The King's Lover
Chapter 20: The Queen

Chapter 20: The Queen

Rose didn’t see him walk into the courtyard, and it wasn’t until he spoke that she noticed his presence. "Her Royal Majesty, Queen Violeta Ravenor."

Rose thought it was weird that the steward had to announce her. Everyone knew who was coming, but maybe this was one of the things about royals she couldn’t understand.

The Queen didn’t walk in alone. There were three ladies with her—one on her left, her right, and behind her. They were dressed differently from the maids, and it was clear they were nobles. They walked with their chins in the air and stared at the maids with contempt.

Rose immediately copied the movements of the servants, bending her head and her knees. She did her best to hold her dress up but failed woefully, so she just kept her hands at her sides. After the curtsy, she noticed the maids took their hands from their sides and held them in front while keeping their heads down. None dared to make eye contact with the Queen.

Their clothes bothered Rose. They were dressed impeccably. Though worn, their dresses were clean, and each had an apron on. Compared to what she had on, Rose was embarrassed. It didn’t help that the duties she did that morning had made the edges of the robe wet and dirty. Rose shut her eyes and tried to make herself appear smaller. She stepped backward a little, hoping she could hide behind the maid next to her, but she noticed it gave the line a strange curve, so she stepped forward again. The maid next to her shot her a look but didn’t say anything.

The gravel made a crunching sound as Queen Violeta stepped on it. She approached the maids’ line with her ladies-in-waiting surrounding her. The space suddenly felt hot, and all Rose wanted to do was flee. However, she managed to hold back and stayed rooted in her spot.

Suddenly, the Queen stopped only about three feet in front of her. This was too close for Rose, and she could feel sweat trickle down her back. She swallowed as she waited. The tension was eating her up. She had hoped she wouldn’t be noticed, but with the way she was dressed, it was highly unlikely.

"Who are you?" Queen Violeta asked. Her voice was soft, but she spoke at an annoying pitch that felt too sharp for the ears.

Rose waited for a moment, knowing she wasn’t supposed to speak, but when no one said anything she spoke, after all the question was addressed to her. "Yer Majesty, my na—"

The sound echoed through the courtyard, scaring the birds off the trees. Rose’s eyes watered, and she held her stinging cheek. She didn’t need anyone to tell her it was red. The Queen had slapped her. Rose’s head churned with this.

"Henry," Violeta called. "Who is this thing that dares to speak directly to me, and what is it doing in my castle?"

Violeta narrowed her eyes at the young woman who bowed in front of her. She knew exactly who she was; Henry had told her everything as soon as she was awake, and she was the reason she had called all the maids and manservants to the courtyard. She wanted to see who the prince had brought in.

Violeta was not only disappointed by how she appeared in front of her, but all she needed was one look to know this was nothing but a peasant. Caius had brought a peasant into the royal castle. Violeta wanted her out, and she would make sure that happened.

Henry rushed forward. "I am very sorry, Your Majesty, but Rose here is unaware of the rules, and she is only here because of the crown prince."

"I don’t care. Get her out of my sight and out of the castle." Turning to one of her ladies-in-waiting, the Queen said, "Wipe this filth off my hand."

Henry looked torn. "Please have mercy, Your Majesty," Henry said with his head bowed even lower. "I will discipline her properly so that this won’t repeat itself, but the crown prince has given orders not to let her out of the castle."

Queen Violeta’s eyes narrowed. "Get her out of my sight."

"As you wish, Your Majesty." Henry bowed and turned to Rose, who still had her palm on her face with a dazed expression. "Come."

Rose moved like a puppet on strings, following behind Henry. He led her out of the courtyard and toward the servants’ quarters. It wasn’t until they got there that he stopped and turned to face her.

"Are you out of your mind? I understand that you grew up in the backwoods, but I’m sure it is not completely devoid of nobles. You were in the presence of the Queen of Velmount. You should know not to speak to the Queen directly." .com

Henry paused and pulled out a handkerchief to wipe his forehead. "You’re lucky she only slapped you and didn’t ask that you be whipped in the courtyard. You’re not to speak to the Queen, even when asked a direct question. Don’t look at her; just curtsy and obey every order she gives you. Do you understand?" Henry asked.

Rose nodded slowly. The slap had hurt, but even more so was the humiliation. "I didn’t mean to be rude to ’er Majesty," Rose said.

"I know," Henry said. "And I know you’d rather not be here, but if you do what the crown prince wants, you’ll be out of here in no time."

Rose gave him a puzzled look. Did he know about what happened last night? However, she didn’t ask; she simply nodded.

"Also, what are you wearing?" he asked in horror.

Rose looked down. "I only broug’t the clothes on mi back. I don’t have anyt’ing else to wear, and I—"

"I get it," Henry interrupted. "I will speak to Edith and Martha."

"And a bed would be nice," Rose added. If Henry was listening to her requests, she might as well make the most of it.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

"A bed," she mumbled. "I ’ad to sleep in the kitchen last nig’t. Mart’a didn’t like that tis morning."

"You weren’t given a place to sleep?" Henry asked darkly.

Rose’s eyes widened as she realized. It wasn’t an order or anything like that; the maids just didn’t tell her where she could sleep. "W’en I returned, I didn’t see Mart’a or Edna, so I just stayed in the kitchen," Rose replied as she tried to diffuse the situation. The girls already hated her; she didn’t want to give them more reasons to.