They all know the rumors surrounding the King but no one dared to speak them aloud, except Emilia of course.
"Since there is no official decree yet concerning the marriage with the King then I just have to get married before one is sent out." Emilia told them and Markham shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
He is also worried about her going into the palace and getting hurt but doesn't want her to settle for the worse because of that. After all, she is his favourite and he spent his entire life making sure she lacks nothing she needs.
"My lord, if Emilia is really willing to get marry early to Cornelius then why not allow her? After all, she won't have to worry about him bringing trouble." Margaret voiced, her face filled with mockery.
"Yes, that way, her siblings can also have the chance to get married and start a family." Hannah also chipped in but Markham silent them immediately.
"Stop talking nonsense" he scolded and turned to Emilia.
"You should return to your room first, e will discuss about this later." he told her but Emilia refuted him.
"No father, I already said it in front of everyone, there is no need to beat around the bush," she replied, rising to her feet.
"We should begin the marriage process now and also, I won't be attending the Queen mother's banquet. I have no reason to be there." she announced and gasps rippled through the room but without waiting for a response, Emilia made her way out of the hall with her maids trailing behind like anxious shadows.
Margaret huffed immediately she is out of sight and turned to Markham.
"My lord, Emilia has always been willful before but how can she actually dare to disobey the orders of the King? Isn't she asking for death?" she spat and Hannah tapped her gently to quiet down.
Sophia turned to Markham, also anxious.
"She is just being difficult. Leave this to me, I talk her out of it" she offered but Markham refused and stood up as well.
"I will speak to her myself." he said and left in a hurry with his face drawn in deep concern.
"I need to fix this quickly" he murmured faintly.
Louis, the youngest son, stood up next.
"Mother, may I be excused? I have some important business to attend to" he asked Margaret, who turned at Sophia to seek permission.
Sophia nodded gently as a go ahead.
"Everyone is dismissed" she said.
Margaret and Hannah stood up, walking towards Sophia and Catherine, her daughter as they made their way out of the hall, eager to gossip.
"Now that Emilia is refusing to marry the King, what are you going to do, My lady?" Hannah queried and Sophia's face turned grim.
"Are you really going to let her have her way this time as always? Remember, if she avoids marrying the King then Catherine will be next in line to get married." Margaret said, reminding her and Sophia snapped.
"Shut your mouth both of you. The marriage of every child id decided by her parents with no exception." she said but they scoffed at her words.
"Are you positive? When has she ever treated you as her mother? All she has done these years is disobey and disrespect you." Margaret replied and Sophia's eyes darken with anger.
"What are you both doing? Don't you have somewhere else to be?" Catherine asked, raising her voice in anger and they became silent.
"Sorry my lady, but we are just worried about you and don't want you anything bad to happen." Hannah murmured with a smug.
"Whatever happens with Emilia's marriage is none of your concern. I will handle it." Sophia told them but her words doesn't sound convincing even to herself.
"Then would you be willing to let Catherine marry the King instead?" Margaret pressed boldly.
"Are you really planning to save Emilia over your own daughter?"
Although Sophia held a higher rank, Margaret is also from a reputable family herself and had never feared pushing boundaries.
Sophia clenched her jaw at her words, fuming silently.
"Emilia is also my daughter!" she yelled and Margaret finally cowered.
"We will be off to prepare for the banquet tonight, see you." she and Hannah said, and with a slight curtsy, they flounce off.
"Mother," Catherine called immediately they are out of sight, her eyes flashing with a smile.
"Since Emilia is willing to let go of the position of the Queen…why don't I go to the banquet in her place?" she asked but Sophia refuted her immediately.
"No way."
"But mother…"
Sophia turned to her with a weary glared.
"I want you to marry into a good family but certainly not into palace. What if something happens to you like others?" she snapped concerned but Catherine shook her head strongly.
'You don't have to worry mother, nothing will happen to me." she assured her but Sophia continued to refuse.
"Mother, you know how Emilia is. Since she has refused to go, the Queen mother will not let us off if one of us doesn't attend." Catherine persuaded further, her eyes filled with desperation.
Sophia exhaled slowly, her illness weighing on her like a shroud and because of it, she also can't attend the banquet tonight.
"Very well then. You may go," she said reluctantly.
"But be sure to behave yourself."
"Thank you, Mother," Catherine said, bowing slightly before walking away to a different direction.
Catherine's servant, Emily popped out behind her, grinning from ear to ear.
"My lady, you are finally getting the opportunity you deserve," Emily whispered and Catherine also smiled, pleased, giving Emily the boldness to continue.
"I have everything ready and in place for you tonight. We don't even have to go on with our plan to hurt Lady Emilia…"
"Shh!" Catherine hissed, spinning around. Her voice lowered.