Chapter 123: A Formal Apology To The Duchess [2]

Chapter 123

The heavy oak doors of the throne room slammed shut, sealing the grand hall in a suffocating silence. King Reginald let out a heavy sigh, the exhaustion of the day pressing upon his shoulders like a leaden cloak, while Queen Evelyn began to pace the polished dais with sharp, agitated steps. Her face twisted into a mask of unbridled fury, her dark silk skirts sweeping aggressively against the stone floor. "Do you comprehend the catastrophic blow this inflicts upon the majesty of the throne?" she demanded, her voice ringing sharply against the empty arches. "Bowing our heads before one of our own subjects! It is an unbearable humiliation!"

King Reginald remained still, gazing weary-eyed at the vacant hall. "It is inevitable, Evelyn," he replied quietly, his tone laced with grim resignation. "Ragnar, our son—for whom we bear ultimate responsibility—committed a grave error in judgment. As the royal house, we must issue this formal gesture to the Duchess of Aethermor to preserve the peace. Indeed, we ought to count ourselves fortunate that Duke Soren has not chosen to retaliate militarily for this insult, lest our realm be plunged into devastating conflict."

Queen Evelyn let out a bitter snarl, stopping her frantic pacing to glare at her husband. "He would dare nothing!" she snapped, her chest heaving with indignation. "He is merely a duke, bound by oath and law to obey your sovereign command!"

King Reginald stood up slowly, drawing himself to his full height as he met her fierce gaze. "He is a duke who has bled for this kingdom, lost countless men under his command, and secured our northern borders with iron resolve," the King countered firmly.

Evelyn turned to face him fully, her chin lifted in defiance. "He did as any common soldier is expected to do."

The King stepped down from the dais, his voice dropping to a somber, solemn register. "Two years after his parents perished, while he was still a boy of fifteen, he marched directly into the dark brutal war zones of the North while our own son sat safely within these gilded walls. We are exceedingly lucky he possesses the devotion to not abandon this crown entirely, and if he remains loyal, it is solely due to the presence of Sigrid."

A sharp, mocking laugh escaped the Queen’s lips, echoing callously throughout the desolate chamber. "Abandon us? He is our weapon, our loyal hound, and he shall never break his leash!"

King Reginald’s expression contorted slightly, looking upon his wife as though she were a complete stranger. The coldness in her eyes stirred an old, lingering question in his mind. "Evelyn, I have pondered this for the longest time," the King murmured, his brow furrowing in genuine bewilderment. "Why do you harbor such deep, venomous malice toward the Duke of the North? He has offered you no offense."

Evelyn stiffened, her posture turning rigid. "I do not hate him," she claimed smoothly.

"You do," Reginald insisted softly. "In all our years together, I have only ever seen you manifest such profound hatred toward one other person... her."

At the mere mention of the past, Evelyn’s eyes sparked with a sudden, dangerous intensity. "Do not dare speak her name in my presence!" she hissed.

The King shook his head slowly, memory darkening his gaze. "You despised her with an unyielding fervor until the day she vanished entirely from court."

Evelyn drew a sharp breath, smoothing her velvet sleeves with forced composure. "I never hated her. Our personalities simply did not align."

King Reginald studied her face for a quiet moment before letting out another soft sigh. "Regardless, I require you to reign in your temper. We must navigate these delicate waters with extreme caution."

Evelyn’s fingers twitched against her skirt as her anger flared anew. "You know precisely why I am enraged! Those insolent nobles dared to berate our son, drag the dignity of the crown through the mud, suggest you take a secondary wife, and speak of another heir as though our struggles mean nothing!"

Seeing the genuine anguish beneath her rage, King Reginald stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, drawing her into a firm embrace. He leaned down, pressing a gentle, lingering kiss upon her forehead. "I apologize on their behalf, my love," he whispered softly against her temple. "I understand the deep pain you carry regarding your inability to conceive again."

Evelyn’s body went completely rigid within his arms, her breath catching in her throat as her fingers tightened around the fabric of his royal mantle. The King continued in a tender, reassuring whisper, "Ragnar is more than enough for us, and I assure you, I shall never take another wife. He must learn the weight of his duties, but you remain my sole companion. You were my one true love, after all."

Satisfied that he had quieted her temper, King Reginald gently released her and turned toward the side exit, leaving the throne room to attend to his ministers. Left entirely alone upon the silent dais, Queen Evelyn stood motionless, her face pale and drawn. A low, bitter smirk touched her lips as she repeated his parting words in a harsh, mockingly quiet tone. "One true love... do not make me laugh, Reginald. I was never your true love, nor was I ever the foolish girl you believed me to be."

Her dark eyes flashed as long-buried memories resurfaced, a fresh surge of venom ignited deep within her heart. She raised a trembling hand, resting it against her stomach as the ghost of a tragic, distant accident echoed through her mind—a permanent scar that had stolen her ability to bear more children and stripped away what she had desired most.

Driven by a renewed wave of bitterness, Queen Evelyn turned and departed the throne room, her dark robes trailing behind her as she swept through the silent, vaulted corridors of the royal wing. Every step amplified her fury. The thought of her son, the proud heir to the throne, being forced to lower himself and apologize to that wretched, insolent Duchess of Aethermor burned like fire in her veins. Sigrid had openly humiliated her house, and Evelyn vowed silently that the young duchess would pay a heavy price for her arrogance.

Reaching her private sanctuary, the Queen pushed open the heavy double doors and gestured sharply to her attending maidservants. "Leave me. All of you, out," she commanded coldly. The maids bowed swiftly, filing out of the opulent chamber without a word and pulling the doors shut behind them.

Evelyn walked over to her vanity, her mind racing with dark strategies as she stared into the gilded mirror. Before she could sink into her thoughts, a soft, deliberate knock echoed against the heavy wooden door. "Enter," Evelyn called out sharply.

The door creaked open, and Countess Celestine Everhart stepped gracefully into the room. Wearing a tailored gown of rich sapphire, the Countess executed a flawless, elegant curtsey, lowering her head with practiced deference. "May you live long and prosper, my Queen," Celestine spoke, her voice smooth and refined.

Queen Evelyn turned from her mirror, her brows drawing together in immediate suspicion as she eyed the unexpected visitor. "What is the meaning of this intrusion, Countess? What do you seek?"

Celestine straightened her posture, her calm demeanor remaining intact as she reached into the hidden folds of her sleeve. "I come before you with a urgent matter, Your Majesty," Celestine explained smoothly, withdrawing a folded document bearing a dark wax seal. "I have in my possession a formal missive from the Duchess of Aethermor—specifically, her official application for the vacant office of Supreme Minister of State. I request that you ensure her candidacy is rejected immediately."

Queen Evelyn’s eyes narrowed as she looked at the document. "And why should I grant such a request?"

Celestine maintained her serene expression, though a subtle tightness marked the edges of her lips. "Duchess Sigrid has committed a grave, unpardonable offense by launching those treacherous rumors against the Crown. Everything I have strived to build is threatening to unravel because of her interference, and I desire to see her ambition crushed."

Internally, Queen Evelyn sneered at the Countess’s bold admitted motives, knowing full well the girl was terrified of losing her coveted position as future head lady-in-waiting to Princess Maria or what she believed to be the only plausible reason for this bold request. Yet, the proposal aligned perfectly with the Queen’s own vengeful desires.

Evelyn crossed her arms, stepping closer to the Countess while maintaining an air of cool, detachment. "Why bring this matter to my private chambers? The appointment of the Supreme Minister of State rests solely within the authority of the King."

Celestine inclined her head respectfully. "Indeed, Your Majesty. However, I know you must feel a profound outrage at how the Crown Prince’s noble reputation has been dragged through the gutters, while Sigrid remains untouched in the luxury of her northern citadel. If you decline her application before it ever reaches the King’s hands, her reach into the capital shall be severed."

A cold, calculating smirk slowly spread across Queen Evelyn’s features. You think to use me for your own petty climb, Countess, the Queen thought maliciously to herself, but I shall make far better use of your desperation.

Aloud, she smoothed her velvet sleeves and met Celestine’s gaze evenly. "The final decree belongs to my husband, but as Queen, I possess ample authority to see an unsuitable candidate dismissed quietly. How did this document come into your hands? Has the King already reviewed it?"

"No, Your Majesty," Celestine answered promptly. "Given my administrative duties within the palace registry, I have access to incoming missives before they reach the inner council. However, the chief aide has already cataloged its arrival, meaning a formal justification will be required to strike her name from the rolls." ℴ

Queen Evelyn’s smirk widened into a chilling, triumphant smile as she reached out and took the parchment from the Countess’s hand. "Do not fret over technicalities, Countess," the Queen declared softly, her eyes gleaming with dark intent. "I shall provide a reason that no councilman would dare question."