The King's Choice

Chapter 18

     Soon enough, her mother was through with the letter and gave it to Janielle to give the palace mail attendant to make sure it gets delivered to the Grayson's.

* * *
     Tyler was im his bath tub with his servants around when Thomas entered.

     "My Lord, I'd like to talk to you", Thomas came in.

     With a wave of the hand from Tyler, all the servants present scurried away.

     Tyler tcched, "turn your back, I want to get dressed"

     Thomas bowed and turned while Tyler came out from the bathtub, dried himself and dressed himself.

     "So?", Tyler asked for Thomas to turn around.

     "Pardon my question, but why are you so interested in Lady Janielle", Thomas asked daringly.

     Tyler smiled, "Is that why you came to stop my bath?", His voice and tone screamed danger but he still had that calm dangerous smile of his on his face. Thomas didn't seem scared though, he was used to Tyler. He just nodded and continued speaking, "Are you planning to make her your consort?"

     "What do you think?", Tyler asked him back.

     "Nothing, my Lord. It's just that her mother attempted to send a letter out and I brought it to you since you want to review all letters leaving the palace and coming in", Thomas replied, bowed and stretched out his hand with the letter in it.

     Tyler looked at the letter for a while before telling Thomas to rise as his head was still bowed, "I know you've read it. What does it say?"
*.    *.    *.
     Kathryn, Janielle's aunt was pacing to and fro. It was already dusk and she was alone in the house then, even the butler had gone out for some errand, she was left to think. The king had decided to withhold the royal governess from tutoring Zoe. Her prestige and image in the society was at stake. Who knew if the king would remove her husband from the Duke's position too. Word had it that he already created a new Duke's position and kept his brother there so it wouldn't be a problem to remove her husband. She sighed, all because of her useless, pitiful and good for nothing sister and her child. She had forgotten how she took care of Janielle! She smirked knowing life couldn't be easier for them as they were now servants in the castle besides the king would be hosting a grand birthday party and everyone would be invited. It would be a great chance for her Zoe to get married since she wasn't married as too.

     While she was deep in thought, Zoe entered drunk again as usual.

     "Momz, you look sexxxy", she stuttered and stumbled upon the door stand.

     Kathryn was mortified, "Zoe, you're drunk again? Don't turn this into a habit, you idiot. This isn't ladylike"

     "Shut up", Zoe spat at her mom, "Just kill that Janielle... Castle... Jani... Witch, kill her. Idiot... Jani", she was just speaking incoherently.

     "Just shut up and sober up", Kathryn said angrily and quickly dragged her up to her room before the butler would come home and see her daughter in this state.

     While she was about leaving, Zoe stopped her, "Mom, it isn't fair" she started sobbing, "I want to get married, I want the king, I...I want Jani dead... I can't stay with you any longer... I don't know what to do"

     "Zoe, you're just drunk, bathe and sober up", Kathryn said and walked out, banging the door harshly.
Her daughter was turning out of hand, was it because Mrs. Peterson stopped coming? Zoe needed a caretaker urgently, she couldn't possibly go the castle with that state of mind.
*.   *.   *.
       "Are your friends from the village going to attend the king's birthday. It's been a long time since I saw them especially Aunt Jemima", Janielle asked. She just finished her work for the day and she decided to go to her mother's room.

      "That depends on if they get an invitation but I'm sure they will. The king's late grandmother was from the village so he wouldn't forget that place easily", Pauline replied absentmindedly.

    .  "You've not been yourself for a while now. What's wrong?", Janielle asked as she threw herself on her mother's bed. It was a privileged comfort for mere servants like them. But Pauline knew, the king was purposely giving them special treatment, maybe because he was really interested in his daughter.

       "You shouldn't think too much about the king's birthday party, if we're lucky, Jonas Grayson would come to take you for marriage before the birthday celebration", Pauline replied not observing Janielle's reactions.

       "So, you don't even want to stay for the king's party?", Janielle asked, "why? This is going to be a special event, we can't miss it!"

       "Just shut up, the more you fancy all these events, the more you would want to be entwined with them and that is what I don't want. Just listen to me and leave this palace...", As Pauline was talking, they heard a knock on the door.

       Their faces where shocked and filled with surprise, 'who could that be?'
       Pauline motioned for Janielle to remain seated on her bed and went to check the door. She opened it slightly, only to see Gwen.
      "My lady", Gwen bowed.

     "Oh, please don't. I am but a servant, come in", Pauline greeted with a smile. Though, inwardly, she was worried and wondering why Gwen came. She was well aware that Gwen was Matilda's loyal servant.

        Gwen smiled, "Don't worry, I don't have time to stay but maybe later. I was sent to relay a message to you".
Pauline frowned and came out of the room to lock the door so Janielle wouldn't hear what they were discussing because she knew it had to be about her and the king.

        "So?", Pauline said indicating Gwen to start talking.

        "Her highness, my mistress has sent me to tell you that she wants your daughter on the king's bed before his birthday", Gwen said.

        "Ok, tell her I shall do it", Pauline replied with a smile. Gwen nodded and left sneakily.