When the doctor finished, he bowed and left the room. Delvin sat down beside Sheila and held her injured arm.
"how does it feel now?" he asked. Sheila smiled and retracted her arm. "it feels much better. but this isn't the problem now. How are we going to go about the dragon?" she replied. Delvin paused thoughtfully. "To be honest I don't know. do you have any idea?" he asked and a mischievous grin tugged at his lips. Sheila rolled her eyes and looked away. what a clown. She thought and stood up. she walked out of the room and down the hallway. She entered her room, sat by the window and watched everything going on in the courtyard. Dolores sat under an umbrella and signed invites. Stel was talking to the head of servants. Sheila watched them till someone knocked on her door. she turned to the door,
"Who is it?" she asked but got no reply. she heard the knock again and went to open the door. Before her came Belinda, and with her were two handmaids. She smiled as she entered the room. she walked to the window and sat down in Sheila's formal position. the two handmaids knelt down beside her.. Belinda cleared her throat and adjusted in the chair.
"You're probably wondering why I visited you today" she began trying to hide her smile. "I noticed the royal physician leaving the kings room. and I just guessed that yo had failed in your duties. something so simple, must be too hard for a slave like you. " she added and pointed to the two women beside her. "These two will be your replacement. So by the end of the day, I need you to move to the maid quarters and live like you should as a slave" she concluded and smirked. Sheila bowed casually and with a smile replied;
"I'm sorry to inform you that such instructions can only be issued by his majesty. So unless he says so, I will not be moving" she looked up at Belinda, "Also, the patient was me" Sheila added stood up and walked up to the door. she opened the door and gestured for the woman to leave the room. Belinda stood up in shock and clenched her fist.
"How dare you?" she asked as she rose to her feet. Sheila opened the door wider and pointed outside the room. Belinda grabbed her gown and grinded her teeth, Then she motioned for the maids to follow her as they left the room. Sheila slammed the door hard behind them causing Belinda to jolt forward. The angered woman clenched her fist and stormed off.
Sheila sat on the bed, sighed and rolled her eyes. What a nuisance, she thought and walked out to Delvin's room.
Meanwhile in the courtyard, Stel leaned on the table and read the invitations. Dolores was writing. All the invitees were people of high status and royal blood.
"Why not invite the villagers?" Stel asked as she straightened her back.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because i find fancy gowns and crowns quite boring. also i want the people to know of my presence in the kingdom as their princess"
"They will know. Once they see it in the news."
"please, mother" Stel said in a cute and childish way.
"Fine, a royal decree will be made. is that okay?" Dolores asked and Stel nodded. "But if any of my guests is uncomfortable, I will not hesitate to evict the commoners"
"and I thought you were different?"
"Just kidding" Dolores said and laughed. Stel reached out and hugged her. "Your the best mother" she said and smiled.
That night, Dolores and Stel were unable to join the rest of the family for dinner. Leaving just Delvin and Belinda together. Sheila stood beside Delvin and changed his plate or cutlery as required.
"This meal is quite delicious, wouldn't you say your majesty?" Belinda asked. Delvin took another bite and shrugged.
"I must admit it is one of the best I have had in a while" Delvin replied.
"Well your majesty must know that I ordered a change of the kitchen staff," Belinda started "so the success of this meal was in fact my success....." Delvin slammed the table.
"Is it possible that i can eat in peace?" he said
"I'm sorry?"
"Sorry? Your voice alone is enough to make me loose my appetite."
"I'm sorry"
"You're still talking" he shouted. "Have the meal taken to my room. perhaps, I can eat in peace there" he said and left the room. Sheila followed him closely as he did. Belinda looked around the room and then down at the meal before her. Then she stood up and followed Delvin. she overtook him and bowed.
"Do forgive me my king. i will no longer speak at meals"
"Good. do that" he said and raised his foot to leave, but paused mid step. "also do not sit next to me on the day of the party. I have no queen. Sit on the chair reserved for the royal consorts. Okay?" he said and walked away with a smile. Belinda was rooted to the ground were she stood. She glared at Delvin's feet as he walked away. Dolores and Stel walked in to the hallway with the head of servants. Belinda straightened up and nodded towards Dolores. the latter glanced at her briefly. Stel looked straight ahead without sparing her a glance. Belinda clenched her fists and stormed towards her room.
The next morning, Delvin rolled over on his bed and opened his eyes. the amount of sleep he was getting felt suspicious. He walked towards the window and opened the curtains. The sunlight immediately filled the room. He looked around, his clothes were already prepared and placed on his dresser, his shelf was rearranged, his meal was on his bed side table and there was steam coming from his bath chamber, meaning that his bath water was ready. Sheila walked into the room carrying a bowl of water and a pure white cloth.
"Good morning, your majesty" she greeted and bowed. She dropped a bowl on a stool by the bed and walked up to him.
"Morning. Why didn't you wake me?" he asked
"The ministers all took a break to prepare for Stel's party so there will be no meetings today"
"So?"
"I thought it best that you should rest, seeing as you didn't eat last night" she replied. he walked to the bed, cleaned his teeth, washed his face and ate his meal. then he went in and took a bath.
"Where is Dolores?"