War of the Roses

16. Treason

"Your highness Lord Lawrence requests and audience, is urgent."

"Urgent? Walk him in."

Lord Lawrence was the treasurer of the kingdom, his main obligation was to keep record and protect the kingdom's finances.

"Your highness." Lord Lawrence bowed to the king.

"Lawrence, please have a seat. What brings your here."

Lord Lawrence sat on the closest chair in front of the king, his demeanor showed how uncomfortable he was.

"Majesty... something happened today and I feel like you must know."

"What is it Laurence?"

"Her majesty the queen came to see me this afternoon and made and unusual request. The queen demanded 5 thousand pounds of gold."

"The queen? Samira?" Philip frowned.

"Yes your grace." Lord Lawrence directed is eyes to the floor.

"Did she say why she wants so much gold?"

"No Sire I asked her majesty the purpose of her unusual request mainly because of her own security, it might be dangerous for the queen to posses that much gold without the appropriate protection but she refused to explain."

"This is strange, no one asks for that much gold unless they needed for something specific."

"Your majesty must also know that this is the same amount of gold her majesty brought from fer home land upon your magesties marriage. "

"Something is wrong. Did you gave her the gold?"

"No your grace, I asked the queen to give me a few hours to gather the gold, I wanted to gain some time to ask you what should I do."

"Good job Lord Lawrence, please give the queen the gold she wants."

Lord Lawrence stood up from the chair and bowed to the king before stepping out of the room.

"Richard!!" Philip called out to the guard at his door.

"Yes your highness."

"Find a solider the you can trust your life to and order him to follow the queen, come to see me if anything unusual happens, her majesty must not know. Can I trust you with this?"

"You sure can your grace." Richard bowed to the king and left the room.

"Your highness, lady Alice." Said the door guard

Esma and Samira looked towards the door and Lady Alice walked in. Esma stood up to walk away and give them privacy.

"Stay, I'll be quick." Lady Alice spoke to Esma even though she remained looking into Samira's eyes. Esma stood behind Samira. " Enjoy your victory while it lasts... your highness, you might have the crown, but the king's heart belongs to me and to me only. You have no idea how much we dream of the day we get rid of you and one way or the other it will happen." Lady Alice turned to leave.

"Lady Alice." Samira called her name making her stop on her tracks and face the queen. "Next time you wish to speak to me make sure to request an audience, my ladies will advice you on available dates and times, you have no authority to walk into my chambers in this manner. I'm not friend of yours, I'm your queen. This time you're forgiven, I assume you're .... perhaps confused due to the special treatment some members of the royal family have given you, however you must know Lady Alice that this behavior is unacceptable, do you understand?"

Lady Alice closed her hands into fists in order to control her rage.

"Lady Alice, do you understand?"

"Y... Yes your highness." She replied with gritted teeth.

"You are now dismissed." Samira replied.

Alice ran out of the room. Samira looked at Esma and noticed how her friend was holding her laugh. Their eyes meet and they couldn't hold it any longer, they laughed out loud.

"That was, amazing my lady." Esma said between laughs.

"It was about time someone put her in her place."