The Mad King's Throne

VI. Mabel

Beatrice went swiftly to the office of the head maid to get information,
Which was a surprise to the head maid

"Gods!"

Said the head maid startled from the queens unexpected visit

"Forgive me my queen, we weren't expecting you today."

Usually the queen or king would inspect their servants once every month which was coming up, however the queen showing up early worried the head maid since the servants weren't presentable

"I'm not here for an inspection, I'm here for a specific maid barring the name,
Mabel."

The head maid took out a ledger

"Mabel you say."

The head maid looked around until her finger stopped on the name

"Ah the Mabel without a surname. She tends the Landry station, I'll show you the way."

The head maid lead Beatrice down a hall in the servant wing all the way until
They reached the end where the Landry station was. In the great chamber that was filled with steam was many servants washing and folding

"MABEL, YOU ARE WANTED!"

The head maid lifting up her voice as loud as she could catching Mabel's attention.

"I believe this is your girl. Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do."

The head maid went on her way and Mabel approached the queen, bowing

"My queen, it's been ages."

Mabel looked exhausted from the hard labor. She looked much older then the last time she had seen her and the clothes she was wearing were worn

"I want to talk to you in the hall."

The queen lead Mabel into the hall. Mabel was afraid she was in trouble

"I.. apologized to her. I promise I didn't mean to."

Beatrice wasn't to sure what Mabel was going on about but it seemed Mabel had gotten in to trouble with the head maid

"Relax, I'm not here to work out any disputes. I wanted to ask if you remember
That night I caught you and my husband sleeping together."

Beatrice wanted to played it safe and make sure things would add up. The question seem to have made Mabel uncomfortable sense she still believes Beatrice doesn't know about the pregnancy

"Yes... I remember clear as day."

Mabel looked away so she could not see the queen's reaction

"I remember when you found us in bed..... after you stormed off the king told me to leave at once... I felt bad after what happened."

Mabel started to shift her wight and move nervously

"The day after, the kings court told me I had to leave the keep at once,
I of course begged them because it's all I had to work here. But of course
They didn't listen, they sent me off."

Beatrice wanted to hear her say it, but she wouldn't budge.

"So that's it? You just leave when told to and then come back years later?
Something doesn't add up to me."

Mabel shook her head.

"Yes... I.... came back discreetly."

Mabel lowered her head obviously lying.

"I know that you gave birth to a child. My husband's child..."

Mabel was caught lying and all she could do was fall to the ground and burst into tears

"My sins can never be repaid. I've done a terrible thing to you, my queen."

Beatrice felt no petty for the woman on her knees, she couldn't forgive her for what she did.

"What's done is done, you can never repay what you have done to this house.
However I haven't come for you."

Mabel looked up at the queen, face drenched in tears with swollen eyes.

"Why have you come, my queen?"

Beatrice had no feeling but jealousy for the woman, she was the mother of her husband's child and she felt cheated.

"Your son, Marcus. We're is he?"

The sad woman Mabel hearing this fell back down crying out.

"Please don't punish him! He's a good man. Take me instead."

Beatrice knelt down to we're Mabel was begging, and she whispered.

"I didn't come to punish you for your mistakes, I come to make your son a king."

Mabel's eyes widen. A king! She thought.

"You can find Marcus at the south side of the city."

The south wing of the city had been known for its poor living conditions and was often seen as a place no one can return from financially. The queen and Mabel where about to part ways when Beatrice turned to her.

"You do know that once your son is king you might never see him again."

The words where cold and Beatrice wanted to emphasize that she would no longer be in the picture. These words deepened Mabel's sadness as she really cherished her son, but it was a price she knew she had to pay. Beatrice left leaving the sad maid to cry and made her way to the great halls when a captain stopped her.

"Your majesty do you have a moment...?"