The Rightful Queen

Chapter 20 – His Visit

Laura felt a little better two days later. She’s back to doing errands and visiting the market. This lifted up her spirits. Since she usually goes with her face covered, she wasn’t conscious of the bruises on her face. They were admittedly ugly and she looked older with them. 

She happily chatted with the merchants. The little boy who handed him the ribbon is as cheery as ever. She doesn’t begrudge him. He merely did what was asked of it.

She’s still amazed knowing that man is the prince. What was he doing in the market? Also, he’s choosing her as his queen because they met in the market? That doesn’t make any sense to her. What’s his actual reason? She couldn’t make good guesses.

Also, is he even serious? Like what others have been saying, he must’ve been charmed by her beauty. He admitted it himself, though she also liked how he assessed her personality. It was some sort of praise coming from someone like him. 

As she stayed longer and observed the chaotic environment, she squinted at noticing someone else. He looks familiar, but she couldn’t place where she’d seen him. She stared longer, tilting her head and trying to remember. An older man, probably in his mid-40s. When the guy bowed his head to reach for something under his stall, her eyes widened at recognizing him. Wasn’t he the man who stole from the prince? He has his own stall now? Curious, she walked a little closer to him. She surveyed the products he’s selling. Vegetables. Bread. She finds the combination a little odd. But as she looked around, there’s no bread here. The bakeries are situated a few streets over. Hmm, maybe it’s a good idea to bring them here?

She herself doesn’t want to walk very far.

“Sir, did you bake the bread yourself?” She asked as she approached.

“Oh, hello. No, I got them from the bakery. My neighbor. They’re freshly baked this morning. You must know the place, Sweet Breads.” He looked better as he smiled, standing to converse with her and being respectful.

“Oh, yes. I like their breads.” She smiled at him and looked through his selection. Of course, he doesn’t have everything but the popular ones are available. She pointed at a couple of them and asked for five pieces each. Her relatives like them, too.

When he told her the price, she’s surprised at the low markup. She asked about it, wanting to make sure he’s earning.

“My neighbor gave them to me at a discount, so I only added a little on their regular prices.” His smile seemed sincere.

Laura paid for her purchases with an “I see. That’s good, then.”

“Yes, it is.” The man gave her some coins as change and thanked her.

She bowed her head a little in acknowledgement. She walked away but she couldn’t help looking back. The man seemed immensely happy for being able to make a sale. She hoped she’s not his first sale for today. She wondered how long he’d been selling here? It hasn’t been a week, is it? If he really is that man. 

Returning to the Thistle mansion, she directly went to the kitchens and started helping with the preparation of meals.

“What took you so long? It’s only half an hour away from breakfast!”

She was scolded by the cook but she kept her mouth shut.

“Cut the bread and set them on a plate. Make the soup.”

Instructions were given to her and she quietly did them. She prepared the soup pot first and let the water boil. She cut the bread before cutting the vegetables.

She picked up the seasonings and made sure the soup tastes good. She looked for the spring onions and chopped them finely. The egg… where are the eggs? Does she need to get one from the chicken coop?

Checking the soup isn’t going to burn in the next five minutes, she quickly left to grab a couple of eggs. The soup is simple but they taste really good. She’s fine with a breakfast composed of bread and this soup.

After transferring the food into the dining hall, they all had breakfast in the kitchen. She sat silently in a corner. She noticed now the odd looks they are giving her. Oh, yes. They like to gossip, too. She wonders how much they heard or witnessed the other night? She decided to simply ignore them. 

As for the prince, when he related to his father what he thought about not selecting consorts, the king seemed to be stirred up.

“I don’t think they would be convinced by just that. You need to give them more reason.” He stated and Samuel sighed.

“I understand. I’ve been thinking these last few days.”

“So, you haven’t chosen consorts yet?” The king recalled the day and he’s supposed to make his announcement tonight.

“I don’t plan to. I would like to postpone the announcement of my queen as well.”

The king frowned in his direction. “You’re going to postpone it?”

“Yes. I’m not going to the celebrations tonight as well. Tomorrow, I will be visiting Laura. I want to make sure she’s not changing her mind and that if I’m really able to remove the consorts, she would marry me.” 

The king sighed as he sat on the bed.

“Do what you need to do.” The king himself finds the woman unconventional. She dared to ask for such a thing as a condition? Any other woman would simply overlook it and accept it as part of the royal tradition. His wife did. She didn’t ask for it to be abolished. Still, he could remember seeing her sadness whenever she believes he’s visiting his consorts. She still managed to smile at him despite that. 

He does feel that the woman is unlike others. She must be very special, then, as the Seer said.

“You gave her the upper hand, didn’t you?” He couldn’t help asking his son. Such a condition, she wouldn’t have asked for it easily.

“She doesn’t want to accept me because she doesn’t want to get married to someone who has other women. She’s conventional that way. She wants a monogamous marriage.”

“And? What else did you tell her?”

“That she could ask me for anything and that I would give it to her, as long as she accepts being my queen. I gave her my word.”

The king sighed. He really gave her the upper hand. Still, her request is understandable.

“Her parents loved each other and she’s a witness to that. She wants the same for herself.” The prince added, wanting his father to understand where she’s coming from. 

“When do you plan to speak with the elders about this?”

“Maybe in a couple of days, or in the next council meeting. I still haven’t come up with more reasons to convince them.”

The king nodded, “I will try to come up with some as well. Visit me before you go to them.”

“Of course. Thank you, father.” The prince felt relieved at receiving his father’s help.

The next day, early in the morning, the prince took an unmarked carriage to visit the Thistle residence. He needs to speak with Laura. If she’s as wise as the Seer said, she could probably help him.

When he was announced at the gate of the Thistle mansion, he frowned at how they were not easily allowed inside the residence.

Well, the masters of the house were in confusion. Why is the prince visiting? What is he here for? They haven’t even eaten breakfast yet. Cristina hasn’t bathed yet and she’s looking unpleasant with her messily tied hair. The ladies quickly changed into their gowns. The master of the house took a while before allowing the guest in.

The servants were also in disarray. Do they serve breakfast for the prince as well?

“Good morning, my lord. We welcome you to our household. We apologize for the slow reception. We are very much surprised by the sudden visit.” He bowed in greeting as the prince alighted from his carriage.

“I am here for Lady Laura. I wish to continue our conversation from last time.” Prince Samuel directly stated his purpose.

His response made the man freeze for a few seconds. Laura? He’s here for Laura?

“Then, please come in, my lord. She’ll be with you short… -ly.” He paused upon recalling how Laura has been beaten a few days ago. That child still has bruises on her face, doesn’t she? His body went cold. No, he couldn’t let the prince see her today. If the prince sees her in such a state, how could they explain? He suddenly has a bad foreboding about this.

“I mean, I suddenly recall… she’s not feeling well since last night, my lord. She’s currently resting. I don’t think she would be available to speak with you today.”

The prince noted the change in his demeanor and expression. He has that guilty look which made Samuel frown.

He’s hiding something, isn’t he? It’s related to Laura, he’s sure.

“Then, would it be possible to visit her in her room? I must speak with her today. Her maid can accompany us.” He’s imposing, he knew. But since they’re trying to hide something, he must insist.

The ladies came out to greet him, as well as a young man. Compared to the others, the young man seemed very composed and kept glancing at his sister and mother. The prince did, too. Those two seemed flustered in his presence. What could have caused it? Surely, it’s not merely his presence.