The Rightful Queen

Chapter 10 – The Kingdom’s Ruin

After that day, Samuel tried to focus more on his duties and responsibilities as king. His counselors couldn’t agree on almost everything, it’s causing him headaches every day. The elders aren’t much help. They give their recommendations but ultimately, the decisions are to be made by the king. All blame would fall on him if something goes wrong. That’s all the people knew. Not everyone understands how the internal politics within the palace works. Every noble family has a say on new laws affecting their properties and territories. They vote on most proposals and the majority rule.

As for Cristina, she didn’t like the change in him. He’s mostly ignoring him and no longer visits her chambers. She knew she’d lost his favor and she needed to do something about it. Some consort might be gaining the favor she lost. She can’t let that happen. She asked her servants to keep an eye on the consorts’ residences but they didn’t report much. The king is as busy as he says he is.

Though once a week, he would spend an hour or so at the gardens near Laura’s residences. It was where she found him last, before his behavior towards him changed. She knew it! It was Laura. She needs to do something about her.

The gardens, huh? Quickly, she issued an order. She’s not the king, but as queen, she still holds some sort of authority. The palace staff heeds her orders, unless the king specifically forbids it.

Not wanting the king to interfere, she acted quickly.

Laura was awakened from her sleep by her maids.

“Wake up, my lady.” Their anxious tone made her alert as she sat up on the bed.

“What’s wrong? What’s going on?”

“They’re destroying the garden, my lady.” One of them tearfully said. They knew how much their master liked tending to the garden and it’s been very beautiful. To have it ruined, it’s going to be heartbreaking.

Laura gulped and asked the question in her head, “Who would do such a thing?”

“It’s been ordered by the queen, my lady.” They were all worried and Laura felt helpless. If Cristina ordered it, what can she do? But why would she even…? It’s just a garden! The only remaining thing she’d been pouring her soul into. Her eyes heated up and the tears came.

The maids watched as she despaired on her bed. Even if they go out and try to stop it, they won’t listen to them. Laura knew this and her maids are aware of how she’s treated by the queen and the other consorts.

“I’m sorry, my lady.” To wake her up with a bad news, it’s terrible indeed.

Laura has no one except them. She reached out and hugged the young woman. She needed the comfort. She needed to feel she’s not alone. She needed to feel that she exists and someone else knows it.

She hates Cristina. She hates everyone who’s making life difficult for her. Why do they have to keep bothering her? She’d been trying to live peacefully, without fighting anyone. She’d never gone against anyone. She tried to keep her mouth shut and not get involved with others. But why do they still pick on her? She couldn’t understand why they would treat her this way for merely… being thought as beautiful. Isn’t it subjective? Whenever she looks into a mirror, she feels that her appearance is ordinary. She’s not as beautiful as they say. Why would she have to endure so much because they think she’s a beauty? It’s such a ridiculous reason for her. If she’s to point fingers, she’d say that child selling flowers in the market is the most beautiful person she’d ever seen in the entire kingdom.

Cristina isn’t satisfied. She expected Laura to beg them to stop. She wanted to see her cry. But alas, that woman remained in her residence as if nothing is happening outside her home. All the plants in the garden have been removed. It was utter chaos and the once beautiful garden now looks like a dumpster.

She couldn’t make a scene on her own, so she left after checking that her garden is no longer a problem.

The following night, there was a gathering inside the palace and Laura had no choice but to attend. She kept her head down, still feeling immensely sad and dejected about her ruined garden. She hasn’t been feeling well since it happened.

When Samuel saw her, her countenance made him frown. She looked like death walking on earth. When she walked past him, she didn’t even greet him. He wasn’t bothered by the supposed disrespect. He understands that she most likely didn’t see him or notice his presence. He asked someone to check what happened to her.

When the report came back in the afternoon, a great feeling of anger surged inside him. He liked that garden a lot. He found solace in that place and Cristina ruined it for no good reason? He suddenly wanted to hurt her.

As his queen, he wanted to maintain an image that their marriage is going well. He couldn’t openly punish her but he did issue restrictions on her activities, her budget, and her authority. All her orders would need his approval from now on. She’s to stay in her chambers unless she’s accompanied by an elder. She’s no longer allowed to roam in the palace grounds.

You don’t like gardens? You’re not going to see one, then.

When Laura heard about this, she felt that there is still some sort of justice in this world. The king sent workers to restore the place and she was glad for it. She was given authority over the planned rebuilding of the garden. Resources were set aside and she was free to choose what to plant and how to design the whole place.

She feels renewed at this task. She has a reason to keep moving forward again, even if it’s only restoring what she already did before. She was busy for weeks. And soon, the king started visiting again, sitting on a chair they have set up a few distance away. He was just there, enjoying the calming effect of the beautiful garden. He never required Laura’s presence and her maids only go out to bring him snacks.

“Do you think we should send flowers to his office?” Laura’s maid asked sometime later. The flowers in the garden have begun to bloom in their fullness. It has become more beautiful than last time.

“Who’s going to bring him snacks later? Go and ask if he would want them.” Another maid suggested. Laura has allowed them to talk freely in her presence. She liked it that way. They could converse and speak their mind without fear of reprimand. Their stories are touching, too. About their families and their life experiences at such young ages.

“What do you think, my lady?” The other isn’t sure if it would be a good idea. After all, the king is a man.

“And yet, he enjoys coming to the garden, no?”

“Go and ask him. Do what his highness says.” Laura plainly answered.

Even as one of his consorts, Laura has never tried to get his attention. The way they kept their distance from each other is comfortable for her. She didn’t want to get any closer and she kept praying for it.

Samuel let her be. Though he likes her, her appearance, character and resilience, he currently has no plans to liaise with her. He’s still very busy and couldn’t get away from work for very long.

Months passed…

It didn’t take long for rifts and rivalries to emerge within the ranks of his people. With the internal conflict among them, external threats have increased as well. When a kingdom crumbles from the inside, the outside could easily attack with a higher probability of winning the battle.

This is what Samuel has been afraid of. It soon became clear that he’s failing, they are failing, and total failure is imminent.

He is glad his father isn’t here to see his kingdom ruined, his people captive, the castle in shambles… it’s a small relief in his dire situation.

He fears for his life, sure. But most importantly, his heart breaks at how he failed his people. The citizens who depended on him, who relied on him, and he failed them. He failed everyone. He wasn’t a great king. He wasn’t even a good one. He couldn’t bear the responsibilities properly, to dispense his duties, to protect and to provide for his subjects…

It’s utterly frustrating but what else could he do? If only he could turn back time, he would ensure that his steps are careful. He needed to become wiser. But it’s all too late now.

His knights fought hard. He did, too. He may not be the best warrior, but he’s a good fighter. He fought until he’s caught and even then, he didn’t let them take him captive. He’ll die fighting even if it’s a lost cause.

He refused to leave. Where is he supposed to go? He’d rather die in his own land and with his own people.

The Seer’s face flashed before his eyes before a fatal strike landed on him.