"What did you just say to me?!" The Queen's voice had the servants clutching their imaginary pearls and thanking the stars they weren't in Henry's shoes right now.
The butler was white in the face, and if he shrank any more, he might be the same height as the dining table. The Queen was glaring at him with eyes so threatening they could send anyone to an early grave, let alone the poor old butler.
Henry leaned forward, worried that if he provoked the old Queen any longer, he might not step out of this unscathed. But if he didn't do as the King had asked, he certainly would not be well enough to tell the story afterward, so he held his ground.
"P-please forgive me, Your Majesty, but His Royal Majesty, the King, has given me strict orders. I wouldn't dare speak of such, Your Majesty, if I were not compelled to. Please understand."
"Did he tell you what this was about?" Queen Violeta was not letting this go.
