The Queen

chapter 6

Yoren was in a state of turmoil, the feeling that came after disregarding the rules to enjoy a few fleeting moments of passion overwhelmed him.He knew what he had to do but he couldn't do it.
" Your Grace, we have news from the Carveiq welcome party" Isaak Yoren's personal bodyguard reported. The word Carveiq ignited a new flame of fury in him.
"Has my bride arrived then" he said not making any effort to hide the scorn in his voice.
" No Your Grace...., The situation is complicated. The travel party from Carveiq was attacked, we suspect it's an act of spite by the Neanders.The bodies of the maids and guards were found littered around the area but.."
Yoren had not been expecting this kind of news.
" My bride ...what about my supposed bride was her body found " he asked starting to feel frustrated.
Vreur was stable enough but they were still recovering from the effects of recent wars,that was the only reason he accepted this arranged marriage,in order to avoid conflict from brewing between the two nations before Vreur could fully recover.If the bride from Carveiq died all that he worked had to avoid would inevitably take place.
" No your Grace, we have a search party looking for her now ,there are no signs of her so we hope that she's still alive but it's hard to look for her because we doing know what she looks like"
" Receive my royal order, this issue is to be handled discreetly, no one is to hear of this not even the royal court official, " he sent Isaak away and headed for his mother's quarters with purpose.
" Yoren, what a rare sight, Has the sky fallen that you chose to visit your dear mother today"
" Mother cut me some slack, you know how tasking it is to run this court" he said massaging his forehead lightly.He also felt stressed anytime he was in the same with his mother.
" No of course it is, but you always have time to to visit your mistress,What was her name Ava or what?" She said ,her tone dripping sarcasm.
" Mother, I don't have time for meaningless banter. I have a question" he said with a hint of urgency in his voice.
" My bride to be what's her name?"
"Victoria, why are you suddenly interested in her"
" When the Carveiqian throne suggested this union they sent a portrait of my bride to be. Do you happen to have that portrait "
" You weren't interested in her before why are you suddenly concerned" the queen dowager asked suspiciously.
" Just answer the question mother "
" Yes I do" she said getting up to retrieve the painting from its case and handing it to him.
" Isn't she beautiful, her eyes and even her bone structure, so elegant. I can just imagine how beautiful my grandbabies will be" she said smiling with her eyes.
Yoren had to admit that Victoria was a beauty, but what was the use of being beautiful if she was dead.
Neanders were a vicious tribe, they didn't take prisoners so the possibility that she was dead was plausible.
They had been in that tunnel for almost three days.They were dirty, tired and hungry, so when they found the earthen springs Victoria and Tim were delighted. Victoria wanted nothing more than to strip off her clothes and soak in the water but she couldn't on the counts of decency. She could only make due with soaking her feet.
" How long till we get to Vreur" she asked Tim who was rather preoccupied pretending that he wasn't stating at.
" It shouldn't be long now we're already outside the capital city "
" Ok, then we should start moving if you're done " she said putting on her shoes and walking ahead.
Yoren liked to wander off on his own when he felt like he couldn't handle the world and it's problems. This time spent on his own outside the city was the reasons why be still had a grip on his sanity.
He was walking towards the earthen springs when he saw her for the first time.He recognised her immediately, but of course, her features were so distinct and impressive that they couldn't forgotten easily. She didn't see him immediately but when she did her expression went through several changes at first shock,then excitement,fear and then worry. She turned to shout at someone behind her and that was when Yoren realised he had company.
The man who accompanied her approached him stealthily.
"Excuse me" he said cautiously.Yoren acknowledged him.
" I'm Tom and that's my wife Gretel, we're traders from the north, we were attacked on our way to Vreur and we strayed off the path could you tell us how to get there"
Yoren knew their true identities but he decided to play along after all they didn't recognize him but he felt uncomfortable that this man was referring to his bride as his wife.
" Sure, my name is Yan I come form Vreur, so I know the area by heart" he said smiling. He noticed that Victoria didn't approach him until her companion gestured to her to come closer.
Yoren led them to an inn in the town before going back to the palace.He was glad to see that a certain problem had been solved but he had developed a feeling that he didn't quite like after seeing Victoria.
The next day he sat at the terrace waiting for the guards to announce their arrival and they Isaak came but he didn't deliver the news that followed.
"Your Grace" he said
"What is it" Yoren snapped impatiently.
" The dead body of your lady was found"
" What do you mean"
At that very moment another guard came to make a report.
"Your Grace," bowing he said "A lady and a gentleman are requesting an audience with you. The lady clas to be your fiancée"
Yoren finally had a glance on what the situation was. Yesterday when he met Victoria she had been wearing a maids garb. He put two and two together and was able to make out the truth
" Lead the lady and her companion to my mother's receiving room" he said sending off the other guard.
Returning his gaze to Isaak he said
" Get rid off the body you found it's not the real lady"