Chapter 1.
"Are you certain?" The king's voice was stern, his face tense as he tried to consider the situation unfolding in front of him.
"No your grace," the Captain spoke quickly, "But the Queen's house staff are pleading that this is indeed her father."
His majesty King regiment Christopher walked speedily through the halls of the palace with the Captain, the Grand Duke and other advisors flanking his sides. The thoughts running through his head are firstly his Queen, what could this man want now for all this time he has been absent- dead- in her life and appear only now that she is royalty and secondly that in her condition she is not to be disturbed with imposters and false hope.
On their way to the throne room he spied out of the corner of his eye Penelope one of the Queen's most trusted Lady in waiting causing him to stop. The King whilst attempting to show composure let his stressed state loose when he all too sternly called out, "Penelope!" so much so that it caused the Lady to jump. Upon recognizing where the voice was coming from she dipped quickly into a deep curtsy, "Your Majesty," she kept her head bowed.
Trying to lighten his voice he smiled, "Where is my Queen?"
Penelope's shoulders pulled back and she lifted her eyes up to him, "She is in the library your grace, shall I retriever her-"
Interrupting the thought, Kit turned to his new Captain, "Please Captain will you ensure she is not disturbed?" Captain of the Guard Damian nodded his head, "After you M'lady." He gestured his hand in the direction of the Library.
"A wise idea," The newly appointed Grand duke (and the former Captain) spoke as they continued their brisk walk.
Ella's father did not know what to think at this present moment. He had thought of nothing but Ella in the time he was away. He envisioned he had much explaining to do; his tale was of near death, kidnapping and slavery upon a thieving ship to the far edges of the world. It had taken nearly five years to return to the small kingdom and time had not been fair for he was nearly unrecognizable with his worn face and appearance. Nonetheless his mind rambled at what he was going to say, what would she look like? Would she have wedded by now, what of the rest of her family? After stepping off onto the docks he noted that little had changed.
If only he knew how wrong he was.
He acquired transport down south into the forest where Ella's family home laid. It wasn't too long before the picturesque chateau appeared amongst the trees, it looked as grand as the day he left, - perhaps even grander with the population of flowers blooming- the memories flooding back of his Ella wishing him good-bye. He thanked the kind man for the ride before turning back to the house.
He felt like a guest or more so a stranger as he walked up the pebbled path. He smiled at the sound of life filling the house he cherished. He raised his hand up and knocked on the door, when it opened he was greeted by Miss Fern, "Can I help you sir?" she gave one look up and down at him before the shock drew across her face. Miss Fern's eyes grew wide, the audible noises she made were nonsense as she tried to draw conclusions. "Mister Beaumont?"
The smile on his face was obviously that of Ella's late father, "Yes, I can't possible being to explain but please can I come in?"
Miss Fern didn't make another sound but her eyes never left the sight of him as if he wasn't real. As she seated him in the parlor she quickly backed out and ran down to the back of the house where Famer John was bringing in goods from the market to the kitchen. "I believe that is everything, let me just grab the daises you asked for and I shall be off- what's wrong Miss Fern?" John's face was deep with concern.
In a very hushed voice she spoke, "You need to come into the front room, I-I can't believe it!" She was certain she was delusional. What would her Majesty Queen Ella think?
Ella's father had waited for nearly five years to see his daughter again, but this day by far felt the longest and the half an hour he waited in the throne room felt like a decade. All his thoughts were jumbled; Farmer John and Miss Fern were almost speechless but when they did their best to him of how Ella married the Prince – now King - nearly two years ago. Now he had no doubts that Ella was worthy of her status, of course the story of how she became to the attention of the King was one he wanted to hear.
He sucked in a breath of air as the side doors were pulled abruptly open by the two appointed guards. What he presumed was the King entered the room with an entourage of noblemen flanking him. His majesty wore a noble blue jack with gold embellishments and the signature sash of royalty including a crested ornament. Without paying much attention to the man in front of him Kit placed himself on his throne before addressing the man in front of him.
"Speak Sir, what is your business?" Kit was stern in an attempt to hide his true emotions. Kit knew that man was here to see his daughter, his Queen, but what were his true intentions if the man in front of him was speaking true.
Before Master Beaumont could speak Farmer John came forward, "Your Majesty," he bowed, looking over his shoulder he directed Ella's father to do the same, Miss Fern Curtsied. "You may rise." Kit instructed. John was not nervous to meet the King as he has been in the company of both his Majesty and the Queen, but he himself could not believe he was presenting her thought to be deceased father.
"Your Majesty, Miss Fern and I have brought forward to prove the validity of this man's claim to being our Queen's Father, whom I once believed to be dead. As you can see we are all wrong."
Kit was well versed in hiding his emotions, "His that whom you claim to be? The Queen's father?" However Kit could not help but let a smile creep over his face and with a small laugh, "Why have you only decided now to make an appearance?"
Master Beaumont was trying to make a decision as to whether or not he liked this man. There must be some reason as to why his Ella would have married him, then again things have quite possibly changed including it appears, his daughter.
"It's a long story your majesty-" He begun,
"Then please alleviate us of the details, what is your intentions on meeting with your Queen." Whilst his Majesty trusted the two staff that kept keep of Ella's beloved childhood home, he couldn't be too careful with her safety. Perhaps there is a reason why she believes him to be gone, is there something she hasn't spoken of?
The Grand duke was curious has to his Majesty's behaviour; he has never been harsh or spoken in an abrupt tone to any civilian in his kingdom. Unfortunately this man could potentially hurt the thing his King loved the most in this world, Ella.
"That was beautiful Lily, thank your for reading that aloud for us." Ella's voice was musical; it brought a light to any room. The Queen and her maidens had position themselves across the various lounges and seating options in the library. Ella had perched herself along a chase a pillow propping her back up, whilst un-ladylike or should I say un-Queen like, no one could tisk at her attempt at being comfortable. Considering this was her fifth month of being with Kit's child.
Ella had not noticed Penelope's return with the Captain whom had positioned himself in the doorway of the room. She was use to the company of many in the palace, she was only ever alone when with Kit in their Chambers – if you could call then even alone.
Unbeknownst to Ella, her father was in the very same palace and being grilled by her husband as to whether or not he deserved a presence with the Queen.