's bed chambers, there were guards standing around so no one could be within ear shot.
Flora left as I walked in.
Mother was sitting on the bed, sobbing while my father faced the window..The shame wouldn't allow him look upon her.
"Mother... father".
They both turned to me...
"Father what is it that I hear? You have taken another concubine? Do you not love my mother anymore?"
Father sighed "Regina, I am but a man, I-"
Mother cut in
"That is still no excuse for you to go and get a whore!"
She was clearly hurt..
"Father, mother needs a bit of space.. maybe you can come back much later".
Father looked at her, sighed and walked to the door. He kissed me on my forehead and left. I shut the door.
"Mother..."
"My child....I still love your father but he has hurt me once again ... this dagger of betrayal has been wedged in my heart as I keep wondering how long the infidelity has been going on".
I sighed and sat beside her.
"Well mother..I wish I could tell you.. but I can't.. I only come to comfort you and offer support. Father is not perfect. He's proven that time and time again."
She looked up at the sky
"Well...You know what they say: Barrington men are never faithful"
I gasped "have you been listening to rumors and gossip mother?"
She cracked a smile amidst her tears
"My lady in waiting Irene is a skilled gossip. Nothing ever passes my ears... just like when James took your virginity three nights ago"
My heart dropped
"I meant to tell you mother but-"
"It's okay my little dove, you both are courting so it does not matter. I'm glad you both have finally acknowledged your love for each other"
"Mother, how did lady Irene find out??" I asked. I really wanted to know because no one saw us that night!
"I believe she pays some guards for information" she said.
"Aren't you scared she'll turn on you one day?" I asked.
"Not on her life, if she still wants to keep her head" mother spouted with regal confidence..
I rubbed her back and reassured her that everything was going to be fine.
That night, we all came to eat in the dinning hall. I had told Finnie of what transpired between mother and father in the early hours of the day. There was tension as normally mother and father would be chatting to each other but tonight, it was different . It was like she couldn't stand him but had to manage herself. James kept looking at me for answers but the story was not mine to tell.
Suddenly, the herald came into the dinning room and announced the arrival of a guest. We looked to see who it was.....Lady Absinthe....
Mother shot father a very deadly look
"You insult me again by bringing your whore into this palace!!"
Our guests were shocked... James took my hand under the table because he could see I was already fuming.
"Father what is she doing here?" Finnie asked.
My father always had an answer for everything. But tonight, the king of Theria was silent...
Lady absinthe walked towards us. Wearing a green dress with the split so high on the side that it was almost possible to see her lady parts...
"Good evening your Majesties... I believe I was called here by the king. It appears that I will become part of the royal household from today"...
I calmly asked "and why is that?"
She smiled at me and responded
"Because I am with child.....His child"....
I looked at my father. His lips were tightened... This man was ashamed...
Finnegan stood up from his seat and looked at father with so much disgust, it made me shrink a little..
Mother gracefully got up too, along side the other guests. James places his hands on my shoulder and I looked to him
"I shall wait for you in your chambers tonight" he said. I nodded....
The queen walked up to Lady Absinthe and said "welcome to the House Barrington"
The lady curtsied before the queen but she did not acknowledge it. A sign that she was not welcome into the family... The lady in waiting, Irene took my mother back to her bedchamber. It was just me, the lady and my father..
"Father.." he looked at me.
"Tonight... you have broken my heart into a million shards.....I am disappointed.. goodnight".
My father tried to speak but I was already on my way upstairs.... I got to my room and burst into tears...
Shortly, Finnegan and the rest entered... by this time I was in my night dress already with bloodshot eyes... I had been drinking. Again.. I stopped that habit when I turned eighteen because mother said it wasn't lady like. But fuck it. I needed something to numb the pain that my father had brought upon this house hold..
"Hello brother" I said.
He sat beside me on my bed while the others settled in the chairs that were in my room.. Augustus and Helena looked at me with pitiful eyes.. James looked angry... but there was nothing they could do..
"Father has retired to bed with that woman.. while mother has to sleep alone.. in a cold bed tonight.. has he no shame?" Finnegan asked.
I scoffed "father never had any shame..mother found out about his infidelities this afternoon.. and now father has worsened it all by allowing that woman come to this palace...and she is with child... were we not enough for him?"
Finnie put his arm around my shoulder and I rested my head on him...
"It seems we weren't....." he asked.
"I have already asked the royal scribe to send a letter to the queen mother".
Finnegan shook with fear..
I looked at him
"I've asked Queen Regina the first to come"......