Bk 2: Chapter Four (20)

Amie could finally walk on her own, but she could not walk too long, as the soles of her feet still hurt with every step she took. She was going to see Queen Mother Raine as she was informed the Queen Mother had called for her. Usually, she would not care about this queen mother, as she was only the Late King's wife and had no blood relation to the reigning king, but she did not want word of this to pass outside as she and the queen mother had seemed like friends during King Adrian's coronation. It did not help that her maid, Beth had told her that queen mother Raine had invited her female cousins as well as other young ladies into the palace for afternoon tea. She glanced at Beth as they moved towards the Queen Mother's chambers.

"Who else is there?" she asked.

"Your Majesty, she also invited the Fionette daughter," Beth answered and Amie let out a cold smile. It seems she has been quiet enough, she wanted to see what this Queen Mother wanted to do to her. She walked into the chambers but the servants acted as though they were engrossed by the festivities to announce her arrival. To this, Amie only noted their faces and strolled in without care.

"It seems Queen Mother Raine has been looking for some entertainment these days," Amie said the moment she stepped into the sitting room. The host only looked up and smiled softly as Amie made a small bow no different than a nod towards her.

"Queen Amie, come in. Join us," she said and Amie only mirrored her sweet smile and stayed put.

"Cousin!" a girl Amie could barely remember called out excitedly. Amie only glanced at her for a second and looked away.

"Your guests are quite the crowd, Queen Mother. They come without chaperones and don't know any etiquette. Don't they know they will embarrass Queen Mother by their lack of home training?" Amie sent a cold look around the sitting girls and they hurriedly rose and curtsied to her. They could not say a word in refute even though Amie was almost the same age as they were, and to some, even younger. She was the mother of the nation; the standard at which all women must aim for. She could reprimand them for anything.

"Your Majesty," they said in near unison. Amie's eyes returned to the queen mother and her sweet smile returned. Queen Mother Raine's face froze. Her words and actions, were they not slapping her face?

"You wished to see me, Queen Mother?" Amie asked.

"Oh, we were just enjoying ourselves and I thought of you. Won't you be joining us?" she asked and Amie shook her head and politely declined.

"Forgive me, I thought there was a matter of great importance that is why I was worried and dropped everything to come here. But, this queen is quite busy and will not be able to join you," Amie answered.

"Isn't it just matters of the palace? It can rest for you to have some tea. Come, sit," Queen Mother Raine said and Amie smiled even sweeter; there was even a hint of frustration edge to her slightly spoilt look.

"Queen Mother, if only I could just worry about the palace alone. I even have to handle matters of the Ligrel clan in my brother's absence so forgive me. You, yourself are affiliated to a martial clan regardless of their lesser standing, so you should understand. But, do have a nice brunch. When you are free, let the queen spend some more time with you," Amie said and Queen Mother Raine's smile dropped a few degrees. She almost wanted to pour some hot water on this little girl strutting around as queen. She had the audacity to tell her to spend some time with her when she was free after talking so much about how busy she was. Was she trying to make her out as a person without anything to do; useless in all sense of the word? This girl did not even bother to call her mother, only repeating Queen Mother several times as though people would forget they have no real mother-daughter bond. After she had gone through all the trouble to gather these useless people so they could taunt this little girl a bit for her entertainment, this girl walks in and actually wants to leave?

Finally the words, Amie said got to her. The Ligrel clan had come and asked for her to take responsibility for their clan. She had known when they came. They came in such an open way, that everybody knew they had come to see the new queen. Only then were they reminded of her relations to them.

She watched as the girl made a small nod to her and left with her maids with cold eyes. So what she was responsible for the Ligrel clan or so to say. She did not believe this little girl had any ability. But then again, that brother of hers was someone she had only met maybe once or twice. She did not have much of an impression of him, except that he found their issues too little to bother about. She wondered why this girl mentioned the Ligrel clan now. She must have known that the entire kingdom was aware of her relations with them. What did she mean by those words? Was it a threat? She understood the deal she had with the king. She keeps her title as Queen Mother and her clan is protected from the ancients. But, will they have any reason to not discard this deal? She stopped herself from instinctively wrapping her hand protectively over her midsection when she remembered the knowing look Amie sent towards her stomach. Did she know? She wondered as a chill went down her spine. She only played a little game with this girl and she already bared her fangs.