She wants it all

Ester was furious. She had not expected any resistance. Why should she? She was Ester McAllen and what she wanted she got. When she first met the king she knew what she was going to do. When she told her mother and grandmother they were a bit apprehensive.

They both remembered the time when the family business was discovered and the family was quickly shunned then persecuted. Ester's father actually took the family in a more legitimate path creating beautiful lines of clothing and makeup. He knew style and he knew how to both create it and sell it.

But the women in the family still dealt with life in the old ways. They controlled their prostitutes, males, females, humans, or demi-human, to a high degree but they always treated them well and paid them well. They refused to be found out again.

Ester's father already said that they would be cut out as a shunned branch family if they were ever caught.

But what could be said of the queen? What would they actually do to the queen's enterprise? And Ester had already seen some very lovely male and female Lystraians that would do well in the other regions.

She licked her lips just thinking about turning the innocent into sexual fiends. It was a specialty of hers actually. She had a nack for seducing anyone or anything.

It was all she was ever good at.

She heard a sigh from across the room. She had known that her sister was there and still she was startled.

"Why are you so upset. You own the man, leave that woman and her children alone."

"You never fully understand anything little sister. The man ran straight to her bed when we arrived. He still loves her. She is too dangerous to have here."

There was silence. Vanessa could not deny her sister's words. Gabriel became increasingly quiet as they'd neared the castle. He had stopped having sex with them all together once they could see the city in the horizon. He had even ordered the carriage to stop so that he could properly clean himself.

He had been ashamed and he was trying to figure out what he should do. Ester went into overdrive and by the time they actually reached the castle he was once again fully hers.

But Vanessa truly respected Queen Grace. She said nothing. She did not even bat an eye. Vanessa did see her move to protect her children. The woman was not spineless. But Vanessa wasn't sure what she was. All she really knew was fighting for what was yours. To give up so easily was something far outside her wheelhouse.

Soon a skimpily clad woman entered through a paneled entrance and whispered into Vanessa's ear, bowed to both sisters and retreated back the way she came.

Ester began brushing her hair in front of her vanity mirror. She sighed. "Well, what did she say?"

Vanessa had been frowning, deep in thought, and her sister's voice only made her frown more.

"It would seem the citizenry are becoming more and more upset about the treatment of Queen Grace. This will be a problem. If you don't want her here just send her to another castle. But if she dies now everyone will blame you and you will not achieve your goal."

The more Vanessa talked the more infuriated Ester became.

Yes. She would send her to another castle. Her eyes brightened.

"She will go to the northern castle."

Vanessa frowned then slowly shook her head. "You are truly a heartless bitch sister."

Ester smiled at this as if it were the greatest compliment she could have ever received.

It took a week but Ester got her way. There were too many servants loyal to Grace for her not to know what was about to happen. She already had her things and her children's things packed by the time she was called in to speak to the king and his new consort.

When she looked at Gabriel she swore she saw regret and sadness in his eyes but how could that matter now? How could she consider his feelings when she was treated like a pair of unwanted old shoes.

She entered the chamber alone, she didn't want her children thinking poorly of their father. She would not lie to them but she still did not want to feel like they were in the middle of anything either.

Ester looked at her smugly and Grace knew the woman wanted to be the one to tell her about her exile. But it was Gabriel who spoke.

"Queen Grace Brithe," Ester actually cringed at hearing the royal name with her rival. She was still merely a consort in the eyes of the kingdom while this wretched woman was still considered queen.

"… From this day forth you will live alone in the northern castle of this kingdom, in Pillar City. You will not remarry and you will not have lovers. You are still the queen of this kingdom and you will behave accordingly.

"You will be given a monthly allowance of two thousand gold to do with as you like. You also may take all that you came here with and any gift given to you by the crown or any member of the royal family."

The more Gabriel spoke the angrier Ester got. He was giving the world to Grace when Ester wanted it all to herself.

"… Finally you may no longer work on the behalf of the crown in the kingdom."

Gabriel paused and Ester had a wide grin on her face. How would Grace maintain favor with the people if she was cut off from them?

"Do you understand all that has been said?"

Grace nodded respectfully. "I understand and I will obey Your Highness." She bowed deeply and waited. Prostrated before him.

Gabriel sighed. "You may go Queen Grace Brithe of Lystra." She rose, and without looking at Gabriel turned and left the chamber.

She knew what he had wanted. She knew he wanted her to argue. But why fight to be in a place where you are unwanted. Unknown to Gabriel Grace's people were so well trained and so loyal they had actually gone to the northern castle to know its condition and reported everything to her.

She did not think the king would allow her to keep her jewelry so she sold most of it to finance basic repairs of the castle so that her children would not be in any danger or distress.

She stopped what she was doing. He had not mentioned the children. Her heart skipped a beat. He wouldn't dare.

Would he?

She placed the remainder of her jewels in her bag as she calmly asked where the children were.

"They are packed and waiting for you My Lady. We did not allow them to sleep in their chambers so that they would stay safe in your care."

She exhaled a sigh of relief. She truly had good people around her.

"I will miss you greatly my dear Tabitha."

"We are going with you my lady."

"With me? Where? Who?"

"To the northern castle. All of your personal servants and guards and quite a few house servants and castle guards as well. You will almost be fully staffed."

Grace just looked at her for a long moment and then Tabitha continued.

"We have already submitted our resignations and most of our things have already been transported there."

Grace was again stunned into silence but she was also very grateful.