May smirked as she admired her fine livery, sent by none other than the King himself. And for what? Flattering him, as all courtiers do. Oh yes, she could continue down this path quite enjoyably.
Queen Bianca sighed heavily. Her husband had yet again impregnated some foolish girl. This time it was that rebellious child, Green, a maid of fifteen.
Just like him to lust after a young one, she thought, vexed at his actions. But what could she do? Her marriage vows demanded she be obedient, and one could not just defy the King of Kanto.
A knock sounded at her door, and without waiting for permission a guard thrust Green into the presence chamber. He bowed, then silently backed out, shutting the door behind him.
Green jumped at the sound, and following custom, curtsied, albeit sloppily. Her whole body was shaking, causing her to wobble about.
"Rise," commanded the Queen.
She rose, staring humbly at the floor. Her stomach was slightly swelled as a result of her sins toward her queen. "Forgive me, Lady Queen," she muttered.
Queen Bianca laughed gruffly. "You screw my husband, hold his bastard, and think only to say 'forgive me?' Have you naught else to tell me? Or am I keeping you from your daily rounds. I'm sure the child doesn't stop you," she said dryly.
Green flushed at her criticism, but replied calmly, "My lady, I truly apologize. And forgive my boldness-"
"As if you have not already been," interrupted the Queen.
"But I must defend my honor. Your husband the King has lain with me once; other than that I am untouched."
The Queen nodded. "Yes, of course, you fell victim to his wiles just as all the others have." A shadow fell across her face at the reminder of her husband's constant unfaithfulness. "Go," she commanded, suddenly weary. "I am never to see you at court ever again. And once that bastard of yours comes of age, do not expect any favors from the King. If he were to grant prizes to every one of his children, be they legitimate or not, all of Kanto and my homeland of Altomare would be divided."
Thankful she was not punished, and not one to push her luck, Green curtsied and quickly retreated.
When the girl had gone, Bianca plopped onto a nearby chair.
A moment later, her lady-in-waiting, Eleanor, peeked inside.
"Would you like us to keep you company, my lady Queen?"
Bianca smoothed the voluminous skirt of her scarlet dress. "Yes, I should like that. Summon a musician as well. This monotonous silence is dreadful."
Ash was strolling the palace grounds, eyebrows creased in deliberation. He was trying to decide whether or not he should risk sneaking into the lady Rosamund's lodgings when somebody blocked his path. Bowing, the young messenger handed him a scroll. "A letter from the lady May, Your Highness."
Ash waved him away, his prior issue quickly forgotten. Settling himself on a bench, he carefully unraveled the parchment.
My King,
I am deeply indebted to you for sending me such fine gifts, although I fear they are much too fine for a peasant such as I! In gratitude for this tremendous kindness, I shall do anything His Majesty requests of me, and more. Perhaps you should like to drop by and discuss how I could repay thee.
She left it unsigned, as she did all her notes; if the Queen should ever stumble upon them, she would be furious. While Bianca knew about the King's devious reputation, she never ventured so far as to think that someone has captured his fancy and held it for more than a night or two.
King Ash grinned and tucked the paper in his breast. His jovial mood held until, a moment later, he espied Green hurrying toward her mare.
He approached her, calling out, "Fair and gentle Green! Why do you hasten away from my court?"
Embarrassed at being spotted, she paid obeisance to her monarch. "Greetings, my King."
Ash chuckled. "Formal to the last, I see. Respectful of boundaries even though we have been with each other." Green blushed a deep red, making Ash laugh harder. "Come now, why are you departing?"
"I feel it would be best for the baby, my lord," she murmured, avoiding his gaze.
"Are you saying it isn't safe for the lad here?" he guffawed, only half joking.
She swallowed and nodded. "I wish to evade any scandal."
Ash's merry face became colder. "Of course, I understand. Now, tell me, do you leave of your own accord? Or has the Queen sent you to exile?"
Green's eyes widened. "Not exile, Your Majesty, she is not so cruel," was her reply. She hoped to mollify the King, for he had a nasty temper when speaking of his wife.
Thankfully, he was satisfied with her answer, or became bored of the conversation, and sent her on her way.
Upon entering the castle, he stormed to his wife's chambers. Unceremoniously banging open the door, he banished the Queen's maids before they could properly curtsy, and soon tension swallowed the room.
"Next time, please do not frighten my maids so. They are quite fragile creatures, and you know it is rude to burst into a woman's chamber with force," the Queen commented icily.
Ash's face contorted with fury. How dare this woman disrespect him, the King of Kanto! Enraged, he spat out, "Why have you sent away Lady Green? She is unfit for the saddle in her condition!"
"How could I bear to look at that whore every day, knowing you have broken our marriage vows again? If I had a lover, would you not do the same?"
"Nay, he would be strung and quartered! No one would dare defy me like that. It's treason!"
"But it is not treason against me, the Queen, if every harlot and maid flocks to your bed and bears your children? Am I not Queen, the one you need an heir from?"
At this Ash exploded into a rage. "And how good a job have you done? I am a man of thirty-one, you a woman of thirty! We are in our prime, yet all you give me are useless daughters!"
During the course of their marriage, Ash and Bianca had had three children, all girls. They had been married off as soon as they were old enough, acquiring advantageous partnerships in Johto, Sinnoh, and the Orange Islands. Anne, the oldest, was married to King Richard of Johto; Matilda was joined in union to Paul, the Duke of Snowpoint; and their youngest, Elizabeth, was Queen of Orange Island, her husband being King Tracey.
Ash slammed his fist on the table between the two, causing it to tremble, as if it too were shaking with temper. "Maybe if you brought me a son, we would not have this problem!"
"Maybe if you would bed me once in a while, our son would already be born!" the Queen cried, voice becoming shrill with desperation. "You spend all your time with other women, instead of your lawful wife! What good does that do you?"
"It gives me pleasure where you cannot!" he burst out. "You cannot please my desires; in fact, you could not be further from fulfilling them!"
Stunned to silence, the Queen just stood in place after her husband stomped outside, loudly slamming the doors as he went.
Hours later, the King and Queen sat beside each other at supper, artfully masking the strain between them. As King Ash spoke with a noble seated near him, a duke approached the Queen.
"Good eve, Your Highness," he said after making the proper obeisance.
"Good eve to you as well," she replied formally, wondering why Gary, the Duke of Pallet, would want to speak with her. Known for his good looks and notorious use of women to rival even the King, Bianca was wary to converse with him, even in public. No doubt Ash would accuse her of sinning with him. She kept her guard up, remaining aloof as he spoke.
Never one to beat around the bush, he dove right in. "Lady Queen, it would be an honor to accompany you to Altomare."
The Queen regarded him with suspicion. "I have not made such plans. Who informed you that I was traveling there?"
He smiled coyly. "Nobody. I was hoping to convince you to journey there now, as I know you must be yearning for the place of your birth."
In truth, Bianca sorely missed her home. The beautiful canals, the lovely buildings, and the delicious food were well remembered. However, her duties in Kanto had restrained her from visiting since her marriage eighteen years ago. Wistfully, she stated, "Indeed, but I am constrained to the matters of this kingdom. I fear I shall always rule from overseas."
"Well, this is your lucky day," Gary began. "My lord the King has put me in charge of quelling some rebellious lords of Altomare, and he said I was to consult you for help if needed."
The change in her was immense. Her whole face lit up, and her amber eyes sparkled at the prospect of departing from this dreary land. "I shall ask my lord to dismiss me at once!"
Sharing in her delight, Gary remarked, "I look forward to it, my Queen." Eyes full of young mischief, he kissed her hand-a bit longer than necessary, she noticed-and strode away confidently.
Queen Bianca was elated for the rest of the night. Finally, after years of this imprisonment, she was to return to her homeland! Nothing, not even the King's early departure, could dampen her spirits.
At last, she thought to herself, I shall see my dear friends once more!
A/N I could not resist this little plot bunny. I plan on making this longer than Heiress, but I'm not exactly sure where this will take me. Fingers crossed!