"Your majesty," they greeted with their heads down and they could see Daphne sitting. His majesty never tolerated any disrespect, surely he would punish her for not bowing to him. They all smiled, she would finally see the other side of him. But Alexandro acted differently, he saw she was seated. She tried to greet him but fell back to the chair. He knows it's because of the alcohol, in fact he came because of her.
The gossip had reached his ears and he knew the queens won't have it easy on her. Normally he would have ignored it but he couldn't find the heart to ignore it so he came here himself. He ignored them, going to Daphne and they were all surprised.
"Are you okay?" he asked, holding her shoulders. Daphne breathed out, trying to bow her head.
"I'm so sorry your majesty, I feel so dizzy," she said.
"Get me a chair," he said to Agnes and Agnes quickly ran to the chair at the front table, carrying it and placing it on the floor to sit. He sat down and they all watched with wide eyes as he checked her body like how a caring husband would do. Daphne felt hot, by his gesture and the way he looked at her with concern, no one has ever looked at her so genuinely before except her brother, it was a new feeling.
"Her lady should never drink again," he said and a small laugh left her. He said it seriously but she found it cute, surely her body would get used to it over time. The wine was delicious, she didn't even realize there was much alcohol in it, she kept on drinking and he didn't stop her. Did he want to see her drunk? To know how she is while drunk. Alexandro looked up and they were all staring at them.
"Have your seat," he said and of course, they noticed how different his voice sounded wgeb he spoke to them. There was tension in the room and Daphne tried to eat the porridge in front of her but she had no appetite.
"Let me serve you, your majesty," the queen in front of Daphne said and Alexandro nodded his head, allowing her. She smiled, serving him and Daphne didn't care. She felt dizzy and she knew whatever she was eating was going to be vomited out of her soon. The dining room fell in more silence and Aurora was burning with anger as the minute passed by.
He had Madeline locked up for interrupting his dinner but here he is rubbing her head after she didn't stand up to greet him. Is his majesty getting soft? Why is he allowing her to get her way in the palace? How can he organize a dinner for her the night she got here? He is supposed to treat them all like equals but he is being unfair right now to his other queens.
"Your majesty has not been in the dining room in a long time now," she said and Alexandro looked at her.
"Is my presence not welcomed, queen Aurora?" he asked, his face blank. He spoke to Daphne informally, but he is being formal with her.
"His majesty's presence is always welcomed. I just can't help but ask, his majesty never really joined us for breakfast, but now he is here. Is it because of his new bride?" she asked and Alexandro looked at his food with a tight smile. He would always count on queen Aurora to call him out like this.
"Queen Aurora should do her duties to the palace and focus on that only. Whatever his majesty chose to do with his time is no one's business," he said, his voice harsh. Aurora swallowed hard, looking at him with fear and anger. Daphne looked at the both of them, there was tension in the room and the other queens couldn't touch their food. Seems his majesty and queen Aurora have history together, if not why is he so angry at her?
"Pardon her, your majesty. We the queens are just worried his majesty's feelings are starting to waver to Princess Daphne. All the wives are supposed to be treated accordingly with no favorites, his majesty seems to be having favorites," another queen said. Before Daphne, everyone knew he favored Madeline and Sofia the more. They never queried him like this. Why was it different with Daphne?
Alexandro knows he never invited any of them to dinner, he only listens to them more when they invite him for dinner and he sometimes invites them on a walk. Alexandro held in his sigh, women are such complicated creatures, they are jealous of her being the youngest amongst them, is Daphne about to be their new prey?
"There would always be a favorite," he replied, going back to his food. They were all speechless at his words, he just admitted to having a favorite. They knew they can't all be equal in his eyes, but having him admit it hurt their feelings. Daphne let out a small laugh, their faces are appalling. They can't believe their ears. His majesty surely couldn't care less about their feelings. He is a savage.
They continued with their breakfast in silence. After they were done, his majesty drank his water, cleaned his mouth and left without a word. Daphne also felt she had eaten enough so she stood up. Agnes held her as they walked, as they were walking one of the queens at the high table set her legs outside. Daphne didn't see it coming and she stumbled on her feet, falling to the floor head first. It was supposed to be a moment of joke but it wasn't as Daphne made no sound or movement as she fell on the floor. Agnes gasped, looking at her on the floor.
"My lady," she said, bending down. She turned her over and her head was bleeding. They all gasped in shock, covering their mouths.
"Guards!" Agnes screamed and the door was opened. They ran inside, wondering what happened but their eyes widened as they saw what was in front of them. Alexandro hasn't walked far and he clearly heard the scream. He turned around, walking back to the dining room and he wasn't expecting the scene. She was on the floor with blood gushing down her head. Alexandro can't remember the last time he got so angry but his eyes twitched as he looked at the scene on the floor, she passed out cold.
"Who did this?" he asked, his voice dark and everyone turned to him. They didn't know he was in the room. Agnes cried, shaking her body but she was not responding.
"Who did this?" he asked again, his eyes darkening in anger. Rose fell to the floor, crying hysterically. She didn't expect her to be so fragile, his majesty won't ever forgive her.
"Take her to the dungeon," he said to the guards, going to Daphne and he carried her in bridal style. He left the dining room, walking fast to the physicians as blood dripped on the floor. Agnes ran after them, she knew this was going to end horribly but she didn't expect it so right away. She just got here and so many things are happening already.
The servants watched the scene as they passed, they were confused at the blood on her head. Did perhaps one of the queens attack her? And why does his majesty look so angry and concerned? They all knew whoever did this was in trouble. They got to the palace physicians and they were not expecting his majesty to bring in a woman
"Your majesty," they bowed but he ignored them, placing her on the bed.
"Attend to her and make sure nothing happens to her," he said and they bowed their heads.
"Yes, your majesty," they said and Alexandro looked at her. Even with the blood, she is still so beautiful. Is this how deep their jealousy ran? She just got here and they are already out to kill her. What can he do to keep her safe? Alexandro left the chambers, heading to his study. He was too angry and if he acted on it, he would make a rash decision. He got to his study, removing his robe and Antonio burst in.
"What am I hearing?" he asked, taking his seat in front of his brother.
"Exactly what you heard," he replied, bringing out his scrolls. He looked calm, but Antonio knew he was raging internally. Obviously, he cares about her more than the other queens, what he wonders is if he is going to punish Queen Rose.
"What are you going to do?" he asked.
"Nothing, yet," he said, yet coming out low.
"I knew the queens would be jealous of her, but not to this extent. How is she?" he asked. The more Alexandro remembers the blood on her head, the more he gets angry.
"Passed out," he replied, curtly and Antonio knew his brother was beyond angry.
"I should not be saying this but you can't do much to Queen Rose. If you have a favorite, the palace is going to gossip and it would create more enemies for princess Daphne and also put her in danger. Remember what they did to Emily?" he asked and Alexandro sighed. How could he forget? The queens jealousy ran so deep, they tortured her so many times the innocent woman ended up committing suicide. All because he chose her to come with him to an important ball held by monarchs from different nations. Princess Daphne has been babied all her life, she has no arm of struggle, she would never survive the bully.
"I am afraid you are right," he said. Alexandro hates to admit it, but having so many women around was doing him more harm than good, he has always stayed away from their affairs but how can he stay away when his emotions are playing with him?
"You must like her," Antonio said and he saw a small smile on his brother's face.
"She is different," he said, remembering the first day he saw her. Daphne might not know this, but he has seen her before when she was much younger. Maybe it was love at first sight but he knew he was going to come back for her and he did. He can't put her in danger when he has not gotten to know her yet. Antonio sighed.
"The palace is awfully quiet today. But my curiosity runs deep. What would Princess Daphne do when she wakes up?" he asked, rhetorically. He wonders how she would react to what queen Rose did to her? Alexandro was starting to have a headache, he couldn't even focus on the scroll in front of him. Alexandro stood up, heading back to the physicians, he needed to be by her side.