8

Queen Gemma exits her coach, looking for her husband.

Expecting his coach to have arrived, she's puzzled.

Queen Gemma makes her way to the arena, up to a knight. He stands at attention for his Queen.

"Where is the King?" She asks

"The King is with company, Your Grace."

"That is not what I asked."

"The King is in his coach, Your Grace."

"Where is it? I look around and do not see it. Is the King being held up?" She asks, voice more firm

Queen Gemma inspects the knight. He stares back at her firmly but she can see her questioning is beginning to make him nervous.

"I shall find him myself then." She says turning around

"The King has commanded no visitors, Your Grace."

"I am his wife."

"He was specific, Your Grace."

This news is like a strike to the face.

He ordered her to stay away from him?

She, his Queen, mother of his child and future child?

Queen Gemma thinks back to the previous night. The woman who was with the King in the dead of night.

She turns and heads for her carriage, no longer interested in the day's festivities.