"How are you feeling now, Anna?" Queen Elda asked, her expression showing genuine concern. "I heard from the servant that you refused to receive treatnt from the royal healer and haven’t eaten anything since morning."
"I don’t feel sick, Your Majesty. There’s no need for a healer’s examination," Anna reassured the queen.
The queen’s worry persisted as she probed further, "Are you sure? Kyren told that you had a fever."
Anna explained, "It was just a slight rise in my body temperature in the morning due to the weather. It has returned to normal, and there’s nothing to worry about."
Queen Elda let out a sigh of relief.
"I’m glad to hear that. However, you still need to eat sothing to regain your energy."
redith interjected, "I’ve already persuaded her to eat, Your Majesty. My lady isn’t feeling much of an appetite."
"I know," Queen Elda admitted with a smile. "That’s why I purposely invited you to join for this brunch. There’s a variety of food being served here. Take whatever you like. I promised the grand duke I would take good care of you, so please have a al."
Anna and redith’s eyes wandered over the bountiful dishes on the table, resembling a lavish feast.
"Your Majesty, this is too much. I won’t be able to finish all of it," Anna expressed her concern.
"I understand. I wasn’t sure what you would prefer, so I ordered the royal kitchen to prepare a variety. It’s fine if you can’t eat everything. But please have sothing. It would put my mind at ease knowing you’ve eaten," the queen gently urged.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Anna agreed, realising the queen’s concern.
The servants promptly began serving them with the food of their choice. Anna decided to start with a small portion of porridge and a bun.
"You should have so at as well, Anna," the queen suggested, noticing her food choice.
"Pardon , Your Majesty. But I don’t feel like eating it. I’m truly sorry," Anna expressed with regret.
Sohow, her appetite vanished when she looked at the served at and poultry.
"In that case, how about so fruits?" redith suggested, trying to find an alternative that might appeal to Anna’s appetite.
"We have the first batch of newly made dried fruits. They were prepared in anticipation of winter. Whenever I have a poor appetite, I turn to them. Would you like to try so?" Queen Elda asked, hopeful that the dried fruits would help stimulate Anna’s appetite.
The princess nodded, showing her willingness to give them a try.
The queen promptly instructed a servant to bring the fruits. In no ti, a plate filled with various dried persimmons, apricots, raisins, prunes, peaches, kiwis, and dates was presented before them.
After struggling to finish her porridge and buns, Anna started to munch on the dried fruits. Her eyes imdiately lit up, and a smile graced her face as she savoured their flavours.
"These are delicious!" she praised, genuinely enjoying the taste.
"I’m glad you like them. It seems like your appetite is returning," Queen Elda remarked, her smile growing wider.
"Yes, Your Majesty. The taste is sweet and sour, and it suits my palate perfectly. Thank you!" Anna expressed her gratitude.
"I’ll have the servants send more to your chamber later, so you can have them as a snack whenever you like," the queen offered kindly.
Anna felt a surge of gratitude towards the queen’s thoughtfulness.
"Thank you so much, Your Majesty," she replied, appreciating the queen’s gesture.
"But you need to eat more. Having only porridge is insufficient to keep you full," Queen Elda advised, concerned for Anna’s well-being.
The princess hesitated, wanting to respect the queen’s wishes but also mindful of her diminished appetite.
Just as Anna was about to respond to Queen Elda’s concern, a knock at the door interrupted their conversation. They turned their attention towards it, and to their surprise, Sarah and the other ladies-in-waiting entered the room after receiving permission.
"Forgive for interrupting, Your Majesty," Sarah began, curtsying respectfully to the queen and Anna. "I’m here to discuss your schedule for the whole week. We usually have a eting at this hour and have been waiting. I decided to co here when I didn’t see you in your office."
Queen Elda realised her oversight and expressed her apologies. "Ah, I completely forgot about the eting since I’ve been attending to Anna. Can we reschedule it?"
Sarah hesitated before responding, "I would love to avoid disturbing your private mont with Lady Raychard. However, your schedule begins today, and you have an important event in the afternoon. I need to ensure that you’re prepared."
Realising the importance of the upcoming event, Queen Elda nodded. "You’re right. I should be ready for that. But I still worry about Anna not eating much."
Anna quickly reassured the queen, "Please, Your Majesty, don’t be concerned about . I’m perfectly fine."
"How can I not worry? I promised Kyren to take care of you," the queen replied, her voice filled with genuine care and responsibility, "and you’re not eating much."
"Perhaps I could provide you with a briefing right here if Your Majesty and Lady Raychard don’t mind. I have all the relevant docunts for your review. It won’t take long, and you would still be able to stay with her," Sarah suggested, glancing at the piles of docunts held by Naise and the others.
"Hmm... That’s a good suggestion," Queen Elda considered. "I can see you’re still hesitant to eat more, Anna. I think it would be best for to stay and monitor you. If I leave, you might not eat at all."
Sarah turned her attention to Anna and asked, pretending to be concerned, "Why are you not eating, my lady? Are you feeling unwell?"
"I simply don’t have much appetite," Anna reluctantly replied.
"Oh, you poor thing," Sarah sympathised. "You must be feeling quite sad about His Highness the Grand Duke’s departure. Rest assured, my brother, the admiral, will look after him and keep him safe. He has always considered His Highness as family and will take care of him."
redith couldn’t help but display her disapproval with a grimace and an eye roll. However, she refrained from comnting since the queen was present.
"Why don’t you and the ladies join us, Lady Jas?" Queen Elda suggested, extending an invitation. "There is an abundance of food, and we can have a casual eting while enjoying our al. Since it’s a private setting, we don’t need to adhere too strictly to protocol."
"Most certainly, Your Majesty. I feel honoured by your invitation," Sarah responded with a smile.
The ladies-in-waiting took their seats at the table, with Sarah sitting beside the queen. The briefing comnced as Sarah presented the official docunts one by one, diligently carrying out her tasks.
"And this will be your speech for today. I’ve made it shorter and more concise, as you requested," Sarah stated, handing the final docunt to the queen.
Queen Elda’s gaze fell upon the paper, and she carefully read through its contents.
"Perfect. Thank you," the queen expressed her satisfaction.
"You’re welco, Your Majesty," Sarah replied with a smile. She then instructed Naise and Bridgette, "Lady Warren and Lady Lynn, could you please help deliver the docunts to Her Majesty’s desk in her office? She may want to refer to them again later."
"Most certainly, my lady," Naise responded, taking hold of the bundle of docunts piled on the table. The two ladies left the room after receiving permission from the queen.
"Thank you once again for organising everything so well, Lady Jas," Queen Elda expressed her gratitude.
"It’s my duty as your chief lady-in-waiting, Your Majesty," Sarah proudly replied.
"Now, why don’t you and the others enjoy your al?" the queen suggested.
Glancing at Anna, the queen noticed she was aimlessly pushing around the served roasted chicken on her plate with her fork.
"Anna, please take a few more bites. I hate to force you, but I don’t want you to fall ill again," the queen gently urged but in a firm tone.
Realising that the queen was really concerned, Anna quickly responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
A knock at the door interrupted the conversation, and an attendant entered the room.
"Forgive for interrupting, Your Majesty. But His Majesty the King has called for you and requested your imdiate presence," the attendant inford.
"Very well, I’ll co right away," Queen Elda acknowledged, rising from her seat.
The rest of the ladies stood up as a sign of respect.
"Would you like to accompany you, Your Majesty?" Sarah offered.
"There’s no need to. The attendants will escort . Besides, you are just about to start your al," the queen declined.
"Very well, then," Sarah acquiesced.
"Lady Grey, please ensure that Anna finishes her plate before leaving," the queen ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty," redith responded dutifully.
"All right, ladies. Please excuse now," the queen said, addressing the group.
The rest of the ladies curtsied respectfully as the queen departed. They then retook their seats and began eating in silence. Not long after, Naise and Bridgette returned to the room.
"Where is Her Majesty?" Naise inquired, looking around as she couldn’t spot the queen.
"His Majesty the king summoned her, so she went to see him imdiately. Please have a seat and eat with us, Naise and Bridgette," Sarah said, dropping the formalities.
"I see... yes, my lady," Naise replied, and the two of them settled down to begin their al.
Sarah sighed and shook her head as she began the conversation.
"It’s unfortunate how much responsibility falls on Their Majesties’ shoulders. I admire the sacrifices made by His Highness, the Grand Duke, who left for war to protect our kingdom, and even my brother, who prioritised his mission for the safety of our people. While so of us work diligently for the betternt of everyone, a few seem to idle away carelessly."
Evelyn chid in with a mocking tone, "And to think, so have the audacity to bother Her Majesty with trivial matters. I never realised soone’s health and appetite were so crucial that they required the detailed attention of Her Majesty, the queen herself."
"You’re absolutely right," Sophia, another lady-in-waiting, added. "So individuals are simply born weak and useless, contributing nothing to the kingdom. They’re nothing but a nuisance."
redith halted her al and glared at Sarah.
"What are you implying, Lady Jas? If you and your companions are mocking Lady Raychard, you’ve crossed a line you shouldn’t have!"
Sarah placed her hand on her chest as if surprised by the remarks. A small chuckle escaped her lips.
"My, my! When did I ntion any nas? Why would I dare to mock the beloved concubine of His Highness?" she said disparagingly.
Nancy, another one of Sarah’s underlings, spoke up, "Indeed, we are well aware of Lady Raychard’s status. We would never dare to offend her. A concubine, though sharing similarities with a mistress, is still considered part of the royal family."
redith couldn’t contain her anger any longer. She stood up, the sound of her chair pushing back echoing in the room. Anna swiftly intervened, gripping redith’s hand to prevent further escalation.
"Lady Jas, this insolence will not go unnoticed! I will report this to Her Majesty!" the noble lady shouted.
Sarah remained composed, responding calmly to the accusation.
"I apologise, Lady Grey, but you seem to be mistaken. None of us insulted Lady Raychard, and we were rely stating facts. While it may not please your ears, a concubine does bear similarities to a mistress. Neither can assu the title of the grand duchess nor act in that capacity. Furthermore, their children will not be considered heirs and will not inherit any royal titles. So, in what way is Lady Glenn’s statent incorrect?"
redith gritted her teeth, her anger still palpable as tensions lingered in the room.
"How dare you!"
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