I Need A Hero Vol. 4 {Peter Quill}

twenty six

Helena went to go check in on how the ballroom was coming along. There were tables already set, and decorations adorned on the walls. One of the head servant ladies, Poppie, approached Helena. "Hello Lady Helena" She greeted with a smile.

"Hello Poppie" Helena returned the greeting. "The ballroom is looking fabulous"

"Thank you. Do you think it will be to Princess Meredith and Lady Carol's liking?"

"I'm sure they'll love it" Helena assured with a smile. Poppie smiled and then went back to work. At that moment, Quentin came in and joined Helena.

"I thought I might find you in here" he said. Helena smiled and reached up to cup his cheek, and then pressed a soft kiss to his other cheek.

"Is everything alright?" she asked.

Quentin opened his mouth to say something, but the voice that spoke didn't belong to him. The voice belonged to Gisella, one of the servants. She was in the middle of gossiping with one of the other servants, Moira. "I hear that the King and Queen are having a lover's quarrel"

Helena and Quentin gave each other a look. They could tell just from the tone in Gisella's voice that they did not like where this conversation was heading. The two of them listened in on their conversation, while not making themselves completely obvious.

Moira continued the conversation with a smirk. "Not only that, but rumour has it that the Queen has taken up a lover"

Gisella giggled. "Do you think the King knows?"

"If he does, perhaps he'd be looking for a lover too"

"I'd be more than happy to take up the position" Gisella boasted with a smirk. "Maybe I can convince him tonight at Princess Meredith and Lady Carol's engagement party tonight?"

That's when Helena felt the need to step in. If there was a chance that her sister and brother-in-law could make amends and be together again, she wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of that. Moira hushed Gisella when she saw Helena approach. Moira then faked a smile. "Princess Helena! How may we help you?"

"I overheard what you two said" Helena hissed, and then narrowed her eyes at the two ladies. "If you even think about interfering with the King and Queen's marriage, you will be sorry"

Gisella scoffed. "Forgive me, Princess Helena, but didn't you once try to seduce the King?"

"Before his wedding to the Queen, might I add!" Moira stated.

"That was when I was younger and stupid. My ways have changed now, and my heart also belongs to someone else" Helena explained.

At that point, Quentin had stepped up beside her, placing his hand on the small of her back. "I'd heed my Princess' warning, if I were you"

"And you," Moira hissed at Quentin. "You're just as guilty as trying to break up the King and Queen!"

"That was four years ago!" he retorted with a bark. "Helena and I have changed now. It was foolish"

"We will be watching you both closely tonight" Helena warned, taking a step closer to both of the girls. "And we will also be advising the Head Guards of your plans. If they see you go anywhere near the King or the Queen, I will make sure they remove you from the celebrations. Am I understood?"

Both Gisella and Moira gritted their teeth as they answered, "Yes, Princess Helena"

~

After what happened in the ballroom, Quentin informed Helena that Meredith wished to see her. Helena stood in front of the door to her nieces room and knocked on the door. The door was opened by Carol.

"Hey Helena" she greeted. Helena couldn't help but notice that Carol's face was a little flushed, and her hair was going in every which direction. She was wearing an oversized dress shirt with the top three buttons undone.

"Auntie Helena!" Meredith greeted as she came up behind her fiancée, and wrapped her arms around her waist. She was wearing nothing but a silk purple robe. Her face was also just as flushed as Carol's. "Glad you're here"

"Am I..." Helena paused when she pieced together what they were up to before she arrived. "Interrupting something?"

Carol smirked and glanced at her bride-to-be, while Meredith let out a giggle. "Nope. Come in!" The couple stepped back inside their room and Helena followed them in. Carol and Meredith both climbed into the bed. Carol sat against the headboard, spreading her legs so Meredith could sit in between them. She did and leaned back against Carol. She started running her fingers through Meredith's hair.

Helena took a seat on the velvet chair in the room. She couldn't help but smile at the two girls. They looked so in love with each other. She only wished the Gwen and Peter would act the same way. "What is so important that you sent Quentin for me?" Helena wondered.

"I was wondering if you'd be willing to escort Carol and I out tomorrow. She wants to see the city tomorrow" Meredith said.

"Yeah" Carol confirmed with a nod. "And maybe even hit up a bar?"

"I'd be honoured to girls" Helena said. "But why invite me and not your mother?"

Meredith shrugged. "I don't know. With her planning the wedding and the stuff going with dad, it just seems she has a lot of her plate"

"Oh, I don't know. I think she would like to go. She could use a bit of fun. And it would give us a chance to bond"

"So, we're on for tomorrow then?" Carol asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Absolutely! Although Kamomile will have to come along too. When a member of the Royal Family leaves the castle, the Head Guard must accompany them" Helena got up to leave but before she left the room, she turned to face the girls again. "I have a favour to ask of you girls tonight"

"What is it?" Meredith wondered.

"During your engagement celebration, there are two women I want to keep an eye on. Moira and Gisella. They have..." Helena paused, searching for the right words. "Impure intentions towards your father. Lustful intentions"

"Say no more. Nobody is gonna break up my parents if I have anything to do with it"

"We'll keep an eye out, Helena" Carol assured.

"Thanks girls" Helena smiled at them. "I'm going to go warn the others. You two might want to get ready. Your party starts in an hour"

With that, Helena left the room. In her head, she was already concocting ideas to romantically reunite Gwen and Peter. It's funny how she once was trying to break them apart, but now she wanted nothing more than to save their marriage.