The Queen's Pleasure

The combat

"Jo, it's so late, where are we going?" Carina asked Jo as she walked behind her, two guards in tow and one of Carina's advisors there too.

"Your majesty, I have never asked you for anything. The one time that I do, you choose to grumble," Jo said, not minding being this casual in front of the advisor as he had witnessed their frank relationship during their trip to Azgeda. Carina rolled her eyes.

This advisor was the other one. Maya had informed Jo about the advisor who was part of Roan's plan, so Jo brought the other one along, as a witness for what was to happen.

Even though they were engaged, the King and the Queen slept in different bedrooms. Carina was glad. She was not looking forward to sharing anything with the king. And she hoped that she could delay their marriage as long as she could possibly manage. But the people would be impatient, they would get suspicious after a while if the queen really was going to protect them.

Carina was brought out of her thoughts when Jo slowed down and suddenly stopped. She put her fingers on her lips signalling them to keep quiet. So they did. Then Jo took a few more steps forward until they were outside the King's room.

Carina only realised now.

"What are we doing here?" Carina asked Jo in a whisper.

"Shhh," Jo whispered. "Listen," she said. And when Carina focused she heard it. "Maya," Carina said.

And then suddenly she felt scared, for Maya. What was she doing in the King's room, how did she get in? Was she still on her trip about the King wanting to kill Carina. Carina was worried. How could she save herself and Maya the humiliation? If word gets out of what Maya's doing, not only would it be humiliating for her, but Carina would have to punish Maya for trespassing, for false accusations and for so many things she didn't know yet that Maya was capable of now.

"Jo, is she crazy, what is she doing?" Carina asked, worried now.

"Your majesty, wait, shhh, listen to her," Jo said.

"You think you've succeeded don't you?" Maya asked the king, standing in his room, before him.

"What are you talking about?" he asked. "And how dare you enter my.." Roan began.

"Save the dramatics!" Maya said louder now.

Carina began to move, she had to go in, she had to stop Maya before this turned into something she couldn't save Maya from, into something she would have to try Maya for.

But Jo stopped her.

The King began to laugh now and Carina stood confused.

"I knew you'd be trouble," he said, laughing out loud. "I knew it from the time she brought you to my palace, that you have a very unusual place in her life," he said.

"Don't you dare speak about who I am to her," Maya said. "I know what you did, I know you forged all the documents to make it seem like she has to marry you," Maya said.

"I know Alhero, her advisor, helped you, I don't know why, but he did," Maya said. "And I know your ulterior motive!" Maya said.

The king paused and then he tsked at Maya.

"My dear young lady," he started, in a patronizing tone.

"Don't you know it's not good to meddle in other people's business," he said too sweetly.

"What my business is with the queen, has nothing to do with you," he said. "But now, since you have gotten yourself involved, do you know what that means?" he asked.

"That I won't let you get away with it," Maya said.

"Oh?" he asked. "I think you're mistaken," he said. "You see, now that you know, I must get rid of you, cause I can't let YOU get away with it," he said.