THE REIGN OF WOMEN

S1 EP5: The Paramour

502 AD, Nightfall, Eternos

Rumors traveled swiftly at Court. Just the day before, the rumor of the supposed affair between Sapphira and His Majesty had been fabricated, and now, at first light, the Queen Mother had been informed.

Makaria, first-in-command to Sümbüla made it her calling to inform the Queen Mother of this. She knew the rumor would spread eventually, but to keep her loyalties straight, she felt the need to inform the Queen Mother personally.

At first light, Makaria would be seen by Sümbüla entering the Queen Mother's Chambers. It was odd, as Makaria would always spend her time in the early mornings in the Kitchen eating and conversing with the cook, Angelos. What would she be doing in the Queen Mother's Chamber at this time of hour?

Inside the Chamber, Makaria, with her knees bent, and her head low, says "Queen Mother,"

"Makaria, what do you find so important you had Arlette wake me?" The Queen's mother asked rather bluntly.

It was quite early, and the Queen Mother sat on her Golden Divan as her handmaid, Carina brushed through her long hazel hair.

"I apologize, Queen Mother, but this cannot wait, and I wish to remain unseen." Obviously, she was not successful at maintaining her invisibility, as Sümbüla saw her.

"There is a rumor, in the Quarters—an accusation about His Majesty, the King, and one of my Servants." Makaria was at no fault, in reality, she had gained the trust of the Queen Mother by showing her loyalty yet she felt frightened.

She did not know how the Queen Mother would react to this rumor, but she knew no good would come of it, neither for the Queen Mother herself nor Sapphira.

"Approach,"

Frightfully, Makaria approaches the Queen Mother and proceeds, "A rumor has arisen in the Quarters— implicating a Servant, named Sapphira and His Majesty. They claim an affair is at play."

This rumor would bring the Queen Mother to her feet so quickly she felt ill, "what are you saying, Makaria?!"

Arlette and Carina, who had been in service to the Queen Mother for many years held onto her as her body slumped down to her Golden Divan.

"A lavish Pendant was gifted to her, and she was seen leaving his chambers, and when confronted, she did not deny it."

"Slander!" The Queen Mother shouted.

With a cup of water, Arlette held it to the Queen Mother's lips, hoping to regain some of her strength. This news had gravely upset her.

She did not care for Queen Norbana much, but an affair with a Slave was bound to bring bad publicity, not only that, but this Image as King was important.

If they allow a slave to become a mistress to a King, other Slaves will believe they possess the power to bewitch a King. They do not. It was not to happen and the Queen Mother would not allow this to happen anymore.

"Round up the instigators of this gossip and bring them to me."

She was aware her concerns could not be brought up to his Majesty, it would only cause trouble, but she held enough power to stop it herself.

"Call Supervisor Considia at once,"

Sümbüla was fearful and wished to inform Sapphira if anything were to happen by the order of the Queen Mother, Rufua Stark.

Sümbüla turns the corner in the Queen's Quarters to find Sapphira and a bunch of other Servants at work. There she was, he thought. He needed to speak to her urgently and he did not care if he had to pull Sapphira from her daily duties to do so.