The Queen

1 Jasmine follows her mother to the kitchen after hearing the story of her mother and other neighbours talking about the persecution that happened early this morning at the open field in front of the royal palace. "Mother,is that true that not all of those persecuted people are really bad people ''? Jasmine asked in a whisper voice with the tone of sadness. "You listened to the stories that we adults talked about, did you?" Monica face her daughter and answered her question with a question, you can tell in her face that she bears a heavy heart inside her. " I'm sorry mom, I heard your conversation not intentionally and I can't help but to wonder and fell sad to those innocent people" "Yes,honey not all of them are really bad but that does not means that they are innocent" finally her mother answered directly her question. " What do you mean that they are not innocent? if they are not innocent so they are bad" You can see in Jasmine's face that she was confused. "Jasmine,not all people who did wrong are bad,some of them did it because of some matters like urgent needs,emergency and no other choice, they only did that once for the sake of others or of their loved ones" "Did the king can't forgive them,give them another chance and spare their life"? Curiosity and sadness appeared on her face. "Only if the king lend his golden sceptre he or she will be spared" Answered Monica in a low tone of voice.The two are busy preparing their dinner, Jasmine put some fruits on a little tray and her mother Monica peeling some small sweet potatoes they are just bought from the market earlier, which where Jasmine heard their conversation. "If only I were a queen I know how to help those people and stop the king" Innocent words come out from Jasmine's mouth. "Unfortunately in our kingdom the queen has no equal power with the king, only if the king granted her those powers of authority by his own will," Monica answered as if she was talking to herself. Jasmine stopped her doing and faced her mother directly in front of her. "So what only the queen will do if she has no power over this kingdom"? She asked. "Only an honour and title as a queen and a mother thats only power she can bear" Suddenly Jasmine felt her strength was slowly weak, all of her dreams of becoming a princess or a queen someday suddenly disappeared at that moment. " How can a weak queen help and protect her people if she has no power to bear"? Those are only questions in her innocent mind. 2 Jasmine was startled from her deep sleep when her uncle Harry knocked on her door. She noticed that the sun gives a signal that it was almost noon,she remember that she did not sleep well the whole night,she still missed her mother, she had come to her dreams but did not say any words,how she longs her parents she missed them both.The years gone so fast, she's now a full grown beautiful lady but it seems that only yesterday when she was with them. "Jasmine,my niece are you awake"? The voice of her uncle suddenly interrupted her mind. "Yes,uncle I just woke up,I'm sorry if I woke up late I'm having a hard time to sleep last night" She answered her uncle Harry with an apologetic voice. " Don't bother your mind my dear,I'm almost 60 years old and I'm experiencing many sleepless nights maybe because of my age". Uncle Harry gives a smile to Jasmine and gives her a signal to follow him in the kitchen. "I went to market early this morning and heard some very unexpected news". Uncle Harry continued their conversation while sitting on his favourite chair drinking his cup of tea. Jasmine took her plate and started to eat the breakfast her uncle had prepared. She takes a serious face to uncle Harry with confusing looks.Jasmine waits for her uncle to continue his words. "As we all know that King Hector had a great feast these days for the success of his wedding earlier this month, he invited other Kings and Princes from other kingdoms for these celebrations" He started to speak referring to the news he had just heard early this morning. Jasmine did not speak any single word; she just let uncle Harry notice that she was listening and waiting for the next words. "On the other hand Queen Alice celebrated as well and had a feast in her palace,she also had a special guest to celebrate with her".Uncle Harry continue.Jasmine again gave attention to her meal,she just listened to Uncle Harry while continuing telling the story. "They said that after three days of celebration King Hector decided to call his queen to join him,that the king wanted to show his guest how beautiful his queen is". "Then what happened"? This time Jasmine can't wait but curiously asked. " As I've heard the queen declined the invitation and she refused to go to the king's palace". Her uncle answered,he stood and walked to the table where Jasmine took her meal,putting another cup of tea in his cup. " I don't know what is going to happen to the queen and why she declined the invitation?,that's maybe they were both drunk and unaware of the action they did." Uncle Harry slowly chuckled. "Did the king get upset,Uncle"? " Pretty sure,he did," Uncle Harry answered. "What an embarrassment to him in front of his guest when they all expected to meet the queen but rejected"He continued. "I hope she will be forgiven", Jasmine speaks in a low tone,while looking up more likely a whisper of prayer. "I hope too but I don't think so,we all know the rules" Uncle Harry speaks "But that is out of law uncle, no laws of this kingdom she had violated" She quickly speaks defensive. " Jasmine, the laws are the king,he is the law,declining his request is an act of misbehaviour or transgression of the law and we all know that even a queens are not excuse of this law". " I really don't think uncle if the queen is aware of what she did, as what you have said the celebration are three days long they drunk and overwhelmed, maybe the queen forgot the rules because of the overjoyed feelings she felt those moment with her guest or maybe she drunk too that is why she declined the request" Jasmine wanted to find any excused she can put on queens reason of rejected the king's invitation.She have a lot of excuses in her mind,she wanted to justify the queen's mistake. " That is not an excuse Jasmine,aware or not aware she must put in her mind that no one is given an exemption, drunk is not dead and she must be not, overwhelming or overjoyed are still in consciousness". Uncle Harry looks outside the window,in his mind if he puts himself on the king's stand maybe he too considers the excuse Jasmine said. " What do you think uncle? She will be put to death? Oh I pray the king will spare her life" Jasmine sighed and sadness was on her face.She lost her appetite to take another spoon of rice, she stood and cleaned up the table. " We can't say for now, King Hector is a kind man and considerate but we don't know what will happen next, because that was such an embarrassment on his side."The last sentence Uncle Harry said brings Jasmine into deep thought, she still remembers the day when King Hector was in his teenage years, when her mother Monica brought her to the marketplace to help her sell the sweet potatoes they just harvested that morning. " The young prince is here" Jasmine heard their fellow vendor said.She stopped from sorting out the sweet potatoes and looked in direction which their fellow vendor pointed. The prince with his guards riding their horses goes past on which Jasmine and the other vendors are displayed their goods. It was the first time she saw the prince, he is only a year older than her, she is 17 and she knows that the prince is 18 years of age.He is truly a handsome guy,she only heard the rumour from others and now she believes it. The king has a meek eyes yet even in his young age he has an authoritative face. He gave a thrifty smile to everybody,and made a little glance to everyone who greeted him. Jasmine still remember when the prince nodded his head when he looked at her with his thrifty smile. " Anyway I will go back to the market today to sell some goods I had harvested yesterday, maybe some romours about what happened last night are still spreading out and we will know what will happen next ". The voice of Uncle Harry bring back Jasmine's mind from her deep thought. She gave him a nod. Uncle Harry steps out from the house preparing the goods he mentioned earlier. Jasmine starts doing her chores but the whole time she thinks about the queen and how King Hector reacts to this matter. She wonders why the queen rejected the request of such a handsome king, is she a proud queen? Is she a grumpy queen? Or she just had other reasons? These questions still build up in her mind. She wonders how King Hector felt about the incident? How did he manage to control his emotions in front of his visitors? "I know he is smart and has a low temper,but did he bear the embarrassment"? She talks to herself. "Jasmine I have to go,take care of yourself while I'm not here". The voice of her Uncle Harry from outside awakened her mind. "I'm 23 uncle,I can take care of myself, don't bother about me, I'm much worried about you, you are too old to sell those goods,I always asked you to go with you but you always refused".Jasmine answered Uncle Harry while she looked out the window. "As I have always said Jasmine, I'm not as weak as you think,your uncle can do a lot of tasks some other younger men can do and I'm pretty sure I am smarter than them." Uncle Harry showed a wide smile to Jasmine as an assurance of what he said. "OK but don't forget to eat your lunch at an exact time don't skip your meal even how busy you are,I love you uncle you are the only that I have left." " Jasmine I am fine,thank you dear,I have to go while it is still early. I need to sell them today because tomorrow is our day for our worship." He refers to their worship day which they used to do, just for them to worship their invisible God. He waved goodbye. Jasmine always worried about her Uncle Harry even though he is much stronger at his age but still he is an old man and one day he is going to leave her alone. She always insisted that she wanted to accompany him but as always he refused.He is her mother's brother who adopted her when her parents were gone. "How can I repay you uncle, you are like a father to me and I can't bear to be alone again". These thoughts came to her mind and suddenly she felt sad The day seems to be so slow and it was a lazy day for Jasmine,her heart felt so heavy, she did not know why? Maybe it is all about the troubling news she just heard from her uncle this morning about what happened in the king 's palace just last night. She did not know where her sympathy went. She felt sad and afraid for the queen's life, she prayed that she would ask for forgiveness and be forgiven. She also felt sorry for King Hector, she thinks of what he felt,it was just a month since he married the queen and she knew he felt disappointed and hurt. Of course she is a queen but she is his wife, not just she embarrassed him but she also broke his heart. Another day went by but still no news about what the king's decision,the rumours continue to spread throughout the kingdom and even some neighbours kingdom.It was just a few days but it seem like a long years to wait, everyday is an intense day,everybody feel different emotions and think of different excuses, they have many opinions and ideas but still the final words are in the king. THE PALACE 3 It has been a week since the feast of celebration was end.King Hector stood on the balcony of his royal bedroom facing the queen's palace. It was their tradition that the king and queen did not live together,they had separate palaces with their own eunuch and maidservant.The queen could not come to the palace unless she was requested or invited. Many nights King Hector was puzzled, he did not understand his emotion all this time. He was embarrassed but he did not blame the queen. Maybe that was his fault he was drunk. The incident brought huge issues throughout the kingdom and there is a rule and the queen broke the rule. "Could I let Queen Alice face the consequences and die? or should I spare her life? These questions repeatedly come to his mind. "Afterall she is my queen, even though I marry her for convenience". He consoled himself. The biggest mistake he made. " Maybe I have to forgive her but giving her another chance is another mistake". He chuckled while looking down below the palace. " I have to go down to summon the queen, I know the people have been waiting for this day". He entered his room and called his servant to prepare his royal robe. All the people in the court,staff, servants and princes bowed their heads as King Hector entered the courtroom. His face shows no trouble but determination.It was the day they all have waited for. They have different conceptions,most of them think that the queen will be put in punishment she deserves but they just hid them in their mind. They waited for the king to decide. "Let the queen come here". He commanded. Two of his guards bowed and left. It was an intense scene when the two guards arrived at the queen's palace. All servants stop from their work and look at each other. They look like they are in trouble,they did not say even a single word but different emotions were drawn on their faces. They are worried about the queen, what if the king decided to punish the queen to death. Yes she is a grumpy queen but thinking about putting her to death is a tragedy. One of the maidservants entered the queen's royal room while the two guards waited outside. They again waited an hour before Queen Alice showed up.She was wearing her best gown,precious jewelleries and she was astonishingly beautiful in her make up.The guards bowed and escorted her to the palace. Back at the king's palace, silence remains in the courtroom, only the sounds of whispers can be heard. Princes talks but in a very silent voice,they don't want to annoy the king.They wait for the guards with the queen to arrive. In a moment the sounds of the guards boots were heard, it was the sign that they were coming. The court was intense as the queen entered the courtroom,the sounds of whispers turned into a noisy buzz. She bowed down her head to the king as she stood in front of the throne.Her face wore a confident look as if she was confidently pretty sure that her looks stunned the king. She knew that she will be forgiven and will be given another chance because she knew so much that King Hector has a kind hearted heart ,smartly understand,decide wisely, for even though they just have a little time together and a brief conversation she knew what kind of man he is, and above all these she knew that the king is in love with her. And at this moment she saw mercy in his eyes. It was not anger,her heart laughed as if she won the war. The courtroom suddenly went back to silence when the king lifted his hand and gave the signal of silence. He started to speak. "Princes,members of the royal court,guards and soldiers, today I bring down here my judgement for the queen,as you all knew that she had committed a mistake or should I say she was disobeying the rules' '. He paused briefly and again he continued. " It is my concern and my own dignity was put below all feet, I know that those kings and princes that were invited gave negative impressions at my back and as they went back to each kingdom they too waited for this day".He continued. " I did not bring this issue to your office" He gave a glance to the princes seated beside him. " Because I already know that you all have the same judgement as am I".He continued.The courtroom was again full of noise as they nodded to each other. "And this day,Queen Alice",He look at the queen. The room again is in silence they just wanted to heard the king speech clearly. "But before I came here to this court,I decided to spare your life and forgive your misbehaviour". He paused as if he wanted to recheck his words if they were not mistaken. The courtroom was once more suddenly full of buzzing noise.The queen looked straight into the king's eyes and her face showed satisfaction and excitement. " As what I've expected". She talks inside to herself. "But I can't afford another mistakes committed by a queen, so I decided not to give you another chance of being a queen of this kingdom,you are wasting the opportunity I had given to you and because once you did mistake and if given another chance there will always a chance that you will do it again and again,I forgave the embarrassing incident you did to me but I can't put the whole kingdom in such embarrassment again ." His voice speaks in authority but his face remains calm.No hurt or disappointment showed on his face. The queen's face switched pale and red. She failed to spell the king with her beauty.She felt embarrassed. She wanted to yell but she managed to compose herself and she must be or else she will be put to death in just a minute. " You can leave now". His final words towards Queen Alice. She bowed down and left with her maidservant. As she walks along the aisle she promised herself to give a revenge to King Hector. " I am not a loser, King Hector will pay for this,I swear". She exclaimed.She can't believe that she did not have the favour. "What a horrible day it is," She continued. Back to the king palace.After Queen Alice left, King Hector remained silent,Top prince Edward spoke. " Your highness,I hope I did not interfere your silence,can I give my opinion according to your judgement,I highly agree of your decisions your highness,she was a fool, maybe she think that her beauty will win your heart to forgive her but she did not even think and expect that you will rejected her looks,yes she is astonishingly beautiful but she don't have those brain that the queen must have" Prince Edward speaks and chuckled. Prince Edward's words bring King Hector again into silence. Yes Queen Alice is beautiful but I didn't see anything special with her beauty". There was only one girl that captivated his attention ever since he lived until at his age today,that was six years ago when he saw a beautiful young lady in the marketplace where he had just passed by. How can he forget those meek eyes,even though she did not give him a smile or greeted him and it seems that her face was in a blank emotion,still her beauty was unforgettable. He smiles when he thinks of this. " Is she really unforgettable or I just can't forget that face?". "Where is she now?How many times have I passed on that street just to see her again but she was not there anymore?I wonder if she really exists or she was just a stranger among those people"?. "And if she was a stranger,in what kingdom did she live? I wonder if she was already married now,oh, I hope she did not, and I hope one day I see her again". Sadness draws on his face. The voice of Prince Henry, an another prince awakened King Hector from his deep thoughts. " She must be thankful that she was not put to death or else her beauty were be gone with her breath," He said. " This kingdom did not deserve a queen like her,she is childish and proud,if she was given another chance the women of this kingdom may take advantage of the incident and they too will act like she did". He continued. Jasmine woke up early that morning. She has to do some laundry before the sun goes up ,she knows that it will be a hot day and good for doing laundry.She prepared their breakfast before her Uncle Harry woke up. She knows that her uncle felt tired because he spent long hours selling their goods yesterday. Before her uncle woke up she went to the stream near their farm. She knew that she would not be the only one there, for the other women would go there to pitch and some do their laundry specially on this sunny day, just like her, they went earlier before the sun hit their skin. And she was not mistaken before she arrived. She saw two women busy washing their clothes while sometimes they paused for a conversation.The other one saw Jasmin coming and waved at her, she gave a signal to take place near them. " Good morning" Jasmine greeted them as she put her basin near the two women's spots. " Good morning Jasmine" They answered in chorus while giving her a welcome smile. " Did you know the news yesterday"?, asked one while looking at Jasmine. She stopped her doing while Jasmine started to moisten the clothes. "What news"? Jasmine answered but her attention was on work. "King Hector gave his decision about the Queen Alice case"? She paused as if she was waiting for Jasmine's reaction. Jasmine gave her attention and waited for her next words. But the other lady interrupted her. "She was so lucky because she was spared by the king"? She said, "Surprisingly,this was the first incident that the king of this kingdom spared the queen and be forgiven"? The first lady again interrupted. " And It was just the first time the queen committed a mistake to the king of this kingdom ever since I have lived". She continued "But I heard long ago that there was a queen who committed such misbehaviour and was put to death". Second lady again talks. " oh, Thank you God this was my prayer," Jasmine said a little and looked up to heaven. " I hope Queen Alice learned a lesson as she had yesterday so that they will live happily together" Jasmine sighed with relief as if she was very affected. "But unfortunately Jasmine, Queen Alice are only forgiven but the king ordered her to step down from her throne" The first lady interrupted her reaction. These words made Jasmine's react quickly. "What do you mean"? She exclaimed. "Yes, it is clear that we don't have a queen as for now, because Queen Alice was terminated by King Hector" Second lady answered Jasmine. " It seems that the king loved the queen, only he gave her a lesson and who knows one of these days she will be in position again".The first lady said. "Good for her and I wish she will be terminated forever, I heard that she is a spoiled and childish one, she does not fit on her title".The another woman said as she raised her eyebrows. "Shhh, don't say any words against the queen or else you will be punished" Jasmine put her finger in front of her mouth as a sign to be quiet. "I am not afraid of her Jasmine because she is no longer a queen". She said sarcastically. "Yes, you are right and she had no power anymore" said the other one. Jasmine thinks that they are right but still they have to be polite in words about others but she just nodded and continued to do her laundry. THE SEARCH Many days went by too fast . The palace was in silence, no servant opened the issue because they didn't want to annoy the king and be punished. They respected the king's silence and maybe it is time for them to move forward and forget what happened. On the other hand, the princes of the kingdom discussed some plans. On that very day King Hector sat on his throne after listening to his personal assistant reading one chapter of the books of kingdom history and no one came to bring their problem. Princes looked at each other as a signal for a good start to approach a king for their plans. All of them look at Prince Edward as if he is the one with the strength to speak, Prince Edward understands and confidently starts to speak. "Your Highness, Forgive me if I interrupted your silence, If you don't mind give me a little time to discuss some concern to you". He paused and waited for King Hector to interrupt his speech but King Hector remained silent, he looked at the prince with the expression of waiting for the next words. And Prince Edward saw it as a signal to continue; he gave a little look to his fellow princes and saw that they too were waiting for him to continue. "We suggest if you don't mind Your Highness that we need a queen right now to replace Queen Alice from her throne so that the other kingdoms may know and see that you can replace such a kind of queen". Prince Edward continue.This time King Hector interrupted. Confused and hesitation was on his face. " That was a lesson for me,marrying a woman without love and only for convenience was the biggest mistake I have ever made". He looked at them. "And I know a woman who will marry me for that setup is also in trouble ,now I believe that both must know each other and must be in love". King Hector speaks as if he said a poem. " Yes Your Highness we will help you find a girl but you need to choose her first so you can court her" Prince Henry interrupted. "That is impossible,how can I choose a girl if you are the one responsible to find her, you said you help me find her how I suppose to choose "? He insisted. " We will send a message to the whole kingdom to invite all young ladies who are willing to be the queen and you have the chance to choose the right one for you" Prince Edward said. At this time King Hector did not say a word. Perhaps they are right that it is time for me to follow my heart's desire not by my parents' will, since I was a child. But what if I would not fall for her because my heart has no desire and interest in other women? I once fell in love with a girl that I don't know if she really exists. Could I fall in love again? I visited many kingdoms,interacted with different women but I found I was not interested in them". He sadly talks to himself. "Am I cursed"? He asked himself. The princes waited for his response. "Do what you think is good for me and for this kingdom". He said without any reaction on his face. He thinks maybe this was the most impossible thing that could happen to him and the most insane thing he will do. When the princes heard that the king agreed with them, at that very moment they ordered the court staff to write a message sign by the king that all young ladies throughout the kingdom are all invited to join the search for the queen. On the other hand former Queen Alice planted hatred in her heart she wanted a revenge. Not only a simply revenge but she wanted King Hector to die and be vanish and she wanted to rule the kingdom, she wanted to gain power, a ruler and a law. For how many days and night she slept late at night thinking a good plans to revenge now she had a plans, she will use her charm to revenge and she knew someone will be her best bait to use. Many times she noticed Prince Edward enchanted by her charm, the way he stared at her and she is pretty sure about it. The wide smile on her lips showed devilish plans and one of these days she will start to fulfil her revenge. She planned to meet Prince Edward but in a secret place she has to convince him and she knows that he will. That evening Alice secretly went to Prince Edward place and as expected she wore her seductive dress paired with make up. "Where is Prince Edward ''? She asked the prince maidservant when she approached her at the moment she entered the prince's place. " Yes". The Maid answered as she bowed her head. " Tell him I am here". She said with politeness as if she was the master of the servant. The maidservant nodded as she signal Alice to take a seat then she left. As the maidservant approached the prince's huge door she knocked and waited for the prince to answer. "Come in". The prince speaks from inside. The maidservant entered the room and bowed. "There is someone out there looking for you, my prince". She said, The prince was busy reading the announcement they had made,he wanted to check if the details were complete. Then signalled his maidservant his permission.