A Painter.

**

I went back to the room. Roland asked me if there was anything he could do to help. Of course, I did not answer him. He was the cause of everything. I jammed the door right in his face and sat on the bed. 

Liza was demanding an explanation as to why I behaved that way to Roland. She also wanted to know what the king looks like and what happened in the throne room. I told her everything, like me, she was shocked to hear who the king was.

"What shall my lady do now?" Lisa asked.

But what I shall I do? It was getting dark already. Nothing could be done today and if there was something to do, only Alistair can do it.

He was still angry about the tea I poured on him in Emberfall. Well, I was going to apologize tomorrow and get his forgiveness.

'What if he refuses to forgive?' I battled with the question again. He was a complex being. When he refused to marry me, I thought he was going to let me go but he did not. I was stuck in this palace as his mother's asset.

"I don't know what to do, Liza," I finally replied. She placed a hand under her chin. Her eyes closed. She was trying to come up with a plan. "Don't even try it," I interrupted her thoughts.

Liza was very bad at planning. Her plans usually get us into more trouble. I did not want to ruin any opportunity of returning home.

"Just leave the thinking to me" I told her. She smiled and went into the bathroom to get water ready for my bath.

With my back against the soft bed, I tried to get us out of this new trouble I found myself. It was still shocking that the great king was Alistair. So why did he lie to me today?

Roland was honest at least. He told me there was no grave cleaner in the palace.

"Oh, Alistair. I hate you so much,' I covered my face with a pillow after sometime.

Liza returned seven minutes later and I went into the bathroom to take my bath. I sat in the tub for hours, thinking of a way to get the queen to change her mind. She was a strong willed woman. I knew it would not be easy to get her on my side.

The sun finally returned home and darkness hovered. I dressed in my night wear and took a book from the closet. I was going to read. Roland informed us that dinner will be served in our room.

**

Queen Elizabeth was angry that her son had rejected the fifteenth bride she had presented to him this year. Alistair has proved to be more stubborn than his late father. However, she was not going to give up. Never!

There was a lot of rumors going on in the kingdom. Percival told her about it. People were saying that the king was impotent and as such there was no heir to take his place after his death.

"Where is your king?" the queen mother asked when she got to the king's quarters.

Percival who was surprised to see the queen in the hallway replied "he is painting, your majesty."

"Inform him that I would like to discuss with him now," she commanded with a frown on her face. If her son sees how sad and serious she was, he might have a change of mind.

"As you wish, your highness," Percival bowed. He was hesitant to enter the painting room. The king has instructed that no one should disturb him.

However, he would not die at the Queen's hand.

"Hurry up, Percival," the queen added when she noticed that he was contemplating whether to go in or not.

Elizabeth knew her son was going to furious but what will she do? She needed grandchildren… the kingdom needs an heir and it must come from her line.

Sooner or later, the minsters would want Alistair's cousins to rule. Everyone knew the reason for their quietness. They were afraid of king Alistair. But then, it will not stop them if they get to learn his secrets.

After waiting for two minutes, the queen grew impatient. She knew what it would be like inside. Percival will be trying his best to explain to Alistair why he should accept her in.

Her stubborn son would give reasons why they should not see.

She ignored the guard that wanted to stop her from entering. She pushed the door and barged in ready to address any scolding that might have come from the king.

However, she was disappointed to find the king painting while Percival admiring it.

"It is the most beautiful painting I have seen in my entire life."

It was a lady. The Queen's anger disappeared quickly and she drew closer to have a look at the woman her son was painting.

It was a shock. Her hand fan slipped out of her delicate fingers, landing on the floor. Its distracted the king and he turned to find his mother behind him.

"Mother?..." He started but she cut it off immediately.

It was a beautiful painting of princess Arabella standing in front of the cemetery. It was from this morning because this was the same dress she wore earlier.

The queen was impressed however she was still confused as to why the king would reject her offer, if he likes the princess.

"Before you asked, it is not what you are thinking," Alistair dropped the pen on the table. He was wearing a white shirt and black trousers. But his clothes were covered with paints now. It was a very big portrait. He had to use a stool to paint her long brown hair.

"Then, what is it, king Alistair?" his mother asked, with her gaze flicking from him to Percival.

"She…she looked very different while she was at the cemetery," Alistair shuddered, not sure if the queen was going to believe him.

"I don't understand you," The queen mother began. Percival wanted to take an excuse but she did not allow him. Without talking, she gave him a bombastic look, he remained in place with his head bent "She is the same lady you are drawing, tell me why can't you marry her?"