What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

For a moment there was stony silence, with Lana still asleep, and Queen Elvira's face slowly hardening to the mask she kept on always. It was almost like she was getting adjusted to the sight before her, and she was not as disappointed anymore.

"Your highness..." Hector managed to choke out, then looked down at himself. He was fully clad, only with a few buttons on his inner robe removed, and the sleeve had a long cut.

He swallowed as he took in the sight of himself, then looked up at Queen Elvira. She did not look about to say a word, and she only kept watching his expression.

"I swear..."

"No need to swear." She cut him off, and turned to the big bowl of fruits next to him. The knife was sticking off a large red apple, and she pulled it off easily.

"What is..." Hector started to say, but stopped when she looked at him. It was strange enough that she was so calm about finding her husband to be in such a compromising position, and he did not need to see the swirls of emotions behind the calm green in her eyes.

"Today is the wedding. Are you aware?" She asked instead, slowly making her way to the other side of the bed, where Lana was still asleep.

"I am." He answered, his nervous eyes darting from the Queen to Lana.

"Then, you know it will not be easy, am I correct?" She has gotten right to Lana's head.

"I...I am not..."

"A lot of people will try to stop it...every conspiracy will blow up on those aisles that we will walk on."

Hector knew at this point she was not talking to him anymore.

"But you know what?" She flipped the knife in her hand, then plunged it right on the foam closest to Lana's eye. She watched as Lana woke, or opened her eyes and moved back immediately, fright clearly written in the wideness of her eyes and the rapid way she breathed.

"I will not let it happen. Not while I am alive."

Hector biy down on his lip and looked away. Lana was indeed unclad, but she was not asleep. It showed in the clearness of her eyes and how liberal she was with her body as she tried to cling on to him again.

Queen Elvira straightened, a small, threatening smile on her face. "With these hands, I will do anything it takes."

Hector did not need an invitation as he reached to Lana and covered her up, then stepped away. He was a little disappointed with Lana, but probably even more disappointed with himself. How could he have fallen into a plan as cheap as this?

"The hall will await your presence, Hector. Make it down immediately." She said and walked out, leaving her trace on the kife that stood upright in the bed.

"Why?" Was all Hector said as he turned to Lana.

"Are you with her now? It is not quite like you to turn on me because of wealth and status."

"I know all that but...why would you come like this? Where is your cladding? Where is your pride, Lana?"

"I do not know. And I do hope you realize I lost it all to get you back." She brushed her hair away and walked to the back of the bed, removed her clothes from there and dressed up, then walked out of the room.

Hector stood there for a while, contemplating whether he could just run from both women. Just weeks ago, his life had been pretty easy even with all the work that came with being a royal servant.

Now...he just hated it. And now, there was not even a single soul willing to comfort him.

"Hector?"

He turned immediately to Queen Elvira.

"Yes, your highness."

"Did I, perhaps...scare you?" Her voice was tender, like the look in her eyes.

He shook his head, and blinked rapidly. "No, your highness. But I do owe you an apology for..."

"I should be the one apologizing. I should have handled it better." She walked forward, then naturally pulled him into a comfortable hug. "I will do better." She said against the skin on his neck and pulled away gently, then with a small tap on his shoulder and a smile that spoke of nothing that had happened just minutes ago, she left the room.

The palace was draped in elegant freshly picked Cardinal de Richelieu rose just for rhe wedding. They gave off a beautiful purple hue, matching the new paint that covered the walls and giant pillars, and the drapes across the palace windows.

"It is good to serve you again, your highness." Mrs. Margaret said as she pressed down on the gown, making sure to avoid the gold embroidery.

"It is only for today. I still think you should rest at home." Queen Elvira answered a little distracted, her voice low.

"Does something bother you?"

She shook her head. "Not quite. But I do have this bad feeling surging at the back of my mind. It keeps coming and going."

"That os how every bride feels." Mrs. Margaret said with an adoring smile.

"When do you think Hector will eventually take me as his bride? He still calls me your highness like he is still my servant." She threw her hands in frustration.

"It was surprising, even for me. I did not think that my inabilitu to serve you grapes for a day would lead to you eventually finding the man you have been waiting for."

"Is that right?" Queen Elvira asked, but she was not waiting for an answer. "I am glad you were indisposed that day."

Mrs. Margaret smiled again as she arranged the jewelleries. Anklets, bracelets, crown, earrings, rings and necklace.

"Do you think mother would be happy with my choice?"

Mrs. Margaret stopped and turned to her. "Are you having second thoughts?"

"Not with Hector, No." She shrugged. "It is probably the little girl from years ago surfacing at the worst of times."

"Then assure her that everything will be fine," Mrs. Margaret said simply. "She grew into this beautiful woman. What could possibly go wrong?"