Royal Announcement (2)
"What!! Tara flinched. Reaching out for a napkin, she wiped her mouth slowly then focused her gaze on Haron. She was already getting used to being the youngest and the most Cherished queen of Decreash. But no, this man had a way of ruining her plans every time.
Now all the queens were gazing at Haron itching for an answer. "This...this is unacceptable, you are licensed to have only five wives." Tara's pitch was high causing some glances to be directed at her but she cared less. What she had just said was true, as the law stated, Haron could have more than one wife, but it must not exceed five.
"Stop making such a fuss about nothing Tara, since Katie is no more, My lord has every right to pick another wife." Rachel retorted, before fixing her gaze on the steak she was cutting with the fancy cutleries.
Lora casted a disdainful glance at her before shifting it to Haron, but before she could make any comment Haron rose to his feet. "My decision is final." His cold voice underscored. Turning swiftly he glided across the dinning room making his way to the throne room. Lora held her breath before sighing and leaving the table. "Someone just lost their appetite." Sofia commended and her mother chipped in.
"Well it's not his fault, after all some women just don't know how to get the job done when training their kids." Joanna said with sacarsm, what she meant was that Haron had lost his manners, by choosing five wife he not only proved to her that he was like his father, he only emphasized that he couldn't set a good example.
Selena who was drinking her soup heard what Joanna had said clearly, she got the message of Joanna's words and felt insulted. If Haron was here Joanna wouldn't have dared to utter such nonsense from her mouth, at least if she valued her life she wouldn't.
"Are you questioning my son's upbringing? Selena fumed dropping the cutlery she was using to drink her spoon abruptly on the table which made a loud noise. This action of hers amused everyone at the table, but Joanna was yet to get what she was looking for. "Well the fact still remains that he has a high taste for women, like father like son." Immediately Joanna finished her sentence she held a loud bang from the table.
Gazing at Selena she saw that she had just hit her fist on the table. "Well at least he chose his wife, they didn't come running to him and begging him to accept them because they were pregnant." Joanna's heart irked with pain when she heard Selena's words. It was true that she had hooked up Harris with a child, but he had already promise to marry her before then.
Hearing those words come out from Selena's mouth really damaged the remaining kindness Joanna had for Selena. She just had to go and say it when everyone was at the table, now everyone would know how she got married to Harris in the first place.
She felt hurt and swallowed her anger as her gaze fell, William who had been eating silently suddenly readjusted on his chair. He felt his muscles constrict when he heard Selena's revelation. No wonder the old man never liked him, he was a mistake. He wasn't planned, it just happened. William felt so uncomfortable and suddenly lost his appetite, wiping his mouth he left the table with a messed up emotion.
"Mother is that true? Sofia questioned with a wide eye. She found Selena's word intriguing, although she didn't want to believe her, but her mother's silent said otherwise. Just to confirm her judgement she decided to seek her mother's answer, but how wrong of her to do so. "Mind your business and just eat! The heaviness of her voice weighed down Sofia heart. Sofia wasn't angry that her mother scolded her, although she did so in a whisper but Sofia could feel how hurt she was.
Sofia heard someone chuckled loudly, raising her gaze she met the smirk on Helen's lips. Her contenance suddenly became distorted and she gazed at her with anger written all over her face. "What's so funny? She questioned abrasively eyeing Helen. Helen was the only daughter of Selena and Haron's only sister. A well- breed princess, only that she showed contempt to her rivals, Sofia was one of them.
Just then Joanna wiped her mouth and immediately stood up to leave the table. "Stepmother you haven't finished your food." Helen said almost in a chuckle, the death glare she received from Joanna didn't prick her courage. Hissing aloud Joanna strolled to her room, her long yellow gown rubbing the floor, she had a silver crown on her head and her jewelries glittered and jingles as she walked. Almost immediately Sofia dropped the spoon she was using to drink her soup, wiping her mouth quickly she stood up and went after her mother, but not before eyeing Helen and promising herself to deal with her accordingly.
Jia was the only one at the table that didn't care about what was happening in the kingdom, totally oblivious of her environment, Jia ate heartilheartily, while glancing at her pedicure at intervals. Selena made sure to finish her meal, while gathering the courage to talk some sense into her son."What is wrong with this boy? She cursed inwardly, as always he had made a very crucial decision without informing her first, she was getting fed up with his overwhelming attitude. Immediately she was done, she made her way to Haron's chamber but was told bluntly that the king needed some rest.
Selena eyed the two guards standing in front of her son's chamber before pushing them away and forcing herself inside. Haron wasn't surprised to see her, infact he had been expecting her and began to wonder what was taking her so long. Contrary to what he told the guards he knew his mother would be an exception in this case, he had already studied her contenance at the dinning room and knew she was unhappy about his decision. It's not like her complaints would change anything, he just had to accord her the respect she deserves as queen mother.
"We need to talk! Selena said immediately she stormed into Haron's room. She ignored the glass of juice Haron's personal male servant offered her and fixed her gaze on Haron. "You have made me a laughing stock Infront of everyone." Selena retorted, pissed off that Haron didn't inform her of his rash decision. For goodness sake she was queen mother, if at all a decision should be made, she should be aware.
"Mother I am very busy, we can talk about this later." Haron said not raising his gaze from the book he was skimming through. "You...why don't you just go ahead and kill me, instead of being treated this way I rather die." Selena said with a trace of anger laced in her tone. Selena felt that Haron's attitude towards her was unjust, but the truth of it all was that this was the nicest he has ever been. If Selena wanted to define unjust, she wouldn't even be standing in his room right now, she had the guts to force herself into his room, and was seeking for an explanation?
Haron massaged his temples as he languishly closed the book he was reading and finally raised his gaze to glance at his mother. This woman was giving him a slight headache and he couldn't concentrate on the book he was reading. "I will see to it that you get compensated for this, you may take your leave." He said with a hush of finality directing his gaze back to the book he was reading. "What? Selena muttered inaudibly but before she could utter a word she was already being led out of the room by the guards.
She stomped her foot loudly, when she was outside his chamber and hastily made her way to her room to vent her anger. Before Selena got to her room there were already packages of gifts waiting for her, this was the compensation Haron was talking about. Was he trying to blackmail her? Selena rolled her eyes when she saw the gifts.
At first she ignored the gifts and trotted to the rocky chair beside her room window and sat down heavily drumming her fingers on the arm of the chair. But soon curiosity got the best of her, casting a fleeting glance at the heap of gifts piled on top of each other in fancy boxes she ordered the maid to show her the gifts.
They all filed in and displayed the gifts Haron sent to her, at first Selena acted nonchalantly about it, but soon she became cheerful. "Oh wow, show me that." She pointed at a diamond jewelry box, dazzlingly from the box of gifts. In a split second she had forgotten she was angry with Haron in the first place. Her cheerful disposition was a relief to the maids who thought they would be dealing with another angry mistress.
King Haron definitely knows how to soothe his mother nerves, they thought to themselves inwardly. Sofia was passing through when her eyes caught something glittering, she paused and retraced her step backwards.
Her gaze darkened when she saw Selena's face masked with joy as she took a look at her gifts displayed in front of her. She gritted her teeth, while clenching her fist.
"How biased, he treats his mother with respect and spoils her, but he allows my mother to suffer? I hate you Haron." Sofia fumed with rage as she walked away. As Sophia made her way to her chamber she could hear someone groaning in anger. She strained her ears and could hear Tara furiously ranting.
"What do you mean I can't leave my room? Tara screamed but the guard standing in her way refused to bulge. "The king as ordered that you should be put on house arrest for breaking a golden rule." The guard tried to explain but Tara wasn't listening. All she did was arrive few minutes late after Haron was at the table, she felt she didn't deserve this punishment.
"I want to speak to him, get out of my way! Tara ordered the guard but he still stood erect with a straight gaze. He valued his job and most importantly he valued his life. Tara felt helpless as tears whelmed up in her eyes. "This is so unfair." She whined breathlessly. Sophia giggled to herself and made her way to her room, she felt contented with the punishment Tara was given.
Rachel was in the garden plucking some red roses when a maid came to inform her that queen Lora was coming to see her. Rachel saw this coming, her supportive gestures towards Haron's plan made her enemies numerous.
"Lora is coming to see me, when? She questioned after taking in a deep breath, her voice was sonorous and soothing. Before the maid could answer the question directed at her. Lora made her way into the garden with two royal guards behind her.
She had a predator gaze, as she ached her brows while gazing at Rachel. The purple velvet gown she was wearing was rubbing the floor, and her crown was radiating under the sun.
Each queens had two personal royal guards assigned to keep an eye on them. They always stood in front of their chambers and immediately any queen steps out of their chamber they escort them from behind. Rachel handed the basket of roses she had plucked to the maid beside her.
Rachel had sent her royal guards away, she needed some time alone and wanted to breathe in some fresh air. Now Lora was here to ruin her peace.
The two ladies made their way to the swing arena in the garden. A few distance from the swing was a water fountain, with a golden statue of Haron in the middle.
Lora sat on one of the swing, while Rachel stood erect fixing her gaze at her.
"I suppose you can fathom out the reason I am here, however I dim it fit to state purpose of my visit." Lora voice was low and calm, dare I say patient.
"You obliged to the King's decision…..why Rachel? Lora ached her brows trying to disguise her anger.
"It's not like your words will change anything, but I will give you an inkling." Rachel possessive voice purred.
"You can't eat you cake and have it, you should have thought about this, before unveiling Katie's adulterous secret." With this Lora's face became as red as a tomato. "Are you insinuating that I should have kept mute, thereby sustaining Katie's infidelity?"
"Don't put words in my mouth Lora." Rachel cautioned walking away from the swing arena to where the snacks and afternoon tea was set on a table in the sitting arena. She sat down, and helped herself to a cup of tea, sipping it slowly she snubbed Lora.
Lora got down from the swing in a majestic manner and made to where Rachel was. "You never cease to amaze me Rachel." She said eyeing her stheatily. Taking her sit she crossed her legs gallantly. "How about we play a game of chess, If I win you will have to convince the king to severe all his plans about getting a new wife." Lora was stepping on a lion's tail and she knew it.
Rachel's eyes darkened when Lora uttered those words, finally raising her gaze from the cup of tea she was sipping….... "What if I win?