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“Your Majesty, what brings you by?” she asked him.
“I come here sometimes. Great place to clear my head.” He picked up a stone and threw it in the pond. “That is how you do it.”
“Well, I did get some in.” Zara answered defensively.
The King laughed softly. “What brings you here?”
“Clearing my head also.”
“Something bothering you?”
Zara looked up at him. “Nothing, your Majesty.” She could not possibly start discussing her life story with the King. Why would he care? The King turned to look at her. She looked down as soon as their eyes met.
“Relax and tell me what is on your mind.” He realised that his presence was rather intimidating and sh
e was not going to open up to him about her life.
“It's nothing serious.”
“Then tell me about yourself.”
“Myself?” Zara laughed awkwardly. “There is nothing interesting about me, look at me.”
The King studied her silently for a moment. “I am,” he said softly. Zara looked down as she blushed. His gaze made her feel shy. She couldn’t tell what he was thinking and when she looked up, he was still looking at her. She sighed and decided to tell him a little bit about herself. He seemed rather persistent.
“Well, I’m twenty-three years old and we moved to Quabeca after my father died. My mother was pregnant with my sister at the time and we’ve been here ever since. I was going to the university, but had to quit. My mother. She needs me. She’s ill and needs to see the doctor a lot and while my sister helps, she’s only thirteen and it isn’t fair to her. She needs to be a kid and have fun.” Zara’s voice trailed off, as she worried that she might have said too much. Peeking under her lashes, she looked at the King, unsure what to say next.
“What were you studying at the university?”
“Nursing.”
“Palace maid seems like a far cry from nursing,” the King said gently.
Zara laughed. “True. And admittedly, it’s much harder. There are days that I can’t seem to do anything right. But it’s close to home and my schedule is such that I can take care of my family.” Zara suddenly gasped and jumped up. She told the King she had to go, she was late once again. She bowed twice and apologised for leaving abruptly before running off. The King shook his head in amusement as he headed back to the palace.
The King found the queen pacing back and forth in his quarters when he returned. He could already tell she was angry based on her body language. He had a feeling it had something to do with Tiana. It was the only thing that angered her so. He approached her slowly and took her hands in his.
“My queen, what troubles you?” he asked.
“You need to speak with your concubine otherwise I will deal with her as I see fit,” Amira cried out. The King led her to the sofas. He had a feeling that it was going to be a lengthy conversation.
“What offences has she committed now?” It was always something. Tiana was a bit of a troublemaker. She never feared the queen, as she should. Being the mistress, she ought to have more respect for the queen.
“I will not tolerate her disrespecting me any longer. I am the queen and she is the concubine! She needs to learn her place!”
The King had heard those words far too many times but this time her tone was different. Tiana must have really gotten under skin, as she was very angry this time. There was a different look in her eyes. Suddenly he remembered Saja’s words cautioning him about his women. He needed to handle the situation.
“I will speak with her, please calm down, Amira.”
“You should.” The queen was still huffing with anger. “If you don’t, I will do something about her.” The King rubbed her hands and pulled her into an embrace.
“Come, have supper with me.” She nodded in agreement. They stood from the sofas and headed over to the dining table. The King decided to speak about politics in order to divert her attention away from Tiana. The queen finally calmed down and engaged in conversation with him as the maids brought out their food and served them.
Despite the palace being large, news travelled fast. That very night, Tiana learned that Amira was in the King's quarters and spending the night. It had been a few months since she had spent the night there. Why now? She must have told the King about their earlier dispute. Of course, she would do that to get him on her side. She was becoming more and more conniving.
“Please calm down, my lady,” Miriam; Tiana's maid advised her.
“How can I be calm when she is spending the night with him?” Tiana cried out. The queen was a mere figurehead; she did not belong with the King. Tiana was not pleased as she angrily paced the floor. “I have to do something about that woman,” she seethed under her breath. It only took one time to get pregnant and this better not be the one, Tiana thought to herself.
