Chapter 6: Rival

Queen Beatrice's POV

It's been a month since the wedding. I went outside and saw the people doing their work. I escaped my lessons because I don't want to learn etiquette lessons. Being a queen is hard. To help the people work happily, I sing a song to them.

"Thank you, Queen Beatrice, you have a beautiful voice,"

"Thank you. I will go back to the palace now, see you soon,"

I went back to the palace and go straight to Alaric's office.

"Good morning Alaric,"

"Good morning to you, my wife. Why are you outside?"

"I'm just visiting the people there,"

"Ok, if that's what you say. Can you be sweeter to me?"

"I'm not used to that sweet stuff that couples do" Beatrice mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing"

"And why did you go outside? You know that you have greater things to do?" Livie said angrily

Livie is scary.

"Ok Livie, that's enough," Alaric said

Suddenly a girl entered and called Alaric.

"Alaric, I've missed you. It's been a long time" the girl said

"Diana? What are you doing here?"

"Visiting you, of course, it's been a long time. I heard that you are married,"

"Yup,"

"I cannot accept the fact that you are married, you promised to marry me when we get older, remember?"

And I am dumbfounded and don't know what's going on. After that little commotion, we went to grab some snacks.

"Let me introduce to you, Princess Diana of Narnia. She and King Alaric are childhood friends" Livie said

"And his fiancé,"

"That's a long time ago," Alaric said

"It's just one-sided, no need to be jealous," Livie whispered to me.

"You know Diana that I am married now, and her name is Queen Beatrice,"

"I don't like her for you because I'm fit to be with you,"

Throughout the day, Diana would tease me because I don't know girly stuff and etiquettes that a queen must do.

After those teasing the entire day, it's time for bed. Alaric and I lay down.

"I am exhausted today. I don't like that Diana girl,"

"Come to think of it. I haven't heard about Diana for a long time,"

"But you are childhood friends,"

"Yes, we do hang out back then. I was grateful that Diana is around because I'm all alone back then,"

I have this strange feeling though.

When we were getting ready to sleep, Diana suddenly appeared. Both Alaric and I was shocked.

The next day, I have my dance lessons with Livie as my partner.

"You are improving, your highness,"

"Thank you, Livie,"

"No problem. Just doing my job,"

"Diana sleep at our room last night,"

"Glad that you are getting along,"

"Shut up. It's not like that. I have this strange feeling though,"

"Is that strange feeling, jealousy?"

"Shut up Livie"

Suddenly Diana appeared with Alaric.

"Can we dance, Alaric?"

"No, I have something to do,"

"Please?"

"Ok"

They danced, and all the people in the palace watched them dance. I also watched them, but is this jealousy that I'm feeling? I've had enough and went out because I felt down and I admit that I'm jealous. I went outside to cool my head.

King Alaric's POV

Where is Beatrice, it's almost time for dinner. I'm going to find her. I went outside, and I found her sitting outside.

"Hey Beatrice, I was looking everywhere for you. It's time for dinner,"

"No, I don't have an appetite, I will just go to my room,"

And she just passes by me. What's gotten into her today? I asked Livie if he has any idea what's going on.

"Do you have an idea what's going on with Beatrice, Livie?"

"I think, Queen Beatrice is jealous of you and Princess Diana, your highness,"

"But why?"

"I don't know. It started when Princess Diana arrived here. And about earlier? I think she got jealous of you and Diana dancing,"

"Jealous"

After eating dinner, I went to our room, and find Beatrice lying down.

"Beatrice? Are you ok?"

"I'm fine. I was just cooling my head,"

"Here, drink this, it helps soothe your mind and body,"

"Thank you. It's delicious,"

"You are acting strangely today and Livie said that you are jealous of Diana and me,"

Beatrice got up and cover her face with the comforter.

"Beatrice?"

"It's so embarrassing. Why Livie told you that,"

"Listen, Beatrice. I'm not letting you go and be with Diana. About what I said that I needed you, it's true, Beatrice. We also promised to be with each other, put that in mind,"

"Ok, I think I'm good now,"

"That's good to hear. Now, let's dance. Livie told me that he thinks you are jealous of me and Diana dancing. So, can I have this dance?"

Beatrice grabs my hand, and we danced inside our room.

We look at each other and smiled genuinely.

Narrator's POV

King Alaric and Queen Beatrice didn't notice that Princess Diana was there and watching them. Princess Diana felt jealous because of how King Alaric smiled at Queen Beatrice because Alaric does not smile at her like that.

The next morning, Princess Diana called Queen Beatrice to take a walk together. When they were taking a walk, they talked about King Alaric.

"Do you love Alaric, Beatrice?"

"I cannot say that I love him because I was forced to marry him. I haven't known him that much, but for these past months, I've learned a lot about him. He is just 13, but he is matured at his age, and I love all about him" Beatrice said while shouting"

Princess Diana stopped.

"I love him because he is there for me. I was happy when he said to marry me when we get older. I think Alaric changed. I cannot compare myself to you because I didn't do anything when his mother passed away, but you changed him, Beatrice. You also love all about him, even though you just met him for a few months. You know, I've observed, he has changed, and I know that you changed him. You know that he changed his lovely personality into something different when his mother passed away. Thank you, Beatrice, for waking him up. You win"

After their talk, they went back, and King Alaric is waiting for their return.

The next day, Princess Diana is leaving the palace. Queen Beatrice and King Alaric went to Princess Diana, and say their goodbye. After that, Queen Beatrice went to the town, and this time she asked permission. When she came back, she went to King Alaric's room.

"Alaric, I have something for you,"

"What is it?"

"Here"

"An apple?"

"Not just an apple but lots of apples. The town's people gave it to me when I went outside and this,"

Queen Beatrice kissed King Alaric's cheeks.

"What's that all about?"

"You want me to be sweet to you, so I grant your request,"

Suddenly, King Alaric kissed Queen Beatrice's forehead.

"Now that is sweet,"

Queen Beatrice was shocked.

"So, how was your talk with Diana earlier?"

"It was ok because we talk things out,"

"So, what did you talked about?"

"Secret"

"Tell me,"

"No, it's between Diana and me only,"

"Ok, I will not argue with you,"