"Your Majesty, maybe we shouldn't…" Alice said to dissuade her, and blocked her.
"I need to see it for myself," Emilia said, eyes cold with resolve.
"Stay here. If I don't come out in five minutes, then leave the palace. You will find enough money in my safe, take it and escape from here."
"But your Majesty..." They protested but Emilia wasn't listening to them.
She turned and headed toward the King's door. Her steps slowed as she neared the room, and her heart pounded heavily.
Pressing her ear to the door, she listened but heard nothing from behind the door. She waited for a few seconds, her heart pounding louder and she almost turned back.
But she changed her mind and knocked gently on the door and a sharp voice erupted from within.
"Who's there?!" a voice ringed out.
It's Thomas.
She heard the unmistakable sound of a sword being drawn, and the door creaked open. Robert stepped out, and his eyes widened when he saw her.
"Miss… Your Majesty," he corrected himself quickly, bowing his head.
"What are you doing here?"
Thomas growled behind him, stepping forward with fury blazing in his eyes.
Emilia glanced past him and saw Lucas lying motionless on the bed. A strange emotion twisted in her chest, filled with guilt and regret, but she clenched her jaw, brushing it off.
"You came to see if he was dead, didn't you?" Thomas spat, his hand tightened around his sword.
Robert moved between them to remind him.
"The King ordered us not to act until he wakes up. That is his command."
"And you're just going to let her walk away after what she did?" Thomas snapped, refusing to listen.
Robert pursued his lips, unable to find words to defend her. He is also upset that Emilia would try to kill Lucas, but he also can't bring himself to get angry at her.
"I'm sure she doesn't mean to," Robert said softly.
"Please return first" he turned to Emilia.
Emilia stared at them and at the lifeless form on the bed, her eyes faltering, then nodding once.
"I'll leave now."
"Thank your stars, he's not dead," Thomas muttered, turning away in disgust.
As she exits, the door clicks shut behind her. Alice and June rushed to her side, eyes full of questions they didn't dare ask.
"Let's return," Emilia said quietly, walking back toward the Gold Palace.
Relief mixes with dread inside her.
Her head is safe for now until Lucas wakes up. She has no idea what Lucas will do by then, but right now, she should use the remaining few days she has wisely.
---
Meanwhile, in the Silver Palace…
Consort Eleanor reclined on a cushioned seat in the courtyard, sipping delicately on jasmine tea. Her expression was composed, but the upward curl of her lips betrayed her satisfaction.
A small army of servants surrounds her. After all, she is the only daughter of the Prime Minister, a woman of elegance and influence. When she entered the palace as Consort, her father made sure she had every luxury.
Hurrying towards her, her handmaid, Missy, leaned close and whispered,
"The Queen did not spend the night in the King's chambers last night. Again."
Eleanor smiled, elated and set her cup down.
"Good. As expected."
She gestured for the maids to bring her favorite cake to celebrate the good news. The thought that Lucas also shunned Emilia comforted her like warm sunlight on a winter day.
Though their marriage two years ago was more political than romantic, Eleanor is still the only woman the King had spent nights with, though rarely in affection, always in obligation.
Emilia's sudden elevation to Queen had blindsided her, not to talk of his insistence even after her family's trouble, but now? Now, it seemed the King wanted nothing to do with his new wife.
Eleanor savors the thought like sweet icing. There is no need to go pay respect to a Queen that had nothing more than a title.
"What of the other sister?"
"The one who snuck into the king's bed?" she asked, frowning.
The unpleasant issue of both sisters has given her headaches for a few days now.
"She's still locked away," Missy answered.
"But… should we keep her there much longer? The Queen might…"
"Let her out?" Eleanor scoffed.
"She still needs to learn that not just anyone can become the King's woman. Being near the King doesn't make her worthy. Let her suffer for a few more days."
Missy nodded and stepped away to carry out the silent order.
Eleanor sipped her tea, her confidence blooming, expecting Missy to arrive with Catherine soon. Today seemed like a good day to teach her another hard lesson with the whip.
Queen Henrietta had once tried to challenge her position and failed. She put on quite a fight and that pushed her. If she just stayed quiet, then she might not bring her case before her father.
Now Emilia would meet the same fate.
A few minutes later, Missy returned, without Catherine, her face pale and disturbed.
"What is it now?" Eleanor asked, annoyed.
"The Queen had summoned Lady Catherine… and had the servant take her away"
Eleanor straightened. Surprised.
"Emilia?"
"Your Highness!" Missy cautioned.
"You can't call the Queen with disrespect" she said in a hush voice and looked around carefully.
"We could lose our heads."
Eleanor laughed, finding her words ridiculous. Disrespecting someone like Emilia who is in disfavor with everyone means nothing.
"Since she had decided to rescue her sister, then let it be." Eleanor brushed it off, but Missy continued to stare at her shakily.
"That's not all your Highness. She also asks you to come over. A servant from the Gold Palace came personally. She is asked for you immediately."
Eleanor looked at the servant approaching. Her clothing was cream, the gold belt at her waist shined differently, confirming she was from the Queen's quarters.
"The Queen sends for you immediately." she relayed the message to her again.