The Kings Mistress Chapter 50

[ … words ]

Sierra knew that day was going to be exciting yet exhausting. But she did not expect it to begin this early in the day. She sighed as she placed the cutlery in her hands down on the table. The Queen grinned, she knew exactly where this was going to go.

Sierra lowered her head before making eye contact with Queen Roxine.

“Your Highness, may I?” she asked politely.

For a knightess, Sierra most certainly exceeded all of the Queen’s expectations. From the information gathered by her informant, Sierra was no pushover. She was not usually chatty either. Yet in the days she had arrived, she had proven to be unlike anything she was supposed to be.

But one thing was for certain, she was genuine in all that she did and she never backed down from a fight. Queen Roxine gave her a knowing nod, allowing her to take the floor. With the Queen’s approval, Sierra turned to Cassandra.

Even as she tried to maintain her cool, she found it difficult to hide the smug smile on her face. She had wanted an opportunity to kick Cassandra off her high horse. This was perfect.

Cassandra, on the other hand, was at a complete loss. Her head was spinning with anger and confusion. First, she had tried to salvage the situation by currying favor. Then, she was snubbed by the Queen’s maid.

A maid!

Now, the princess whom she had recognized as her mortal enemy, had the approval of the queen to speak when she did not? What in the world was going on?

“Princess Cassandra. According to the golden rules of etiquette when dining with the Queen, one can only speak when spoken to by the Queen herself. As such, you have spoken out of turn as Queen Roxine had never given you permission to part lips.”

Cassandra was livid. She gritted her teeth as she tightened her grip on the cutlery she held in her hands. She was about to open her mouth when she recalled what Sierra had just said. She glanced over to Marionne. If she could not speak, why was the maid allowed to?

Sierra already knew that was what she was about to ask. So, she saved her time and explained the situation. As the Queen’s maid, Miss Marionne is seen as an extension of the Queen. As such in this capacity, she could speak freely and be excluded from the rule.

Everyone at the table looked at one another, impressed by Sierra’s knowledge of the etiquette. The princesses had all assumed etiquette was universally the same. Hence only a few of them bothered to find out more about the Kingdom of Drakin’s customs and rules.

“You are more eloquent than I had previously observed, Princess Sierra, I look forward to our company for the remainder of the day and hopefully, for time to come.”

Sierra smiled. She had obtained the approval of the Queen. It was a rare treat indeed! But being favored by the Queen came with its own dangers. She could already feel Princess Cassandra’s searing gaze on her.

The princess was so angry, that she did not speak or attempt to do so for the rest of the meal. Queen Roxine, however, spoke to many of the princesses throughout the course of their meal. Even Myra got to share her love of fruit jams with the Queen.

“That sounds most delightful, Princess Myra. It would be an honor if you would be so kind as to give us a tour of the famous Harvest Orchard.”

“The honor is mine, Your Highness,” Myra replied nervously.

As the breakfast came to an end, the Queen took her leave. Everyone got up from their seats and curtsied as they watched the Queen and her entourage leave the hall. Once they were out of sight, the princesses and their attendings eased up a little.

They had only just begun and there was already so much tension amongst them. Myra thanked Sierra profusely for her assistance.

“If it weren’t for you, I would have been at a complete loss!” Myra exclaimed as she placed her hand over her heart and heaved a sigh of relief.

Before Sierra could reply, she glanced over her shoulder. It was too late for her to pull Myra out of the way. Cassandra walked towards them and bumped straight into Myra, almost causing her to fall to the ground.

If Sierra had not caught her in time, the poor princess would have gotten hurt. Less than a second later, Cassandra would have bumped into Sierra too. But with her quick thinking, and in the midst of helping Myra, she dodged it.

“Are you alright, Myra?” she asked, her voice filled with concern.

While the fire in her stomach boiled and sought justice, Sierra quelled it and pushed it down. During her years serving the royal court of Cair alongside her father, she learned a very important lesson.

The walls had eyes and ears.

Cassandra thought that since most of the Queen’s entourage had left, she could do as she pleases and remained unseen. But that could not be further from the truth. There was also the possibility that she simply did not care.

Cassandra’s home kingdom was one of Drakin’s strongest allies. There was no way Sierra or Myra could win against her if the matter was brought up to the King. They had to pick their battles.

Right now, Sierra’s best response was to remain undeterred and unbothered. Sierra focused on helping Myra up, helping her to dust off her dress as she did. What she did not realize was that her inaction further infuriated Cassandra.

The snobby princess had hoped for a reaction out of Sierra as she had done in the past. Yet this time, she had chosen to remain silent. Not wanting to admit defeat or interest in Sierra’s reaction, she resisted the urge to turn back around and left the hall in a huff.

“Thank you, Sierra. That Princess Cassandra is such a menace,” Myra said in a hushed whisper so that only the two of them could hear it.

Sierra chuckled, “She thinks she owns the place. I can’t wait to see how else would the Queen put her in her place.”

Myra nudged her friend, “You should give yourself some credit too!”