Stolen by colour

Start Of A Fault

The very next morning, Mia didn't wait further; she went to the palace uninvited, but desperate to see her queen, 'Her friend'. In the waiting room, she sat comfortably sipping on the tea served to her.

"Her Majesty has arrived," the brief announcement from the guard. As Anna walked into the room, she spared Mia no glance.

"What brings you to my palace at this hour of the day?"

"My queen, I am here to apologize. You are right, and melding too far was not my intention," she stood up and bowed, "Forgive me, your grace."

Anna looked away, clearly unsure how to address the situation. "I am not angry, I was never angry, my friend. I only wanted you to offer some kind of inspiration." She stood up and hugged her friend. "I would be a fool to make an enemy of my only friend, wouldn't I?" They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Never my queen." Mia's eyes shone with love. "May I ask?" Her voice filled with emotion. Anne nodded, "Please let us be more, let us be sisters?" As the words left Mia's lips, Anna stood stunned for the first time since Mia tried to push their relationship upwards.

"No more tears, please. I was thinking I should learn some German. Anna's voice filled with excitement, which cleared up some

"German? Why is English not enough?" Mia asked, wiping off her tears.

"It is, but what of the main native people?"

"Native people? No one said you would talk to them, that's why you have us, your ladies in waiting, and the king might not really want physical conversations with them for now, though."

"Well, if need be."

--

At noon, the king came back from the parliament. "Is parliament every day?" Anne questioned him as if it were a bad thing.

"If I do not attend to things, laws will not be made, and the country will not survive." His reply seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.

"My question has not been answered."

"Of course, no, but I have to go three times a week." He turned around to face the woman who could not even look at him days ago. "If I may ask, are you jealous that the parliament gets more of me than you, or are you in need of more?" Anna's face flushed bright red.

"No, I just wanted to know your routines and... and work plan."

"Why, though?" he stepped closer to her, not minding that their privacy wasn't assured.

"Because I want to. It is not a crime, is it?"

"Of course not. But my queen, shall we not share a bed tonight?" He took her hand, trailing soft kisses along her arms. "I have missed your warmth."

She quickly pulled her hands away. "We shall. I have things to do. Goodbye," she hurried away.

"For now, my queen."

--

As months passed, Anna settled into the lifestyle and her daily company with Lady Mia.

"My King, questions are rising every day. Is the queen not able to give a child?" Lord Bernard's question was followed by murmurings from the parliament.

Lord Evan stood up firmly. "Since when did the king's affair become yours to handle, Lord Bernard?"

"Mine to handle? Such a careless statement. The king's business is that of the parliament; it has always been."

The king stood up, "Silence, Lord Bernard, it is as if you have forgotten that the king shows no mercy to those who question him. Have you?" His voice was firm, showing no sign of fear.

"No, My King. It is just that the people are talking."

"What people? Where? I have not heard. Queen Anna the first will choose when it is time. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, My King," all said in unison.

Over at the palace arrived the King's mother uninvited and was announced to Anna.

"You, you are the footstool of the king, my son, and yet he seems to be crumbling down in shame. Why is that?" Her voice carried a tone that didn't come in peace, but war.

"He has not complained of anything, nothing. So it seems your information is false?"

"False? I can see it clearly. It has been a month or two, and yet no sign of an heir. Look, society does not wait for anyone to bear a child, especially the Royals. That is why I have brought a Doctor. He will examine you. Unless you are barren?" Lady Mia whispered to Anna's ear.

"Fine."

Up in her chamber, the royal doctor examined her and wrote every detail he seemed to grasp. As he finished the examination, he turned to the king's mother. "She is--"

Bella, who was standing by the door, quickly ran down to the head of the maids unnoticed, trying to catch her breath to speak, "The queen, the queen."

"The queen, what? Bella, calm down and speak."

"Send for the king immediately."

"I cannot send for the king."

"But--"

"He has to come on his own terms, or if it is that urgent, they will send for him." Bella nodded in agreement, "But what happened up there?"

Bella looked at her, "The queen is--"

--

The king's chariot and horses halted quickly in front of the palace entrance, as he hurriedly made his way to the queen's chamber.

"My queen, how are you?" She turned around upon hearing his voice, giving way to a warm smile.

"I am fine," she walked towards him. "How was parliament? Any bothering matter?"

"Parliament can wait," his voice deep and warm, trying his possible best to control his emotions. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I just found out too," she smiled, cupping his face with her right hand.

"Let all of Germany hear that my queen is pregnant." They both laughed and hugged themselves tightly, but enough to breathe.

"Back at Grand Queen Palace, she paced her room back and forth like a caged lion.

"My queen, Lady Kate, is here," the maid announced.

"Take a seat," she commanded.

"It is an honor, my queen," Kate prostrated.

"Anna, you are close to her, right?" She sipped gently on her tea without looking away from Kate's face.

"Not quite my queen—"

" Well, get close to her, know every detail about her, everything she does, everything she says."

"My queen, I am afraid I cannot, for that is the queen's business."

"And since when did you ladies become so secretive, my goodness. Quite commendable, but that will lead you nowhere." Stood up and walked behind Kate, leaning and whispering to her ear. "You are not even her favorite. In fact, it should be tagged 'Lady in Waiting', not ladies. For most of you are redundant." She walked back and took her seat. "Lady Mia is the only active one, and she already seems to have pledged her allegiance to the queen. It has gotten so bad that she calls on her at the very late hours of the night or early hours of the day."

"Well then, what news do you seek?"