Semua Bab HATING HER KING: Bab 31 - Bab 40

His brother obliged the manservant. Biting into a scone, he asked. "What if after some time has passed and you no longer want her? Would you put her away or take another?"Silence. Alexander had for long refused to confront that question and the possibility of it coming to pass. He would admit, it was uncanny and quite disturbing the attraction he had for Guinevere, and the power she had on him. Women were no problem to him and forgetting them was even easier, but not Guinevere. She was not of the standards of women he had had, but that day, she had walked into his courtroom and into his mind."Alexander, what would you do then?" Brand reiterated, pressing on him. He did not know the answer, but he was sure of one thing, he would never become like their father."I would search for something else that I will want."What did he even want now? There was no guarantee that he wanted something now, or that he would want something later. What did he truly want from Guinevere? Captivating as

It read: Radclyffe Fitzgerald, I am in dire need of a lady in waiting and is requesting the services of your youngest daughter, Guinevere Fitzgerald to fill that position. She is to come to the castle in a fortnight to resume her duties and you are to be in escort to ensure her safe arrival. King Alexander. As the words of the king's missive filled the room, a hush descended over them, the gravity of the message sinking in with each passing moment, his request hanging heavily in the air. As each word of the king's message pierced the air, Gwen felt a stabbing pain shoot through her stomach, like a series of knives twisting and turning within her. Rather than unravel, the knot that had beforehand taken root, tightened further, constricting her with a suffocating grip. "This could not possibly be true, could it?" Her mother asked, collapsing into a chair. "Oh Radclyffe, what is this? Why would the king ask her to come be his lady in waiting?" "What happened when you visited the

The doors of the throne room were pushed open. Edmund entered and bowed before Alexander, then announced. "Your Majesty, Mr. Harry Goldwing from the nation's archives is here.""Send him in." Alexander commanded, his focus remaining steadfast on the parchments laid out on his laps, the weight of his duties evident in his demeanour. There was no hurry to finish them in a day but he wanted to. One less job for the morrow was not evil."Yes, Sire." The manservant departed and swiftly returned, ushering in a fairly tall man who had too much jewellery on and not enough hair to cover the scalp of his head. He stopped halfway, bowing, before continuing on to meet Alexander."I received your note, Your Majesty, and devoted the better part of the night scouring through the archives for the names you wanted." The man began, his voice carrying an air of diligence and urgency. "I was determined not to delay your reason for the search."Alexander's brows furrowed slightly and a weary sigh escaped

***Paula helped Gwen prepare for dinner and, together with Reginald, escorted her into the dining room. The king was already seated at the head of the table when they arrived. Gwen stopped as soon as she entered and bowed to him. "Your Majesty." She greeted, giving all possible best not to look at him with scorn. Paula bowed too, before quietly leaving the room to stand outside with Reginald, closing the door behind them.The king was seated with an air of ease, relaxed into his chair. He gave a casual gesture, inviting her in. "Take a seat." His tone was calm, it irked Gwen. She walked to the left side of him and sat down, eyes away from him. She walked to the left side of him and sat. "It is not a good virtue, lateness. And more so even wrong to keep the king waiting."Gwen bowed again and murmured. "I am sorry." She was not. In truth, she had been preoccupied with thoughts of how to avoid dining with him altogether. When no credible excuse presented itself, she reluctantly decided

Alexander stepped out of his bedchamber, leaving the maids to their morning chores of seeing to the tidying of his sleeping quarters. After a deep inhale and an even stronger exhale, he strode past Edmund who had been waiting for him."Your Majesty, three ministers from your court have arrived." His attendant informed him."Very well, I shall attend to them immediately." Alexander replied. The day had only just begun and already the demands of his courtiers required his attention, leaving him without the luxury of breakfast.The morning was beautiful, much like the woman who had come to him the previous day. If he so wished, he could make his ministers wait while he shared breakfast with her, but he refrained, despite the temptation. She needed her privacy to mourn over the fact that she was away from her family, and he would let her have it. For now.Alexander walked briskly to the courtroom, his steps echoing crisply against the marble floors. The sooner he attended to them, the soo