The Kings Mistress Chapter 94

[ … words ]

Sierra was stunned to hear the voice of the person before her. Though she was dressed in masculine attire, Sierra was certain she was in fact a woman. Roxine signaled her to come forward and Sierra did as she was told.

“Sierra, I would like to introduce you to Lady Diane,” Roxine introduced her.

Sierra bowed respectfully, still uncertain of what to make of the situation. As Roxine returned to speaking to Lady Diane, she continued to stand still and keep watch of the surroundings. Though she did not know what to make of it, Sierra was still going to fulfill her end of the bargain with the queen.

She had to protect her at all costs. But the questions about the situation never ceased to plague her mind. For each question she had, there were several more abound at every turn. Sierra rubbed her temples with her fingers, hoping to avoid getting a headache.

She desperately needed answers and she could only hope that the Queen would provide them. While she wanted to respect Roxine’s privacy with Lady Diane, she could not help but glance over to see their interactions with one another.

Even the blind could tell they were in love.

“Sierra, could you come over please?” Roxine called out, pulling her out of her thoughts.

Sierra walked up to them once more. This time, under the moonlight, she got a clear view of the Queen and the Lady.

“I’m sure you have a lot of questions about this…”

“You have no idea, Your Highness,” Sierra mused.

Despite her desire to know the truth behind it, she wanted to respect the Queen’s privacy. After all, it was common for noblewomen to marry someone they did not love. Perhaps that was the case with Roxine and Alistair.

After all, why would a King have the need for concubines if he already had a queen? Perhaps this was the reason why the concubine choosing happened in the first place.

“Queen Roxine, you need not tell me anything you do not wish to say. I promise to keep my lips sealed, especially with Ali- I mean King Alistair.”

A droplet of sweat trickled down her forehead. She had almost had a slip of tongue and addressed Alistair without his formal titles in front of the Queen. Even though they were in an informal setting, that alone would be troublesome.

Lady Diane chuckled as she leaned over to Roxine and whispered to her, “I see what you mean. Looks like their relationship is developing well.”

Roxine chuckled too as Sierra averted her gaze. Her cheeks were slowly turning red.

“Sorry about that, Sierra. There are no secrets between Diane and me. As for Alistair, you need not worry about him knowing. He… he knows my preferences for the fairer gender,” Roxine explained, “And I’m pretty sure he already knows of my relationship with Diane.”

The two women held each other’s hands tightly, it was clear for Sierra to see. With the confirmation from the Queen’s own mouth, there was no denying it. Lady Diane and Queen Roxine were lovers.

Sierra was caught by surprise. While she had a few theories on what this secret meeting would have been about, this was not one that she had anticipated. But that was the least of her concern now.

“He knows?” Sierra echoed Roxine’s words in confusion.

“The King has eyes everywhere, Sierra, and so do I. There are others who have eyes too in many places too,” Roxine reminded her.

“He might have sent someone to watch us right now. Or perhaps he’s watching us in person,” Lady Diane muttered in a lower voice as she looked around.

Sierra glanced all around her. The darkness of the night covered most places, allowing others to conceal themselves in the shadows. It would be impossible for them to see.

“There’s much I need to explain to Sierra, Diane. And it’s getting late. It’s about time I return to the castle. They will notice I’m missing if I’m gone too long, even if Marionne is there to alleviate their suspicion.”

Diane looked over to Roxine. Her eyes were filled with longing and reluctance. She reached her hand out and caressed Roxine’s cheek. She leaned in close and whispered into the Queen’s ear. Sierra could not hear any of it, but from the look on Roxine’s face, it must have been something very sweet.

Both of them touched foreheads, before sharing another quick kiss on the lips before parting from one another’s embrace reluctantly. Lady Diane watched as Roxine entered the carriage with Sierra’s help.

Before Sierra entered the carriage, Diane tapped her on the shoulder.

“Protect her well for me, Sierra,” she tightened her grip on Sierra’s shoulder as her voice grew a little colder and darker, “If any harm comes to her, you’ll never see the light of day.”

Sierra knew those were simply words of caution. Yet, she could feel the menace behind it. It sent shivers down her spine but she did not let it show on her face. She gave a nod of acknowledgment and got up on the carriage.

As they began to make their way back to the castle, Roxine could not help but look out the window and watch as Lady Diane faded out of view. The Queen let out a sigh as she turned back to face Sierra in the carriage.

“You miss her already, don’t you?” Sierra could not help but ask.

Roxine blushed a little as she hid her face behind the lace fan that she carried with her.

“It’s been too long since we last met face to face,” she sighed as she looked down at her hand on her lap, “I was beginning to worry I might forget how she looked.”

“You could get a small portrait painted of her. That way you would always have an image of her to look at,” Sierra suggested.

In her mind, she imagined what it would be like if Alistair and she had something similar. She quickly shook her head to brush off the thought and refocus on her conversation with Roxine.

Roxine smiled as she reached for the locket she wore around her neck. She opened a secret latch to reveal a miniature painted portrait of her and Alistair. But behind a hidden compartment was the third portrait of Diane.

“I’m one step ahead of you on that front,” Roxine gave Sierra a wink.