My adored queen

12

"I am not sure that my son will be able to bear the weight of the title, therefore, by this order, which is mandatory for execution, I deprive Crown Prince Robert of the right to take the throne. After my death, he has three days to leave the residence and settle in the Duchy of Logan." The persistent spirit continued its tirade, hovering over the young man's dark head. It was as if his father's soul had become a ghost and was now tormenting his son. The only, but unloved.

The current crown princess appeared on the road so inopportunely and immediately hurried towards him. Robert tensed. His cousin was the last person he wanted to see right now. And not even because she had just stolen everything from him... Annie had taken away the most precious thing a long time ago. She had taken his father's love. But what was the point of talking about it now? Not everyone is given to be the same, but the truth is one – the chasm that lay between the late monarch's son and his heir could no longer be bridged.

"Robert, I..." Annie sighed heavily, not knowing how to choose the right words. She herself wanted this meeting; it was evident from the determination shining in her charming eyes. But she clearly hadn't rehearsed her speech.

"Don't bother, milady," the prince decided to help his sister. "There's no need to apologize. You wanted to apologize, didn't you? And also say that you didn't ask the king for power, and now you can't let him down. It's all just words..."

"But it's true, Robert. I'm sorry..."

"Sorry for stealing my throne? You don't regret such things," he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

"I didn't steal anything. It's just..."

"You just took the chance that fell into your hands. I considered you a kind sister, but you turned out to be a snake, waiting for an opportunity to strike. You acted meanly, Annie!" As always, he spoke his mind. The heir's face twisted with the unpleasant feeling she experienced, which couldn't help but please Robert. But she quickly regained her composure and confidently stated:

"You had twenty-seven years to prove to everyone that you were worthy of the throne. Now it's my turn." Her green eyes sparkled with defiance, something the marchioness had never shown before. "How power changes people!" the prince thought, chuckling to himself. "I would have sworn allegiance to you if it weren't for that order. But you missed your chance and now you have to swear allegiance to me. Immediately after the coronation, you will go to Logan; that was your father's last wish."

"Indeed... My father's wish or yours, Annie? Be careful and trust no one, or they will do to you what you did to me," the young man said like a curse and confidently took a step towards her. The princess grimaced at the fumes that wafted over her, but didn't flinch. And that eye-to-eye confrontation could have lasted longer if Count Daniel hadn't arrived so timely.

Quickly realizing that trouble was brewing, he hurried to stand between the two dynasty members. He glanced at the future queen and quietly said, "Your Highness, Duchess Ileria was looking for you. Allow me to escort you..."

"Alright, Dan," she agreed, coming to her senses and stepping away from her cousin. She proudly turned and walked away, escorted by the head of security, leaving Robert no choice but to go to his mother's chambers, the queen dowager Clarissa. Like her, he wasn't ready to say goodbye to power so easily.

The path familiar from childhood was covered quickly. The only thing that annoyed him was the disdainful behavior of everyone he met along the way. Previously, they bowed to the ground before the crown prince and lowered their eyes. Now, they no longer considered him the future king, so every gesture lacked the fear that the young man enjoyed inspiring in people.

The lackeys obeyed, briskly opening the doors, and the ladies-in-waiting, with whom his mother was waiting for tea that hadn't yet been prepared in the kitchen, hurried to leave the apartments. Only now, alone with her son, could Clarissa remove her mask of smiles and reveal her true emotions.

"And what is our plan?" the crown prince asked curiously, crossing the living room of his mother's chambers. He took a seat opposite his mother, who sat majestically on the couch, tapping out a strange melody on the wooden armrest with her fingers, and crossed his right ankle over his left knee – his favorite resting pose.

"Patience, my boy. Let's wait for Dan," the woman's voice rang out softly and gently like a song.

"He'll escort the snake and come," the young man nodded indifferently. Robert wasn't at all surprised that the plan would be revealed in the presence of the head of security. Count Arron was one of those in whom the heir had complete confidence. Unprincipled, cunning, and sly... Dan was not only his best friend and loyal servant but also someone Robert could trust completely. A kindred spirit, loyal and with the same views on life.

His Grace didn't delay. Only now, when he was alone with his chosen family, could he remove all masks. He bowed low, immediately expressing his condolences regarding this terrible injustice. Then he sat in the chair indicated to him.

"So, let's talk seriously. What do we need to do to win back fortune?" milady asked calmly, clasping her hands and placing them on her knees.

"Annie must renounce the throne, but it won't be quick. We need patience. Robert will have to go to Logan for a while," Arron concluded after a few minutes of thought.

"That pigsty?" the prince grumbled discontentedly.

"Well, don't exaggerate. It's not a wealthy duchy, remote, but quite nice," the count countered. After graduating from the capital's academy, he had traveled throughout the kingdom, visiting various regions. He had seen luxury and poverty, paradise and hell, the beauty of waterfalls, the majesty of impenetrable forests, and lonely swamps in the morning mist. He had stayed in palaces and rural houses and knew the value of silks and wines. Logan was a beautiful area, quite picturesque. You won't find aristocracy or wine cellars there, but it's a land of wheat fields and cattle farms. Well, the man understood why the late king had chosen this province among all others for his wayward descendant.

"And it won't be long, will it, Dan?" the queen asked, trying to reassure her son, while also worried herself.

"Of course. We will overthrow the princess from the throne, and then you can return. Trust me and Her Majesty," agreed the only calm person present.

"And how will you do it?" the crown prince's gaze shifted from irritated to more moderate.

"Annie is weak and inexperienced. Daniel will gain her trust and then, when the opportunity arises, help her make a terrible mistake that neither the advisors nor the people will forgive her. And I will create difficulties for her and turn as many important people against her as possible," milady whispered, smiling insidiously.

"It will take a long time," the heir scoffed, but he was barely noticed.

"The marchioness's main support is her relatives. They need to be separated from her. Instead, she tried to play with the hearts of those in love, not thinking that one day she would need their help. They will all follow us when the opportunity arises," Daniel reasoned, rubbing his beard, where stubble was barely visible after a recent shave.

"That's good news," the widow clapped her hands and crossed her legs, like her son had done earlier. "And how many such young men are there?"

"Enough, believe me," the young man smiled skeptically.

"What did they find in her, I wonder? Besides her being a dynasty member, of course," intrigues aside, what's the point of being a woman if you don't gossip when the opportunity arises? The count smiled again, leaning back in his chair:

"Don't say that... She's beautiful, her eyes are captivating. She's smart, cheerful, interesting, direct. There's something to look at..."

"Enough of that singing. She's our enemy!" the former queen interrupted sternly, glancing suspiciously at the young man. She might have thought something was amiss, but she knew that Magdalena, a striking, full-blooded girl, would soon arrive in the capital. And by the happy alignment of the stars, Countess Curtis is the beloved girl and soon-to-be fiancée of the kingdom's head of security.

"I'm just answering your question," he replied harmlessly. "The cardinal is our problem. He has his own army, wealth, power... He will support her."

"It won't be easy, but we won't give up. When the queen is disgraced, everyone will turn away from her," milady smiled and immediately turned her head towards her son. Her eyes radiated determination: "And you will forget about entertainment and drinking! To put you on the throne, the advisors must be sure that you can handle it. Otherwise, our efforts may end with Orian's coronation!"

"Alright, but give me your word that you will do everything possible to make Annie's power fall! If necessary, even kill her. You will kill her, Dan! Personally, do you understand me? Swear it!" leaning towards his best friend, the prince hissed with emphasis. The latter was momentarily confused but regained his composure too quickly:

"As you command, Your Highness. If I can't overthrow her from the throne, I will kill the queen. But don't forget everything I've done for you."

"Don't doubt it. You will get what you dream of. Come tonight, I will prepare an agreement. On the day Robert takes the throne, I will give you what you desire," the widow smiled grandly, pleased with where the leisurely conversation had led. "This document will be with me and you and will protect our alliance, preventing either side from betraying or breaking their word..."

"So be it," Count Arron nodded briefly, flicking his wheat-colored hair from his face with a nod.