Silence.
Sigrid’s question was unexpected and it made them rethink their strategy. For the first time, Badric tucked his tail in and held his tongue. The De-Kensington brothers did not dare to say anything.
The small gap between them and the princess felt too small. The air was ripe with tension, even those that were looking on from the side lines could sense it. Phones were popular in Eldoria but there supply was not equal to the demand.
Those without phones could only watch in envy as the ones with phones shared the encounter with other people.
"That’s right. That’s what I thought." Sigrid said softly but with steel in her voice.
She expected to hear no response from them and she was about to stand when an older woman pushed her way through the boys. She walked with a cane that always moved ahead of her.
"If my daughter is truly ill then I would like to see her. Surely there is no harm in letting a mother and her daughter have a re-union at the most scary time of her life." She raised her hands that were leaning on the cane. "As you can see, I am already old and I suspect that my death is not far off. Even if I am infected with whatever you claim Maurelia has, I don’t mind. Death does not scare me anymore."
The De-Kensington brothers stood up straighter. They were like children that had been losing a fight and their big scary mommy had come to their rescue. There was even a hint of a smirk on Badric’s face. To his thinking, even the king had to give his parents some lee way. Who was the crown princess in comparison to the king?
"See, I don’t like what you said Lady Florentine." Sigrid shook her head. "The use of the word claim means that I am asserting that the queen is ill without having proof to back up my words. I refuse to be engaged in a conversation where I am accused of being a liar.
In case you all need a reminder, the king himself and his doctors decided that the queen was ill and she needed to be isolated. It was not I that made this choice so take your doubts to the king, not me.
Lastly, queen Maurelia’s illness was confirmed by the Lord mage. The king was so desperate to save his queen that he invited the most powerful mage in our empire to treat her. If that does not reassure you about her condition I don’t know what will." She leaned back and crossed her right leg over the left one. Looking at the curiously, she asked, "Don’t you trust Roland? Do you think he would not send word if foul play was involved in this matter?
As yourselves. Would Roland really sit by and allow Elarin to step over his own mother in order to act as the queen if she had harmed the true queen?"
The De-Kensington’s traded gazes and frowns. Sigrid had made some fine points. What made them think twice was the fact that Roland was the queen’s son. At the end of the day, he needed the De-Kensington’s on his side. If foul play was involved and someone harmed his mother, he would not let it go.
"Roland is Roland, I am not him." Lady Florentine said in response.
Sigrid uncrossed her legs and stood up. She looked at the brothers first and then their mother. She had her fan in her right hand and she tapped it against her left hand slowly. It seemed the old woman was going to be stubborn about it. The fact that she brought up her age and death meant she would take this matter as far as she could until she got her away.
While they could keep a lid on the matter of the queen for a while, if the De-Kensington’s made too much noise, people would ask questions. Other nobles would join them in making noise until some proof was seen that the queen was seen in person.
"Mmmmm..." Sigrid sighed.
Next to her, Mauve had a feeling hat something was going to happen and whatever it was, it would not be good for the De-Kensington’s.
"Are you sure that you want to see your daughter at all costs Lady Florentine?" Sigrid asked.
Lady Florentine’s wrinkled face remained still as she nodded.
"Her illness is deadly and contagious, even the doctors have to cover up from head to toe when they see her. I would like to remind you that you are old and prone to illness. Are you sure that you would like to be in the same room as your daughter? If you go in, coming out is impossible." Sigrid said.
Lady Florentine responded with silence, but she blinked twice.
"For the last time, Lady Florentine are you sure that you want to do this?"
Lady Florentine looked at Sigrid with scorn, she was wondering how foolish the crown princess was. Why was she repeating the same question over and over?
"Very well then." Sigrid put her hands behind her back and she smiled. "You have convinced me Lady Florentine. You are truly a wonderful mother. Others would stay away when their children contract illness that are considered plagues but not you. The queen will be glad to see you. She will have permanent company in her isolation until a cure for her illness someday."
"Wait..what?" Lady Florentine asked.
Sigrid gestured at Brolin and walked forward and he lifted Lady Florentine.
"Put me down you reckless knight." She complained.
Her sons moved forward to assist her, shouting or rather commanding that their mother be put down but they were ignored. Other knights pushed them back, Cosmos even brandished his big sword. The tip poked Lord Badric on the side of his neck and he squealed.
Lady Florentine was handed to another knight that was one of them.
"The Lady wants to live out her days with her daughter the queen, see to it." He told the knight.
The knight was on a flying horse. He nodded and it took off as lightning speed immediately. After it vanished completely, Sigrid turned to the De-Kensington brothers and she smiled widely.
The smile was so wide and coupled with her white teeth, it was perfect for a toothpaste advert.
"No need to thank me gentlemen." She told them.
"Thank you! Why should we thank you?" Remy screamed. "You have sent our mother off to die. I will sue you. I am going to report this to the crown prince and my father."
"I demand that you return our mother to us." Kane jutted a finger at her and snatched it back quickly when Brolin’s sword nearly took if off.
They raised their voice, each shouting over the other so loudly that it almost became impossible to hear their demands.
Sigrid feigned ignorance, blinking as if she was confused. "Your mother said it herself that she is close to death and she does not mind if the queen’s illness kills her. You all stood aside and supported her. Now that I have granted her wish, you are bleating like horny goats." She huffed. "Honestly satisfying you people is impossible."
She entered the carriage and signaled that she was ready to go.