I reclined in the shadows of the hall where Guinevere conducted her daily tea with her Ladies –in-Waiting. I was a bit amazed at their open disrespect and contempt to my wife. Lady Catherine, Leon's mother, alerted me to their increasing harpy ways. I blame myself for this dissension within the Noble women. I should have crowned Guinevere as my queen weeks ago; instead, she was addressed as Lady Guinevere. In their eyes, she was their peer and equal. No, I think some of hags expected my wife to serve them tea. After discussing the matter with Lady Catherine, I decided to attend one of those daily little teas. It was quite an informative observation of Guinevere's little group of friends. In my presence, they shined like gold. In my absence, they revealed their true natures, dull and worthless like horse dung.
"So, Lady Guinevere, when will you produce an heir," Lady Howard sneered with a smile. "The king seems to enjoy your company nightly. Maid chats with the launder. Clean sheets every morning?"
I watched Guinevere flushed a bright red in embarrassment as she stammered a reply," Lady Howard, it's has not been quite a month."
"Surely, your womb will be quite bountiful. You're made for childbirth."
"Lady Howard, watch your tongue," Catherine warned quietly. She is our king's wife and disrespect will not be tolerated. When was the last time, your maid changed your sheets. Maybe, you should ask her about your lord sneaking out of her home."
"It's all in good fun," Lady Howard snickered into her handkerchief. "That's a maid's job to keep her lord happy. Maybe, that's why Lady Guinevere is so busy at night.
I watched to see which Noble women snickered with Lady Howard. Stealthy, I stole away from the dark corner. I nodded my head to various knights and guards as I stomped to Geoffrey's office. I stormed into his immaculate room; the older man clambered to his feet as papers flew everywhere.
"Prepare for a coronation for my wife, Lady Guinevere. Send a seamstress to my wife. Tell Cook to prepare for a feast. I expect everything to be arranged in seven days," I ordered harshly.
"Of course, Sire," Geoffrey said as his hand reached for an old book. I turned to leave as I struggled to control my anger.
"Sire?"
"Yes?"
"Will you use your mother's crown?"
"Was my mother queen?"
"Yes, but Lady Morgana wore it. I thought-"
"Clean it, and prepare for it my wife. I would love to toss the crown out of a window after Morgana wore it. However, the crown is a symbol of Camelot's queen. It is essential that my wife wears my mother's crown. A crown that every queen of Camelot has worn for ages."
"Anything else, Sire?"
"Yes, send a parchment to Queen Annis by bird with a request to relocate a few Noble families to her kingdom."
"If she asked for what reason for the relocation of the Noble families."
"Disrespect to the crown. She will deal with them fairly and harshly. I don't trust myself to be fair with them."
Geoffrey nodded with a small smile," Good day, Sire."
"Good day, Geoffrey."
8*8
During our nightly meal, Guinevere toyed with her chicken as she sat quietly like mouse in fear of a feral cat. Our marriage life was rather happy. I think we are happy. She proved to be an eager pupil in bed. She allowed me to show her different things, and she never complained about my touch or lack of sleep. Somehow, she managed to retain her glow of innocence as she mature into my wife. Maybe, I am selfish because she was never apart from me except during her monthly flow.
"Did Geoffrey speak with you?'
"Yes."
"He explained our traditions and customs to you?"
"Yes, we will have classes in the coming days to prepare for my coronation as queen."
"Did you meet with a seamstress?"
"Yes."
"Do you like the fabric that I selected for your coronation gown?'
"It's lovely. Thank you, Arthur"
"Do you wish to strike me?"
"No, I do not wish to strike you. Why would you ask such a question?"
"You don't tell me anything, Guinevere. In our very brief marriage, you said nothing to me about your cruel Ladies-in-waiting. Why not?"
"I didn't want to bother you."
"You're my wife. I want to know when you're in distress."
"Thank you, Arthur."
"You're welcome."
"Will you punish them?"
"Of course."
"How, Arthur?"
"They will be sent to Queen Annis' kingdom."
"Why?"
"Disrespect will not be tolerated."
"If I displease you, I will be sent away?"
"No, never."
"Because you love me, or you enjoy our relations in bed?"
"I do love you, and we enjoy our relations in bed."
"Of course, I think I'm going to knit until Mary arrives to assist me with my gown. May I leave the table?"
"You don't have to ask."
"Thank you, Arthur."
Fear tightened on my heart when Guinevere asked about being sent away. Why would she ever think such a thing? She's my wife, and I will never send her away. What if she's plotting to run away from me? Maybe, one day when I go on a hunting trip, or in search of Morgana; she might flee our marriage. She doesn't confide in me like before that blasted kiss. She keeps herself hidden from me except in our bed. Still, she hasn't touched my member. I can tell she enjoys our love making, but she's not comfortable with my body. Her hands will only cup my face or grab my shoulders. What if she's planning to meet him in the Northern Borders? She's faking her love and desire for me, and she doesn't want to remain in Camelot. I'll hunt her down like doe until I find her.
Stop it, Arthur. She won't run from me. I know a guard. I'll assigned a guard to watch over from her from afar. I need to know what's she's doing, and who causes her harm. A guard for a few weeks until everything is stable between us. She loves me. I can feel it. She doesn't touch me in bed because I haven't asked her to touch me. Stop being afraid of her rejecting you.