Sigrid had to blink a few times. She too had never come across a flower with an attitude.
"Eckbert," She called out, gesturing for the boy to come the front.
He walked over quickly and she handed him the pot because he was the expert compared to her. She addressed the classroom meanwhile. "Another name for Gillywood is Sassyflower because it is a very demanding flower. It likes only the most skilled gardener and expects top-tier care."
"So it is a noble flower." Finn chuckled.
Some students laughed and others sneered, displeased by the comparison.
Sigrid shrugged, "A fussy noble, a duchess or a princess. If Sassyflowers are not given the care they demand for, they refuse to bloom. So, it would rather commit suicide than live a life of mediocrity."
"Can it be used in any potion?" Finn asked.
"Yes." Sigrid closed the book on her table as time was up and she had only seconds left. "Sassyflower can be used in potions that boost confidence, charisma and elegance. For people in the fields of entertainment like acting, singing, dancing and those that do a lot of public speaking, elixirs with Sassyflower can be a must have."
A bell rung and Sigrid sighed. "That is all the time we have today. Homework assignments can be picked up in my assistant’s office.
The younger mages run out of the class as if it was on fire. Their destination was the dining hall, they had lunch to enjoy. The adult mages waited for Sigrid and the lord mage to leave first before following slowly.
She was planning to head back to the royal castle and the queen consort stopped her on the way. "If it isn’t my dear grand daughter-in-law who is avoiding me. Why must you make me come and find you in person?"
"I am not avoiding you, I am busy. Meetings in the morning, class in the afternoon and often after lunch. A ball to plan in the evening. Honestly, I have much to do and so little time to do it all." She replied with half truths and lies.
She kept her pace quick to avoid the old woman but the queen consort kept up with her. Sigrid frowned and looked at the woman, perusing her eyes from the queen consort’s feet to her face. "What happened to old bones and not being able to walk as fast as the young ones?"
"With all the potions here did you really think for a single second that I would still be walking like a sickly old woman?" The queen consort quizzed Sigrid.
"No," Sigrid answered quickly, stepping aside to make way for the students that were running to the dining hall.
"My grandson--your husband has spent two nights at my house." The queen consort put a hand on Sigrid’s shoulder to stop her from attempting to jog away. "I still have ears in the royal castle Sigrid and I have heard some things. While I do love my grandson, I would prefer it if he did not spend his nights trying to engage me in card games and conversations on politics."
A flat smile curved on Sigrid’s lips. "Sounds like a wonderful bonding experience."
"Oh come off it!" The queen consort hissed. "I know a couple that is in the middle of a fight. He won’t tell me why the two of you are suddenly estranged. Perhaps you can enlighten me."
"Sigrid pouted her lips and shook her head. "I would rather not."
"Fine, clam up if you wish. Just make sure that the child you bear is not a victim of your troubles." The queen consort shook her head. She thought to herself that the husband was much like his wife. "I don’t care how you do it, get Roland out of my house. I have a boyfriend now. Braga Ashford and I are now dating and since I recovered we enjoy spending time together after the sun sets."
"What!" Sigrid exclaimed. "Are you even allowed to date?"
"Why not? My mourning period for my husband ended after a decade. I am allowed to date but sadly, I cannot have a child or remarry to avoid confusing royal blood. Oh, plus the man I date must not be involved in politics, royal affairs or hold a high office." She shared.
The wheels in Sigrid’s mind turned as she processed this new information. "Huh!" a high pitched sound came from slightly parted mouth.
"If you kill my grandson, I will kill you." The queen consort threatened Sigrid. The dark look in her eyes said that she was not joking.
Sigrid laughed. "Now why would I kill my husband?"
"You would be surprised by how many queens have been responsible for the deaths of their husbands. Look at the history of royal families everywhere. You will find that many queen consorts or queen dowagers are widows." She shared a little known fact.
"It seems you are discrediting their sons who poison them." Sigrid replied.
The queen consort’s face twitched a little. She was not sure if Sigrid was referring to what had happened to the former king or speaking in general.
"Or the heart attacks from all the stress." Sigrid quickly added. "Honestly, I think it is the position itself which sends most kings and emperors to early graves. Each day comes with a new challenge. Somewhere people are starving, unemployed, ill or fighting a war of some kind. Sitting on the throne is a blessing and a curse."
The queen consort sighed tiredly. "Go on, this old woman will keep her nose out of your business." She took a step back from Sigrid. "But, you should know Sigrid, depending on what your goals are in this marriage, sometimes you must bend first. It is in the nature of us women to soothe our men when they are throwing tantrums. You may not like it but you have to do it to keep the peace."
Sigrid smiled gently like she understood. "I have received your advice your highness."
They separated after and Sigrid returned to the royal castle. Following the advice of the queen consort, she decided to go and see Roland. For the sake of peace, she was willing to bend.
Having been told that he was in the courtyard, she ordered Bella to bring some snacks and ice cream. Her lunch too, she planned to share with him. When she was passing through the outer hallway of the second floor which overlooked the courtyard, Sigrid saw a sight that stunned her and froze her legs.
Her husband, Prince Galen, Roland’s closest knights and friends were all down there. They were shooting arrows at targets in what appeared to be a friendly game. In their midst was one female, Keely Valerius.
She was standing beside the crown prince, laughing demurely. It looked like Roland was teaching her how to shoot arrows.
He knew she did not want him anywhere around her and he had gone ahead to entertain Keely.
The smile on Sigrid’s face fell, her lips tightened and she clenched her hands in anger.
In a deep, steady angry voice she said, "Mauve, fetch me a bow and an arrow. It seems like a good day to paint the courtyard red."