Heartstring of a Mad king

CHAPTER 4

PRINCE LUKE P.O.V.

As I sat in the library, engrossed in my book, Mark, my loyal attendant, excused himself briefly to speak with another servant who had a message for him. Although my focus remained on the pages, I couldn't help but notice the exchange taking place.

When Mark returned and handed me the message, he informed me that the queen urgently wanted to see me and my siblings in the palace garden. Without looking up from my book, I casually asked, "Can I sit this one out?"

"I'm afraid not, Your Majesty," Mark replied. I let out an exasperated sigh and reluctantly stood up as the maids were summoned to dress me for the occasion.

I made my way to the garden where the queen had requested our presence. According to Mark, my main servant, the queen had emphasized the importance of this meeting. Upon entering, I found the queen and my sisters enjoying their tea. We exchanged pleasantries, and I took my seat, awaiting the purpose of this gathering.

The queen began to speak, and her words immediately caught my attention. "Well, it would take one without wisdom not to notice what's going on here in the palace. Anyways, I'm here to inform you that the plan to find suitable suitors for all of you has been expedited and will be taken more seriously," she announced.

Viola, true to her nature, couldn't resist a comment under her breath. "Never knew there's something more serious than this," she muttered, attempting to keep her words hidden. However, her voice carried, and despite finding her humor amusing, the queen did not share the sentiment.

As the queen turned her attention towards Viola, I could sense her frustration with our sister's apparent lack of seriousness. Given all the stress we had been enduring, it was understandable that the queen would be angered by Viola's nonchalant attitude.

"Well, that seriousness is what allows you to retain your position as a princess and be part of the royal family, for which you should be grateful," the queen stated firmly, her gaze fixed on Viola's eyes, ensuring her message was received loud and clear.

The queen then proceeded to inform us of her plan to send letters to every kingdom the following day, seeking potential brides for me. By the day after that, the castle would be filled with numerous royal visitors. The suddenness of this announcement shocked me, as I had not been informed earlier. I couldn't help but display my discontent.

"I wasn't informed about this earlier, and I don't want a bride, Mother," I protested, my tone serious and my gaze unwavering.

The queen remained resolute in her decision. "Well, now or later, you will be getting one. You can't be a king without a queen. The sooner you find one, the better it will be for all of us," she responded, matching my serious tone.

An eerie silence descended upon us, and the queen spoke again, this time in a calmer manner. "You girls should use this opportunity to find eligible suitors for yourselves during this period, or I will find them for you myself," she declared before standing up and leaving us behind. The weight of the situation settled heavily upon me as I watched her depart, knowing that my objections would only lead to further conflict.

Feeling a mix of frustration and resignation, I glanced at my sisters. It was clear that our lives were about to change drastically, and we would have to navigate the challenges that lay ahead, both in finding suitable suitors and accepting the responsibilities that came with our roles in the royal family

QUEEN MARIE P.O.V.

It was already nighttime, and as I sat in front of the mirror, my mind was consumed with thoughts. My personal maid brushed my hair, but I was so lost in my own world that I didn't even notice when she finished.

"Your Majesty, I'm done," she said, bringing me back to reality. I smiled in response and went to bed, covering myself with the blanket. The king was not there, and I couldn't help but wonder where he could be. However, I was too tired to dwell on that thought.

As I lay in bed, my mind continued to ponder Lord Danbury's advice about Luke marrying a lady from a noble family, which would give him an advantage over Derek. I thought about the meeting I had with my children, knowing that they may not understand the reasons behind my sternness, but it was necessary for their survival in this cruel world.

Lost in my thoughts, I was brought back to reality when the king entered the room. I knew it was him, and he lay down on the bed while I still had my back turned to him. I needed to discuss my plan of finding a bride for Luke with him, even though I dreaded having a conversation with him.

I turned to face him and spoke up, "Your Highness, Luke would like to find a bride, and I seek your permission to send letters to other kingdoms tomorrow."

He looked at me with a confused expression. "Luke? A bride? I didn't see that coming. Anyway, you have my permission. I will sign the letters tomorrow," he replied before turning over to sleep.

I was relieved that he didn't give me a hard time about it. Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, I noticed a lipstick stain on his back. My suspicions were confirmed – he had been with another woman. Charlotte, I thought. I turned away and tried to sleep, knowing that this was just another reminder that I had to speed up my plans.

PRINCE LUKE P.O.V.

I was feeling incredibly tense and overwhelmed by the Queen's decision today. The idea of finding a bride was the last thing on my mind, and it sent my emotions into a whirlwind. I found myself sweating profusely, pacing back and forth in the room, unable to calm my racing thoughts.

In my frustration, I grabbed a nearby cup and flung it across the room, followed by other objects. My inner turmoil had consumed me entirely. Suddenly, someone rushed into the room, trying to reach out and calm me down. Without realizing who it was, I pushed the person away, ready to throw a punch. But as I regained my senses, I saw Mark beneath me, fear evident on his face.

I immediately felt a wave of guilt wash over me, I tried to help him up but strength failed me as I felt weak.

MARK P.O.V.

As I helped clean the minor bruises on the prince's feet, I felt a mix of concern and relief. Thankfully, the injuries weren't severe, and I was grateful for that. There was a heavy silence in the room, and I could sense that Prince Luke had something on his mind, something he wanted to express.

"Mark, I..." he began, his voice echoing through the room.

But I quickly interrupted him, understanding the weight of his words before he even spoke them. "There's no need to apologize, Your Highness," I reassured him. "The responsibilities you carry are immense, far beyond my comprehension. Some days can be truly demanding on our minds, and it's only natural to feel overwhelmed, even for someone as noble as yourself."

I could see the tension easing from his face as my words reached him. It was a small comfort, knowing that I could provide him with a moment of understanding and support. The prince deserved empathy and compassion in times like these, and I was determined to offer it to him.

After our conversation, he retired to bed, seeking solace and rest. However, before I was dismissed, he made a request of me. He asked me to keep our exchange a secret, to not share what had transpired with anyone. I met his gaze, my loyalty unwavering.

"I would never, Your Grace," I promised him earnestly. The gratitude in his eyes touched me, With a nod of acknowledgment i quietly exited the room, leaving him to find the peace he so desperately needed.

QUEEN MARIE P.O.V.

Morning had arrived, and I awoke with a pounding headache, the result of a restless night. Despite the doctor's advice to rest, I couldn't afford to take a day off, especially not today. There were important matters to attend to, decisions to be made.

I allowed my maids to assist me with my morning routine, bathing and dressing me, all while my mind was preoccupied with the tasks ahead. My headache persisted, a constant reminder of the weight on my shoulders.

With my appearance prepared, I decided to have breakfast in my room. I couldn't bear the thought of facing the prying eyes of my children . As I ate, I took a herbal remedy the doctor had given me, hoping it would alleviate my headache and grant me some semblance of relief.

The doctor had advised me to rest, to give myself a respite from the stress and responsibilities of the palace. But how could I possibly rest when there were crucial matters at hand? Today was a pivotal day, and I couldn't afford to falter.

As soon as the doctor left, I mustered the strength to make my way to the king's chambers. I found him engaged in a discussion with a dignitary, his regal aura commanding attention. We exchanged pleasantries, and I presented the letter I had ordered to be drafted, regarding Luke's search for a bride.

The king, seemingly intrigued by the proposal, gave his signature to the letter. It was a significant achievement, a step forward in securing a future for our kingdom. I felt a flicker of satisfaction, a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil that surrounded us.

As the king approved the letters, I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

The notice has been passed a cross the palace and the palace was now a flurry of activity, with maids and servants busily preparing for the influx of royal visitors. Rooms were cleaned, arrangements were made, and the palace began to transform in anticipation of the suitors' arrival.

Despite the throbbing headache that persisted, a sense of purpose and accomplishment washed over me. I had set things in motion, and now it was up to fate to guide us on this uncertain path. I would do whatever it took to secure a prosperous future for my children and our kingdom