The Rightful Queen

Chapter 11 – Their Return

Everyone residing in the palace and within its grounds are aware of the battle even before it started. Preparations were made. It rendered the guards and knights busy. The servants were also scattered preparing this and that. Food. Clothing. Towels. Medicinal herbs and poultice. Weapons. More weapons.

Laura and her maids are worried. She’d never witnessed a battle before. It has always been peaceful before now. She wonders what could have caused such tension in the kingdom.

Rumors has it that certain noble families have raised their own motives and wanted to circumvent the king’s ruling. It could be true. Others are saying enemy forces have bribed certain individuals close to the king. Right now, it’s all rumors. The royal staff has not confirmed anything.

Laura shook her head. They probably don’t have time to spare right now. The chaotic environment continued for many weeks. There’s so much noise going on. It’s clear that there’s no peace at the moment.

Months later, the castle has been attacked and the ladies feared for their lives. If it’s an internal conflict, they might have a chance of surviving, at certain costs. If it’s external, they’re most likely going to die. To perish with the king. It’s a scary reality they are facing this moment. They remained in their residence and closed all doors and windows. Of course, it could easily be broken down when they force their entry.

Right now, they don’t even have guards roaming the grounds. There’s no one to ask for help. Laura has a lot of things to wonder. How about the king? The queen? The elders? Are they being protected? Are they safe?

After more than a week, they have run out of food to eat. They diligently rationed their remaining food since they barricaded themselves inside the house, but it could only sustain them for a short period. They could her fighting outside the house. The clanging of swords, the hurried footsteps, the running feet, the shouts and the grunts… there seems to be so much going on. But there were also times that it seemed quiet.

It didn’t take long before a horn was sounded. Recalling the history books, Laura’s heart sank. Isn’t this the one for a fallen king? This is different from a naturally-occurring death, where a trumpet is normally used. Killed in battle, this sounds like it.

She faced her maids and smiled at them.

“It’s been a pleasure to have been with you all this time. I’m grateful for all the help you gave me.”

“No, milady. It’s an honor serving you. It has been most pleasant.” The youngest replied to her.

“I’m afraid the end is near for us.”

“We know, milady. Thank you for treating us kindly.” The other said and reached for her hands. They all held hands as they waited for their fate.

They couldn’t help crying. This is a sad ending upon them.

Two days. Two days have passed before their door was broken down and they were dragged outside.

It would seem they have gathered all the women in the castle and on the grounds. Laura’s not sure why she feels relieved at seeing her cousin, Cristina. Their queen is still alive. What of the king? Is he really dead?

The answer came to her upon seeing clearly the expression on Cristina’s face.

She’s afraid. She was trembling in fear. Some men were mocking them. Most of their words are directed to her. As the king died without a child, she’s technically the heir to the throne now. Too bad, it’s unlikely she would sit on it.

Laura flinched when someone struck the queen with the back of his hand. Cristina is afraid but her attitude is still… She doesn’t back down. She doesn’t let anyone belittle her. She doesn’t let anyone treat her badly. She fought in her own feeble way despite the harm they’re inflicting on her.

Laura’s lip twitched. She’s kind of proud of her right now. Even so, if the queen is being treated this way, what more the king’s consorts. Personally, she’d rather die than being taken as slave. Not because she doesn’t like hard work. Please, she can work as a maid just fine. But given the circumstances, whoever the enemies are, they’re bound to treat them cruelly. They would be unfair, unjust, hurtful… It’s not going to be a good life from here on out.

There was a low chatter among the gathered women but every time a guard yells for silence, they would be. It’s kind of funny. They would start whispering again after a few minutes. This situation really makes you want to talk to someone. They were silenced a few times before someone ordered them to move outside.

She exchanged a glance with her maids. Though her heart is beating like crazy and her legs are shaky, her mind is prepared for what is to come.

They were all taken to the woods. Smart, if she says so herself. They could simply bury them there. No need to stain the palace grounds with blood of so many people.

When the shout and cries for mercy began, she sat down and tightly closed her eyes. Waiting for the strike to come.

How uneventful her life has been? She’s only twenty and haven’t experienced much. She wanted to visit her maternal grandparents. She wants to go back and see the market. She wants to design and labor on all of the palace gardens. She wants to leave something behind. Not just the talk about her beauty.

See? What help does it make? In the end, she would die like the rest of them. It put her in trouble, didn’t it?

If she could go back, she would avoid the palace like the plague. She would hide herself during the celebration so she could peacefully remain working for her uncle.

But would it work? Even if she’s not inside the palace, these things are bound to happen, right? Where would she be right now if she wasn’t chosen as consort to the king? What’s happening now to her uncle’s household? Are they being attacked, too? Is the mansion being ransacked as well? As the queen’s family, the house of Thistle shouldn’t be part of the conspiracy to overthrow the king.

She sighed in helplessness. It’s all just in her head. Just as she opened her eyes to look, she gasped as a sword struck her down. She only felt the pain briefly before everything faded into white.

Curious. Why white and not black? It felt as if she was floating in the clouds. Is this what happens after death?

In a while, she felt her body touching something soft and warm. She tilted her head. The aching in her body starts to fade.

She gasped again, taking in a lungful of air, as her eyes opened. She was breathing heavily as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. She frowned as she realized she’s lying on a bed.

“What…?” She looked around the room and recognized it as the one she occupied in her uncle’s mansion. What’s going on? What’s happening?

Shakily, she sat up and scrutinized her belongings scattered around the room. Her apron. Her brush. Her sewing basket.

Why is she in this place?

“Laura! When are you getting up? Get up already!” There was a bang on her door and it startled her.

It sounded oddly like the oldest housekeeper at her uncle’s residence. She used to do that to wake her up in the mornings. She’s the impatient kind and usually grumpy.

Bewildered, she got up from the bed and strode towards her vanity table. It was old, but the mirror serves its purpose. Laura frowned as she looked herself over. 

What’s going on? Isn’t she dead? Isn’t she living in the palace grounds? Why is she here now? Why is she back in her uncle’s place? More importantly, why is the housekeeper screaming her name?

“Coming!” She impulsively replied. Their quarters are away from the main rooms so the masters of the house couldn’t hear them this early in the morning.

This seems like a scene from her old life, but why is she here now?