The lost queen

Your crown may tilt, but do not ever let it fall

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Her Majesty, the king's mother: He has two houses in London and Madrid, and this one was very close to my husband, what means that he is close to king himself.

We were sitting in room for meetings and she was showing me men ready for marriage. Everyone was just so old, I do not want to wed my ladies to men older than their fathers. 

Me: I do not know, your majesty. Everyone is just so old.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: You can not choose an ideal husband on the court. It is what it is.

Me: Can we do just a little bit younger?

Her Majesty, the king's mother: Princess Sofia, the most important thing for your ladies is to get a title and have a good reputation on the court, and looks and age are not important. With these men they are going to live like princesses.

Me: I know. I just do not feel that they are going to enjoy their marriage.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: Do you enjoy your marriage?

Me: Um, I do. Now.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: Every begining is hard. And you now that the best. Every obsticle put you in the position you are right now. Look at you, soon to be a queen, a mother.

Me: But I do not want to be a mother yet.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: You will have to. 

I thought for a second and saw two young men, good looking and definitely rich.

Me: What about these two? Who are they?

Her Majesty, the king's mother: This is Vilmos Fuller, sir Vilmos. He is 26 years old. But he already had a wife and a child. He was born on this court, and as he says, he will die here too. Very loyal to a royal family, but sometimes quiet rude. 

Me: They are not married anymore?

Her Majesty, the king's mother: No. Tragic story. His wife left him for his cousin and took his child with her. 

Me: Oh, that's harsh. But, that means that he is allowed to marry another woman.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: He is, but the problem is that he is not ready for marriage.

Me: Trust issues?

Her Majesty, the king's mother: Correct.

Me: Keep this one for Lady Petra. I will introduce Petra to him. 

Her Majesty, the king's mother: As you wish. 

Me: Another one?

Her Majesty, the king's mother: This one is Hobart Schmidt, also called sir Hobart. Same age, but different story. He came here when he was about four years old, his mother was my good friend and his father was Air Defense Artillery Officer. He died in the awful plane crush and poor Hobart was just six years old. His mother subsequently became depressed, and when he was seventeen, he was already in the army. 

Me: I think that he is the perfect oportunity for Lady Ana.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: As you wish. You can introduce your ladies to them tomorrow at the dinner.

Me: Okay. I think that we are done here.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: We are. 

I was about to leave, but she stopped me.

Her Majesty, the king's mother: Look. One advice from ex queen. Your crown may tilt, but do not ever let it fall.

Me: I won't. I promise.

She just smiled at me and left. I was walking down a long hallway and saw a familiar face.

Me: Mariella?

Mariella: You majesty (she bowed down). 

Me: Where have you been? 

Mariella: I am so sorry. My cousin had a baby yesterday and...

Me: It is okay. I am not angry. I was worried. So, you wanted to tell me something?

Mariella: Yes. We can sit in the garden.

I nodded. It was fresh outside, with a light breeze carrying dry leaves. It was cloudy and foggy, real autumn weather, but without rain. The bench was dry, but Mariella wiped it with her tissue. 

Mariella: As you know, I was born here. Nicolas and his brother were my best friends. My father and Nicolas' father were best friends too, inseparable, they were always doing everything together. They even got married on a same day. And Nicolas and mine birthdays are just few months apart. My mother didn't really liked living here. She was a court lady since she was old enough to drink tea from a cup. She was done with this life. She wanted to move out and live on our own, but my father was just too connected to the king and he didn't want to leave palace. One night they had a big fight and she left, without even saying goodbye. I am not angry about that, she was right. Life on a court was good and pleasant, until dark clounds cover sun. Three years ago, my father died with his best friend and his godson. Yes, my father was Nicolas' and his brother's godfather. The worst thing was that he was driving the car. He was drunk and crushed into the other car. Royals cannot be in cars only with friends, they must be driven by someone from the security or their drivers. Also, the king was in the same car as his successor, which was another violation of royal rules. As the only member of my family living on this court, I was the only one who had to fell consequenses of this tragedy. My father was the main reason king and his son died and they had taken my title and made me a maid. 

Me: That is why Nicolas does not love you. 

Mariella: Yes. We have not spoked ever since. 

Me: And that's why everyone hates you. Why don't you just get your title back?

Mariella: I should be happy that I didn't end up in jail or that I am not 2 meters underground. 

Me: I am sorry about what happened.

Mariella: I can not fix this. The only reason why I am your maid, is to show to them that I am loyal to the royal family.

Me: You know what? I am going to make you a lady, once again. When I get my crown, my words are going to be important.

Mariella: Do not even try. They are not going to allow that. I stopped trying way before you came. I just promised them that I am going to be your maid. But at the time you came, I was already done with trying.

Me: Listen. Your future needs you, but your past does not. Remember that.

She smiled and I hugged her.

Me: Your pain made you into warrior. Do not ever give up on your dreams. 

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