~Chapter 8~

The servant left her as Willow stepped into the room. On the walls, portraits of important looking men hung proudly. Three large windows allowed for the dim light of dusk to seep inside. The only light in the room came from a fireplace, which now burned low. Sitting in front of it was the Queen.

"Come in, girl," Esmay said in an unwelcoming tone. She motioned to a second chair in front of the fire. Willow hurriedly joined her. The Queen sighed dramatically before she spoke again. "Percy has approached me with the... issue you two are having."

Willow waited nervously for her to continue, but instead she stood and walked to a small table against the wall. Atop it sat a large gourd of wine from which the queen poured herself a drink. She began to pour a second.

"Oh, I am fine, your majesty," Willow said shyly, "please don't trouble yourself."

"I insist, it is no trouble." She handed a silver goblet filled with the deep red liquid to the princess. There was a silence as the queen stared into the flickering flames of the fire.

"About Percy—"

"Did you know that your father and I were once engaged?" Queen Esmay interrupted, "I was about your age when my father promised me to him. At first I was full of despair, but when I met him I found him charming and quite handsome."

Willow said nothing, shocked by this reveal. She had no idea.

"There were only a few days left before our wedding when he met your mother," the Queen continued, taking a slow drink of her wine. "He cast me aside for her, like I was nothing. The fool." A scowl formed on the her dark features.

"I am sorry, your majesty," said Willow in a small voice, "my parents never told me of this." A wicked smile came across Queen Esmay's face.

"It is no matter, it was your father's loss. I bore my husband four strong sons, and what did his feeble wife give him? One measly daughter."

Willow's eyes fell to the floor. She did not understand why the queen would speak to her this way. Did she dislike her simply for her father's actions?

"My Percius is a special boy, he always has been." Esmay's tone became lighter as she spoke of her child, "I know you are not supposed to have favorites but..." she smiled coyly. "I understand that having you as a wife would give any of my sons a good position in life. You being the only child means your husband will take the throne in Kilmonte when your father passes. However..." she paused.

"You do not wish for me to marry Percy?" Willow questioned. Her heart was breaking in her chest as she felt her only hope slipping away.

"Correct. Percius deserves better than the daughter of someone so weak as your mother."

The princess could feel tears forming in her eyes, but she held them back. She would not give Queen Esmay the pleasure of seeing her cry.

"So you would have me marry James, then?"

"It is James' right to claim you as his wife, and Percy has informed me he plans to do so."

"Please, my Queen, you don't understand!"

"I understand perfectly. You shall marry James and you will stop seeing my Percius."

"But—"

"You ungrateful brat!" Esmay spat, cutting Willow off, "You are lucky to have any of my fine children to be your husband." She then grabbed a bell from the table beside her and rang it. A servant quickly arrived. "Leave me now, girl. My servant will show you to your room."