The Queen Of The Forest

Chapter 11

I stood in shock as I watched Peter and Robert shake hands. Thankfully, my father took charge of the situation.

"Guards throw David Harkenfield in the cell for tonight, it is a insult to the queen and as such he is lucky it is only for one night" my father directed the guards.

"Now wait just one second, my son didn’t attack the queen. He only spoke his opinion. Last time I checked that was not a punishable offense" master harkenfield shouted at my father.

"Fine to a council vote, then cousin. Lori with your permission of course" my father directed at me.

I just nodded at my father.

"All in favour of David harkenfield spending one night in the cells for his disrespect to our queen" everyone but one agreed

"So that would seem unamounus, guards take him but get a healer to check him over" my father directed

I watched as two guards picked David of the ground I couldn’t help the gloating feeling I got from watching him being dragged out unconscious

"And what about the punishment for Robert and Peter? They attacked a fellow council member." Harkenfield was shouting at this point.

Matthew, sit down! They acted in defense of their queen. There is no punishment for such an act. If you would like to you can join one son in the cells or you can join the other and sit at the table. The decision is all yours but if you chose to stay shut the f**k up!" My father was full of surprises it seems "now your majesty back to you I believe you were finishing up the meeting" my father nodded to me

I cleared my throat "thank you father, Well I think this meeting is over for today. master Lorin I will have my answer for you by the end of the day tomorrow if I can arrange different arrangements with the local Alpha. You are all excused" I looked to my father "father may I have a private word with you please"

"Of course you can" my father looked at me shocked

We waited to everyone had left the room leaving just my father, Peter, Robert and myself

"Peter, I will no longer need your services today, but if you could show Robert around for me, I would like to have a private word with my father. "I will find you both later if that’s ok with you, Robert." I looked towards Robert.

"Of course my love. I feel it’s time me and Peter spent some time with each other" he walked over to me slowly bending down to give me a soft kiss on the lips almost like the first time I felt dazed but I saw the hurt flash in peters eyes before he looked away.

It must just be because he hasn’t found his own hearith yet, and we’re just reminding him of that.

"Come on, Pete," Robert smirked at him, "show me what we can do for fun around here."

"Of course... your majesties," Peter said as he said goodbye.

I watched them walk out of the room, shutting the door behind them, before I turned to my father. I opened my mouth to speak, but my father got there before me.

"I’m so sorry, Lori; I’m sorry for everything. I was so worried that I would no longer matter and that everything I had done in the last ten years was for nothing. My actions are unforgivable. I listened to Matthew and thought marrying you to Peter was the right decision. I have been selfish," he said, looking at the floor.

"Papa, please don’t apologise; you will always matter to me and this kingdom. I won’t lie and say it hasn’t hurt, but I also understand. You were thrown into this position; you didn’t ask for it. Yes, maybe listening to Uncle Matthew wasn’t the best idea, but he cares for his people”. I move closer to him and place a hand on top of his

“Lori, don’t you understand? There is no excuse for what I did or how I acted. I should have listened to you and your mother. I have been a horrible husband and father these last couple of years. I want to spend my time making it up to you”.

"So does that mean you will give Robert a chance?" I wiggled my eyebrows at him .

"No one is good enough for my little girl, and I still believe you should air on the side of caution when it comes to the waterseed coven, but if that is what you want, I will give him one chance," he smiles at me.

"That’s all I can ask for then, father," I say as I give him a hug. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I’m going to freshen up and go find Peter and Robert."

I walk out of the room and up towards my room. I need to get out of this dress and into something more comfortable if we’re going to be exploring the grounds.

Unfortunately, my mood is soured to see Rachel in my room with another of the maids.

"It’s ridiculous, I swear, Mia….. The conditions here She is such a b***h. You don’t want this job; I can put in a word for you to work in one of the other areas of the castle.

Ahh, so that b***h is trying to scare people away. This is going to be fun.

"Hi Rachel, I see you are once again where you shouldn’t be" I say loudly to shock her.

"Your majesty, I was just showing Mia around. She’s here to apply for the position of being one of your handmaids”

"Ah, I see. Mia was it." I looked at the petite blond girl in front of me. She had a kind aura and warm feel about her.

"Yes, your majesty." I was told you were looking for another maid. "I didn’t realise you already had one," she replied meekly.

"Well, I can have more than one. Please if you want the position, it is yours." I smile at her.

"Yes, I would love that."

"Great! You can start immediately, and you will be in charge of all other maids in my service." Mia looked shocked with this new development

"What!!!" Racheal replied angrily.

"Mia, would you please find something else for Rachel to do, and if she refuses, feel free to give her her marching orders?"

"Of course, your majesty, thank you for the opportunity." Mia rushed to hug me.

"Oh goddess, I’m so sorry," she looked scared.

I hugged her back. "Never say sorry; I’m glad you're here. It's nice to have a friendly face around here."

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A little while later, happy with my victory over Rachel, I left my room in a cotton dress, and my cloak. I was feeling better to see myself dressed more like myself. I wandered down to the entrance hall and asked one of the guards if they had seen Peter or Robert and was told they had exited the castle about thirty minutes before.

I decided to follow them outside and made my way down the slope, outside the front gate towards the tree line. It was so quiet and peaceful walking slightly under the trees. I guessed they had probably wandered off towards the lake when I saw Robert on the ground rushing over fearing the worst, I tried to shake him awake. But no amount of shaking and screaming could stir him.

"Help, someone help me!!!" The tears were rushing freely from my eyes. I feel like my heart is splitting in two.

Two guards ran towards me, and I saw more emerge fully geared for a battle.

Robert stirred and looked at me. He was alive! He was trying to say something. It was then that I noticed he was badly bruised, with a trickle of blood coming from the corner of his mouth.

"Who did this to you?" I demanded, ready to burn the world to find the culprits.

"Peter..." He then slipped back into unconsciousness.

My heart dropped, Peter, my Peter!