The Ruthless Kings Replacement Queen

Chapter Five - The Honour

Chapter Five – The Honour

King Xavier IV Point of view

I sat on my throne in the royal throne room, lost in thought, unable to get the image of the young girl that had walked across my courtyard from my mind. I sent word to Lord Enoch for him to attend me, I need information on the girl, if she was to be a servant in the Hareem, I required that if she is still a virgin, she becomes part of this process to find my Queen.

Enoch arrived soon after, bowing at the door, and I held out the Spector to him, so that he may approach and speak with me. Enoch bowed, touched the tip with his fingers and approached the foot of my throne.

“Tell me Enoch, have all the virgins arrived?” I enquired.

“Not yet your Majesty, I believe only half have arrived, the rest will be here before nightfall” Enoch bowed.

“When I was bathing this morning, I happened to look across my courtyard, you were with a young lady is she to be a maid in the Hareem?” I asked moving myself forward on my throne in readiness to hear the answer.

“No Sire, she presented herself as one of your virgins” Enoch replied.

My heart bounded inside my chest, at the news, and I took a deep breath to compose myself.

“Which village is she from?” I find myself desperate for information regarding the girl.

“Sire, she had no village, she is an orphan and has been living in solitude and poverty” Enoch announced.

“I accepted her, because she has attributes that I feel your highness will find appealing” Enoch continued, shifting slightly uncomfortably, obviously wondering if he had made a wrong decision. Little did he know he had made the correct one and I was very well pleased with him.  

“I see, well, if you believe she is special, I require that you personally look after her, along with the maids of your choice during the beautifying process, if she is an orphan of no village, she will not I feel be comfortable sharing bed chambers, see that she has one of her own, and ensure she is given double food portions” I instructed.

Enoch’s eyes widened slightly, never have I offered such kindness to anyone and I am not sure why I am at this moment, but I feel almost compelled to do so.

“You have never failed me Enoch, I trust you will not fail me now” I continued.

“Yes, your majesty, I will make the preparations” Enoch bowed

“Also, I require you remove the Lady Katherine from the Royal Hareem, she is to stay in the guest Hareem for our nobles and visitors to enjoy, I do not require her presence any longer” I order.

“May I enquire, did she displease your majesty?” Enoch reverently enquired.

“No, she pleased me, but failed to remove herself from my chamber after I had fallen asleep, she has become too accustomed to my presence.  If it had been another they would be hanging beside Valarie as we speak, but today I find myself feeling charitable. Maybe give her to Lord Holden as a reward for his continued advice that has served me so well in these past days”

“As you wish Sire” Enoch bowed.

“You May leave” I commanded,

I watched as Enoch left, and then sat back into my throne, pleased in the knowledge that the girl who was possessing my thoughts will be presented to me at the allotted time.

Today my subjects would be given permission to approach me to sort out and rule upon any squabbles that have taken place.  This day happened once a season, and it was tiresome, arguments over such petty matters, as who had or had not stolen bread from the other awaiting the Kings judgement on the matter.  I understand from my elder advisors that some of the people were starving and without food, the effects from last years failed crops, but each quarter more and more of these arguments were being presented to me and it was a burden upon my patience.

I could hear the sounds of people shouting and arguing from the hall beyond the throne room as they arrived in their hundreds, today was going to be a long day, and I was in need of advice as to how I can reduce the number of complaints coming to me.

“Send for the Lord Chancellor and Chief Advisor Holden” I commanded a servant,

Maybe he will have some advice on how to stop these infernal arguments about food. I do believe over half my kingdom have only one hand now, due to the number of subjects stealing bread with which to eat.

Holden arrived shortly after, I held out the Spector, sometimes these traditions are more than a little tiresome, but I am King, and I have to uphold them, even for my trusted nobles who attend me.

After bowing and touching the tip of the Spector, Holden approached.

“Lord Chancellor and Chief Advisor, I require your thoughts on how we can put an end to these infernal arguments between the subjects regarding food, and money, it seems I have more and more of them to deal with each season, and I am finding it tiresome” I sigh

“Your Majesty, it is truth, that the subjects are in hunger due to the failed crops, this will cause such arguments to come before the throne. Although it is a man’s duty to provide for his family and the crown, if this is trying for you sire, may I make a suggestion that may work to help alleviate the problem?”

I nodded, for him to continue, as the noise from the great hall intensified giving me a thumping head.

“Your Majesty, the subjects are loyal to you and your kindness, if it pleases you, I could conduct a tour of all the cities, towns and villages in the realm over the next six months, they will see me as the new Lord Chancellor, and if I should wear the royal blue robe, they will pay their respects to your majesty’s kindness in promoting me as such. I could take with me some amounts of Gold and Silver coins and disseminate these as a blessing to each person that shows you respect by welcoming me. This will give those who are deserving money to purchase food, and therefore less will have reason to argue and bring disputes before your majesty.”

That would certainly help with my problem, but for Holden to wear the royal blue robe, would give him power beyond any other noble in the realm, it would set him apart, and I need to understand if this would be seen as a challenge to my ultimate authority.

“Thank you for your advice, I will consult with my other advisors and inform you of my decision” I respond and dismiss Holden.

I motioned to the guards to allow the first of the subjects in to approach me regarding their disputes, today will be a long day.

Esperanza’s Point of View

I have been sat all day in this waiting area as more and more ladies arrive, many of them undoubtedly beautiful, dressed in rich clothing, with perfect hair.  Some of the ladies are truly excited to be here, others like me, are sitting quietly secretly terrified at what is to become of us, a couple of them have the attitude that they will be queen and the rest of us are beneath them.

Some of the conversations have caused me to blush, amongst the more confident girls, and I wonder why they would think in this way, one in particular, regarding how big they thought the Kings man parts would be. I shuddered at the thought, as it terrifies me, plus I am sure to talk of such matters could end with your head in a cage adorning the side of the palace. Surly these impure thoughts would never be acceptable for a Queen, but what would I know, I am just a poor orphan doing her duty for her beloved Uncle.

The main doors opened, and my Lord Enoch arrived each of us stood and bowed respectfully, as he looked around each of us. When he arrived in front of me, he gave me a warm smile, before looking over the lady next to me.

Taking his place in the centre of the room, he began to make an announcement.

“I am Lord Enoch, the chief Beautifier and head of the Royal Hareems, today you will be allocated your beautifier’s, and bed chambers.  The King has granted that one of you ladies will be allocated a personal bed chamber, this is a great honour, that lady will be tended to by myself, and my chosen assistants and maids only, the rest of you will sleep with five others, and will share a beautifier” Enoch’s voice rang out.

There was an air of excitement around the richer girls, who mumbled that they were sure to be the honoured ones.

Lord Enoch cleared his throat and continued with his speech.

“Once you have been allocated your bed chambers, we will all make our way to the virginal dining hall where we will partake in your welcome feast, after this your food’s will be planned for you by your beautifier, along with the treatments you will each receive. I implore all of you to follow your beautifiers instructions, they know how best to please the King.” A small murmur of agreement filled the room from each of us.

“Tomorrow you will see the palace physician who will confirm your virginal status, if you are proved lacking in this area, you will receive the ultimate punishment for attempting to deceive the crown.  I give you permission to leave now without any punishment if you wish to withdraw from the process, after we leave this room, then you will be subject to all punishments as previously described”   

Two of the girls who had instigated the conversation regarding the size of his Majesties private area, stood immediately, blushing wildly and ran for the door, Lord Enoch opened it and nodded to a guard to let them leave, he waited a few more moments then spoke again

“We will start with basic Palace Etiquette lessons, other than myself you must not speak with any other male in the palace, and you will be attended to by females only.  If you are found in any other male presence you will be punished by whipping, if you are found alone with any other male you will be hung by the neck until dead.  You will be taught all things during the next six months, so let us begin” Lord Enoch clapped, and Five Ladies arrived, who were the beautifiers, and began to shout out names of the ladies entrusted to them for their upmost care and attention.

I listened carefully, for my name, but it was never announced, suddenly I was the last person here, and Lord Enoch approached me.

“Esperanza, my child, you have gained favour and honour, you are to be my protégée, I hope you will not disappoint me” he smiled warmly at me.

“My lord, I am humble of this honour, and promise to do everything within my power to please you, and his Majesty the king, thank you” I bowed. Whilst wondering if there was some mistake.

“Come, let me show you to your chambers, it has been a very long wait for you my child”

I followed Lord Enoch, to my chamber, it was magnificent, beyond my wildest dreams, a large white four poster bed sat in the centre of the room, it had light organza curtains tied to each bed post, four plump pillows sat at the top and there were three sheets, and two silver coloured bedspreads for warmth and comfort. On one wall was a dressing table with oval looking glass, that contained silver brushes, and combs, along one side was four large ornate wardrobes, which were empty at present, beside them was a small oak door that led to a water closet.  On a table beside the bed was a water bowl and jug to wash, and on the opposite side a table with a candelabra.  Under the window stood a smaller table with a bowl filled with so many exotic fruits, including pineapple, oranges, apples, and deep red grapes, along with a cut glass decanter which contained red wine, and an ornate wine chalice sat beside it. The windows had drapes, for complete privacy, and I gasped at the opulence and splendour of this room, still shocked that this was all for me.

“You will have three personal maids assigned to you my child, they will wash, dress you and tend to your needs, I understand you spoke with Alya earlier, she is a little young, but if you would like her to be assigned to you as one of your maids, I will happily oblige” Lord Enoch offered kindly

“Yes, My Lord, I would like that very much, may I take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart” I whispered still in awe of my surroundings.

“It is a pleasure child, but save your thanks for his majesty the King, this is by his command”

I nodded, but why would the King offer me all this? He was not acquainted to me, nor has he seen me, so I wondered again if maybe there has been a mistake.

“My lord, I am not known to the King, maybe there has been a mistake” I protest before I become to accustomed with my opulent chambers.

“There is no mistake my child, now, let us go to the dining hall for the welcome feast, I am sure you are very hungry” The Lord Enoch smiled warmly at me again, and I followed him into the dining hall.