IV. The Impact of Her

~ Nine ~

James' eyes widened in horror, his mouth slowly hung open in shock.

"Your Highness, why would you do such a thing?!" Gonzalo ran up to me.

"Since the king has his conditions in order to approve my request, that is mine," I replied as I stared James completely in his eyes. I added, "I am now closing any kind of opportunity for you to prove yourself to me."

"But, Your Highness–"

"Say no more, Gonzalo," James replied as he stopped Gonzalo, "If this is what the prince wants, so it shall be done." He returned to me and continued, "You will not rule Western Wind once I depart from this world. Let us see where you will last." He then turned back around and proceeded to the door.

"I prefer to rule somewhere else than to wear the crown of the monarch who failed as father," I raised my voice, enough for my words to echo throughout the entire room.

James paused for a brief second before he walked away completely. And as soon as he was gone from our sights, I let out a deep sigh.

I was not aware that I held my breath, all the while that James was here. My hands that were curled into fists finally relaxed.

"Robert," Mother's gentle voice called out to me as she approached me. She held my hand and continued, "I am deeply sorry if I was unable to do anything to stop James' cruelty. Apparently, he is not afraid of the treaty my parents agreed upon years ago."

"Mother, there is nothing for you to apologise for," I turned to Mother with a smile as I cupped her hands with mine. "You did everything in your power and I couldn't be more grateful to have a strong and graceful mother to look up to."

Mother chuckled. "It has been a while since I last opposed James with his decisions. I just couldn't look at this the way his father did."

"What do you mean?" Elizabeth asked as she walked up to us.

"Gonzalo, would you be so kind as to leave us?" Mother said as she turned to Gonzalo.

"I think that it is better for me to stay here and guard you all," Gonzalo replied as he straightened himself.

"Guard us? You mean, listen to our conversation and tell everything to James?" I smirked as I turned to him as well.

"Shouldn't everything be told to the king?" Gonzalo retorted back.

Mother walked towards him. "I didn't know you could be so... meddlesome, Gonzalo. I guess being an obedient servant is not enough for you anymore," she retorted.

"And I didn't know that a queen can be so disrespectful towards her husband, the king," Gonzalo snapped back.

As soon as Gonzalo finished his response, Mother slapped him. The wind from her hand threw him into the wall once again. Gonzalo's back hit the wall and fell flat on his face.

"The next time you speak to me in such a manner," Mother continued as she turned her back from Gonzalo, "I will not hesitate to cut your tongue. Guards!"

Mother's two guards rushed into the room. When they caught sight of what happened to Gonzalo, their faces were already riddled with fear.

"Take Gonzalo back to the carriages and make sure that he stays there," Mother continued with her instructions. She continued, "Should anyone let him roam free without my permission, they will have a punishment that they will never forget. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the guards bowed. They hurried to where Gonzalo was and dragged him out of the room. Each of his arms were on one shoulder of a guard. As for the maids, they were smart enough to understand. They bowed and left the room.