Secret Meetings and Passionate Apologies
Things were tense in the Northern territories of Lystra. The crown had decided that such prosperity needed to be taxed and they people were getting pressed under the weight of it all.
It may have been a simple thing. The people had always felt that they needed to pay to the castle because Lady Grace had saved them but she never took just gave. Still the people of the north were proud Lystraians and they wanted to support their crown.
The thing was the crown demanded back taxes. No the new Lady had demanded. She stood before them smiling and saying words of community and growth and then she ended it all by saying it would all be possible with the new tax and the back taxes owed.
Due three weeks after her speech.
Now it was two weeks after the speech and the people were frustrated. Their friends and families who had gone to the west, and even Lady Grace herself had promise to support them. But how could they and how could these stubborn northern ask?
Golden Sea was still loyal to them, because of Lady Grace, but things needed to be smuggled in now so they had to wait and once anything arrived it would be less than half the amount they were use to.
Then, in the night, it came. Help and hope.
Lady Grace heard, from the people who followed her to the west, about the situation in the north and she sent them provision. Enough to pay the so called back tax and pay five years of future tax. This came with a promise that she would return and reclaim the north in five years.
So while she was away she was paying for their taxes and when she returned they would return to her system of putting in what they could to support and grow their city.
Never had they appreciated Lady Grace's ways so much. They understood now. They carefully hid the good for their future taxes and prepared what Lady Grace said to give for back taxes.
It was less than the Black Haired Witch asked for but they were told to blame this on Lady Grace herself. They were to say she took much from the village saying that she did not want to leave anything behind for the crown and what they were giving was what was hidden from her and her mad search.
Many didn't think they could say these words with a straight face; they were utterly ridiculous and almost rude. But Lady Grace had insisted. Her people were told not to leave anything if the plan was not followed the letter.
When Ester announced the taxes for the region Gabriel's mother was furious. She stormed to her son's chambers and demanded to see him. He granted her entrance and frowned in open disgust when she saw the appropriately monikered witch smugly lounging on a beautiful settee that her daughter in law designed and had commissioned.
Gabriel's mother's eyes stopped only for a second on the small roundness of Ester's belly. She was still unsure how she felt about this woman having her grandchild.
She stood staring at Ester for a long moment. The younger woman laughed raucously and then looked her plainly in the eye and spoke without a hint of respect only raw authority.
"These are my husband's chambers. This is my husband. What you have to say to him can be said or heard by me. I will not be leaving."
The older woman quickly spared a glance to her son and felt a bit better when she could register the hate and disgust on his face. Her eyes were back on Ester before the woman could realize anything.
"This is my son. And I will speak to him in private. Remember your place homewrecker. It is only out of respect for my true daughter in law and the child you now carry that I have not had you killed. Do not think your survival is weakness on my part. I am not as selfish nor callous as you are so I can do for others in spite of my own feelings and perceptions."
She looked at the young lady before her with contempt and decided to keep her mouth shut and not speak anymore.
It was Gabriel that spoke.
"Come mother. Show me these lovely hanging gardens that you and my sisters love so much."
He looked to Ester before she could speak. "we will be going alone." Gabriel's mother smirked as she took her son's offered arm and they moved to the stairs on the balcony.
His mother did nor waist time. She had brought guards, assigned to her by Grace, that she trusted. With a look to them and a nod in return she knew that they were alone.
"This is absolutely ridiculous my son. You need to speak with Grace."
"She will not speak to me mother."
She looked at him after he spoke so casually so assuredly.
"And how do you know that?!" She sighed. "you were given more love than many a person could probably stand and Grace had truly known love until your father forced her to care for your children and she is more in tune with the emotions of others than you could ever.
"She still loves you son."
He shook his head as he admired a truly beautiful and rare flower. 'To think, Grace could get this flower to thrive here'
"She feels obligated because of the contract between our families."
His mother frowned then looked at him incredulously.
"Is this what you think?" She shook heycr head in sadness and maybe a bit of pity.
"Go to her and talk to her. If I am wrong" she shrugged. "… then I am wrong."
Gabriel didn't know what he was doing. He told both Ester and Vanessa that he was going on a hunting trip. He only took his most loyal men. He knew both Ester and Vanessa well, especially Vanessa. He had watched them in action too many times.
He flipped the purple and gold token between his fingers. It was exquisite. His mother gave it to him so that he would have safe passage into the west.
He was going to see his Grace.
Three weeks later one of Grace's broad carriages sat in a small clearing leading to the west. She was surprised that she was sitting there waiting for this man.
This man that utterly changed her children's lives and their futures when she heard that he wanted to speak to her she almost chuckled and then she thought of his mother and sighed.
Now her she was compromising for others. Her children were even in carriage if she felt he deserved to see them after their talk.
When he arrived she resolved in herself to be civil but when she saw him she caved. Tears welled up in her eyes and she rushed to him and cried into his chest. She questioned him and then, with tears on her face and shock in his she kissed him.
His arms had been reluctant before but with this passionate kiss they wrapped around her tightly. He returned her passion and felt his crotch tighten as he pulled her into him.
But she regained herself and gently pushed away. Her head down as if she were ashamed and he felt another piece of his heart shatter and fall away.
The first time he felt this was when he realized how wrong he had been. He had realized that this beautiful brilliant woman had fallen in love with him and he had ruined it all.
Now he saw that his mother was right. Grace still loved him but she had resolved herself to her situation.
He truly had been a fool and he should've trusted her more.
He reluctantly let her go and began to apologize. It was nothing sweet or passionate. It was raw and self-deprecating.
She watched him for a long moment unclear about what she was seeing and hearing when she finally, gently stopped him she smiled.
"Don't ever do that again. Not for me, not for your children. You are king now. You may have made a mistake but you should never lower yourself to atone for it.
"The children are here. I was not sure if I was going to allow you to see them but I think we all need this."
"And your parents?"
She gently shook her head. "they are not as forgiving."