She is not my sister

"I heard that you had a lot of interesting conversations at the party, your majesty." her tone was suggesting that she was not talking about anything good! In fact, I would have been surprised if she would have been talking kindly to me.

"Am I answerable to you, Rosamund?" I asked in a colder tone yet her smile only increased.

"What are you saying, your majesty. I am trying to share your happiness. I heard that you have made good friends and got a lot of support. I was just happy for you. Do you always need to be so rude to me?" I frowned at her choice of words. Did i assume wrong? Was she there to genuinely improve our relationship. But then why did she always try to show that she was superior to me and knew more than me since she had spent a decade in the royal palace. No! I could not let my guard down.

"I do not think that we are friends to discuss that. It would be better that you did not interfere in anything related to me.'' Though I did not want to be rude, I did not want her to poke her nose in my every matter. I could not act or pretend all the time.

But her tears bewildered me. She was crying like she had suffered a lot of grievance. Though I was sure she did not have any interest in talking to me except making fun of my lack of knowledge.

Even when i was reading about the name of nobles and their family history. She had taunted me enough that I needed to study so menial day and night. Even she as the daughter of mere baron knew all these things without studying so hard. I was about to ask her the reason of her exaggerated behavior when she suddenly kneeled making me shocked.

I took a few steps backward in horror as I failed to understand what she was trying to do.

"I..I apologize, your majesty. I was just trying to be a friend. A person that you can talk to. I thought that you would be feeling lonely in this large palace where you did not know anyone. I was just.. I did not mean to offend you. I beg you for mercy, please do not punish me so harshly.'' What the hell was she talking about!? When had I talked about punishing her? And even in that lousy act, she didn't forget to remind me that I was lonely and did not know anyone here. What a dramatist!

It was better that I ignore her and leave before her act earns further gazes! I could already feel all the knights and maids were looking at us strangely!

"Katherine!" just when i turned, i saw Charles standing there with black face. He was looking furious. His jawas and hands were clenched into a fist. It took me a few seconds to understand the matter then. So that's why she was acting so exaggeratingly.

"Katherine, I know that you do not like Rosamund. But must you be so rude to her? Do not forget that she is my wife too. And she had married me a decade ago. She is part of the palace for long and yet you are so…" here again the crying of her decade ago marriage with him. Why should it not be announced as the national song of the empire?! I am just getting tired of hearing it from both all the time!

"I do not think I have said anything rude to her!" I replied calmly. I ignored the eyes of the staff, the anger of Charles and the cries of Rosamund. I knew that I had done nothing wrong. My conscience was clear.

"How audacious. She is already kneeling on the floor and begging for your mercy, yet you say that you did nothing. Do not forget Katherine, that you can not punish the member of royal family through your powers.'' I really wanted to laugh at the way his mind was working. Even if I would tell him a thousand times that I had done nothing, it did not look like he was going to believe me. He had already announced me as the culprit through his words.

"As far as i know, your majesty. The concubines are not the official members of the royal family." I replied with the same calmness.

His eyes widened as he looked at me in utter shock. As if I had revealed a secret that should not be told in public. He was looking at me as if I had burnt the whole palace.

The sound of crying turned into loud wails behind me. She was crying as if she had lost someone dear to him. Did the woman have any self respect at all?

"Katherine." his voice came through gritted teeth, he was looking shaken with those mere words that i really wanted to know what he would say now.

"Your majesty, please. You will get sick this way. Elder sister, elder sister is right. She was not punishing me. It was me who was becoming insolent that she became angry. I should remember my limit. I.. i am no more your wife.." the last words were almost incoherent due to her muffled cries and shaking body. She was looking like an epitome of a weak and frail lady while i.. I was looking like a perfect villain of a fairytale story who was adamant of separating the lovers!

I did not know how I even became part of this drama. That was not what I had thought when I accepted his marriage proposal.

"Did you hear that, Katherine.. She is." I raised my hand before he could speak further and nodded.

"Of course, I heard her clearly. Though she was incoherent due to her incessant crying. I want to remind her that i am not her sister, much less elder sister. So, learn to use honorifics before speaking to me. Or else i would have to admit her in the etiquettes class."

.........….