Chapter seven (1&2)

The next day, shocking news quaked noble society as it echoed through tea parties and luncheons, deep into the night; Lady Steinhouse had a lover.

Tea rooms were buzzing with this

interesting news; they had not had something this juicy in a while. People who would not usually accept invitations to tea were accepting; the women of society took joy in talking about this. Soon, Old Lady Trent whose window looked into the Steinhouse front yard, invited her guests for tea and shared how she had seen Lady Steinhouse leave the house at night and return that morning wearing a man's coat. The topic was hot.

As though one scandal was not enough, news soon spread that the Mclears are marrying their daughter to the heir of Longstrum; the wedding would take place the next day. The rushed marriage made a lot of people imagine things. What could have possibly happened? Most people talked of how pitifully young the bride was and how it was not right. But they soon stopped talking when they discovered the groom was the heir of Longstrum, who has been sick since birth; there were rumours that he may not live till his mids. As such, giving him a wife so early, was for the best. But where could the Longstrums find a lady of society ready to marry someone so sick? Especially given the fact that the sick heir was only fourteen. Not only was he too young to take a wife, which ever wife he chooses would have to be much younger than him. No family would agree to this marriage.

If so, why did the Mclears agree? Did something happen? Why would they rush into this? Still, no one in society thought it was wrong or complained about their age. News of this reached Leah back in school, who cried till her nanny came to pick her up. When she marries, she would no more be expected to go to school or have unmarried friends. As every other married woman was much older than her, she would not be having any friends at all. She cried as she was taken back home; she could not wait to get back and throw a tantrum. She always wanted to be a lady, but this was not how she had thought it would happen.

By midday, a lot of things had taken the society by surprise. If only they knew, this was only a speck of what was to come.

Lady Steinhouse's maid rushed into her lady's chambers and curtsied at her figure sitting on her vanity.

"My lady, something has happened! Something bad!" she said in a panic.

"What?" the lady asked in a frown.

"The entire socialites are saying that you have a lover!" the maid announced.

"What?!" Lady Steinhouse sat up straighter, "How did this happen?!" she asked her maid.

"I don't know, my lady. I went over to get things at the market and heard the servants talking. They said every household is talking about it. One even said that Old Lady Trent next door said she saw you leave last night and return this morning wearing a man's coat! Everybody is talking about it!" the maid said.

"That old lady seems she wants to truly expire before her time!" Lady Steinhouse fumed.

"My lady, the coat in your wardrobe..." the maid asked cautiously. She seemed as though she wanted to confirm the rumour, but could not ask directly; as it may anger her lady.

"What? You think he is my lover too?!" Lady Steinhouse blushed at the thought.

"My Lady, there is really someone?" the maid's eyes rounded out in shock. She had followed the lady for years and never has such a thing happened. Looking at the lady's blushing face, confirmed her thoughts.

"My lady, you can not do this! If you start this, it may get out of hand!" the maid said in panic.

"Lizzy! What am I starting? Don't sprout rubbish!" Lady Steinhouse rebuked strongly, but the blush on her face did not allow the maid to take her seriously.

"My lady, if the gentleman is any of virtue, he would come and take your hand as his wife first. You must make sure he comes and marries you soon, before your reputation is destroyed! My lady, this is a scandal!" the maid said.

"Marry me? don't sprout rubbish! Get out!" the lady's face turned a deep red.

"My lady.." the maid continued.

"Get out.!" Lady Steinhouse scolded and the maid hurried away. Lady Steinhouse seemed to have tuned a redder than a tomato. The word 'Marry' spun in her head, giving her wid thoughts.

***

The entire court officials had convened at the palace. They had been ban by the king from coming in for regular court except when invited, for a while now. That meant a lot of issues had to be decided on and resolved today. The king sat in a sickly yet bored manner. He seemed to sigh every time some thing was brought up.

"Any thing else to report?" the king said tiredly, as though he could not wait for them to leave. Seeing this, no one dared to talk. They thought it best to come back instead of angering him. That was when the minister for finance rose. He bowed to the king and let loose a worried expression.

"There is still something I need to report my king. I wish you grant me permission to do so." the elderly man said.

"Go ahead." the king sighed in a frustrated manner; yet unknown to all, he was excited for this part. This was the part he had been waiting for all day.

The minister immediately went on his knees before his peers causing some people to stiffen. Something as wrong here.

"My king, I deserve to be punished! I have sinned greatly!" the minister said.

"What have you done?" the king asked with a frown.

"Royal money has been misplaced and it was passed through my office to do so, I have failed, my king. I only discovered this recently." the minster said sorrowfully.

"What? What are you talking about?" the king asked sitting up. Every one in the room seemed to feel the temperature drop drastically. This was bad.

"Money from the royal treasury was stolen and some of the subordinates from my ministry had a hand in aiding this. I only just stumbled upon the evidence. Your Majesty, I am faithful, but I have failed you! Please hand out punishment!" the minister said.

"Who? You would not come so clean in hope of clearing your mistake, if you did not have a name. Who?" the king raged!

"The...Her Majesty, Queen Lilith." the minister said with caution. The room fell into deep silence. Before the king could react, an official stood in out rage.

"Watch your tongue, Official Yrum. How can you....." before the Official could finish, the king exploded.

"Shut up! Did this king ask you to speak for him?" the official shrunk back at the king's anger. Many could tell he was really angry.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty." he begged.

"Official Yrum! Do you know the punishment for defaming one from the royal family? Think well before you speak again." the king's voice lowered dangerously.

"I know, Your Majesty. But this is too troublesome for me to keep quiet. The amount of gold taken is enough to buy a third rate kingdom! I come to present evidence before you. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to present it!" the minister kowtowed, his head kissing the marble floors. He took out a scroll and showed it to the crowd.

Immediately, a division took place in the hall. Many decided that if the evidence was strong enough, they would abandon the queen immediately. The other half had sneer instead. They had not forgotten the queen's background. So what if she stole some money? This was not enough to bring her down.

"Bring it." the king said and everyone tensed. This was not the meeting they expected to have this morning. One of the officials signalled a royal guard loyal to him, to sneak out and inform the queen. If this was a plot to bring her down, she would be the only one to help herself out.

A maid rushed towards the queen's palace, but was stopped by guards.

"I am the queen's personal maid; you must at me pass!" she insisted. She was still far from the queen's palace and she was scared of the increased guards on her way. She had been informed by Official Ghuil's man of what was happening in the throne room. She rushed all the way only to be blocked.

"No one is allowed through to the queen's palace." the guard said. She froze; she knew something was wrong with this situation. Serving the queen as a personal maid, meant she was well educated; so, she walked away. But, her determination had not lessened. She changed direction towards the prince's palace; she was luckily not stopped.

She soon requested an audience and was granted. She walked in and did a full bow before the prince.

"Speak! You said mother was in danger. What is happening?" the prince asked.

"Your Highness, I was told by Official Ghuil's man that the minister of finance is presenting evidence before His Majesty against Her Majesty. He says I must get to her; but, guards have blocked the way. No one is allowed into her palace." she explained with her head down.