The Sovereign Consort: From Discarded Wife To Ruling Queen

n sent a single royal messe

before midday. The upcoming Equinox Gala requires your attention. H

outer courtyar

his promise meant nothing. He ha

ason for going to Morvath's manor. I wanted my

Mother Morvath as a sign of peace between our families. Now my parents were dead, and tho

Queen Morvath's rece

sipping tea from a fine porcelain cup. Lady Vi

the royal family's private rooms. To the court, she was an old chil

uth about her rela

the table and gave me a gentle

e. "I hope you do not mind my presence. Her Maje

he placed her cup on its silv

own Princess should not need three summonses

"I apologize, Your Grace. The carriage Prince Co

and as if my explan

ou because the Grand Equinox Gala takes place next week. Every high-ranking noble and foreign ambassador will

truggling to belie

nts were buried only four days ago. I lost my child too, and my stitches have yet to heal. I am sti

eyes. Her face showed

oes not excuse you from your royal duties.. You will smile, wear your finest silks, an

s ago, when Corin's claim to the throne had come u

ected her son's future. Back then, she had held m

gone. She looked at me as though I were a s

ut firm. "I came only to ask for the return of the Valer

e settee. Anger flas

me. "How dare you demand family heirlooms from my care? Do you

ad chambermaid, who

"Teach her that royal blood

for a moment, the

laps struck

s my skin, and pain throbbed beneath my cheeks. I taste

ck and faced Morvath again. I refused to giv

another order, but boots soun

r, sto

e, his cloak moving behind him.

hed toward my reddened cheek, his hand shaking as he tried to look

g through the quiet hall. Corin stared

ouch from him made my stomach turn. I could n

l discuss the gala later. Mother, take Vivienne to the gues

nful sniff. "You spoil her, Corin. A br

staircase and signaled

the third step, she turned her head slightly. With C

threw her hands into the air, a