Last Time in Elena and the King
The game of love was a confusing game but, she was determined to win. Her only concern was for Caroline though. How could she get Caroline out of this game unscathed? Her promise to herself for her ladies maid certainly rang true for her heart as well as her person.
Repercussions
That night as Elena's ladies maids prepared her for sleep Elena let Caroline know that she would sleeping next to her again. Caroline smiled a brittle smile and thanked her. Elena was happy that she decided to allow Caroline sleep next to her again. She needed to explain everything that she was thinking and ask her questions again. Elena was certainly not going to let her actions affect her and Caroline's friendship. As tenuous a friendship as they shared it was still very important to her. Elena knew that Caroline loved her for herself and not just the fact that she was her queen. As soon as her night shirt was placed on her she climbed into bed and ordered the candles to be put out. She turned to Caroline and stared into her blue eyes.
"Caroline you must know that I am happy for you and King Damon to be going to the theater. I also want you to know that I have no feelings of love for Prince Stefan."
Caroline look absolutely shocked that Elena was explaining herself especially since Caroline was technically only a servant to her.
"I am so grateful for you to be telling me this. I was so heartbroken. Would it disappoint you if I asked you questions?"
"Please Caroline know that I am your truest friend. You may ask me anything. Just be sure that you ask in private because, as you well know, everyone is always listening and plotting. I would not want you to be in the middle of a conspiracy."
Caroline had tears in her eyes and wrapped her arm around Elena's waist in thanks. "Elena what is going on? Do you want me to go to the theater with King Damon?"
Elena smirked wickedly and responded in a whisper "yes and tell me everything that happens. If you want I can attend with Prince Stefan and sit him next to you so, that you may enjoy the company of both men…" Elena snickered
Caroline gasped "I know you jest Elena but, you are absolutely wicked."
"Yes, yes but, I want you to go to the theater and tell me what you feel about King Damon and I will also attend with Prince Stefan and tell you if he is worthy of the love of the best friend of the Queen."
"Oh Elena that would make me so happy but what shall I wear! I have nothing worthy of an outing with a King"
"Do not fret on it my sweet friend. I will make sure that all eyes will be on you and they will all wish they were you."
Elena then grasped her hand and asked Caroline "Caroline why does Damon irk me so?"
"It's simple Elena, You are in love." Elena felt her eyes would fall out of their very sockets her eyes widened so.
"Hush childe you know that is not true! I will never be in love!" She chastised Caroline in a shocked tone.
"You say that Elena but, what does your heart say?" Her voice held a hint of amusement that could only be from someone who knows the truth about the affairs of the heart.
"I suppose that it does beat faster when he is around and I feel like my stomach will never untwist."
"Those symptoms all point to one thing, love. Now what is important is how you want me to act around the King. I know that he is just entertaining me so that I may tell him about you. What shall I say?"
"Tell only the truth, he shall know exactly who he is up against."
"He does not know what he is in for does he Elena?"
"He does not and he will find out very soon." Elena said in an ominous voice.
The next morning came too early for Elena. Her ladies maids had her awake and dressed before she knew that her eyes were even open. All night she could not stop thinking about how she would untangle the mess that she was in. Caroline had a peaceful smile on her face and Elena was happy for that. She would lose a nights rest to be sure that her most favored person was happy. She straightened her spine dismissed her ladies maids for the morning and headed to her meeting with her counselors.
When she entered the room the counselors stood bowed to her and waited for her to take her place at the head of the table. She placed a stern look on her face and sat down in her seat. All the other counselors sat down when she nodded her assent.
"As you know my counselors I have asked Lord Jeremy to prepare a joust in honor of Prince Stefan. I trust that is going along well."
"Yes your majesty. As we speak preparations are being made. As for your play, I will meet with the theater master after noon day meal."
"Very good Lord Jeremy." Elena gave Jeremy a nod of thanks.
"With that said I shall speak on the matter of petitions I received from some of my Dukes." All eyes turned expectantly towards the Queen
"I have denied all requests for additional funds and am hereby raising the allowances on both Duke Matthew and Duke Jeremy's estates. I trust this will teach you all to better spend your funds. Furthermore, Henceforth I am ordering that accounting sheets will be sent to me at the end of each month. If you cannot learn to spend more wisely I trust that a night in a cell will teach you that the hard earned taxes of my people are not to be squandered uselessly." She looked upon the room and narrowed her eyes to each of her Dukes.
"I trust that it will not be too difficult for my Dukes to follow this command. If I do not receive these sheets your funds will be garnished until I do. If, by chance, I find that these sheets have not been accounted for properly you will lose your position. Am I clear?"
"Yes your majesty" Her dukes said in unison. Many looked like they were about to pass out. Many looked to be silently plotting treason.
Are there to be any more questions?"
"Yes your majesty" Responded Duke Matthew in his gravelly voice. "How goes negotiations with Italy?"
It was very difficult not to purse her lips agitatedly and take away his raise but, she knew that it was not his fault that Damon was not playing nice.
"It goes well Lord Matthew. We have not yet decided if we want to marry."
Lord Matthew smiled. She was sure that he knew what she was thinking. She turned her face away from him so he could not read her eyes. She was never able to fully hide anything from him. Especially since her cousin gossiped with him like an old hen.
"Very good your majesty" he responded signaling the end of his questions.
The rest of the morning consisted of normal business and Elena was happy for the distraction it afforded her from Damon.
Elena felt her heart lighten when she was able to hear petitions from her people. She walked briskly to her chambers to change into a gown appropriate for her people. They enjoyed seeing her in a more traditional gown. Her ladies maids were waiting for her when she arrived at her rooms.
Caroline first sat Elena down in her dressing chair. She pulled her hair out of the pins placed in it in the morning and combed her hair. She started braiding the bottoms of her hair so that each braid made a loop in the back of her hair. This pulled her hair from the top so that her crown was able to sit on top of her head without pulling her hair or pushing her hair into her eyes.
They quickly stripped Elena of the comfortable blue gown she was wearing. They retighten her corset and brought over the hoop. Elena raised her arms so they could slip the hoop over her head. They fastened the hoop around her waist and Caroline brought the golden dress over to place on Elena. The gown was a beautiful gown with and intricate design of white flowers embroidered into it. The gown was very heavy and had a small train on it. Elena still had her arms raised for Caroline to place the gown on her. Caroline placed the gown on her and held the front of the gown up for Elena to push her hands through the long sleeves. The sleeves ended in a triangle shape at her finger tops. Caroline then began to button the gown with a button hook. She was so adept at it that it only took her a few minutes to finish buttoning the gown. Caroline then walked over to Elena's jeweled box and pulled a small golden necklace from the box and fastened it around her neck then, handed Elena her small golden lapis lazuli ring that her mother gave her. Elena always wore this ring during public petitions. It sat there to remind her to be fair to her people. Elena then put her family crown on her head. She wore the crown her mother wore. It was smaller than her fathers but, fit her better. The crown was a golden crown that came to a single point after circling her head. At the top of the point sat a single lapis lazuli gem. Lapis Lazuli was her mother's favorite gem. Elena then stepped into the golden shoes that matched her dress.
"Ladies you have done a fine job this day. To reward your quick work Lady Caroline, You may sit next to my throne." Elena knew that this would show the people how favored Caroline was in her eyes. Elena knew that she wanted Caroline to marry higher than her rank and this would soften the people to such a move.
"You are to kind your grace" Caroline said after curtseying perfectly. Elena smiled at this. She knew she was not making a mistake by making Caroline into a princess. She just had to be sure that Stefan was who Caroline wanted to marry and of even more importance that he was indeed the gentleman that he claimed to be. However dull Elena felt Stefan was Caroline was the main concern. Who was she if she could not protect her own friend?
At that thought Elena reached the entrance of the throne room. She took a deep breath and waited for the foot man to open the door for her and call attention to her people. Elena entered the room and let her people rise. They formed a line and Elena addressed them.
"My people it gladdens my heart to see all of you. I hope that each and every one of your concerns may be solved this day. Thank you for your love for it is your love that warms my heart."
With that she sat on her throne and Caroline sat on the smaller chair next to hers. Her ladies maids either sat on the steps at their feet or stood off to the side. They waited for her with a cup of fresh water or to accept gifts for her. Elena always received flowers or other gifts of variety. In one memorable time a young farmer brought a sheep into the throne room. This brought her courtiers to laughter so she approached the sheep and patted it on the head to help the farmer feel less mortified. She allowed the farmer to kiss her hand and sat back on her throne. Elena knew that the farmer would forever tell his family of the time a queen allowed him to kiss her hand. That night Jeremy thoroughly chastised the guards that let the man with the sheep in. If the guards will make mistakes like that who was to say that an assailant would not be let in. She was sure the guard was released from duty. It made her sad to know that one man was release from duty but, she had to think of the safety of her people before she worried about a man feeding his family.
The time Elena spent hearing petitions went very quickly. She loved to hear from her people and it was always enjoyable for her. She solved every problem her people brought to her and she was sure that she earned the love of all her people.
She was holding Caroline's hand and discussing the possibility of taking a stroll in the garden before dinner as she entered her room. She was planning on returning to her more comfortable blue dress and returning her crown to her jewelry case when she spotted a bouquet of wild flowers on a table in the middle of the room that usually held a golden vase given to her by England. She looked for the vase and found it on another table along the side of the entry way. She immediately turned on Caroline with accusing eyes.
"Lady Caroline how did these flowers get in here?" She demanded.
"I do not know your majesty" She immediately responded and lowered her eyes.
"If it pleases your majesty the answers may lie in the letter alongside the flowers" She immediately offered to soften Elena's anger.
Elena saw the letter and ripped open the seal without even bothering to look at the seal to see who it was from.
My dearest Queen,
These flowers may wither and die but, your beauty will be everlasting. I look forward to seeing you at the joust and hope that you will honor me with your favor.
Forever yours,
Prince Stefan Salvatore
The letter caused a shiver of shame to run down her spine. How was she supposed to let Stefan know that she would not be marrying him? She would have to let him know gently so, those relations with Italy would remain in amiable terms. Yet, she did not want any more of his attention. She knew the answer immediately. She would demand he not send any more gifts. She tossed the letter in the fire and watched it burn.
She then turned to her ladies maids demanding that they quickly changed her into her blue dress. She stiffened her spine and knew that Stefan would be in the gardens writing in his journal. Her spies let her know that much. She marched into the gardens with her ladies maids trailing after her. Caroline was looking as confused as ever. She dared not talk to Elena when she was in a fiery mood. She found Stefan sitting on a bench reading a book. She was close at least. Upon hearing her approach he leapt to his feet.
"Your majesty, to what do I owe this pleasure." Seeing his pale blue eyes full of hope she realized that she needed to quash her anger and be easy on him. Men were raised from birth to be ambitions and she did not want him to think her a tyrant.
She drew a deep breath and put a smile on her face. "Prince Stefan how about you take a quick stroll with me?" Stefan smiled and held his arm out for her.
"It would be my pleasure."
She slipped her arm in his and began the walk. She felt it easier to talk when she walked.
"Prince Stefan it was very kind of you to send your gift. They were quite beautiful."
"You like them? I picked each just for you on my own." He seemed oddly pleased.
She ignored his question. "You know the best way to win my affections is not through gifts but, by actions."
She knew that would get his attention.
"What types of actions?"
"Helping my people because you see my people are my heart."
"In what way would you suggest?"
"Serving food to those who have none, helping to nurse the sick and many other charitable actions would help you find favor with me." She suggested.
"I shall begin at once your majesty."
"Prince Stefan, Lady Caroline feed the poor at first light. You should escort her. She should not be out alone. Many are jealous of her favor with me. Would you do me the honor of escorting her and helping her as she tends to my people?"
"It would be my greatest honor. Your majesty." A smile grew on Elena's face when she knew that her plan was forming perfectly. She would be sure to place her spies as Stefan's servants and he would escort Caroline as she tends to the poor. This would insure Caroline and Stefan spent time together and got to know each other. An added bonus was that Caroline would be protected and she would get the information that she needed on Stefan's character. If he did not help her people with a smile then he was not worthy of Caroline.
Elena finished her walk with Stefan and then retired to her room. Caroline slept next to her in her bed again and Elena finally got the rest she needed.
Thank you for your many wonderful reviews. If I did not respond I am terribly sorry. I try to respond to every review. Please let me know what you think of Elena's plan and tell me how you like my story so far. As always any suggestions are welcome. Anonymous reviews are now accepted.