One Night with The Queen

Chapter 3

Queen Emilia

I hastily made my way out of the tailors' chambers. It was partly due to my need to relieve myself and my need to be alone. I was excited to work with the tailor, and Miss Charlotte was nice enough, but I needed alone time. Especially before being tossed into a dinner with more new faces and my new husband.

I shivered at the word husband. I hated my family more than I could fathom at the moment, but this was my life now. I rushed through the doors to what I assumed was my chambers, only to smack right into that Antonio character.

"Your Majesty, to what do I owe this urgent meeting?" He gave me an arrogant smile, and I wanted to smack it right off his face. But I knew something that would work a bit better.

I walked up a bit closer, bringing my face dangerously close to his. I held his gaze until I could feel him become uncomfortable with the proximity. His arrogance aside, I was still his Queen. I could sense his gait shift, trying to control the anxiety that was building. He licked his bottom lip slowly. I watched as his tongue trailed the pink skin. I brought my hand up to wipe a bead of sweat from his forehead. I inched closer, so close we shared breaths. He took a half step back, unable to hold it together.

"Just as I thought. All bark, no bite." I gave him his own arrogant smile and turned to leave. I reached the door and pushed it open before glancing back at him. His eyes were wide, and his feet planted to the same spot. I couldn't help but laugh as I walked out. 

I realized my own chambers were just a set of doors down. This castle was far bigger than my home. It seemed I would be getting lost here often. I tugged the doors open, praying I had finally picked the right ones and sighed in relief when I saw my bed. I shut the door behind me and rushed into the bathroom. Yet it wasn't the facilities. I had run face-first into my closet. Shutting the door angrily, I moved on to the doors next to those and finally found what I needed. 

My fingers gripped my thick skirts and tried to lift, but it was far too heavy for me to try and remove alone. I'd need a couple of maids to remove all of these heavy drapes off of my body. My father wanted to make sure I looked presentable to the new faces. The maids pulled, pushed, cinched, and sewed until I was trapped in this dress. I only had two options; live in it or have it cut off in pieces.

Antonio

I watched her walk out of the room, the sweet sound of her giggles ringing in my ears. She had played me like a fiddle. I finally took a breath as the door clicked closed. I staggered back until the back of my knees came into contact with the seat I had been in before I was to leave. Before she came in and walked into me. I couldn't help but notice her scent. It was soft, floral, and utterly feminine. Her eyes connected to mine held me in a terrifying trance that I could not hold under. It was exhilarating yet paralyzing.

I shook my head roughly. These thoughts were completely unacceptable. I did not know this woman, and she was our new Queen. The fourth new Queen, if my math and mind were still with me. If I thought about it too long, I would go mad. I had been the King's right hand and his designated nobleman. I was the one he uttered his every secret to until I spoke my mind. Such a fool I was to become so confident with his Majesty. And now I have been demoted to the Queen's right hand. As if I'd want to help a woman with her troubles. How much help could I possibly be, to begin with?

Pushing this encounter out of my mind, I departed to find Miss Charlotte. I wondered when she'd appear to give me my tongue lashing. My slick comments with the Queen were sure to have ruffled her skirts. I couldn't help but smile, thinking of the blood draining from her face when I kissed the Queen's hand. Oh, it tickled me quite pink. I need to stop terrorizing Miss Charlotte. I am afraid I may cause a heart attack one day.

Thinking of Miss Charlotte reminded me of why I was leaving in the first place. She had asked me to clear any remaining belongings from the Queen's chambers. It was very irresponsible of her to give me such a task. I gave myself one final shake. One final riddance of the anxiety that woman had caused me. How scandalous if someone had seen her. Yet, I believe that was part of the excitement. 

I exited the room and walked a couple of doors over into her chambers, cursing Charlotte under my breath. I walked further into the closet when the sound of grunting caught my attention. It sounded like someone was struggling with something in the facilities. I wondered if it was a maid?

I walked over and knocked, pushing the door open without a response. 

"Miss Charlotte, you devil of a woman. Are you in there trying to arrange the toiletries alone again?" I thought back to Charlotte trying to move the counters about and rearrange large decorative items by herself.

I gasped, my eyes meeting the Queen's cold ones. She was glaring at me, her eyes in small slits. She had one hand full of ripped cloth and a knife in the other. Where had she gotten that knife?

"Your Majesty, my apologies." I had started before she cut me off.

"Oh shut up, and come help me, Antonio." She rolled her eyes.