The Rightful Queen

Chapter 6 – Her Thoughts

Cristina was given separate quarters inside the palace. She was somewhat nervous as a servant guided her. Since they are not yet married, she can be assured that she won’t be seeing the new king tonight. But tomorrow, they are expected to meet. To get acquainted. To be familiar with each other.

Commitment is a curious thing, indeed. She’s still in disbelief but elated at the same time. How did he choose her? Why did he choose her? She’s afraid that this is all a dream. When tomorrow comes, would she wake up back in her own bed?

She was restless but she’s hopeful. This is her dream and she’s currently living it. She’d always wanted to become royalty and fantasized about meeting the prince and making him fall in love with her. She naively thought that she could achieve it with the kind of beauty that she has. Right now, it doesn’t seem like her thoughts were naïve.

As for Laura, she was given quarters at the west side of the palace. It’s a simple home, complete with necessary amenities. She would admit that the place actually looks nice. It’s the kind of solace she envisioned for herself. A total of three servants are assigned to her. The closet already contains a change of clothes for every purpose.

Here, she won’t need to be at her aunt’s beck and call. She won’t need to rise up earlier than them. She would have servants of her own…

Still, her heart is feeling uneasy. She resents the prince, now king, for choosing her despite what she implied during their conversation. He doesn’t listen, does he? She decided to give him a piece of her mind when he shows up at her door or the next time they meet. She needs a change of plans. Or an entirely new plan since she hasn’t even thought of being housed within the palace gates. A woman at the king’s beck and call. Her master simply changed, didn’t it? The only upside is that she expects to be treated better here.

But what is she to do in this place now? She’s used to working, doing things for others… now that she has the time to do what she wants and maybe some resources to do them, what are they?

Okay, maybe there’s more than one upside to this situation. But she isn’t going to let the prince have his way with her. He didn’t respect her and she’s used to verbal attacks anyway. Defying him might be considered a misdemeanor, a show of disrespect and she’s most likely to be punished, but she’ll take it.

Her head is starting to hurt. Cristina. There’s the other problem. Now that she’s going to be queen and they’re within the same place, would her cousin make things difficult for her? At their house, she always does. Even the tiny little things, she would create issues out of them just to berate and scold her. She likes embarrassing Laura, making things difficult for her, showing others that she’s useless and stupid…

Now that she has achieved her life-long dream, would she change the way she treats others? As future queen, she would be regarded at a higher degree. People would look up to her and rely on her. Eyes would be watching her every move… except those same eyes have mouths that would shut up to protect her reputation and image. Servants are naturally loyal to their masters. They won’t dare say anything to tarnish her name. Servants would have to go to the elders if the queen does anything inappropriate.

Her maids served her tea and some crackers before retreating. She mentioned that she’s a little hungry and they brought her food. It’s been a long time since she’d been serviced by others. It feels… a little uncomfortable.

She sat on her bed as she nibbled on the crackers. What is she to do now? She hasn’t read that many information about the king’s women, what they do aside from bickering and creating drama and factions inside the palace…

She sighed as she held her aching head.

She’s physically tired but her brain won’t stop thinking about her current situation.

She fell asleep after an hour or so, but it was shallow. Her mind kept repeating that scene she was called during the ceremony. She recalled how the others looked at her, with mockery, with pity, with surprise… she knew what they were thinking but they were wrong. Surely, she expects them to rile her up in the coming days. She’s friendly, but not to individuals who think they’re superior to others because of their mere status. She’s more popular to the servants in her uncle’s house and the vendors in the market. She prefers interacting with them as they are sincere. They don’t toy with you. They don’t play games with your emotions. They don’t unnecessarily burden you. They understand hard work and are appreciative of other people’s kind gestures, no matter how small.

In the next few days, she had peace in her own new home. This is home to her now. She’s thankful that her uncle bothered to send her meager possessions to the palace, though she noted that her old and worn dresses have been excluded.

She might have shocked her maids, too, when they found her preparing her own food and sweeping the floor.

It was during this period that the new king, Samuel, is getting acquainted with his soon-to-be queen. Cristina acted well, behaving like a proper lady in front of him. He is much gentler than she thought. Considerate. He kept asking her questions about her well-being, what she would like, if she’s living comfortably in the palace… he seemed affectionate and caring.

He personally gave her a tour despite his busy schedule. Which isn’t really the case. Since the previous king is still alive, there wasn’t any rushed transition and unfinished business to take care of. He’s workload remained the same, though the elders started increasing his responsibilities one by one. By next month or so, he would have completely taken over his father’s duties and responsibilities as king. 

Cristina knows not to ask too many questions, especially his personal activities. She merely asked how often they would meet and at what times. She didn’t ask what he’ll be doing or where he’ll be during the other times he won’t be with her. He may or may not be with his consorts. Still, the presence of her cousin, Laura, bugged her. Surely, he’s also mesmerized by her beauty. But since it was her who’s going to be queen, she decided to build her confidence and trample on Laura soon enough, every time she gets.

The wedding was held and Laura’s peace was disrupted. Why does she need to attend such thing? She found the simplest dress in her wardrobe, recently replenished by the royal household. Not white, she chose a pale green dress. She looks beautiful in anything.

She was uninterested in the ceremony, but she couldn’t help staring at the prince. Wait, he's king now. During their brief encounter, she admired him a little. If he hadn’t done what he did, she would probably remain in admiration of him. 

On the day of the wedding, Samuel thought he’s used to his queen’s presence now and the kind of person she is. Indeed, he now likes her. He could finally smile at her with sincerity.

After the wedding ceremony, they were both too tired to do anything, but they slept together in one bed. He has a healthy appetite for women and as soon as she was rested, they engaged in intimate acts the following morning. He’s got a few days of reprieve because of his marriage.