Dinner went relatively smoothly until the dessert course was served, and the Queen noticed the friendly laughter and smiling from the children's table where Princess Rue was seated.
In her mind, that would never do.
She was about to speak up, but the King's expression caught her attention. He looked pleased with the situation, and he had always had a soft spot for that particular Princess.
Something had to be done.
A brief message to the older Princes, her own sons, set the stage. Today, the brat wouldn't escape without humiliation. No bastard child was going to suddenly make a run for heir. Not on her watch.
[The Queen needs to work on being subtle. Even the King has noticed her open scheming.] Cara laughed as a pair of older boys stopped a server to add something to the dessert trays headed for the kids table.
