Louisa Hendraki

Chapter Six: Conrad

"Conrad!"

They both turned.

Juliet stood afar off. She looked visibly annoyed as she marched towards them. Conrad looked frightened as he dropped the bread he was holding. Louisa was confused.

Why was Juliet so annoyed?

As Juliet reached where they sat, she pulled Conrad up roughly by the hand, it made Louisa want to yell. "I told you not to come here, didn't I?" she said to the poor boy. Then she turned to Louisa. "I'm Juliet, the mother to Prince Conrad."

Louisa fought the urge to say, So?. Who did she think she was to pull Conrad like that?

But Louisa just said,"I know you. I saw you last night. And?." Juliet straightened her shoulders. It seemed like she was challenging her. Louisa just looked at her uninterested in what she has to say. "My son will not bother you again. The king arranges for him to be fed so you do not need to bother."

It sounded like a normal statement but Louisa knew it spoke depths. This woman was reminding her that she was the mother to the son of the king and that the king still took care of them.

Louisa just replied, "The boy isn't done having breakfast. You shouldn't pull him like that. He is the king's son so I have a responsibility to him too" Juliet glared at her and said instead, "My son will not disturb you again." Then she pulled Conrad away, scolding him.

Poor boy!

Louisa sighed as she has lost her appetite. She stood up and ordered a servant to clear up the place. She decided to find Nora instead. She would know what to do with her day and when to meet the council and her new ladies.

She left the garden, headed towards where she believed was Nora's room. She saw a servant and asked for directions. The maid led her to Nora's room door and left her there.

Louisa hesitated. Before knocking, she needed to remind herself that she came to ask about regency and council stuff. She wasn't here to distract herself or just stare at another woman. Just as she was about to knock, someone tapped her shoulder.

"I was actually waiting to see if you will change your mind about knocking," Louisa turned to see Nora looking at her with an amused expression.

She began to panic inside.

Stop this Louisa! You're here to ask questions.

She straightened up. "Good morning...Lady Nora" she said. Nora smiled.

That smile!

Louisa averted her eyes,"I wanted to ask when I'll meet with the council today, and when I get to choose my ladies". Nora raised a brow," Oh forgive my blabbermouth. I heard from my brother you're regent. I'm happy for you. You're already exercising your queenly duties."

Louisa smiled,"Thank you. I need your help actually..." "I know. The council will meet in an hour and they just want to know you but..."

She took Louisa's hand and led her back to the garden. The gesture surprised Louisa more than Juliet's words. There were two chairs and a round table. Nora sat down and beckoned to Louisa to sit too.

Louisa sat down and said,"But?" Nora continued,"But you don't have to explain yourself. Louisa you're the queen. They won't ask you what's your name or where you're from or what you know about ruling. That's almost treason. But you will tell them your rules..."

"My rules?" Louisa asked and Nora nodded.

"What? You don't have rules? You'll tell them how you want to receive your letters either directly or through any of them whom you appoint. You'll tell them how often you will precede over disputes. Either once a month or six times a year or..."

"...everytime there's one."Louisa added. Nora looked at her with a raised brow and shrugged. "You'll never sleep then. You might want to rethink in that" she said. "The entire Nendes are your people. You have a right over them. Besides, nobody should disregard you...Not even Juliet" Nora said, adding that last part in contempt.

Louisa noticed. "Did you see her this morning?"

Nora looked at her and shook her head. "Why did you say that? Why did you say 'not even Juliet '?"

Nora shrugged and said, "Well... what can I say? She's proud because... you know? "...because she birthed the king's son." Nora nodded. "Exactly! The boy is illegitimate and yet she acts as though he's Nikolai's heir." Louisa smiled. Nora was visibly annoyed. "I think Conrad is a sweet boy and it's not his fault he's illegitimate."

"I know. It's just that... she was just a mistress who forgot her purpose and got pregnant. To be honest, I hate her."

Louisa was about to say "I don't want you hating" but stopped.

Who was she to tell someone to stop hating when she hated Nadia and her father?.

She just said,"I met Conrad today." Nora looked up. "You did?" Louisa nodded and continued,"He was looking for the king. I decided to have breakfast with him and then Juliet came and grabbed him and took him away. She said he wouldn't disturb me again but I know I'm having dinner again with that boy. He's a sweet boy..."

****

Louisa had met with the council and had told Nora to send her ladies to her the next day. She was extremely tired and wanted to rest as she had been busy all day. "Zara?" she called as she entered the room and found Zara sleeping at her reading table.

She didn't blame her. She had told her to wait all day. She quietly went to the bathroom and had her bath before returning to wake Zara up. Zara yawned and looked around before standing up.

"Louisa..."

"It's fine. Go to bed, Zara. You're tired."

Zara curtsied and left while Louisa got on her bed. She thought of Roman and Tristan. She thought of her father and... Nadia. She hissed. Then her mind wandered to Nikolai. She didn't know if she should tell him about Juliet's ride behavior.

After much consideration, she decided against it. It was too early to start laying complaints against people.