Gather

After a short walk around the corner from where The Inn stood, we came upon Layra's Home. It was a small, humble abode Providing only the Basic Necessities. Though there was only one room, she had somehow Created a Cozy Living space for her and her Son.

A small Dining Table with three chairs were set to our left upon Entering, the kitchen just beyond in the far corner of the room. To our right was a cozy seating area with a two-person sofa, a mismatched chair, two Appropriately-sized tables and a tattered rug. A warm fireplace separates the seating area from their Sleeping Arrangements, set in the far right corner opposite the kitchen.

An older Woman was cooking in the kitchen, while a young boy tugged at her skirts. "Naná, Please let me Taste."

"Soon, Child. It is not ready." She Gently replied.

"Maman!" He called in Excitement upon Seeing Layra.

"Hello, my Dear."

"You are Home early, Layra." The elder Woman Says, looking up from her Meal preparations.

"Yes, Maman." She responds.

"Who are your Guests?" Her Mother Raises her brows.

"This is The QUEEN, Maman. She has Come to Offer Jeremiah and me a Better Life."

"Is this TRUE?" She wipes her hands on her apron and steps out from behind the kitchen counter to Observe me.

I nod.

"Forgive me, your Majesty. I seem to have forgotten my Manners." She curtsies. "May I pour you a cup of tea?"

"Thank you." I Accept.

She nods and goes to remove the boiling kettle on the fire, pouring it out into a pot of fresh leaves. She gathers four clean handleless, pottered cups and sets them on a wooden tray along with the brewing tea.

"Shall we sit?" Layra gestures towards the seating area.

I take a seat in the single chair, while Seamus pulls up a chair from the dining area before sitting down himself. Layra waves Jeremiah over. He runs across the room, jumping gleefully on her lap and throwing his little arms around her neck. "Oof." She grunts involuntarily. She tickles his ribcage, causing him to giggle and loosen his grip before settling himself calmly atop her thighs. Layra wraps her arms around his body and hugs him close to her chest. Jeremiah Smiles. The scene melts my HEART, and I cannot help but Smile my Self.

Layra's Mother sets the tray upon the center table and pours four cups of tea, handing the first to me.

"Thank you...?" I Begin, trailing off.

"Daliah, your Grace. Please, call me Daliah." She Smiles Kindly.

"Daliah." I Repeat. She sits beside Layra, waiting Patiently for me to Speak.

"Seamus." I Say. "If you would, Please."

"Of course, my QUEEN." He bows his head before continuing. "Madame." He Begins, turning to Daliah. "The QUEEN Formally Requests your Daughter's Presence as her Personal Handmaiden, where she will Live and Serve under Direct Order and Protection of The QUEEN."

"And what of Jeremiah, your Majesty? The boy Needs his Mother." She Questions.

Seamus nods. "Yes. We are Aware. Due to the Delicate Nature of The Relationship between the Child and The Estate, it is - in TRUTH - his Safety in which we are Most Concerned."

"Goodness.." Dahlia touches her fingertips to her lips, fear flickering across her face.

"I Will Raise The Child as I Would my Own." I Speak up. "However, in this particular Situation, he will Grow up with The LOVE and Security of your Daughter whilst Being Exposed to a New Way of Life in Relation to his Brothers and Sisters."

She nods her head slowly, sipping her tea before setting it down onto the table. Layra reaches for her Mother's hand and squeezes it Gently.

Dahlia takes a Deep Breath, Concern etched into her face. "Will I See them again?"

"You May Visit under one Condition." Seamus Answers. She Listens. "The QUEEN is in Need of Loyal Listeners here in The Village."

She nods quietly.

"Do you Understand the Request, Maman?" Layra Asks.

"Yes, Layra, Dear. I am to Become The QUEEN's Spy." She cooly replies.

"Exactly." I Say.

"When Does she Leave?" Dahlia Questions.

"Now." I respond.

She nods, steeling her Self. I Rise, turning to Seamus. "Let us step outside while they bid their Farewells and Gather their Belongings." He bows his head and stands. "Layra." I continue. "You have less than ten minutes." She nods. Seamus and I exit.

The door closes Behind us, leaving Seamus and I to wait outside the Home. The street is calm and quiet.

"Your Majesty." Seamus Speaks.

"Yes, Seamus." I reply.

"About earlier.." He Begins. "..at The Inn.." His Words stumbling.

"There is no Need to Explain your Self, Seamus."

"Yes, my QUEEN, but I Find that I Must." He responds. I nod, Allowing him The Opportunity to continue. He Does. "I have shamefully not Seen you as a QUEEN of Strength.. until Today."

I Listen Silently. His Words sting My SOUL. I wait Patiently.

"I Did not Know what YOU are Capable of. YOU have Surprised me and many Members of The Council by YOUR Actions. YOUR Decision to Align with The KING of The Eastern Shores, while Choosing to Protect The Children of a king who has publicly wronged and continuously humiliated you has turned my HEART."

"To RULE Requires Sacrifice." I Answer.

He nods. "It is not in my Nature to Follow a Woman, my QUEEN."

"Why Do you Speak of such Things?" I Question.

"I Desire a personal Declaration of my Loyalty and Submission of WILL to YOU." His eyes burn with Passion.

"I Accept your Offering of Loyalty. Your Submission of WILL, however, you Must Place at the Altar of our GOD."

Seamus takes a knee, one hand fisted upon his HEART, the other arm bent at his knee. "I Pledge my Loyalty to YOU, my QUEEN. I WILL Lead ALL in my Following into Loyalty of YOUR QUEENDOM. YOU ARE THE TRUE QUEEN."

Layra and Jeremiah exit the Household. Laying eyes upon Seamus Pledging his Self to ME, Layra Immediately drops to her knees and bows her head, pulling her Son down beside her to Do the Same.

"Rise." I Say. "I Accept your Allegiance. Let us Gather the Others."

The four of Convene and make our way back to The Inn. Medonia and Setine come into View with each of their Children. They look Layra up and down, Attempting to Understand the king's Choice of indiscretion. She is nothing like them, Medonia arches her brow.

"Medonia. Setine." I Greet them. They curtsy. A young girl around the age of four steps Forward.

"My Name is Eliza!" She Smiles wide, grabbing the hand of the little boy beside her. "And this is Timothais!" She continues. "Mama Says we are Going to come Live with YOU and that we have lots of Brothers and Sisters!" She Says Excitedly.

I Smile softly at the two Children, Timothais slightly older than Eliza. "Yes." I Say. "And this is Jeremiah. He is your Brother." Their eyes widen. Eliza runs Forward, throwing her arms around him.

"Hello, Jeremiah!" She Exclaims. "I am your New Sister!"

"Thank you." I Say to the two Women. They each nod Silently. Tears threaten to spill from Setine's eyes again. "You May Visit them often. I am Certain there will be much to Report, and Should our Arrangement Go Well.." I pause. "..there will Be a Place for each of you at The Estate."

I turn to the two Children. "Say Goodbye, Children."

Eliza and Timothais turn to their Mothers, hugging each of them tightly.

"I LOVE you, Baby." Medonia Says, tears pricking in the corners of her eyes.

"Goodbye, my little Darling. I will come to See you soon." Setine hugs her Child, as she cries.

"Goodbye, Mama! I LOVE you!" Eliza Smiles. She runs over and grabs my hand. Timothais walks quietly over, uncertainty filling his small face. I hold out my other hand to him.

"No Need to fear, little One." I Say. He takes my Offered hand. "You will Enjoy your Time at The Estate."

I turn to Seamus. "I Do Believe we are Ready to return Home."

He nods. "Yes, my QUEEN." He Leads us Forward.