The Queen's Pettiness

"What?" Hector said under his breath, almost the same time Adrian stepped forward.

"I disagree with that." Adrian said, raising his hand.

Queen Elvira stopped. "What do you mean, Contestant?"

"I am positive that your name is not Eleanor, but Elvira."

She nodded. "How do you intend to prove that?"

"You told the servant Hector your name so he would win! You told him your name was Elvira." He was pointing an accusing finger at Hector who was now very scared, and surprised by the outcome of his choice to pick a different name.

"Then why did he not say it? Why did he choose a different name, then? Get a grip of yourself and accept the loss like a man."

With that, she turned around and left.

Lord Lucas was immobile, as he held his head between his palms. His dreams, his aspirations had all come crashing down with one servant. Adrian stood there, then suddenly turned to Hector. He was about to lounge at him when the royal guards held him back.

"What do you suggest we do with him, Sire?"

"W..what?"

"Do you want him taken out of the palace or to the dungeons?" The head guard asked again, and Hector froze.

He had just won the contest, the contest in which the prize was Queen Elvira herself.

"Uhm...just out of the palace."

"You think you are some king now? You are a servant and you forever will be! You think tricking me, with your stupid servant girl was wise, huh? Huh!?" Adrian was hysterical as they dragged him out, and Lord Lucas followed, doing nothing to hide his anger and hate.

"We will escort you to Her highness now. She is looking for you."

Hector nodded. They started to walk behind him as he turned around, his eyes searching desperately for Lana, but she was nowhere to be found.

The Queen's chambers seemed like a fortress of doom now. She wasn't just the queen anymore, but his wife to be. The woman he had won. He swallowed as the doors opened, and he went in alone, while the guards stood outside.

"Your highness." He said under his breath.

She was backing him, and he could not see her. But her hair was flowing down her back, so he was sure her face was uncovered too. She was not wearing the large cape anymore, just the black dress.

"Eleanor?" She asked, but she did not turn. "Eleanor, Hector?"

He ground his teeth together. "I do not want this. Not the doting servants...nothing."

She turned to him, and her smile was probably one of the saddest he has ever seen.

"Did I not bare my heart out to you enough?" She walked to him slowly, and then held his face between her palms. "You came back for Lana, did you not?"

"Yes. I only came back for her."

She smiled and let him go. "Maybe..love can be a little selfish if needed."

He knew what she meant, as she turned away and brought out a robe for him.

"I chose the wrong answer and you know that."

"Eleanor is a pretty name." She said as she thrust one of the robes In front of him. "And for you, I can be Eleanor."

He closed his eyes and took a deeo breath. "Can I see Lana one last time?"

"Lana? If that is what you want."

She clapped once, then gave the order. "Bring the servant Lana to me."

"Your highness..."

"The king wants to meet a woman alone? If not for yourself, think about my image then. Think about the fact that you just won me! Against so many others." She was trying hard to keep her emotions in check, and she hated that she had to even be kind to him. Because being less than kind will only hurt her more.

"Thank you." He said and she sighed.

"Sit. You do not have to stand anymore." She directed him to the stool by the bedside and seated him on it, then sat next to him.

"I am sorry about what Adrian did to you. I will make sure it will not happen again."

"By giving me a lot of royal guards?" He asked, keeping his head lowered. It would be hard to adjust, and he just was not sure he wanted to do it.

"It will be hard at first, Hector. But I promise to take care of you. Trust me, I envisioned a marriage filled with love and someone close to my status. But I prioritized love when I failed to find both in one person. I just believed you would be enough." She looked at him, then held his trembling hand. "I am sorry I have been so selfish. I am sorry I have separated you from your own love to have mine. But I promise, it will not take too long. You can hate me now, but I will give you as much reasons as I can for you to change that. That, is my wedding gift to you."

He finally looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears. What could he do now? He would be married to the Queen tomorrow. In fact, he was as good as married to her. But he loved Lana with everything he had. The queen was the perfect woman, but maybe his taste was peculiar enough to still want Lana, the less perfect one.

"Your highness." It was Lana, and she was by the door, bowing.

Hector almost ran out, but Queen Elvira tightened her grip on him. He looked at her as she shook her head, and gently pulled him back down.

"Bring her in." Queen Elvira said, her hand still firmly gripping Hector's. She could feel his restlessness as the doors opened slowly. Lana walked in, her head bowed to the floor, her hands clasped in front of her.

The doors closed leaving the three of them on. The space seemed too small for them now, even though the room could psss for a house.

"Servant Lana." Queen Elvira said. "Look up."

Lana did a deep bow, then looked up, just as Queen Elvira pulled the unsuspecting Hector in for a kiss. His breath stopped as Queen Elvira's lips touched his, and she moved his hand to her hair, so his back was leaned on the edge of the bed, and she covered him.

Lana bit down the tears that filled her eyes and she bowed again, but could not stop the tremble in her hands.

Queen Elvira gradually let go of Hector, then stood. "Do not take too long. We have to get ready for the royal banquet."

With one last indignant look at the almost hysterical Lana, she turned away and left, biting down on her lips, and wondering just how much pettier her methods would get in the future.