Cicatrice

Chapter XX

QUEEN ESTELLE BELSHAW

"My dear, it's been quite some time since your father died. The government has suggested that you take on more monarchical duties. Would that be of interest?" Marguerite whispers on the edge of my king-sized bed as I lay with my eyes closed. With a simper on my lips, something had brought me some joy after all of this time.

If I could change the world for the better, why not do it?

"That sounds good, Marguerite. I have some ideas in mind," I grin, sitting up on my bed.

"Ideas for what, pray tell?" Malcolm barges in with his navy-blue bathrobe, his hair damp. With my lips forming into a line, Marguerite simpers at me and leaves the room, giving Malcolm and I some privacy.

I knew from the get-go I did not want to tell Malcolm anything, but as his legal wife, I felt obligated. "Ideas for a monarch, to do something for the community," I explain as he takes a seat next to me, letting out an exasperated sigh. "Why, that's a fantastic idea, Estelle. But perhaps I have an even better one," he grins broadly, placing his hand on mine.

Glancing at him with curiosity in my eyes, I wondered what possibly could be a better idea than mine.

"You have been through a lot, doll. Why not let me, the king, handle the civilisation duties from here on out, yes?" he suggests, but it feels more like an order. "We don't need an orphanage, those are for families in poverty. Why not put money into sprucing up our palace?" he continues. My eyebrows furrowed in frustration and shock. How dare he shove the people in poverty away and use our wealth for our own benefit?

How did he have the nerve?

"Malcolm, sweetheart," I say with a condescending undertone. "I am the Queen. You are not a King, you are merely a consort," I smile broadly whilst anger boils through my blood. "I want to do this. For the land. For the children," I state, pulling away from his touch as I watch his face fall with shock.

I cross my arms against my chest, shaking my head. "For the palace," I murmur. "Our palace is perfectly habitable," I continue.

"What type of impression will an orphanage you open give the upper class, Estelle? That they don't matter to us? This is not a wise choice. Trust me, leave it to a man," he explains and it cuts me deep to the core, and I could feel myself boiling over.

"My father was no good of a king nor would you be! What this kingdom needs is a queen who actually gives a rats ass about the people, not some absurdly selfish monarch," I bite, feeling blood rush up to my face. How dare he, how dare he come and tell me I couldn't do my job. He stares at me with a wide-eyed gaze, anger buried deep inside them.

"Don't ever tell me that a lady is incapable of doing a job, Malcolm. You will be sorry," I snarl, storming out of our now shared bedroom and slamming the hardwood door. I had to get out of there because if I didn't, I would slap him again.

Heading down the stairs, I notice Eddie scrubbing the floors. With the tapping of my footsteps it startles him. "Is everything alright, Estelle?" he questions, but I storm right past him. I could never trust myself when I was angry- I could never take back what I say, and that had proved to haunt me for years.

I needed a moment of fresh air.

Although Malcolm was far from right, there was a little voice in my head that said otherwise. Men had ruled from women for years and years, what made this year different? Just because I inherited the crown?

"Este?" Eddie's voice calls from behind me, startling me slightly. My mouth curves from either side. Perhaps I didn't mind a little company.

"Is everything okay?" I overheard some quarrel upstairs," he enquires, taking a seat next to me on the large grey stone. I let out an exasperated sigh. "Oh, everything's fine. Just typical marital bliss," I remark sarcastically, watching him chuckle softly.

He harboured a beautiful laugh.

"Come on, Este. You know you can talk to me, about anything," he speaks calmly, placing his warm hand on top of mine, catching me off guard. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and flutter away. It was impossible not to fall for Eddie with his diamond like eyes and his charming smile that I'm sure would capture millions of hearts.

"Malcolm thinks I can't run a kingdom," I state, pursing my lips as anger rushes through me once more. "He disrespected my wishes for what I would like to do for the community,"

A smile still remains on his face.

"Which are?"

Why was he still smiling?

"That doesn't matter, the fact is that he disrespected me, Eddie," I huff, crossing my arms against my chest and furrowing my eyebrows, staring out at the distance.

"That's not what I asked you, Este. Tell me what you want to do for the community. Why believe anything that bugger has to say? It's a load of bollocks. You can do anything," he says calmly in his accent. Sometimes I had forgotten that he came from England, and then the excitement rushes back to me all at once.

I begin to giggle as I watch his face turn perplexed.

"Have I missed a joke?" he enquires.

"You said bollocks," I cackle.

He was right.