9 Putting on a show

"Father, since the maid tried to frame me, can you give me the honor of choosing her punishment," she asked.

The king paused for just a moment before allowing her. He did not want any misunderstanding between them before she leaves the kingdom.

"Ann, I do understand why you are not willing to tell his majesty about who sent you. But I hope you choose right. Hope your backing is able to save your son from his majesty" Ellen said calmly.

Ann, the maid widened her eyes in shock, even the Queen bow her hand into a fist. How could Ellen know about this. She was sweating. The king was about to ask what Ellen was talking about, when the door opened and a guard walked in with Ann's son.

Queen Regina could feel her heart beating fast like it was about to jump out of her chest. She felt regret. Not that she regretted her actions against Ellen, she only regretted not carefully making her last plan.

"Your son would be beheaded for your crime," Ellen declared.

"What? But he did not do anything wrong. He is innocent," Ann cried.

"Yes he his but he is strong enough to make you disobey your king's order so he should go," Ellen answered.

"No please if you spare my son I will tell you everything I know," Ann beged.

"You think his majesty has nothing to do with his time? We are no longer interested, you should go back to your duty post. At least you don't have any weakness now, so you can serve properly," Ellen said.

"If she is willing to talk, let her speak. After all her son is at the mercy of father, unless you planned all this with her and you are trying to cover up. Are you just putting on a show for us sister?" Prince William said. He felt so proud of himself for seeing through Ellen's plans. He never thought that he fell right into her trap.

Ellen knew that the Queen was smart. So she presented Ann's son to assure her that she could speak but did not let her speak. She knew that the Queen could be thick skin enough to claim that she planned the show all along and by then it will become difficult to prove her innocent.

Knowing the prince behavior, she expected him to think she was covering up something there by asking the maid to speak.

The Queen turned to stare daggers at the prince. She thought she was about to escape when Ellen did not let the maid speak, who knew it was going to be her son that would put her on the edge .

"Ann you heard the prince go ahead and speak" Ellen said with a smile hiding at the conner of her lips.

Ann was confused, she could not understand what was going on. Her son was no longer in the hands of the Queen but she had learned her lesson not to underestimate the Queen or princess. Just when she opened her mouth to speak. Queen Regina jumped in almost sounding desperate

"Your majesty, I think it is pointless to listen to what she has to say. Earlier she lied against Ellen, I am certain she would lie against someone seated here to cover up. Now I am convinced that who ever sent her wants to cause dispute among us."

"Just look the prince no longer trust his sister. We must not let her continue lying but I think her innocent son should not pay the price for her mistakes" Queen Rigena said so righteously. She knew that the maid staying alive will be a threat, so she decided to use the king to ensure her secret is safe forever.

"I agree with you," King George said after thinking over the Queen's words. They are just wasting their time. Possibly whoever sent her did not reveal himself to her.

Prince William was going to refult the Queen's words but when he saw the look on his mother's face he chose to remain quiet.

"Let her son go," King George ordered.

"But father you already said I could choose her punishment how could you change your mind?" Ellen complained.

"Fine, I will let you handle it," king George gave in to his daughter.

Regina was so angry when she realized that her words were not able to save Ann's son. She knew that this means her power in the Palace would be questioned. She was so angry, she did not understand how Ellen was able to save the boy. And she could guss that with the life of Ann's son in Ellen hand, the woman will speak all she knew.

Regina took a deep breath to calm herself, she made up her mind to find a way to kill Ann before she said anything to Ellen but unfortunately for her Ellen was ahead of her.

"Father I have chosen to let Ann live as a trap for whoever sent her. I am sure the person may try to kill her to save their secrets, so can I pick four of your men to guide us for sometime?" Ellen asked

"Ellen your idea is wonderful we should definitely use her to set a bait for her master," the king agreed.

Ellen looked at the Queen challaging her. She knew a simple maid confession was not enough to bring down the Queen, she just enjoyed making her tensed.

" Father please excuse me," Ellen got off her chair. She particularly enjoyed the dark face of the Queen. It gave her some leave of satisfaction. She walked straight to her room and ordered Ann to come with her.

"The life of your son is in my hands, you can save him or let him die." Ellen said once she was alone in the room with Ann.

"I already know the Queen was the one that sent you to lie at the throne room but I need other information. If you can tell me more of the Queen's secrets then you can save your son. Unfortunately if you have non then I would let you bid fareware to your son," Ellen said while looking at Ann void of any emotion.

Ann was quite frightened. In her years of working for Ellen she has been such a sweet child, so seeing her looking fearless and rootless kind of send a severe pain through her spine.