The Cursed King

"Not efficient?" Elise looked at Rose, startled.

Lady Rose Goodwin nodded. "His Grace, Loriel Maxim Ashborn is known for his straightforward methods, but at times, he tends to forget some minor details in lieu of the big picture."

There was still a frown on Elise's face despite the lady's words.

Lady Rose amended her statement with a smile. "Naturally, we are only people and not gods so minor mistakes are possible. That is what the officials and advisers are here for and that is what I'm here for as well."

She added, "I hope Your Grace will be happy with my presence. I understand it must be hard for you to get used to a new place and the custom. I am here to help you with everything you need to know about Summeria."

Elise looked at Rose carefully. She was raised as a princess and knew how to act as royalty. However, she was in a foreign land. There were many things she was not familiar with. Their custom was different from Myreen's and she didn't want to make mistakes that would embarrass her husband. After she married Loriel, Summeria would become her home. She must get herself used to it.

So, after she thought about it, Elise decided she could accept Rose's presence as her lady-in-waiting. She realized it was good to have someone from Summeria by her side whom she could ask about stuff related to their country.

"Hmm… I guess you are right," Elise said at last. "I am new in this kingdom. I want to learn more about your custom, culture, and do's and don't's. I hope you will help me."

"Ah, of course. That is what I'm here for."

"Thank you." Elise smiled sweetly.

Both Elise and Lady Rose knew that the tone was not actually filled with that much trust or gratitude. Neither of them actually liked each other that much and were only tolerating each other's presence.

The truth was, Elise still felt her suspicions rising because of how Lady Rose acted without any sort of indication as to how she was benefiting from becoming a lady-in-waiting.

What benefits did it offer a daughter of a grand duke?

Elise realized what it might possibly be as they interacted with other people in the royal dining hall. People approached them left and right, greeting them respectfully and politely.

Although, some of them were less than kind.

"I am charmed to be in the presence of the two most beautiful ladies in Summeria." An old lord laughed and bowed. "It is not only his Majesty who is fortunate, but even us who are able to see such beauties standing together."

"You certainly know how to compliment, Lord Holbrook." Lady Rose smiled back. "Although I think you must not shy away and admit that it is Her Royal Highness Princess Elise Leoralei who is much more of a beauty than me."

Elise didn't exactly like how they were only discussing appearances as if that was the only thing that a woman could contribute to the table. 

"Now, don't put yourself down, Lady Rose," the old lord chuckled. "I think everyone else has also heard that you are intelligent and well-versed in all manners of administration and state affairs as well as your older brother."

"Well, I do not think it matters that much unless I am my father's heir," Lady Rose said. "For now, I will be a humble lady-in-waiting to Her Highness."

"Your Highness, let me welcome you once again to Summeria and we are glad that you will be marrying His Majesty." Lord Holbrook bowed to Elise. "It is not right for a man to be alone, so your arrival has been most fitting."

"Now, now, I think Her Royal Highness has much to contribute to the kingdom besides being His Majesty's wife. You should amend that statement."

"Oh, is it because you will be teaching her, Lady Rose?"

"Not only that, but I assume that there is more that Her Royal Highness can offer than simply coming here as our king's betrothed." Lady Rose smiled at Elise. "Is it not right, Your Grace?"

"Of course," Elise nodded firmly. 

"Can you expound on these?" Lady Rose raised a brow.

"There are certain ideas and practices from Myreen that I actually wish to implement here in the kingdom that will benefit it as a whole. I am not sure how well known Myreen is because our kingdom has kept silent for some time, but it is something that I have kept in mind."

"From Myreen?" the lord asked doubtfully.

"Fret not, my lord. I am sure that Her Grace will have a discussion with our king before any of it were to actually happen." Lady Rose quickly said.

Elise couldn't help but think that this conversation was all done in order to make Elise feel inferior to the woman beside her. 

Or rather, it made Lady Rose look much better and well-equipped for the throne than Elise.

Elise didn't like how Rose presented herself, but she chose not to say anything. She realized this was Rose's turf. Even though everyone was polite to her, Elise could sense there was some distance between her and them.

To them, she was their future queen, but she was also a foreigner. Elise was determined to familiarize herself with Summeria and someday got herself accepted by these people.

***

"Are you alright, Princess?" Alina asked Elise once she returned from the throne room and banquet hall.

Elise retired early from the festivities because the introduction was already finished and she was not in the mood of Lady Rose always following after her and taking the reign of the conversation.

A good majority of the lords, nobles, and officials were pleased to talk with both Princess Elise and Lady Rose, but somehow, it was obvious that Lady Rose commanded the discussion more easily.

Elise's stomach twisted painfully as if there was a dull ache in her gut that she couldn't remove. 

While there was no active indication that Lady Rose Goodwin actually had any attraction to Loriel, it was obvious from their interactions that Loriel and Rose knew each other well enough.

Probably even more than Loriel knew Emmelyn.

More importantly, Elise just felt… a bit brushed off. As if nobody actually saw her beyond being Loriel's future wife and did not see her actually ruling the kingdom by his side.

.

.

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

NEW BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT:

Hello, I just published a new book from the werewolves genre, to join NovelFull's writing competition. The title is "The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Mate".

Please add it to your library and support me to win the competition. xx

The book is reverse-harem, nobody died, and it will be my first take on a mainstream genre. You can say I finally try to write something that (hopefully) many people like to read.

This is the synopsis:

THE KING'S WIFE IS THE ALPHA'S MATE

Choosing him, or him?

When she jumps over the academy walls to escape from her bullies, Sophie falls straight into the arms of Nicholas, the kingdom's crown prince with a sweet and sunny disposition. Sparks fly and love blossoms between the poor orphan and the prince.

But... suddenly, Leland, the dangerous new alpha of the most powerful werewolf pack in the kingdom claimed her to be his mate?! Sophie is torn between two men. One calls her his wife, the other claims her his mate.

The prince is warm and sweet, his love is burning like the sun. The alpha is cold and overbearing, his love is as heavy as the mountain and as cold as the winter.

Which one will Sophie end up with when both sides wage war over blood, hatred, and revenge?

Leland will burn the entire kingdom just to get Sophie and avenge his race. On the other hand, the newly crowned king, Nicholas, strives to drive out the werewolves that the kingdom deemed as monsters while keeping a dark secret within himself–

He is also a werewolf.

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You can search the book by the title <The King's Wife Is The Alpha's Mate> and add it to your library, or you can click my username and go to my reading lists called "Missrealitybites Books" and find it there.