Race To The Throne

"The Queen is holding a contest. I think your plan backfired, Lord Lucas. Do you think the Queen will let us or anyone from our people have an advantage in the contest? Of course not. That is why she is doing this."

Lord Lucas was sitting on his chair, his hand gripping the edge of the armrest till his knuckles turned white.

He had not anticipated that the Queen would try to disregard the rumor by holding a contest instead of just marrying Adrian, who she was rumoured to have an armorous relationship with.

"I think we could groom our contestants on the obvious royal etiquettes. Horse riding, archery, swordmanship, intelligence, strategy, manners. Whatever she has in mind will be emcompassed in those." Another Lord said, his eyes roaming around the entire Lords to see their reactions to his suggestions.

"I have a plan." Lord Simon said. "But why would I announce my plan here when I have a son who has come of age and I would like to see ascend the throne? No reason." He stood up and turned to Lord Lucas. "I am afraid this cooperation ends here. You tricked all of us the last time and if not for the timely intervention of the Queen in saving herself from your greedy claws, you would have pushed your son to the throne while we all watched like fools. I am not staying here a minute longer."

Lord Lucas watched as Lord Simon walked away, causing the other lords he had brought with him to exit one by one.

"That is true. What if the queen had just decided to marry his son? He tricked us!" The other lords murmured amongst themselves, and then slowly, one after the other stood up and left the gathering.

He sat alone, his face red with rage. More at the Queen than at anyone else. If not for her, these people will have to respect him as the father of the king. They wouldn't be able to openly humiliate him the way they just did.

"Those fools!" He cussed under his breath as he balled his hands into fists.

"They are indeed fools, father, to believe they would train their sons towards the obvious and it would help them win the contest." Adrian ushered himself in, a smalk sly smile on his face.

"Adrian. Where have you been?"

He sat on the chair closest to his father. "I have not forgiven you for harming the queen, but it seems, at this point, where everyone has left your hand, it is my responsibility to hold on to it. Afterall, it seems to me both of us have the same goal."

"Of course, Adrian. You and I have always had the same goal." Lord Lucas said, adjusting himself.

"The queen is not predictable. To say the least." He looked down at his injured arm, and Lord Lucas' eyes followed too.

"So you don't think the contest will be based on the normal royalty routines? What else?"

"Something the Queen has kept a secret from everyone. What do you think, father?"

Lord Lucas furrowed his brows in confusion. "I do not get you."

"It has to be one of two, father. Her face, which no one has ever seen, or her name, which is why we do not know what to call her apart fron her title."

The confusion in Lord Lucas' face cleared as he watched his son in awe.

"Do not be so surprised. No one has had as much contact with the Queen as I have. So I already have an upperhand."

Lord Lucas nodded. "Why are you so sure?"

Adrian smiled and leaned closer to Lord Lucas. "What is the Queen's name?"

"How would I know that?"

"Exactly. The same as all other contestants, including I. So she does not intend to get married. She will show the entire world that none of us are fit to marry her. Why take a husband who does not even know her name?"

"So the contest is just a sham?" Lord Lucas asked, the workings of the Queen's cunning mind amazing him. How could she even think up something like this in an instant?

"It will not be a sham if I win."

"Do you know her name? Tell me." Lord Lucas was desperate. He needed to be sure that they couldd secure their position from the thousands that would be competing for it.

"I intend to, father. Trust me."

Lord Lucas nodded, then reclined on his seat.

"I promise you father, you can have your way with those lousy lords once I ascend the throne. I will let you do that."

Lord Lucas looked satisfied. "But the Queen is what you really want, right?"

"Always." Adrian answered as he stood up, and made his exit, leaving Lord Lucas birth satisfied and surprised at his weak song' sudden transfirnation.

"I guess, wanting something really brings out the best in you."

*************************

"The doors."

The Queen said as she let down her veil, helped by two maids. Hector had called in sick that morning, and she had to use the help of other maids.

Donald opened the door quickly, revealing the Queen in her hot pink dress. The dress was lighter from the top, and then slowly darkened to a hot pink towards her feet.

Her veil covered her face as usual as she walked, the maids following behind her.

"What happened to you? You did not come back early from the Queen's chamber, avoided me throughout the night, now you are choosing to stay in your bed? Won't you serve the Queen?"

"I do not feel well, Lana. Please let me be."

"Hector. I know you. Did something happen? Were you fired? Is she going to punish you?"

"No, Lana. Please stop."

Lana pulled at the blanket he had covered his head with.

"You are red in the face. Hector, do you need medicine? I could scout for some herbs around the palace for you."

"I believe what Hector needs is the royal physician."

Hector froze on his bed as Lana stood and bowed. "Your highness."

"I came to check on you myself, Hector. You appear fine to me, however. Is there sonething you are avoiding?"

Lana looked at Hector, as he tried to avert his eyes from the Queen's. Suddenly, the empty servant's halls felt even emptier, with three of them alone, silence hanging in the air.

"N..no, your highness."

She nodded, and on cue, the maids that were waiting for her closed the door of the servant's quarters and waited outside it.

Lana looked confused, as the Queen sat on the bed gracefully, as if forgetting Lana right there.

"Look up." She told him.

He looked up slowly, her face, despite being shielded, bringing back memories he wanted to keep away.

"Tell me what it is you want, Hector. I will make it happen."

Lana raised her brows as she watched the Queen and Hector. Why did it look like they reversed roles? Was Hector really avoiding something?