Lady In Red

29

I sat in the warm water for quite a while. It was past midnight when I finished my supper. I was far too engrossed looking out the arch windows of the bathroom and submerging my body completely in the tub that as time passed by, I never realized I had been sitting there for an hour.

I heard the door of my chamber open and close, my eyebrow creasing at the sound. I had dismissed everyone as I wished to be left alone. Perhaps it was Maya, she always checked up on me before she slept. I liked her being so careful however sometimes I found myself asking for privacy. I had always done my own things with no one around me while I served as the Queen's lady-in-waiting.

Having maids around me only made me not want them.

"Maya is that you?"

I called out hearing no sounds for a while. I leaned forward peaking at the closed curtains of the room. When the opened I didn't expect to see him walk in naked.

I almost gasp seeing him, I thought I would be alone tonight. I figured he would walk straight to his chambers, tired and wanting sleep.

He said nothing, tossing his clothes aside from his hand and walking to the bathtub, I gulp as he sits in and leans back.

I didn't know why but he looked angry. His eyes stared at me making me nervous as I fidget with the washcloth.

"Come here."

I obey immediately. Scooting over right into his arms. He wrapped his hands around my waist pulling me over his body and guiding me to straddle him.

The silence continues as he rests his head on my chest, holding me tight as lets out a sigh.

It didn't look like he wanted to speak. So I stayed quiet, occasionally running my figures on his hair and neck.

He soon gets up with me in his arms. The water turned cold in the air dripping down our bodies as he took me out of the bath. He dried me before himself and tucked me into his chest closing his eyes.

I bite my lip wanting to say something. He looked tired, exhausted. Having no desire to disturb his already sleepy state I place a kiss on his cheek and tucked my head down in his chest. I felt him squeeze my waist from my back before getting comfortable.

~

"So you managed everything before me? Even the servants?"

The Eldest daughter, Regina nodded smiling. She was very elegant, poise, and quiet and only spoke about important matters. However ... Something about her didn't quite settle well. She seemed on the edge as she constantly looked up at me and then down. As if to stop herself from speaking.

"Would it be rude to ask for your help in some matters under my position ?"

I saw her eyes widen, sort of in a good way. She blinked and looked at her teacup.

"Would Your Majesty really need me for such matters?"

"Please, call me Ruby. And Yes, it is not an order, a request. Only if you wish."

I could see a small smile on her face and she nodded, "I-I would be happy to. I just, could I ask a favour before that?" She whispered leaning ahead as if to hide the glint of happiness from her maid.

"Absolutely."

"Would you keep this between us?"

I frown, nodding but hesitant. I was curious, I had been observing her for a while. She seemed very nervous. Her posture was confident, however, her speech said something else.

"May I ask why?"

She stayed silent, "No one can be involved in letters and papers addressed to the Queen, your Majesty."

Fred answered for her from behind me. I glance at him.

"But surely If I give you the authority-"

"No- It's not authority, I am ready to help Your Majesty if you need it however it would be best if it stayed between us. My uncle only gave me the work to fill in before you were crowned since I was educated enough."

I nodded with a deep frown. My eyes snap to her maid, she was waiting by the doors of my tea house. I sighed taking a sip of my tea.

"Regina, You are a part of the family. I would be happy if you were honest with me. And address me as your sister. If not a sister then perhaps an acquaintance."

She snapped her eyes at me and nodded slowly.

"Good, I would be waiting for you tomorrow. Now that this subject is over with. I would like to know more about you. If you do not mind..."

She frowned as I stood up.

"Let's have a walk."

I did feel intimidated by her. After all, she was one of them. Her beauty, I must say surpassed all the women I saw in the previous ball. I did not see her at the ball. Perhaps she was unwell. I dare say, she was the beauty of this kingdom. And I say it regarding elegance. Not just her face.

She had deep blue eyes, the ring around them dark brown. She seemed devoid of any touch. Pure. Her hair was black. Down to her lower waist. Her choice of clothing was simple.. Light colours of blush pink and cream. Her ears carried a simple pair of gold earrings and no more.

"I might be hated for what I am, here in your kingdom-"

She snapped her eyes at me and stopped walking.

I smiled looking back at her. Us in the middle of the Royal Gardens as our attendees stood far from us. Following us but at a distance.

"You might hate me for being a Queen. A position they call to be above all royals. I understand your people's disappointment."

"No-" I heard her whisper.

"I am aware of the court's decisions regarding my duties."

I must have caught her off guard.

Fredrick has filled me in about the court's certain distaste for me handling some affairs.

"I cannot back down since it would make me a coward but I can fight back cause it might lead to me being a rebel in a stranger's Kingdom.. I am much less stuck"

I said snapping a twig from the lower branch of a tree and trailing it along the road.

"No.... You are wrong your Majesty."

She stepped ahead and sat on the bench before me and smiled.

"I cannot speak for others but I and my sister Isla admire you. You are strong to entire this land, put up with his Majesty's behaviour. Put up with the behaviour of his subjects. It must be hard on you to leave your home... "

Put up with him?

"No, I just got in the carriage and came here. I have done nothing. I do admit to having a fear for your kind. But I have met people who seem to get along well. I have judged you all.. "

She shook her head.

"I would be glad to help Your Majesty as long as you do not mention this to my Family-"

"Why? " I asked sitting down beside her.

She paused. Hesitated, with a deep frown over her head.

"They would not appreciate it. That's all. "

I asked no questions further. Nodding and agreeing to her.

"Why did you assume the King treats me badly? "

"I can only imagine what your fear must be. He has never been close to any of us since childhood. Even Mother feared him."

I frown.

"Feared? Why? "

"Well, it's the blood yes? It sends us all shivering cold. We cannot even look him in the eye. He has been ruthless to disobedient men and women of the court."

"I suppose he must have to put up his cold self for the better of the kingdom," I mutter

"He was cold before the crown and now he refuses to see eye to eye with his family as well."

"Oh.. "

"His Majesty will never change. We hope you never face his wrath-"

I smiled.

"No.. No, you do not understand. " She insists.

"I beg you to never go against his words. You never know what he might do. We know you are his mate.. However. We cannot say he would change his behaviour for this reason"

But... He has been so nice to me.

"I understand-"

I suppose it would be a bit weird to tell her how he was behind the doors. So I let her think as all others think.

There must be a reason the King held this act before us. He cannot show any vulnerability.

"Thank you for talking to me. I would love it if you brought your sisters here as well. Only if you wish. "

She nodded smiling.

As she bowed and left the gardens and narrowed my eyes at the maid leaning in to ask something. Regina seemed visibly annoyed at her.

"Fred, could you just dig around and see if I could trust her? Is there a way to do that? " I asked cutting some roses from the rose bush and handing it to Lydia.

"Yes of course. I'll let you know if anything is suspicious in two days. "

I nodded.

"Do you have the shawl I kept beside the bed with you? I feel cold inside the castle-"

"Yes. The sunlight doesn't reach the inner chambers, it just gets chilly very quickly-"

We both stopped on our heels as we saw Maya walk out from a room at the end of some other hall.

She almost seemed in shock as she saw me and Lydia. Immediately bowing and walking towards me.

"Madam."

I see a man walk out of the common room again and he froze for a second before bowing.

I held my laughter back as I nodded walking ahead and Maya following us.

"Well I didn't know you had a lover Maya"

I saw her blush as I glance at her.

"N-no your Majesty. We were just cleaning up -"

"Sure sure" I chuckle.

**NOT EDITED**