Lucy Wickshire 48 Chapter Seven 1

Below the palace, royal guards and entrusted city guards waited. They were readily dressed in armour. They wondered why they were ordered so, but were not told.

On the other side of capital, figures pa.s.sed by so fast, none could see or feel them. They were led by a girl garbed in black; this was Lady Raine's maid, Ria. Their destination was the palace.

Two nervous ministers dressed early. They had received summons for court and were ready hours before midday, when they were to convene. They sat in their empty house, waiting. They had been told exactly how to act in court and were ready. Only when they had done as asked, will their family be returned to them. It was a long wait till noon, yet very few felt it.

In the Palace, Lady Raine was having a light breakfast. Her chambers opened to present the royal physician. The old man was confused when he was summoned. If it were another, he would not reduce his person to answer the summon of mere court lady. But he had already been warned by the king that he must respect her. He made a small bow to the woman, who did not look up.

"You called for me, Lady Raine?" the physician asked.

"Today is an important day, you will soon understand why. I hear you are very loyal to the king, as you have been with him since he was a child. As such, you too must contribute to the success of today." Lady Raine said, lazily picking her food.

"I do not understand." the man said in confusion.

"Worry not. I just want you to do something for me. You need not make any promises about it. I'm sure when that time presents itself, you will know." she said.

"What?"

"When the king storms the queen's chambers, you need to look on the table just by the door. You will find devil's breathe. I am a.s.suming that is what the queen poisons the king with. At that moment, you need to show your skill." she said with a smile at the confusion on his face.

"Like I said, worry not. If you really care about the king, when the opportunity presents itself, you will know to help him out at that moment. You may leave." she said and he dipped his head in a little bow, before walking out in confusion.

"Oh, and there will be a court meeting, so make sure to be near. When the king makes his way for the queen's palace, you must be there." she reminded his leaving form.

Lady Raine finished her breakfast, before making her way to the king's study. She made sure she was not seen by the queen's trustees. She found the king busy with papers. She had arrive right on time; after everybody had been cleared from the study.

"Why are you busy with work when you should be relaxing? You will be throwing a fit today, you need your energy." she said to him, breaking his concentration.

"I still need to make sure I do everything as usual. Nothing must be out of place." he said and she nodded.

"I heard you talked to my physician today. He told me what you said." the king said.

"That old man sure runs to you to tell everything, doesn't he?" she laughed.

"what was that about?" the king asked.

"It's best you don't know how many things will be exposed today. That way, your shock is much more real. Worry not, he may just help you take care of a problem. But, all that depends on him." she said with a blank expression.

"How many things should I be prepared for?"

"Just one more. When you summon the queen to come and defend herself, if she does not appear before you, you must make your way to her chambers with the entire court in tow. I have prepared a surprise for you." she said.

"What?"

"Just remember, what ever you see, you must drag her yourself out of the palace. When the time comes, you will know."

"What are you planning?" he frowned.

"This may embarra.s.s the royal family, but it will make a better excuse for why you remarry so fast. Worry not, my king; where I am sending her, she will never be able to crawl out of."