APPLE OF DISCORD

The Queen mother walked into the study of Alexander.

She was furious and had already flown into an absolute fit of rage.

"Mother?" Alexander said a little bit surprised.

"You know the reason why I am here." Queen Marietta said.

"About Valerian." Alexander said.

"Just like I had exactly hoped." Queen Marietta said.

"I had no idea." Alexander said.

"It seems to me that the Queen is a fan of so much liberty that he does what he wants whenever he wants to." Queen Marietta said.

"And what do you expect me to do about it mother.

I have tried my level best but as it may seem Valerian is just too stubborn and the more that I act on him, the more stubborn he becomes." Alexander said.

"Have you even a single understanding of the consequences that could come from his actions?" Queen Marietta asked.

"Enlighten me mother about something so serious that I should see." Alexander replied.

"Beware and listen to what I tell you, if you think that there is no order you must follow you are wrong.

The consequences are going to be on you and you alone.

If your own Queen dares to go against your own command, flees the country without your consent, Don't pretend to be keeping a cool head of things.

Everyone including the old see that when it comes to their King, the Queen literally packs respect for him." The Queen mother replied.

"Let them think as they want, am I supposed to care?" Alexander asked.

"You are, it is the burden of the Crown you bear that will kill you.

The people can not be answerable to their King if his own Queen isn't.

The aftermath of that is liberalising the Crown.

The more the Crown is liberalised you of all people know that there shall be no place for the Monarchy to stand and then what?

Everything that your ancestors and forefathers strived to build will come crumbling down." The Queen Mother said.

"What has that got to do with what has happened.

I think the people have a right to really feel the praise of their Queen, they of all people should be happy and proud.

It makes them feel secure as a Monarchy and as a people in it, it makes them confident that when need rises for defence theirs is sure.

It makes them understand that there is more than a name but a manifestation in the presence of the crown.

Where it all comes to that, the people will realize that they can not thrive and survive without it and they will stand to protect it." Alexander said.

"And who said the people will trust their Crown?" Queen Marietta asked.

"When it comes to popularity the Queen overshadows the Crown and what will happen.

I tell as all those who can see it see, if it is not in the name of the King that this war was fought or without his consent, the only one that is popular amongst the people is the Queen and not the Crown.

You may not see it now but if you look closely, the actions of the Queen and everything that he does.

The praises, the names and titles accorded to him every now and then will not only make him seem to be a hero.

It creates an ulterior image that the King is only bearing the name but the actual weight of the Crown rests on the Queen's shoulders." Queen Marietta said.

Alexander was quiet.

"What I can ask you at this point in time is how certain can you be that when the Queen's popularity is spreading, the King is a favorite of his people?" Queen Marietta asked.

"You would do well to listen mother, may be you are misunderstanding everything." Alexander said.

His voice was weak and it betrayed him.

"You do not mean that, it is what you want to believe yet the real sense is that you also can't believe that either.

You are caught up between what you are seeing and what you are blindly believing Alexander.

I of all people can not decide on your behalf but the decision rests only with you." Queen Marietta said.

"Alright mother, you have made your point, just let me work it out alone." Alexander said.

"Then I shall take your leave." Queen Marietta said.

She turned and a while later walked through the doors as one of the guards walked in.

"Is there anything that I can do for you your Majesty?" The guard asked.

"What do you think of the Queen?" Alexander asked.

"Which one your Majesty?" The guard asked.

"My consort." The King replied.

"He is beautiful, Charming and quite the centre of attention." The guard said.

"Centre of attention?" Alexander asked.

"Yes your Majesty." The guard replied.

"How?" Alexander asked.

"He is endeared to all the people and truthfully, he is wonderful to every one.

His game is pretty much unequalled at the moment and it is significant that he has become a face of hope to the people.

Basically, the people love having him around." The guard replied.

The King kept quiet for a while.

"I need an audience with my personal secretary." Alexander said.

"Alright your Majesty." The guard replied as he bowed down his head and turned to make an exit of the room.

Alexander was left there feeling belittled and a little bit jealous.

The Queen mother was right, if there was something that he really did feel, it was insecurity.

Alexander felt threatened by the popularity of his own consort which was obviously greater than his own.

The other part of him however was reluctant to act up to it negatively as he had tried to cage the peacock but it broke free.

How was he of all people supposed to face the world and speak and they listen when Valerian didn't.

Consorts had never ruled in the kingdom not even as regents.

The responsibility entirely rested on the shoulders of those whom by blood were entitled to the Crown.

A couple of thoughts were rushing through Alexander's head that he felt so confused at that very moment.

After a long while, the guard had returned.

"Your Majesty, your secretary is here." The guard said.

"Let him in." Alexander said and he waved his hand to grant permission.

"Alright your Majesty." The guard replied as he bowed his head and walked out.

A while later, Charles walked into the room and bowed his head.

"Your Majesty." He said.

"Charles." The King said.

"I must have been well informed that his Majesty actually needed my presence but it looks to be on a sad note." Charles said as he moved closer.

"It is just a matter of uncertainty." Alexander replied.

"Feel free Sure, if there is anything that needs clarity I shall tell you." Charles said.

"I suppose you are aware of his Majesty the Queen." Alexander said.

Charles bowed down his head in lowliness.

"I see you heard the news." Alexander added.

"I did, it is dominant in all parts of the continent and the press has made a fortune from making it a headline." Charles said.

"I still can't bring myself to finding a solution to it." Alexander said.

"If there is a problem why has his Majesty seen it now?" Charles asked.

"There was a problem before?" Alexander said a little bit puzzled.

"Of course your Majesty." Charles replied.

"And why are you telling me now?" Alexander asked.

"I thought you must have already been aware of this before, haven't you?" Charles replied.

"May be I'm a little bit uncertain what the problem is or was." Alexander said.

"His Majesty has violated quite a number of orders as Queen.

The very first is going against your will and rushing to aid another Monarchy.

The second not being in touch or keeping a valid means of communication.

The third not seeking prior consent which is above the law that rests with you.

The fourth endangering his own life which would have by any chance been lost in a war.

That leaves us with the fifth, your reputation could greatly decline given that there was no known order from his King to prevail and intervene in foreign affairs." Charles said.

"So all these are charges I am supposed to be aware of?" Alexander asked.

"Yes, the people of Endra might be the family of his Majesty the Queen but by becoming Queen of Scoln in the eyes of our own, to them he is a foreigner." Charles said.

"And you said that decision rests with me and me alone." Alexander said.

"Something that his Majesty has clearly over gone and ignored." Charles said.

"What must I do?" Alexander asked.

"Even for a Queen who is under the King's authority I am afraid that at the moment the country and parliament knowing would be the absolute best for all." Charles replied.

"You are suggesting that I tell the Kingdom." Alexander said.

"I am suggesting that the Queen be punished in their awareness." Charles replied.

"How?" Alexander asked.

"It rests with you your Majesty but if I must suggest your Majesty should be given a thorough dress down and by law the best would be to send him to live amongst the peasants." Charles replied.