The Rose Princess

Two: Tensions

For almost a fortnight, Ceriva had dismissed all of Remi's requests. Their honeymoon was over and it was time for him to resume his duties as king. With an irritable look, he slumped on his throne as he listened to a messenger read a long and repetitious letter from another neighboring kingdom. He expected the marriage to be difficult, especially since there was no time to court each other, but he didn't know it would be this difficult.

Remi waived his hand in dismissal. Ezra, his royal advisor thanks the messenger. "Please, give King William our thanks. We would be more than happy to find the princess a suitable husband. We will host a ball and coordinate this with the queen."

Remi sighed, his frustration was palpable, his thoughts a tangled web of duty and desire. Ezra stopped the chamberlain from announcing the next guest.

"What bothers you, Your Majesty?" he asked.

"My wife." He sighed again. "Her courses have come and gone yet she still refuses to lay with me. I feel that she is feigning illness. This is becoming a pattern and she withdraws more each day."

"It has only been a few weeks, King Remi. I understand fully the excitement of marriage and the discovery of such pleasures but your focus should be on your duty. Most kings do not have the luxury of honeymoons. They are thrust into their roles with little respite."

"I understand Ezra," Remi sighs. "What if we never get along?"

Ezra looked down at the young king, feeling sympathetic for him. "Perhaps we'll start with an intimate dinner tonight, just the dinner. I will arrange it."

Remi nodded, though the weight of his crown felt heavier than ever as he slumped back into his throne. As Ezra left, he signaled the chamberlain to announce the next guest.

Ceriva still hadn't gotten used to Moorcrest. Her demeanor had changed from unhappy to irate, a personality that became eerily similar to her mother's. She was also thrown into her new duties as queen, impudently commanding unjust tasks on the staff. Even Matilda was scrutinized harshly for the work her chambermaids had done. Though the head chambermaid was always tasked with handling the queens' outfits and helping, Matilda was forever thankful to Lilia for coming to Moorcrest with Ceriva, who had begun to take more mistreatment for the sake of her friends. 

Though her role as chambermaid normally encompassed her cleaning Ceriva's chambers and bringing her tea or breakfast, she had gathered on more tasks since coming to Moorcrest. She dressed, groomed, and attended to her personal needs, as well as a messenger between her and others, especially the king. Sundays were her only solace. 

Ceriva, Lady Helena, and Lady Mildred, two young women who accompanied the queen most days and offered her companionship walked the rose garden. She spoke to them with a sharp tongue, but they would agree with her or laugh it off, she was, after all, their queen.

The delicate scent of the blooms filled the air, mingling with the soft murmurs of the ladies' conversation. Lilia trailed behind, holding the tray of pastries and tea. The rose garden had become her favorite place in the entire kingdom. As much as Ceriva. She watched the queen stroll, her fingers trailing over the petals of the roses. Her mood had only ever improved when she was in the rose garden, however slightly it was. Mildred, walking beside her, chatted animatedly about the desserts Elise baked for them.

"Queen Ceriva, you must try the pastries. They are divine." Lady Mildred took another pastry from the tray. Ceriva watched her, a look of disgust on her face as she watched her eat her fourth one.

"Do you expect to marry Lord Francis, Mildred?"

"Of course, I have already had the seamstress make my wedding dress." She smiles between chews.