The Raven-Haired Mistress

Disgrace

"The Prince!" The man announced as Adler and the others rode in.
He hopped off his horse and helped Monroe down.
"I should warn you...I've not told my parents of you yet."
"What of your wife?" Monroe asked.
"I told her already. She was...disappointed but understanding. We are now both working to get a divorce." Adler explained.
"That's good. What is she like? Will she like me?"
"Regina is...she is a respectable woman, very graceful, smart, and talented. She is creative, does art and music." Adler described. "As to whether she'll like you...probably not." He sighed. "There is nothing wrong with you and that's why she'll not like you. She will be jealous and a little spiteful. In the end, she'll see it's for the best...as I hope my parents will too."
Monroe fixed her hair as they entered the foyer.
"They will be in the court room. My father may be in a meeting, but mother will just be inside socializing. When we enter, I'll be announced, so all the eyes will come onto us." Adler grabbed her hand. "Do not worry, it will be fine."
He stepped towards the open doorway. The guards bowed their head. One walked in front of them and faced the crowd of noble persons.
"His highness, the Prince of Thavalon, Prince Adler Focarda." The man announced and then moved to the side.
Adler walked into the room like he owned it. Monroe kept her eyes down to avoid seeing any curious or judgmental looks. The Queen was standing near the thrones at the end of the room with a few woman. She frowned at her son as he bowed to her. Monroe curtsied as well.
Adler smiled. "Mother, this is Monroe Lunar. I will be taking her on as my official mistress."
There were gasps and murmurs in the crowd.
"Adler, may I speak with you in private please?" She cocked her head to the left.
Adler swallowed and looked at Monroe. He turned to the right and found a friend.
"Lord Wailfeld." Adler pointed. "Monroe, this is my oldest friend, Tristan Wailfeld. Tristan, keep Monroe company for a moment." He instructed.
"Of course." Tristan smiled.
"I'll be back soon." Adler let go of Monroe's hand and followed his mother into the room behind the thrones, the King's study.
The sound in the room increased as conversations resumed.
His mother opened the door to the King's study after pushing past the guard. The guard followed them in with a panic.
"Your majesty, her majesty, the Queen, and his highness, the Prince." He announced and bowed.
The King was looking out the window and turned around when he heard the Queen and prince announced.
He smiled. "My Queen, my son, what can I do for you two?"
After bowing, the Queen stepped forward. "Dear husband, I fear that our son as just arrived with a woman whom he is now calling his official mistress."
The King frowned and lowered his eyebrows. "What? Who is this woman?"
"Father, I met her about a month ago in a tavern."
"She is a commoner?!"
"She may not come from wealth but nothing about her is common." Adler argued. "I was attracted to her immediately. As you may know, Regina and I haven't been the happiest together. The reason we've not had children yet is because we aren't attracted to each other at all. She is a great woman and I have much respect for her, but no love." Adler explained.
"Love?! You think that every marriage has love?!" The King shouted.
"Your's does!" Adler yelled.
The King glanced at the Queen. "I got lucky." He smiled.
"Shouldn't I get a chance too?"
The King looked down at his desk. "I have work to do. Son, I will allow you to keep your play thing, but that doesn't mean that I like it." He sat down in his desk chair. "Leave me."
"Majesty." The Queen curtsied and left the room.
Adler followed her out and they shut the door.
"Mother, surely you are on my side. You understand?" Adler asked.
The Queen took a deep breath. "No...you have disgraced this family."
Adler's  jaw dropped.
The Queen walked away.
Adler sighed and walked back into the court room. He made his way over to Monroe.
He caught the end of Tristan and Monroe's conversation. "The dog ended up with a broken leg and died a year later. Not my finest hour."
Monroe giggled. "Do you have any stories of Adler?" She asked.
"Oh, many!" Tristan smiled. "There was this one time..."
"I think you'll have to hear that story another day." Adler interrupted.
"But this is a good one. You sure oh don't want her to hear of your horse trip out in the Redwood forest?"
"No, Tristan!"
"Why? What happened?" Monroe asked.
"Well, Adler was riding and..."
"Tristan!" Adler yelled.
Tristan burst out into laughter. "Fine, have it your way. Be boring."
Adler laughed and grabbed Monroe's hand. "We have to go get you settled in."
"It was wonderful to meet you, Lord Wailfeld." Monroe bowed her head.
"And you, Miss Lunar." Tristan waved as they walked away.
"So, what did your mother say?" Monroe asked Adler as they entered the hall.
"She...was more upset than I thought she would be, my father too." Adler frowned.
"How bad is it?"
"It's not good."
Monroe looked down at the ground in shame. Why did she agree to this? She will be looked down on by every person she meets. She will be called names like whore behind her back. Why did she have to get involved with a married man, with a prince none the less? She looked up at Adler. Then she remembered why she was here. She loved him and he loved her. That was all that mattered.