The Cruel King and The Captured Queen

Chapter 17 - Part 2 - Marigolds

Many lords and ladies began to arrive, staying in the castle to wait for me to take to my chambers. We sat around the room with several of their young daughters putting on a performance for us. Small children pranced around as the elder daughters helped guide them with their steps and posture. Spinning and galloping like horses we all clapped in excitement.

The door opens and the young girls still suddenly stricken with fear. Everyone glances at the approaching figure and the ladies rise in greeting. Bowing deeply they all echo each other, "Your Majesty."

Seeing him enter with Helena following closely behind I glare at her. Why were they together? Demonstrating my claim as a wife, I reach out to him calling out with my eyes silently. With a declaration of affection. Sauntering over he takes my hand kissing it passionately. "Flower," he greets.

"Husband," I coo lustfully.

All the women snicker at our embrace and Thaddeus lowers his head slightly concealing his blush as best as he can.

A woman from the other end of the room breaks the uncomfortable air by shouting, "Helena where have you been? You have missed all the dancing!" Anger tingles up my hand from the touch of the King. Embracing the feeling bitterly I think of who else he has caressed with these hands that now seek comfort in mine.

Smiling at the girls before us that now all curtsey to the King as proper, I watch Helena from the corner of my eye. She glances at me for a moment, her face reddening. "Forgive me, I was detained." Detained she was, with the king no less. She was sent here to aid me in speaking with Chadwick and Octavius, not laying with my husband.

Thaddeus' finger touches my chin and tips my gaze towards him, a confident smile shining towards me. "Are you feeling well enough to accompany me to the throne room? I'd desire to show you my efforts."

Efforts? Being as political as possible I smile warmly, refusing to show weakness or even acknowledge the affair. The many books taught me enough to know that a King will seek overs while his queen is carrying a child. Once born, the King typically returns to bed with his wife. She will be rejected soon, and then I can send her away.

"I can manage if it pleases you."

His smile widens, if even possible and both his hands take mine. With support from some lady's and the pull off his arms, I'm lifted to a stand.

His arm wraps around my back. "Come, it is a gift." and he guides me towards the door.

"A gift?" I question, and the ladies around begin to whisper towards Helena. All behind us hushed tones fade into giggles and gasps. Nervously, I grip his hand for comfort. The rumour of the King's new mistress has just begun.

"Yes," he nods, and we exit into the hall.

Behind us are the pattering of the ladies' shoes as they curiously follow. We approach a small drawing room with the doors shut. Helena and another lady rush ahead to grab the doors holding the handles excitedly. Why is she so excited?

Thaddeus places his hands over my eyes, and I gasp, "Thaddeus, I can't see."

His hot breath tickles my ear, he is close. "That's the point," he breathes in a whisper.

The doors creak open as the metal hinges resist the ladies action and gasps from behind me pump my heart in fright. Gently, guided forward I inch my feet out cautiously, my hands jut out before me in horror. Snickering irritates my skin as the ladies sound as if they are still by the doorframe.

Slowly I feel the pressure of Thaddeus' hands leave my face and I blink a few times and still. Before me in this private drawing room are dozens of vases filled with fresh cut marigolds. Bright frilly orange pops out behind all the dull warm colours of wood and velvet greens on the upholstery.

"Marigolds," I gasp and turn to look Thaddeus in the eyes as he stands slightly behind me allowing me to take in the room thoroughly.

"Do you like?" he smiles with knowing confidence. My memories of our first meeting bloom into my mind. How I had told him of my love for flowers and that is how I saw the castle in my imagination. Overflowing with flowers. I had arrived too late to the castle to see the blooming of flowers in the gardens. This more than made up for the long wet seasons trapped inside the castle.

"Love," I whisper. Walking over towards the table overflowing with mountains of flowers, I lean in and take a deep inhale. "They smell delightful."

I glance to the side, lust popping in my eyes as I stare at my husband. "How?" With a shift of a foot, Helena's blurred figure brings my attention to her, and my smile falters. Her hands pressed to her lips and tears run down her eyes silently. She crying with proud joy, but why?

Thaddeus kneels forward offering me a marigold that he plucked from a nearby vase. I reach out, taking it in my hands and holding it to my lips, the soft satin texture tickling my lips as I rub it lightly against.

"The conservatory, they have been growing there for a while now. Blooming for the birth of the prince," Thaddeus rises with his explanation.

Reaching out I place my hand on his chest and step into his embrace. My stare wandering towards the doorway. All the women standing there gawking with envious lust. Helena standing proudly in front of them as she smiles widely in acknowledgement of our exchanged glance. She is happy for me?

"Is this why Helena has been away?" I mumble my thoughts out loud.

"Of course, flower," the King kisses the top of my head and looks over towards the women. "She did a fine job decorating my vision for you."

I gasp.

She did all this for me, yet still, she plots to rid me of the castle? Of course, she would play him right into her little trap. Wooing him with her affection, she is an excellent actress.

Suddenly, the King straightens up looking down at me and grasps my hands with a light squeeze. "Also I know you can't see them now, but I have had Marigolds planted as you requested."

My eyes widen at the memory of our ride into the fields. Viewing the grounds around the castle from the hilltops I confessed my love of flowers and demanded the marigolds be spread around. "You remembered?"

"How could I forget?" he chuckles in memory himself.

"Oh, Thadd- AH!!!" Instantly, a rush of pain rips through my back, and my knees buckle. With our hands already linked Thaddeus is quick to lock his arms and hold my weight.

"Claire!" he cries out as he lowers me down to my knees and a tear pours down my cheeks. I can hardly breathe let alone reply. Kneeling on the ground, my knees pressing into my dress I feel dampness. Liquid trickles down my legs, and I clench my thighs in embarrassment trying to hold my bladder from spilling more.

All the ladies rush quickly to my side, surrounding us with worry.

"Claire! What's wrong!" Thaddeus tries again to understand, instant fear overwhelming his features.

"The baby," Helena whispers in realization, "Claire, you are in labour." She kneels down beside me and rubs my shoulder. "It's going to be alright."

"I'll fetch the midwife," a girl cries from in the crowd, and she flees the room in haste.

Instant panic fills me as others being to wrap their arms around me, lifting my hunched form to my feet. "No, stop! Margarets not here," I cry out.

"She's on her way, I have sent for her. Focus, Claire." Thaddeus explains whipping my cheek free of tears. As I am slowly guided from the room, I hear Thaddeus call out, "Helena take care of her."

She turns her full attention to him. "Of course, Your Majesty," she curtseys lowly and then rushes off as I'm turned down the hall.