Heartstring of a Mad king

CHAPTER 3

QUEEN MARIE P.O.V

I lay on the bed beside the king, my mind racing with questions that demanded answers. The presence of Charlotte and her son had left me shocked and unsettled, and I couldn't keep my thoughts to myself any longer. I decided to gently broach the topic, hoping to engage the king in a discussion without angering him.

"Your Highness, I was quite taken aback by the presence of Charlotte and her son," I said, carefully watching his reaction, still immersed in the papers he held.

"Hmm," he responded absentmindedly, his attention still fixed on the documents.

"Did you invite her, my king?" I inquired, my voice gentle yet laced with curiosity. I needed to understand his motives, to find some clarity in this perplexing situation.

"I did," he replied, finally looking up from his papers. His tone held a hint of defiance.

"May I know why?" I pressed further, my heart pounding in my chest, anxious to hear his reasoning.

"The kingdom is looking to me to choose the best successor, and you have only given me one heir to the throne who is...mad," he declared, his voice rising in volume. The words hit me like a sharp blow, and I fought hard to hold back tears.

How dare he call our son mad? Luke had dedicated his life to proving himself worthy of the throne, to demonstrate his capabilities and resilience.

"Luke is not mad," I protested, my voice shaking with a mix of sorrow and indignation. But the king showed no remorse, his gaze returning to the papers on the bed table.

An eerie silence descended upon us, heavy with unspoken disappointment and regret. I struggled to make sense of his actions, of his blatant disregard for our son's abilities. The question hung heavily in the air: If you don't see Luke as a rightful heir, then why did he allow him to face the scrutiny of the parliament?

"That's why Derek is here. He's still my son and provides me with greater assurance," he finally responded, his words cutting through the silence like a knife. With that, he turned off the light on the bed table, leaving me alone with the chilling embrace of my thoughts and the weight of a decision that threatened to tear our family apart.

QUEEN MARIE P.O.V.

The weight of the previous night's encounter with the king kept me awake, restless throughout the night. My heart was too heavy, burdened by the disheartening reality of our situation. However, morning had arrived, and despite my inner turmoil, I had a duty to fulfill.

Upon waking up, I realized that the king wasn't beside me as usual. The absence of his presence served as a stark reminder of the growing distance between us. The maids were already present, prepared to assist me with my morning routine. I went through my bath, the water failing to wash away the emotional distress I carried within.

Sitting before the mirror, observing my reflection, I couldn't help but see a woman who appeared fragile, someone who had been mishandled severely by circumstances and the choices of others. As my hair was carefully styled, I couldn't shake the feeling of vulnerability that washed over me.

After my hair was done, I made my way to the breakfast table. The atmosphere was as quiet as always, with my daughters remaining silent. I could sense that they had questions of their own, just as I did. Yet, I had no answers to offer them, no reassurance to provide in the face of uncertainty.

The dining room remained subdued as we ate, and the servants watched from a distance, observing the tension in the air. Suddenly, Derek entered noisily, disregarding the fact that he wasn't welcomed at our table. He boldly took a seat, and despite his awareness of his unwelcome presence, he aimed to annoy and frustrate everyone present. I was relieved that Luke wasn't there, as I had instructed for his breakfast to be taken to his room by one of my personal servants.

Derek continued to talk, feigning affection with a mischievous smile. His audacity was irritating, and it seemed he was somehow aware of the king's plans for him. His presence only intensified my urgency to seek guidance from Lord Danbury.

I stood up abruptly, signaling to my daughters that it was time to leave. They followed suit, understanding the need to distance ourselves from Derek and the uncomfortable situation. However, he shouted after us, disregarding our departure, which only served to further irritate me. It seemed he was well-informed about the king's intentions, adding to the frustration I felt.

This entire scene strengthened my resolve to expedite my journey to see Lord Danbury. I had important questions that needed answers, seeking a way to extricate my children from the mess Charlotte and her son had brought upon us. Lord Danbury was the person I believed could provide the guidance and solutions we desperately needed.

Based on the king's words from the previous night, it was clear he expected Luke to prove himself further. Despite Luke's brilliance and dedication, the king had chosen to overlook his abilities, branding him as insane. To make matters worse, he saw Derek and Charlotte's son as a superior heir. It was a situation that filled me with a mixture of frustration and concern.

As I walked toward the waiting carriage, my mind raced with thoughts, each step propelling me closer to Lord Danbury's presence. I clung to the hope that he would offer a glimmer of guidance, a way to save us from this ill fate. My heart yearned for a solution, a way to protect my children from the turmoil that threatened to consume us all

Lord Danbury's house loomed before me as the carriage came to a halt. The grandeur of the building was evident, a testament to the success and influence of the old man. Being one of the oldest members of the parliament, he possessed a wealth of knowledge about the kingdom and its inner workings.

As the carriage driver opened the door, I made the decision to enter alone, without an entourage. I wanted this meeting to remain private, away from those within the royal house who harbored ill intentions toward us. Stepping out of the carriage, I approached the house and was greeted by Lord Danbury's servant, who guided me to the designated room.

Inside, I found Lord Danbury gazing out of the window. We exchanged pleasantries, and he graciously offered me a seat. After settling in, he inquired about the reason for my esteemed visit.

"Lord Danbury, I have come to seek a favor, and I request that this meeting, as well as any future discussions between us, remain confidential," I said, emphasizing the importance of discretion.

"You have my word, Your Majesty," Lord Danbury assured me, his reputation for integrity preceding him.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts before continuing. "The king has had a change of heart regarding Luke's claim to the throne. He now sees Derek as a more suitable successor, and I understand that the law supports his decision. Am I correct in this understanding?" I asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lord Danbury affirmed.

My heart sank at the confirmation, realizing the formidable challenge we faced. However, I refused to give up without exploring every possible avenue. "Is there anything I can do to help secure the throne for Luke, to give him an advantage over Derek?" I implored, my tone reflecting the inner turmoil I felt.

Lord Danbury's response initially dampened my hopes. "If the king has set his sights on Derek as the heir, there may be little you can do, Your Majesty," he stated matter-of-factly.

My frustration grew, evident in my elevated tone as I pressed for a solution. Silence hung in the air, and then Lord Danbury spoke, offering a glimmer of hope. "However, there might be one thing you could consider, Your Majesty," he began, capturing my attention.

My eyes widened with anticipation as I listened intently to his suggestion, desperate for any potential avenue to secure the throne for my son, Luke