Queen

Layla slowly opened her eyes, after having had a long break, looking around the room, she said.

- His majesty from her?

He said in a low voice, after not receiving any response, he felt a little uneasy, with difficulty he got up from that bed, even when his body was not completely recovered, the desire to see the princess who was his daughter seized her, Even though her majesty had forbidden it, the queen would take advantage of that moment to see her precious daughter, at a slow pace and leaning against the walls of the room on her way to the front door, the metallic sound called her attention to the door of the room, seeing to one of the palace maids who had thrown the tray she brought with her when she saw Layla standing in the room.

- High King!! - I shout excitedly.

Where is the majesty of her? - said the queen.

The maid was silent as she helped the queen, the queen's breathing was agitated, she had only taken small steps in that room, but it seemed that she had traveled the entire palace, she could barely stand on her own, even so, his gaze was serious towards that maid who did not answer his question.

- Don't you know where she is? - The queen claimed the maid who nodded - So, take me to Stella - the maid's face paled towards such a question from the queen, who upon seeing her reaction asked again - where is the princess ?! - Annoyed yell at the maid as she let go of her grip and left the room.

- Queen! - Shouted the maid as she followed her and tried to get him to return to the room.

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Taking small steps, his majesty left the dowager empress palace with Stella in his arms, Asher who was waiting with the other guards outside the palace, when they saw his majesty they remained silent while waiting for his orders, his majesty with a serious tone spoke.

- This is my order, that all who are under the command of the palace of the empress dowager be under arrest, on suspicion of murder against the royal family. What's more! The Empress Dowager is restricted from leaving her palace without my permission!

Everyone was shocked to hear that order from his majesty to the dowager queen who was his mother, even though the relationship between the two was not good, everyone knew that his majesty had never done anything against her, when he saw the princess Stella in the arms of his majesty realized what was the reason for the decision of his majesty, Asher was the only one who nodded to the words of his majesty.

Asher, upon seeing the princess safe and sound, felt relieved, being one of the knights who protect her, he could not forgive the fact that they took her away when she was in his charge, his majesty when he assigned him with Stella had made it clear why Hence, receiving the order to watch over the dowager empress for the act she had committed was a way to redeem her mistake, her majesty had kept her word and he as part of her guard would also keep his.

- I will obey her orders, her majesty!" - Asher answered.

His majesty agreed to Asher's words as he left, Asher stood up in front of the other knights and gave his orders, in different groups the others began to surround the entire palace, those nobles who had attended that meeting looked surprised as the palace was stormed by knights.

- What does this mean?! - cry annoyed the empress dowager

-Orders of the majesty of her - Asher said seriously

The empress dowager looked furious when she saw the knights inside her palace, but it bothered her that a simple guard responded to her without fear in front of other nobles who immediately retired when hearing that it was an order from his majesty, Asher even though the empress The widow refused and opposed the order of her majesty continued with her work, the servants who were in charge of the empress dowager were caught by the knights even when they resisted and even insulted the knights, one after another they were taken.

- Empress Dowager, she cannot step outside the palace on her majesty's orders - Asher said.

The empress dowager let out a small laugh as she stood in front of Asher, raising her hand hit Asher in his face, the knights looked at the act of the empress with annoyance, she was thus showing her hierarchy with Asher who received the blow of the empress dowager without flinching, raising her gaze spoke.

- Her Majesty's orders are absolute, Empress Dowager, Escort her! - Asher yelled

Her companions nodded as they escorted the Empress Dowager to her chambers, Asher placed her hand on her cheek where she had received the blow and smirked.

*********************************************************************************************************************

- Stella, you must calm down -

Her majesty repeated those words as she returned with the little girl to her rooms, even when her majesty hugged Stella, the little girl's body trembled, with her concern, her majesty looked at her little girl who was hiding her face.

- Stella ... what happened while you were with the Empress Dowager?

The little girl tightened her grip on her question without looking up from her, that annoyed her majesty.

- She maybe ...

- Stella !!!

Layla after having toured part of the palace, when the queen saw her majesty with Stella in her arms, she did not hesitate to shout the name of her little girl, who upon hearing her name instantly searched with her gaze for the one who was calling her, those small colored eyes Amber crystallized when she saw the figure of her mother at the end of the hall.

Her majesty also looked surprised to see the queen standing in front of them.

- Queen…

- Mom ... - she said in a whisper while small tears ran down her face - Mom! - Shouted Stella, her majesty came down from her to Stella who ran to her mother, The queen clung to the body of her daughter while looking at her from head to toe.

-Stella ... -caressing her face the queen looked at her little girl relieved of her to see her - forgive me ... Mommy could not protect you well.

Stella when hearing those words fell into tears, those feelings that she had been repressing during those months completely exploded when she saw her mother, who with sweet caresses dried her tears and tried to make her reassure, Stella's cry was heard throughout the hall, The servants seeing that the queen had met the princess were relieved, all the way the queen had not heeded any of the servants' warnings even when she was putting her health in the way.

Stella clinging to her mother spoke about her.

- Why? Why did mom ... not come to see Stella ?! Maybe, mom doesn't love Stella anymore because of that ... you didn't come -

The queen flatly denied knowing that Stella had such a thought.

- Stella behaved well, Stella did not give Mary problems, then, because they abandoned Stella - the little girl shouted through tears - I felt very lonely -

The queen stroking Stella's head comforted her and at the same time tried to tell her that everything would be fine, that she would now be by her side.

By giving him a small kiss on her forehead, Stella stopped crying as her mother smiled warmly and took her in her arms.

- Let's go back ... my little princess - she said as she patted the little girl's back.

- Layla ... - Her Majesty said.

A cold look was what her majesty received from the queen, who was hiding Stella in her arms, her majesty approached her wife and daughter and spoke.

- It is a relief that you feel better, even so your body is not fully recovered, you should continue resting -

-Your majesty should not worry about her, I know the limits of my body I can still stand - replied the queen.

Those words were very sharp on the part of the queen, Stella slightly raised her gaze when listening to the conversation of her parents, the atmosphere between them was very cold, the servants who were in charge of the queen also noticed that distance between both majesties .

- Mother?

The queen gave her daughter a slight smile as she walked to her rooms without speaking to her majesty, as they returned Stella noticed that with each step the queen took her heavy breathing, Stella watched her mother lean on the palace vases, the maids who accompanied them asked her to deliver Stella, the queen flatly refused as she continued walking again, the maids looked at each other with concern.

- Queen!! - the maids shouted

Her majesty intervened at that moment, grabbing onto the queen's shoulders before she completely collapsed, with a sad look she looked at the queen who was frowning at her and trying to break free from her majesty's grasp.

-Stella come ... - said her majesty.

- Do not! - Shouted the queen as she looked annoyed at her majesty who frowned at her.

- Stella !! - Shout the majesty of her.

Stella, seeing her parents disagree, was a little surprised, even so, she heard her majesty's words and carefully got out, one of the palace servants stood by her side, while her majesty took her mother in her arms and he was taking her back to her chambers.

- You cannot continue standing in your state - said His Majesty.

- Her majesty must not interfere - he replied.

- Layla! - Shouted his majesty annoyed at the stubbornness of his wife who, sitting on the bed, spoke.

-The Empress Dowager, she was the one who took Stella isn't it?

Her majesty glanced at Stella who was sitting in a part of the room eating some cookies while the maid tried to talk to her, when she turned her gaze towards her wife, she slightly lowered her gaze.

- Who told you? - He said seriously while he looked at the servants

- Her majesty of her, did you think I wouldn't know?

His majesty sighed as he looked at the queen who was still looking at him coldly, waiting for an answer to his questions.

Stella approached her parents, drawing their attention instantly, her majesty smiled as she took Stella in her arms.

- Did you bring it for me? - I speak the majesty of him.

Stella nodded as she handed the cookie to her majesty and smiled when she saw him eat it, her majesty gave a little caress to her little girl as she handed it to her mother.

- Stella, are you calmer? - asked the queen.

As he snuggled her into hers arms, Stella silently nodded to her mother's words, her majesty seeing both of her gave a smile as she spoke.

- About it, you should not worry I already took care of that matter, my mother will not approach Stella again -

The queen looked with concern at Stella who began to fall asleep in her arms, looking at her majesty, she spoke of her.

- The fact that she approached once worries me, the empress dowager will not remain calm and more if her majesty intervened -

- Even so, the Empress Dowager will obey my words - Her Majesty said.

- The punishment that her majesty gives to the Empress Dowager cannot be very severe and you know it -

His Majesty upon hearing his wife averted his gaze, the queen's words were true, she belonged after all to the royal family, her contacts with both nobles and magicians are extensive, if a trial were to be opened against the dowager empress all they would oppose it and many noble families would rebel against it.

- Things are like that, but her majesty does not speak of the agreement that was broken - said the queen.

- That agreement was given between you and the empress dowager my queen, for that reason I cannot intervene, besides that my queen was not present when she happened - Her Majesty replied

- I'll be fine, we just need a witness to confirm it - said the queen with a smile.

- Layla ... - I look with concern her majesty to the queen.

The queen caressed the face of her little girl while looking at her, the queen was determined she would find the evidence as it was, if she did, the power of the empress would fall and with it those who support it among them the magicians, somehow that would help in the future to Stella and her majesties.

*****************************************************************************************************************

Mary, upon learning to see the princess safe and sound through tears, hugged her while apologizing for what had happened, Stella smiled as she made it understood that it was not her fault, Mary was surprised to see that the queen was in better health, the Queen spoke with Mary about what happened and as now they should be more cautious with the care of the princess, Mary understood very well the words of the queen.

Days later, her majesty had received reports of the investigation that had taken place in the palace of the dowager empress by Asher, her majesty carefully read the reports received one by one, her face became serious with each report that he read.

On the other hand, Stella visited her mother every day in her rooms, the joy of the little girl had returned, both Mary and the Queen were happy to see her, so the days passed quietly for mother and daughter, one of those days a news caught your attention.

- A letter? For me? - Stella said.

Mary nodded as the queen who was with Stella on her lap carefully looked at the letter that was addressed to her daughter.

- Who sent it? - spoke the queen.

- The Duchy of Tyson - Mary replied.

- Tyson? Why would the Duchy of Tyson send a letter to Stella? - Replied the queen while she looked at her daughter.

Stella upon hearing the name of the duchy lightly squeezed her hands, she looked at her arm, remembering that child she had met at that meeting, even though her meeting was not pleasant in some way Norma had somewhat intrigued Stella.

- Should I just reject her? Asked Mary.

- Yes, you don't need to read it - said the queen

- Wait - Stella spoke - Mary, can you read it? -

Both the queen and Mary were surprised by Stella's intervention, Mary looked at the queen waiting for her approval, seeing that the queen had given her permission Mary opened the letter and began to read it, Both the queen and Mary laughed a little at the realize that that letter had been written by a child, although his words were short and direct, that letter was very well written for a twelve-year-old boy, the intention of the little boy was clear he wanted a visit to the palace to speak with Stella, the queen I look at her little girl and speak.

- Do you know him? If not, we can reject it Stella - said the queen.

-Yes, I met him in that place - she said in a low voice as she clung to her mother.

- Maybe you don't like it? - asked the queen.

Stella denied the question from her mother who smiled as she hugged Stella.

-You can answer Mary, we accept his visit, of course only he will enter the palace - said the queen.

- I'll do it right away, my queen - Mary said as she left.

- It's okay? That he come? - asked Stella

The queen nodded as she stood up with Stella in her arms and walked towards one of the windows of her chambers, looking at the landscape, she smiled and spoke.

- It's a beautiful place right?

- Yes

- Stella, who are your loved ones ... - said the queen

.

- Mom, Dad and Mary !! - Shout excited - ah ... also ... Asher ...

- Asher?

- Yes, the gentleman !!

The queen could not hold back her laugh when she heard her little daughter speak of one of the palace knights as one of her loved ones, that was what characterized her little girl after all, even though she was a princess she treated everyone the same , that made her mother happy and at the same time worried her, when Stella grew up and if she continued with that mentality many nobles would oppose it outright, hierarchies existed for it after all.

- And friends? - asked the queen

- Well, Mom and ...

- No, Stella I mean allies

That question puzzled Stella for a moment, apart from her family she had never interacted with anyone else, confusing family and friends was very easy for her when she only had one of the two.

- That boy from the Duchy of Tyson, is he your friend? -

- I, I don't know…- Stella said.

- If you find allies they will never betray you, after all they are your friends too, they will always see for your happiness Stella

- But, that is also done by mom and dad - replied Stella

The queen could not directly explain the importance of having allies, especially when one is the heir to the kingdom, having brought up that topic was very difficult for the queen even when Stella is small, but she had taken the conversation when she learned that one was the child of the dukedom of Tyson had requested an audience with Stella, if he is an enemy or a friend they did not know, but somehow it would be good for Stella to meet other children his age.

-Yes, we do it too… -said the queen as she kissed her forehead.

Stella happily nodded at her mother's words as she looked at her sadly.

********************************************************************************************************************

That night, the queen was in her chambers, upon hearing her majesty enter, she put aside the book she was reading and smiled.

- Welcome, your majesty

The majesty of her approached the queen and giving her a small kiss she smiled as she sat on one side of the queen's bed, the queen caressed the face of her majesty and saw how under her eyes began to notice her tiredness.

-Her majesty of her, how many days has she been awake? -

- It has not been many days, Asher's reports are very detailed with this I will find information faster than I thought, Stella is already asleep? - Asked her majesty.

-Mary accompanied her to her room, I assumed that her majesty would come today - said the queen

Her majesty smiled as she hugged the queen.

- That's a relief, Stella hasn't been getting enough rest as reported by Mary - said her majesty.

-Her majesty of her, I want to ask you

- What's up Layla?

-Your majesty of her, I know very well about the state of my body and I know that is the reason why I couldn't visit Stella, but why didn't her majesty go to see her? -

A silence filled the room, the queen stared at her majesty, that question had been hovering in her head those days, Mary had reported with the queen everything that happened in her absence, what worried the queen the most was knowing that her majesty I don't visit Stella.

-Her majesty of her, it was only to protect her, right? - said the queen.

- Sorry…

The queen looked at her majesty with disappointment at her response, her majesty took the queen's hands clinging to her while the queen tried not to cry, realizing the situation.

- Don't tell Stella - said the queen.

His majesty nodded silently to the words of the queen, he had marked a distance with his daughter when the queen was in bed, making the excuse of protecting her before everyone, he did not let her approach, his decision made the empress dowager act, the More than anyone knew, the only one to blame for it had been him.

- I'll make it up to you, I promise - Her Majesty said.

The queen denied as she looked at him.

- Make up for? The majesty of her, this mistake cannot be fixed so easily, I could have lost my daughter and she knows it - replied the queen.

Her majesty felt how those words were tearing her heart, the queen had the right to be upset and at the same time disappointed with her majesty, because she more than anyone knows the character of the empress dowager.

// Flashback //

- 5 years ago -

Hours after Stella's birth, the dowager empress appeared in the queen's chambers, paying a visit as her majesty's mother, the queen was alone in the room with the newborn, her majesty had gone with the ministers who were They had heard the news of Stella's birth, doubting the queen accepted the visit of the empress dowager, who upon entering the room passed the queen and laid her eyes on the newborn.

- Greetings to the Empress Dowager - said the queen.

The empress dowager nodded to her greeting without returning it, which annoyed the queen a bit even if she let it pass, as if it were an object, the empress dowager was looking closely at Stella who was in her cradle.

- It looks normal, well that could be expected, at least it will do - said the Empress Dowager.

The queen watched as some of the queen's servants entered the room and took Stella in their arms, who began to cry.

- Take her away - said the Empress Dowager.

- Tall!! What does this mean!! You can't take my daughter !! - shouted the queen.

The empress dowager looked with disinterest at the queen who was trying to stand up, the queen had just given birth so she was very weak, yet clinging to the edge of her bed she approached and gave the order to deliver her daughter, the servants looked at to the empress dowager who gave her approval when she saw that the crying of the newborn did not stop, the servants delivered the baby to the queen who furtively looked at the empress dowager.

- Long long!! - the queen annoyed yell.

The servants left the queen's chambers, the only one who remained was the dowager empress, the queen backed away along with Stella in her arms.

- You know that you will not be able to educate her, the position of queen was given to you without reproach, but if we talk about a future monarch, you cannot take that responsibility -

The words of the empress dowager were serious towards the queen who, by lulling her baby girl, made her sleep in her arms.

-Thank you that I give you my help, that girl barely has royal features, she sure is due to the roots of her mother -

The queen gritted her teeth at the Empress Dowager's words, as she stared at her.

- It is for the future of that girl, I will educate her so that no one opposes her because of her appearance in the future, well if in the magicians' test the opposite is determined then nothing can be done other than accept that she disappears -

- Empress Dowager, please go away - said the queen.

Hearing that comment from the dowager empress, she felt upset, for the queen her daughter's life was worth nothing, in her eyes she was just a pawn for the other nobles to cheer her on, if the queen accepted the idea of the dowager empress It was clear that she could hardly see her daughter, Stella was just a newborn who needed her mother, the empress dowager had tried to take her with her without taking that into account, in what way would her daughter be raised?

- It was just a guess, it would be impossible for that girl to be a mistake right? - said the Empress Dowager.

- Get out! - shouted the queen

The queen was strongly opposed to the idea, the dowager empress when she saw that the queen opposed her words was annoyed, their positions were different even though the queen was the wife of his majesty, the dowager empress was her mother, using that position the Empress Dowager ordered the queen to hand over Stella, the queen was stunned to hear her.

- Did you hear it? Give me the girl - said the Empress Dowager.

- Hand it over?

The queen looked at her little girl and smiled slightly as she looked up from her, they are Stella in her arms the queen walked across the room.

- What do you do? Give it to me quickly - claimed the Empress Dowager.

The queen smiled as she slammed open the window of the room and sat on the edge looking at the empress dowager who had turned pale with fright when she saw her with Stella in her arms, the queen was satisfied to see the face of the empress dowager in that condition.

- I know that the Empress Dowager does not like me and I have accepted that, but, something that I could never accept is to give my daughter to her - said the queen.

- Waiting!! - Shouted the Empress Dowager when she saw that the Queen was serious - OK, I'll let him pass, return with the girl - said the Empress Dowager.

The queen stepped back a little when she heard the empress dowager, having fulfilled her mission, she entered with her little girl in her arms.

-Empress Dowager, I do not want you to come near me or my daughter again, so that the good relationship that exists between her majesty and you will last - said the queen.

- As long as his majesty approves, you must also remember that with a single heir it will not be easy - said the Empress Dowager.

-Can I trust her word? -

The empress dowager nodded as she left the queen's quarters, the queen, being completely exhausted, fell into bed, having faced the empress dowager in that way had completely exhausted her, the only option that crossed her mind so that she did not They took her daughter, it was that, if something had happened while the Empress Dowager was visiting, the blame would fall only on her, that was one of the reasons why the Empress Dowager fell back on her plan.

- Do not worry my baby, even when I am not there, your father will protect you from that I am sure

The queen, giving her little girl a tender kiss, became attached to her, the queen knew very well how the dowager empress was cunning and meticulous, rather than seeing for the future of her granddaughter she would see for hers first.

// End of Flashback //

That had happened years ago now Stella was no longer a baby, even so the queen completely trusted her majesty, who ended up making a serious mistake.

-Your majesty of her, she should return to her chambers - said the queen

Her majesty was silent as the queen separated from hers and wrapped herself in her covers without saying anything else.

-Yes, then Layla rest - said her majesty.

Giving a small kiss on the head of her wife left the room, the queen hearing that her majesty had left began to cry when she remembered that she would give her life in order to protect her daughter , but her majesty still did not understand.

******************************************************************************************************** A week later

- Greetings to the queen, my name is Norma Tyson I came to visit Princess Stella