Queen Ellen Or Queen Slanderer?

Quinn and Queen Mother turned to the entrance to the courtyard to see a woman that looked to be in her forties with Prince Caleb beside her followed by two maids. She was dressed as Lady Aida was, only with more jewelry in her hair and her arms. Prince Caleb was dressed as he was the other day, in a blue robe.

Quinn and Queen Mother's maids all bowed to them and greeted them as they passed them. They finally reached the table, the woman bowed at Queen Mother first then Quinn, saying, "Greetings, your Highnesses."

Caleb followed her example and also greeted them. Quinn returned their greetings while Queen Mother nodded as she looked at them kindly, "Please join us and have a seat."

"Yes, Queen Mother." The woman answered then sat down on the chair on Quinn's left and Queen Mother's right. Caleb walked to the other side and sat down opposite the woman.

"Your Highness, I do not believe that we have met before." The woman said as she faced Quinn.

"No, I suppose not." She replied as she looked curiously at her.

"I am the late King's royal concubine, Heather."

Her eyes widened in surprise as realization dawned on her, "You're Caleb's mom?"

She looked at Caleb as she said the last part before turning back to Heather. "Yes, I have heard so much about you from him. He takes you as his older sister already."

Heather at Caleb and Quinn and Queen Mother at him too. His cheeks looked flushed as he whined, "Mother! Do not embarrass me in front of our Queen."

Heather chuckled and Queen Mother joined her, "Oh, what are you so shy about?"

He shook his head then turned to Quinn, "Sister, have you told brother how charming I was to you the other day?"

"Sorry Caleb, I did not get to tell him that I met you."

Caleb held his hand to his chest as he let out a gasp, "I feel hurt, your Highness. But I forgive you because you are so cute."

She let out a small laugh at his dramatics and Queen Mother shook her head. Heather smiled as she said, "That's Caleb, ever the charmer."

"Are you also married, Caleb?" Quinn asked and he shook his head.

"Sadly, no, I am too young for a wife."

"Aren't you 511 years old?" She asked in surprise at his statement.

"Yes, he is, but that is still young for a demon." Heather answered and Queen Mother nodded in agreement.

"Demons usually get married when they are around 600 years old and above. But that also depends on when they find their mates." Queen Mother answered.

"But some do not wait for their mates and get married like father did, and when their mates come, they either leave them to marry the mate or also marry the mate, putting them together with their first wives." Caleb added his own explanation.

"That is interesting to know. Demon's aging must be a lot slower than humans." Quinn commented.

"Yes, it is." Queen Mother replied.

"I am very pleased to find you this way, your Highness." Heather said as she looked at Quinn.

"What do you mean?" Queen Mother asked before Quinn could ask.

"Queen Ellen has told some of us that you are not a very good person. That you have no manners and do not deserve to be Queen as you have treated her so badly many times."

"What?" Quinn asked in shock while Caleb said, "She said all that, but you did not tell me?"

When Queen Mother got over her shock, she said, "You are telling me that Queen Ellen has been spreading lies about Quinn around the palace? Since when?"

"This morning." Heather answered and Queen Mother stood up in anger.

"The King has to hear about this right away." Queen Mother gritted out through clenched teeth.

"I have already heard about it and I have put her in her place before I came here." Vincent said as he walked into the courtyard.

The four of them turned to see him with Caeser and his guards following behind him. The three of them that were sitting all stood up to greet him. He nodded at them as he continued approaching them.

"Queen Ellen is now under punishment and everyone in the palace is being informed that what she said about Quinn is slander." He said as he reached the table.

"You did the right thing." Queen Mother replied as she smiled at him.

"Yes, indeed, mother." He said with a nod.

"Thank you." Quinn said to him and his gaze went to her.

"It is my pleasure to clear my Queen's name." He lifted his lips up in a smile and she smiled back.

"Brother, where have you been? I've been looking for you, but couldn't find you." Caleb said from where he stood at the table.

Vincent glanced at him, "Caleb, you know that I have important palace duties as a King and do not have time to play around with you as we did before."

"Sister! Have brother make time for me." Caleb said as he turned to Quinn.

She shook her head in disbelief and amusement at how he was acting, "You know that he has his duties. I am sure that he will make time for you when he is less busy."

"Yes, she is right, Caleb. Be more patient with the King." Heather added to Quinn's statement.

"I agree, you are older now, Caleb. You should know better." Vincent said to Caleb who slowly nodded and let out a dramatic sigh in defeat.

Vincent turned his gaze to his mother and then the other two at the table, "I came to take my wife with me, and we shall take our leave."

"Very well, she has been very good company." Queen Mother said as she glanced at Quinn then at Vincent.

"I enjoyed spending time with mother as well." Quinn replied as she faced her.