“Well, isn’t that convenient,” interjected Tiana.
“Enough,” ordered the King. “Even now, you two can’t be civil. Go to your quarters, take what belongings you will need immediately and get out. Take your staff with you, as none of them is welcome here. Your remaining belongs will be sent to you once you are settled. And if you value your lives, I suggest that no one speaks of what took place, as I cannot and will not guarantee your safety should word of this get out. Am I clear?” At their respective nods, the King stepped back.
As Amira rose, she attempted to speak to the King one last time, but he held up his hand. Tiana, seeing that Amira was unsuccessful, turned quickly and left with her maids following behind her.
Oo00oO
As both Amira and Tiana finally left the palace along with their maids, the King went to seek out Zara's comfort. He wondered if he had handled it well. “What does your heart tell you?” Zara asked him as she stroked his head.
“That all I want is you. I would even give up my throne if I had to,” he replied. Zara smiled but she felt guilty. She felt responsible for what had happened to Tiana and Amira.
“It is not your fault. You are the only faultless one here. The women connived to create mayhem and I almost died. In fact, I would have if it wasn’t for you. This is the kindest thing that I could do. If word got out or anyone even suspected that members of either retinue had attempted to kill me, they would be blamed and their lives would be forfeit. This is for the best.”
“You must promise never to speak negatively about them in public.”
The King smiled and nodded. Even after what they had done, she still worried for them. He leaned in and kissed her. “I wish I met you first,” the King said to her. Things would have been different. “Princess Zara, will you consent to my queen? My one and only woman?”
With all the things going on, Zara had not stopped to think about what any of this meant. She had only just found out that she was a princess. Now here he was asking her to be the queen. How could she be the queen when she had yet to figure out what being a princess meant?
“I'm not good enough,” Zara replied.
“You're more than good enough,” the King replied as he stroked her face and kissed her. Zara nervously nodded. She could not think about the future. All she knew was now, the present. She wanted to be with the King and that was all her heart desired. The rest, she was going to deal with when the time came.