The Rightful Queen

Chapter 8 – His Doubts

As Laura returned to her quarters, she started questioning her life. What is her purpose now? Being kept inside the castle grounds, it was restrictive. She couldn’t go out without permission. She misses the market. The boy with the fruit stand. The old man with the newspapers. The old lady with her bread and cheese. She misses the chaotic atmosphere of the place and how she feels like she belongs there.

Being spoken to by the king the way it was tonight, she felt degraded. Her opinions don’t matter, huh? She misunderstood the latter part of his statement. Laura smiled sadly. She thought he meant she should stop talking the way she did earlier, but it would seem he meant that she should never speak up again.

In public, it won’t be too difficult. She’s used to maintaining her silence anyway. In private, she should be allowed to talk to her maids, right? Who would monitor her and report to the king? This is of no importance to him, whether she speaks or not.

Still, there’s not much to do. Her allowance and purchases need the permission of a palace staff. She couldn’t acquire materials to do crafts that would make her busy. She could tailor a simple dress, but there’s nothing to tailor. The most she could do is labor in the garden. Since it’s on the west side of the palace and not really a place frequented by visitors, it was left unattended. Well, tending to it was left to the residence.

Since that day, she put her focus on improving her little garden. Currently, it’s the only thing that makes her look forward to every morning.

All the events she was called for, she attended in silence. The other ladies did try to provoke her into speaking and they would mock how she’s not allowed to. They would rile her up until she mastered a deadpan look in her face. Cristina is happy to see this. Laura doesn’t look as pretty when her expression shows such a look.

Enduring their mockery exhausts her. She would return tired to her quarters. What has become of her life? Wouldn’t becoming a servant be better for her? She doesn’t normally cry, but tonight she did. She misses her parents. She hoped her maternal grandparents are still well. It has been four years and she hasn’t heard anything about them. If she could only go to them… they would care for her, won’t they?

Here, there’s no one for her. Except for her maids, all the others don’t like her and treat her with contempt. She’s starting to hate her situation and the people that brought this upon her.

It was around this time that the former king, Samuel’s father, died. His health has worsened. It happened very quickly. Just last week, Samuel has been able to talk to him. He seemed well back then, albeit weakened. Now, he’s lying lifeless in his bed. The whole kingdom mourned his passing and a royal funeral was prepared. A lot of people came to pay their respects.

Laura has admired his accomplishments, but that was it. The way they do things inside the palace, those are things she doesn’t agree with. But for helping the people in the communities, she heard most of the projects that has been implemented for them. Of course, those aren’t enough. But it’s still better than nothing.

She followed the others during the funeral and kept her silence. Once, she looked up to see the current king’s face and he turned his head in her direction. Their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away. It meant nothing, Laura knew this.

Samuel’s heart is heavy. He wasn’t expecting this. Surely, his father’s death was sudden. His thoughts are scattered. Even if his father was sick, he kept seeking his wisdom and opinion on matters of the kingdom. He’s the only one he fully trusts. With him gone, he’s afraid the others would start plotting their own plans. He would have a hard time discerning which ones are sincere and which ones are hiding their selfish intentions. It’s kind of difficult. Most plans presented are made to favor the proponent and a few others. They would say it’s for the people and the redounding benefit is only circumstantial, but that is never the whole truth. Sure, a few of them are true nobles, but most are greedy bastards hiding behind their noble status. Gone are the days where nobles are purely loyal to and supportive of the throne.

He looked to his left and saw his wife. Another thing that bothers the elders is how she hasn’t conceived yet. With his father gone, they would be more insistent on having an heir to the throne. If the queen cannot give her one, the consorts are available.

There’s another thing that’s been bothering him, but he mostly sweeps it to the side. Disregarding it. Right now, he feels that he must give it some serious thought.

When evening came, he decided to remain in his own quarters.

His father’s gone now. The Seer did not tell them when he’s gonna leave, so there’s that. Maybe he should’ve asked. He tried to recall the Seer’s words.

A woman his equal. One full of wisdom. Her words are the only ones he should listen to.

He should have asked for specific details. Clearly, the Seer couldn’t have meant that all her words would matter. She would be a boring scholar if such is the case.

Cristina… she seems very ordinary. Her knowledge is average at best. Wisdom? It’s either a hit or a miss.

She would sometimes say insightful things, but other times she’s saying silly things. She would brush them off as jokes or something fun.

In the beginning, he would tell her some of the kingdom’s affairs and situation but she only seemed mildly interested. She doesn’t have much to say about it. Whenever he asks her what she’s going to do if it were her, she doesn’t always give a satisfactory answer.

He couldn’t help entertaining the doubts in his heart.

Was the Seer lying about his future and all the things she said?

Or did he choose wrongly and Cristina isn’t the one?

He would never want to admit the latter if it was the case. It’s not something he can easily reverse. He stared at the ribbon he took from her. He chose her because she has it during the celebration. But… he never confirmed with her how she came to have it. Was she the woman in the market? Or is she someone else? If so, how did the ribbon come to her hands?

He put his head on his hands. Would he dare to get answers? To check if he was mistaken?

He should have been very careful from the beginning, but he never considered that he might be deceived. Regardless of it being intentional or not.

Cristina is a sweet girl, but there was nothing special about her.

You must discern to whom you’ve given the ribbon to.

The Seer said this. She seemed to emphasize this statement and he hasn’t given it any serious thought.

What if he chose wrongly? Can he correct it?

Suddenly, Laura’s face came to mind and he frowned. When he thinks about it, her words at the banquet weren’t wrong. It was only because his queen asked him to shut her up that he said those things to her.

Suddenly, he felt terrible. Surely, the Seer didn’t literally mean that he must listen to her every word. Or to heed them. Or he could listen, but still decide whether to act on them or not. That makes much more sense than blindly listening and heeding her words.

Why was he stupid? He took the Seer’s words to mean quite literally. If he sends people to find her, would he be able to talk to her and confirm his concerns?

In a way, he only has himself to blame. Though such a woman is said to be his match, he should’ve been just as wise. If it isn’t Cristina, then who is she? Where is she?