ALWAYS A QUEEN

Masses had gathered outside Sattinborough palace to behold the great departure.

It was alarming upon hearing that the Queen was publicly being banished out of the Royal residence indefinitely.

Valerian walked towards the gates escorted by two of his servants dressed in a simple sky blue velvet dress.

He wore nothing more than a simple diamond tiara and a pearl necklace.

Both of which he possessed on his own as personal belongings from Endra after the war.

The people were dismayed and many saddened by the fact.

All that happened as their King stood in front of his window and stared at the masses outside.

Valerian stopped at the gateway when the pleased pair of his foes the Queen mother and the Imperial Prince stood from afar and gazed at him.

There was a guard that had led the way and he stood firm obeying the command of the one he had truly sworn his loyalty.

"Order from all you people that dwell in this realm." The man said.

The people's protests slowly started to die.

May be the King was changing his mind but he was rather not the type to be schizophrenic.

"This is his Majesty the King's order." The man said.

There was an immediate response of absolute silence which was significant that the King was in charge.

"From this day onwards, His Majesty the Queen having left the country without the knowledge of the King.

He shall be punished with banishment from the Imperial Royal residence indefinitely." The man announced.

The people who had been silent shortly afterwards erupted with mourning.

It was so sad and so heartbreaking to see their hope leave the palace.

The Scolns had seen better days, the greatest in fact after their Queen had been installed.

Chasing him was a disaster but not short of a very interesting Spectre.

After they had spectated quite long enough without a negative reaction, the guards had demanded that Valerian got into his carriage.

He halted them at the moment.

"What is it your Majesty?" One of the guards asked.

"I came riding in Majesty and if I must leave then it must be in a manner much bigger.

There is no need to hide the face of a criminal from the public." Valerian replied.

"These are my orders your Majesty." The guard said.

"And I have in no way abused them, I shall tread my path out of the capital." Valerian said in his defence.

The people who looked no less happier watched as Valerian by passed the carriage that was meant to carry him.

He walked gracefully to the midst of the streets followed by his very small procession that had been put in place to assist him.

"Why should you be dismayed you the great people." A woman spoke from the crowds.

This Day, god walks out of his sanctuary to live amongst us all." She added.

Immediately after he had mentioned these words, the people put their hands together as though they were about to pray.

At once, Valerian resumed his journey and walked.

Wherever he moved, he shook hands with the people and waved.

The majority bowed others curtsied and others humbled themselves.

It was significant even the King himself saw it that Valerian who was meant to leave out of shame was instead leaving out of glory.

It was not disgust, it was not hate or anger that the people expressed.

It was Joy and respect, non like any other criminal or Royal had received before.

This gave Alexander every reason to fear for his throne or the trust of his people.

It had been clearly portrayed that Valerian was the one the people cherished more than him.

Perhaps it was jealousy and backed by the pressure of the preservative Scoln officials and members of the Royal family, it attracted fatality to the relationship of the King and his Queen.

Valerian travelled on foot until he was out of the capital.

He got into his carriage and started for the Royal estates that were in the North East.

He arrived in Barkley and was to live in an isolated four storied mansion that over looked the Northern sea.

Wingsley House was very small but at least comfortable.

It had sixteen bedrooms, eighteen bathrooms and five half baths.

There were three living rooms, two libraries, seven studies a kitchen and a storeroom.

It occupied a small piece of land but Valerian found it be quite comfortable.

"A break from the Royal Duty is not so bad after all." Valerian consoled himself.

He stayed there for days.

Every time, he'd visit the plantations and work with the people in the Mills.

He'd spin with some women and he'd plough and till the land with some of the men.

It was one of the Many Saturdays that Valerian hosted a couple of Children from the villages in his ballroom.

They all sat down beneath his feet and there he red them stories both of Endran and Scoln folk.

He'd move on to rhymes and he'd also have the children eat simple and nice meals prepared by him.

He played the piano and also taught Endran to most of the Children of the Natives.

It was something very usual, something the people got used to and at once, the gossip concerning the Queen's Charitable acts was lingering in every man's ear.

The King himself who lonely and isolated took refuge behind Sattinborough's walls heard it but he didn't react.

The solitary nature of the King seemed to make him less popular amongst his people.

If it weren't for the actions of Valerian, his Crown would be void in the eyes of the people.

Alexander sat in his study while he was immersed in the deepest of thoughts.

Suddenly, Charles walked in.

"Your Majesty, the Queen mother requests for a word with you." Charles said.

"She'd run to you first." Alexander said.

"Because I am in charge of your schedule." Charles replied.

"Let her in." Alexander said.

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

A while later, Queen Marietta walked in proudly with her head held high.

She looked displeased but she still kept her composure until she walked up to her son.

"Mother." Alexander said.

"Alexander." Queen Marietta said.

"To what do I owe the unexpected visit from you?" Alexander asked.

"I suppose you should already be aware of that." Queen Marietta said.

"Is it about Valerian?" Alexander asked.

"And just as I had hoped, you actually knew." Queen Marietta said in reply.

"He is pretty much the only thing that you scold me about." Alexander said.

"You don't seem so bothered by the News that is going around everywhere." Queen Marietta said.

"It isn't like there is something I can actually do about it." Alexander said.

"It does not matter at all any more, he is more popular amongst the people than before." Queen Marietta said.

"Every where he'll go even amongst the peasants, Valerian will be seen as a god and a good Queen." Alexander said.

"And you will just sit in your study for the whole day.

It makes people question if there King is effective." Queen Marietta said.

"You told me that the Crown shouldn't allow the people the right to Express." Alexander said.

"But if there is another authority more popular than it is is necessary for the Crown to win over the trust of the people." Queen Marietta said.

"What is it you are trying to insinuate mother?" Alexander asked.

"That your Queen is popular amongst the people so find a way to become popular as well.

It is better that you expose yourself to the public more often than you usually do." Queen Marietta said.

"The limelight is not my place." Alexander said.

"For the time being let it be your refuge, you can only be certain that the people whom you rule love you if you give them a sight.

In war if your tactics fail you you should fight fire with fire." Queen Marietta said.

"And my Kingly schedule?" Alexander asked.

"There is no need for me to attract a  public eye so it would be best if I rather filled in for you.

It would give you just the time you need to gain popularity from public recognition." Queen Marietta said.

"Hmmm." Alexander muttered as he scratched the back of his head.

"Think of it Alexander, the people might be happier if they saw their King.

Give them another god in their eyes that they ought to worship and love.

It will win you all the hearts of the Scolns both near and far." Queen Marietta said.

"I'll think about it." Alexander said.

"Alright your Majesty." Queen Marietta said said as she stood up and curtsied.

At once, she turned around and walked out of the study leaving Alexander lost in thoughts.

If there was something he was sure could ease the feeling of a possible threat by the Queen consort to his Crown, it would be winning the hearts of his people.

The feeling in question was that exactly how many of those were totally willing to accept that their King had cared for long.

The other was even if he tried, was their a possibility that his popularity would surpass that of his Queen?