The Bastard Queen ✔

XXIII.

“Why all of a sudden?” Katherine said, staring down at the newspaper

“I never thought this would happen.” Isla said, her hand at her mouth

“The ball was a few weeks ago. Why would they publish this publicly?” Katherine said, rubbing her temples

“I'll say it's a opportunity to reclaim your throne back.” Isla said, resting her hand on Katherine's shoulder

“It is, but it won't be easy. Everyone thinks I'm dead, but there are some who thinks I'm well alive.” Katherine said, skimming through the paragraph

‘Marquess Nathaniel was occupied by Marie Lynch, who is rumored to be a royal…. Sources have suggest Marie looks fairly identical to the late Queen Katherine. Some have agreed and disagreed. The only resolution is to put the pieces together and speak to Marie Lynch……’

“I can already picture Kana fuming as she reads today news.” Katherine mumble, setting aside the newspaper

“What are you going to do now, Katherine?” Ro asked

“Continue on with life, but I'll have to go out in public, so more people will recognize me.” Katherine said

“We can't risk that, Katherine.” Isla said, flipping the pancake

“Well, too bad. Me and Ro have to go to the library to get new books and to return the ones we have.” Katherine said, pointing to the books on a chair

“Me and Ro can go in the morning before I go to the mansion.” Isla said

“Isla, it’s fine. I can go with Ro, so you won't be late to work even I don't want to be locked up in this house.” Katherine said

“Katherine, you're so stubborn. Just make sure to wear a hat when you leave.” Isla said, pointing the spatula at her

“Yes, but shouldn't you be leaving for work?” Katherine asked, walking over to her

“Your right about that, but I'm not done making the pancakes, so you'll have to endure me for a couple of more minutes.” Isla said, a cheeky smile appearing on her face

“Isla is a marvelous woman, isn't she, Ro?” Katherine asked, looking over at him

“Mom is the most marvelous woman,I have ever met.” Ro said, a smile on his face, Katherine nodded

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“Katherine, we need more notebooks. I only have one left.” Ro said, once they walk out of the library

“Okay. Do we need anything else?” Katherine asked, shifting the bag full of books to her left hand

“Pencils and erasers.” Ro said, holding three books in his hands

“Okay. Let's get the supplies and warmer coats.” Katherine said, passing through people

“We can go to town square. Everything we need will be there.” Ro said, turning left

“We haven't been to town square in a while.” Katherine said

“I wonder what's new?” Ro said

Katherine and Ro walked to town square. Shops were set up, people walking to every shop and leaving. They walked around looking for the essentials they needed, but was stopped by a crowd.

“How could this happen?”

“I thought the plague was over with?”

“Who did he contract this from?”

Katherine looked down at Ro, grabbed his hand, and they walked the opposite direction.

“Katherine, what are you doing?” Ro said, looking back at the crowd

“A man is infected with the plague. We can't put ourselves in danger.” Katherine said, turning a corner

“Do you think the plague will overtake the kingdom again?”Ro asked

“There's a possibility, but we'll have to overlook that.” Katherine said, staring at the ambulance passing by them

Katherine's grip on Ro’s hand tighten as royal guards came running towards them.

“Out of the way!” They yelled, Katherine and Ro moved to the side

“The plague is beginning once again.” Katherine looked over to see a woman with black hair, smiling

“Excuse me, what did you mean by that?” Katherine asked the woman

“Xiao will become catastrophic.” She said,walking away, but stop and looked back at Katherine, “Long live the Queen.”

Katherine stared at her back as vanished in the group of people.

“Katherine, what did she mean by that?” Ro asked

“I don't know, but I wonder who she is.” Katherine said