Chapter 19
“What good will it do Mother? Sullying your hands by obliterating those who attacked you is...” The red-head king paused, lightly dragging her thumb across her right eyebrow - a gesture she acquired when she was still young, in those days when she was not yet allowed to speak of her own perspective on trivial matters - and with a heavy sigh, she continued, “that is not just the proper course of action. Executing people, despite being guilty of a crime they have committed, is utterly cruel, Mother.”
“Oh my dear child, you do not know the extent of my cruelty when it comes to people who dares harm me or you.” Her mother merely answered across the room while acquiring a new wardrobe, as if the concerning matter in question was nothing but an ordinary issue she had dealt with many times before.
“But Mother...” She started but soon rendered muted as the queen bellowed, “Nicole, please!”
Her mother turned around, face stern and voice authoritative. “This conversation is unnecessary. They attacked me. They dared to harm me. Me, the queen of England, and yet my own child, opposes my verdict. Do their lives matter more to you than mine?”
“Of course not, Mother, but I believe that there are other ways we can punish them without having their blood on our hands.” Nicole explained, eyes pleading for her mother to change her mind. “I do not want to be a king who takes my own people’s lives nor do I want to be a child of a...” she paused, looking for a better phrasing which would not offend her mother.
“Murderer?” The queen supplied as to help her child conclude her phrase. She said it in a way that bothered Nicole and it never occured to her the odds that her mother, whom she knew as elegant, compassionate and refined woman could be so wicked in ways she could not comprehend.
“You’ll be making the same decision eventually, Nicole, you are a monarch after all.” The queen mother pointed out as she finished getting dressed. “Do you think your father ruled without killing a few? Your grandfather, before he became the king and during his reign, had to sacrifice some for the good of many.” She walked over to Nicole and caressed her face. “And when you will be faced with the same circumstances, you will realize then that taking someone’s life to save another is vital to ruling your kingdom.”
Nicole shook her head. “I refuse to believe so, Mother.”
“Oh my child, you are still so young, so pure, so innocent. There is still a lot more for you to learn.”
And with that, the queen mother left her pondering for most of the day.
“Penny for your thoughts?” The mellifluous voice reeled Nicole back from recalling the peculiar incident that happened between her and her mother earlier in the morning, moments after she had left the youngest Earp’s chambers.
And she had tried to engage herself in her usual royal duties in a lackadaisical attempt to void herself from the current affairs at hand but failed miserably so as her heated exchange with her mother rendered her wits indisposed of, thus, leaving her with no other option but to postpone all monarchial matters for another day.
“Lady Waverly, what are you doing here?” The red-head king asked, surprised to see the youngest Earp in her private garden where she had taken refuge to ease her burdened mind.
She was about to say that no one is permitted to enter her walled garden but chose not to; Lady Waverly’s presence in her sanctuary is quite refreshing and she’d rather not spoil this juncture though it is against her own ordinance. She raised her hand to prevent her guards from approaching them before leaping off the water fountain where she was sitting to offer her hand to help the younger lass to walk down the steps.
The youngest Earp stared at the outstretched hand for a moment, giving it an afterthought, and Nicole saw the hesitation etched all over the younger girl’s face so she assured her, “I am offering my hand, my Lady, you’re not going to be punished for taking it.”
Lady Waverly smiled and gladly took the offered hand, letting herself be aided down the steps towards the fountain.
“You seemed dejected. Is everything all right?” The french girl inquired as she ambled about the fountain, hands gliding along the surface of the water but her eyes not quite leaving the king’s physique.
Nicole lightly shook her head.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Lady Waverly threaded carefully, knowing that there are certain bounds she’s not allowed to meddle, and the red-head king contemplated whether she could tell, perhaps, a tad bit amount of what has been bothering her but she declined.
“No, but do not worry, it’s nothing I have never dealt with before.”
That’s not entirely a lie; as Nicole, ever since she succeeded the throne, had never given up on any task at hand and neither did she let any adversity hinder her capability as a ruler; and the disaccord she had with her mother will not be the start of such foible but rather invigorate her to do better - she will do better.
The red haired king then proceeded on changing the subject. “How about you distract me from all these mayhem and let us talk about your incoming natal day?”
Nicole walked around the fountain, copying the younger Earp’s actions as she followed behind. “Wynonna told me it will be in four days.”
“It is. But I don’t usually celebrate it.” Lady Waverly replied, eyes still on the king who stopped on her tracks, wondering how can someone with the family’s status not celebrate the most joyous day of her life - her birth.
And as if the youngest Earp can read her mind, she clarified, “My grandmother died the same day I was born, and though I never met her, I cannot celebrate a day knowing that my family is still mourning for her.”
“I see.” Nicole nodded in acknowledgement, symphatizing on the younger girl’s predicament. “But you’re not in France right now Lady Waverly, you’re here in my Kingdom and you’re my guest, I do not think your sister would mind if I were to throw a masked ball for you.”
The youngest Earp shook her head. “You do not have to do that, your Majesty. We can have a simple repast and I would be more than grateful for that.”
The red-head king resumed walking, mind decided as she smiled at the brunette. “I insist. And besides, I think after what happened to the festivity the night before, the villagers deserve to revel in another gathering. Don’t you think so?”
Lady Waverly did not reply but Nicole took the younger girl’s soft smile before she walks away as an absolute acquiescence.