- The Complication
"Your Majesties, it appears that her claim to the barony of Ellwangen has some potential legitimacy," stated the seneschal, sitting across from the royal couple at a darkly stained wood conference table, putting down a very old leather bound book.
"What!?" They shout.
"That Barony was given in trust to the crown about 500 years ago," said the seneschal.
"I know that. We've managed that land as our own, it is fertile and productive, a good source of income. But how did she survive all those centuries?" asked the king.
"I don't know, but since the flower was able to heal the queen she must have used it to heal herself, somehow," shrugged the seneschal.
King Leonard thought about that, the flower had healed his wife, since Gothel had survived all those years she must have used it to heal her old age.
"So she really is a Baroness?" asked the king.
"Yes and in addition to that, the house of Ellwangen was placed as wards of the crown, she did it in her dotage as a prelude to her expected death. According to the notes the manor house burned down, there were no deaths but she was the last of that line. She released her chattel and came to the palace. That is done for nobles that have no children and want there to be no disputes over the land after their passing . She has provided the proper passphrases and identifications." He touched the heavy leather book he had put down on the table.
"She couldn't have read it from the book as you were looking?" asked the king.
"Please, sire, give me that much credit. I found the information before returning to her and even opened to the wrong page. She really is a Baroness and ward of the crown."
The queen gasps. "You mean to tell us that she is one of those children or elders we personally take care of as if they were our own. Even until they die."
"Uh, yes, your Majesty," the seneschal said quietly. "It is a rather convoluted and complex situation here."
"If you gentlemen would excuse me..." the queen rose and glided off, her voice tightly controlled.
"Of course, dear," said the king rising, and the other men rising as well.