The King's affection

Damage control

Three weeks later…

Melissa was busy hanging laundry in the rear pavilion of the palace.

Ever since her conversation with the older woman that day, three weeks ago, she had been mechanically doing her chores around the palace. True to her word, the older woman didn’t a breath a word about what Melissa told her that morning, and Melissa also kept it to herself.

However, the older woman’s words constantly rang in her mind, “You have two options, should you turn out to be pregnant; abortion or leaving the palace.”

Melissa shook her head, to bring herself out of her thoughts as she hung the last item on the line.

“Melissa!” another maidservant came running to where Melissa was just collecting the laundry basket. “Come quickly! The head maidservant said she needs your help with setting up the royal dining room for breakfast,” she said.

“Did she say to call me specifically?” Melissa asked, ignoring how her heart skipped a beat at the mention of royalty – an image of lustful stormy gray eyes flashing in her mind.

“No, but you’re the first maidservant I found so, come quick!” she said as she ran off back in the direction where she came from. Melissa took a deep breath to steady her rapidly beating heart before she took off as well, following the other maidservant.

When they arrived, the kitchen was bustling with cooks as they prepared a variety of breakfast foods for the royal family.

Before they could even stop to catch their breath, the head maidservant made an appearance, “Ah, you’re here. Let’s get going then. Grab all the necessary silverware and napkins and follow me.” She spoke.

Melissa and the other maidservant made quick work of gathering the utensils – plates, glasses, cutlery, napkins and underplates. They loaded up the cart and followed the head maidservant to the dining room.

“We’re setting places for four people,” was all she said before leaving them to work while she went to check on things in the kitchen.

Melissa and the other maidservant made quick work of setting up the places at the table before the other girl said, “You finish up, I will go check if the head maidservant needs our help in the kitchen and come collect you.”

Before Melissa could respond, the other girl hurried out of the dining room.

Melissa continued working until she heard footsteps approaching the dining room. She held her breath as she waited to see who would emerge from the entry way. The king himself, King Andreas, walked in. Their eyes met briefly before Melissa bowed her head and curtsied.

She remained with her eyes downcast as she stood against the wall, waiting.

King Andreas took his seat, and soon, lady Allison walked in and took her place next to him. “Good morning, your majesty,” she said, her voice velvety smooth. Melissa couldn’t help slightly raising her head so she could steal a glance at the woman. She was beautiful.

Striking blue eyes, milky smooth skin and hair as dark as the night sky – equally shiny and smooth as silk. Melissa couldn’t see much of her body as she sat, but the woman seemed to be petite, with a b-cup sized bosom. Her cleavage was respectfully visible, but well contained behind her corset dress.

Melissa thought about her own appearance – hazel eyes, frizzy brown hair, rosy and freckled cheeks, busty bosom on a small body, oversized clothes – and mentally facepalmed. She could never compete. Afterall, the night she had slept with his majesty he called her Allison.

Before she could linger in her head too much, the king and Allison indulged in a conversation, “How are you feeling?” King Andreas asked. Allison smiled, “I must admit I do feel somewhat nervous. I mean, of course the queen mother likes me but announcing our engagement so soon?” she said, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “We barely had enough time to court each other,” she finished.

Melissa’s heart stopped, “Engagement?” she thought to herself, as she felt a wave of coldness spread through her body at the information. Of course, King Andreas would marry someone of Lady Allison’s status.

Before she could overthink anymore, the head maidservant and the other maidservant she’d been working with, walked into the room. “Your majesty, Lady Allison,” they both greeted as they curtsied to King Andreas.

The three of them moved quickly as they placed the different foods on the dining table and served them. While they were busy, the queen mother walked in, along with the former king, Andreas’ father, Cassian. The maidservants stop briefly to curtsy to the older couple before continuing with their work.

The royal family had their breakfast while the servants stood to the side, heads bowed.

“Your majesty, Lady Allison,” Cassian as he put a forkful of eggs in his mouth. “You wanted to have breakfast together because you had an announce to make?” the old man continued.

“Yes, father. Lady Allison and I wanted to talk to the both of you first,” King Andreas stated.

“Well then, spit it out,” the queen mother, Sylvia said.

“Mother, we decided to get engaged,” Andreas spoke.

Cassian and Sylvia exchanged glances, “Well, congratulations!” they both erupted, excitement seeping through them. “When were you thinking of making the announcement then?” Sylvia asked, her hands clasped in front of her.

“You have no objections then?” Andreas asked both his parents. Sylvia just waved a dismissive hand his way while Cassian spoke, “None at all. Although, I must ask, why so soon? Don’t get me wrong I’m happy for you, but you two only met a month ago. That is barely enough time to court.”

“We just get along so well, it makes sense to us,” Lady Allison offered a quick reply, her and King Andreas exchanging glances of their own.

“As long as they love each other, what does it matter the reason? I want to be a grandmother soon,” Sylvia excitedly clapped her hands.

Just then, Melissa got hit by a wave of nausea. She quickly excused herself and ran out. The royal family only gave sideways glances, “Rude,” commented Allison, as the head maidservant excused herself to make sure Melissa was alright.

When she reached outside, Melissa heaved into the rose bushes as she had not yet had breakfast so there was nothing to throw up. The older lady came up behind her, a look of concern adorning her face.

“When last did you get your period?” she asked as soon as Melissa stopped heaving.

She turned to her, horrified at the implication of the older woman's question.

"No," she thought to herself, panicked at the possibility.