The Rightful Queen

Chapter 7 – Her Treatment

After the honeymoon period, Samuel went back to work. The elders had so much to teach him. The nobles have a lot to consult him with, issues that they have within the kingdom.

As he’s busy, Cristina had a lot of time to idle. It took her just a couple of weeks to realize that Samuel values her words and acquiesce to her every request. Whatever she wants, he would give it to her. Of course, she doesn’t plan on abusing it. He’s a learned person and with adequate knowledge. He’s dealt with people a lot to know when they have ill intentions.

Slowly, she started guarding against Laura. She would tell him little things about her, how bad her character is and how wicked she could be. They are cousins after all and they’ve lived together for four years. She knows her well. Eventually, she ended up by requesting that he avoids her as much as possible. That girl would only cause problems and she’s not pleasant.

Samuel was too busy to even visit his consorts at the moment and could only cater to his queen. Since the Seer said he should listen to her words, of course, he’s planning to do just that.

And so, Laura’s life within the palace grounds started peacefully. In the beginning, she dreads the night. She’s not sure what to do if the new king visits her quarters. What is she expected to do anyway? Entertain him with tea? Tell him stories? Their relationship right now isn’t a romantic one. On his part, it is his right. On her part, it is her obligation as his subject. She cannot refuse. She cannot rebel. She can only accept what was given her, what is expected of her…

She started to relax as days go by and the king has not visited. The only time she goes inside the palace is when someone with authority requires it. A couple of times, all the consorts were called for breakfast and was given a lesson on royal household etiquette.

On the third week, the queen extended an invitation to the other women. Laura isn’t pleased to receive it. She would rather stay at her simple residence and chat with the servants. It wasn’t so bad when no one is bothering her.

She took deep breaths before entering the banquet hall. When it comes to her, it was as she expected. Cristina, despite being her relative, isolated her. Made her the odd woman in the group. Of course, the others are still envious of her beauty. They were all thinking that after the queen, she would be the one the king would favor the most.

Cristina already put measures in place against that. The king would never visit her. She personally requested it. Her image was already ruined. She’s not sure if the king could throw her out after selecting her, but maybe she should try and bring it up later. Much later. Laura has no other relative other than Cristina’s family. Well, her maternal grandparents are too far away and elderly. They would die soon.

She turned eighteen only recently. Before that, she was not allowed to leave her uncle’s residence, who was her legal guardian. Also, she has no resources except the meager coins given to her.

Laura remained quiet during the banquet. She was clear on what its purpose is. All the other women chattered, wanting to have the queen’s favor.

After that day, in every activity or event where her presence is required, they would bully her. They would say a lot of unpleasant things. She would admit that it made her feel angry, but she couldn’t do anything about it. How Cristian treated her back home, she has magnified it within the palace.

That one time she saw the king inside the castle walls, she bowed to him but his expression was blank. Of course, how could he remember her?

Maybe she should be happy about it. Within a few months, she realized that everyone else has been visited by the king in their residences. She was the exception. The other ladies mocked her pitiful situation but she’s relieved by it. She doesn’t have to deal with him and embarrass herself further. She endured week after week.

At the end of the year, there was a celebration for everyone. Well, nobles.

She couldn’t not go. Despite her feelings of spite, she never retaliated against the others. She simply tried to ignore all their hurtful words and judging statements, no matter how far-fetched they are. They won’t stop even if she asks them to. They would only strike harder if she tries to argue with them. Silence is the wise man’s answer to a fool.

Samuel couldn’t be bothered by the affairs of the women. He has so many responsibilities to take care of. Even at an event like this, his mind is occupied by the problems and concerns he must address.

It was too late to say he wasn’t as prepared as he thought he was. He’s trying his best. Life of a king isn’t as glorious as it’s portrayed to the people. When he’s still a mere prince, he only knew half of what his father was doing. He thought that was all of it and it was going to be easy. Or at least, manageable. He thought wrong.

During that celebration, a discussion was brought up about current affairs. Normally, only men speak during these events but the ladies have created their own circles and were discussing them, too. They seem serious.

Laura was only listening on the side and her expression is one of disbelief. These ladies have no idea what’s going on out there in the real world. They only knew about parties and luxuries. Their view and perspectives are faulty at most.

This is why she likes going out, especially in the market. You’ll see different people, with different stories, with different problems, with different challenges…

She sighed, recalling the hardships most ordinary people go through. They labor through each day to earn money for their food and shelter. Life is hard. People in power could either make it easier or harder for others. Not everyone is kind, she knew this. People could be selfish and sadly, most influential people are. Her uncle is one. His connections would surely be the same. As for the current king…

Laws are laws. They’re not always fair. They’re not always convenient, but they’re there to maintain peace and order. To support the kingdom, in exchange for protection and regulation.

While she doesn’t agree with every rule, she accepts that they’re necessary. They’re the next best thing to nothing. She knew if they could be improved, it would’ve been done already. There are so many scholars and elders inside the palace…

It might be because she hasn’t spoken in a while and definitely not with this crowd of people, as the king walked over to accompany his queen, Laura blurted out her own opinion. She basically contracted some of the points they were making earlier and explained why they’re not going to work.

It’s kind of… funny… how some people can twist their words to satisfy their narrative. As another lady rebuffed her words, Cristina was whispering to the king.

The other woman’s explanation wasn’t totally logical but she swayed the crowd to agree with her. This is one of the things Laura hate. 

She remained silent, not wanting to argue further. There are two types of people in the world. Those who are open-minded, who could accept and analyze the views of others, who can acknowledge that they are not entirely correct… The other type is those who are close-minded. They’re the only ones who are right. They don’t acknowledge what others have to say, no matter how plausible and realistic. They believe they’re always right and they can never do wrong.

Laura sighed. How pathetic. This is also one of the reasons she doesn’t enjoy talking with these ladies. They’re self-centered and severely lacking in understanding those who are below them in the social ladder. They lack the empathy. 

She’s not sure what happened. But she’s just tired…

She has endured so much in the last few months. She had been discriminated upon, isolated, bullied, lambasted…

She spoke again and her thoughts flowed out. Uncensored. Unbridled. She would admit she might have said something controversial… or is it?

She wasn’t attacking anyone with her words. She merely explained those two types of people she was thinking about. Maybe many of those around her were… personally attacked or something. But that wasn’t her intention. Now, not only the ladies are throwing her dirty looks.

The king spoke, unhappy with her statements as well.

“Your opinion doesn’t matter here. You can close your mouth now and never speak like this again.”

Being the highest authority in the room, Laura felt the embarrassment of being disgraced like this. To be told by His majesty…

She bowed and apologized. “I understand, my lord. I apologize…”

“Do you? I told you to shut up.”

Laura bit her lip as she kept her head down. Don’t say another word, she told herself.

Cristina smirked in her direction. That girl likes to talk as if she’s superior than the rest of them. Granted she doesn’t talk much but the few times she spoke, it was to argue with the others’ point of view. Cristina never liked her speaking. She won’t acknowledge it, but her cousin’s words do prick her conscience. She speaks of truth that people don’t want to face.