Chapter 2
Charles moved Sophia into a suite in his own private wing.
When the news broke, the court was thrown into an uproar.
Jocelyn was the first to lose her composure. The very next day, she sent Rose to investigate.
Rose marched in with her head held high, but stumbled out later in tears.
Violet came to report. "Lady Rose told Sophia it was improper and damaging to both Sophia and the King's reputations for her to live in the king's wing.
"Sophia fired back, calling Lady Rose petty and backward.
"The argument turned physical, Your Majesty. Lady Rose even had a handful of hair pulled out."
"And what did the king say?" I asked.
Violet replied, "He reprimanded Lady Rose, confined her to her chambers, and cut her monthly allowance. Then he called the royal physician to tend to Sophia..."
Violet hesitated. "Your Majesty, is His Majesty perhaps being too biased?"
I silenced her with a cold stare. "How dare you question the king? Have you lost your mind?"
Violet bowed her head immediately. "Forgive me, Your Majesty."
Charles and I grew up together.
It was the first time I had ever seen him defend someone like this. I couldn't tell whether it was a passing fascination or something deeper.
When Jocelyn learned what happened to Rose, she was livid.
By the third day, she could no longer contain herself and stormed over to confront Sophia personally.
Jocelyn was the Prime Minister's daughter. At a royal ball, her dancing had captivated Charles completely.
From the moment she became the King's woman, she rose swiftly to the rank of Lady Consort and became the most indulged woman in the palace.
Her temper, of course, was never her strong suit.
The moment Jocelyn barged into Charles's private wing, she and Sophia were at each other's throats, the argument fierce and unyielding.
Just as it seemed they might come to blows, Charles walked in, his expression icy. He ordered Jocelyn out and immediately turned to comfort Sophia.
Now, Jocelyn sat in my solar, tears of frustration streaking her cheeks as she vented.
She said, "That witch has bewitched him. He's a different man!
"If I had known I would swallow such humiliation, I would never have become the King's woman."
I smiled faintly, my gaze lowered. "I warned you. The court is a gilded cage. Once you enter, there's no way out. Yet you still chose it."
Jocelyn wiped her tears. "I only came because you did.
"I used to think the king was at least sensible, but now? He's blind to reason.
"That traveler has addled his mind completely. It's infuriating!"
She gritted her teeth. "She even boasted she could make gunpowder, flying machines, carriages that move without horses, and ships of iron.
"I didn't understand half of it, but she claimed she could help him conquer the continent. You should have seen his eyes. They lit up like stars.
"The king still respects you for now, but who knows how long that will last? You must be prepared."
Jocelyn grumbled a while longer, dried her eyes, then rose and strode out, chin high.
She would never let others see her pride wounded in public.
After dismissing Violet, I sat alone in my chambers, drawing my sword and slowly tracing a finger along the blade.
This sword had not been unsheathed in three years. And I had been married to Charles for exactly that long.
*****
Sophia settled into the king's wing as if it were the most natural arrangement in the world.
Charles stopped visiting any other entirely, yet every day, whispers swirled about how utterly charmed he was by Sophia.
Soon, everyone in the country knew the name Sophia Nolan.
The next time I saw Charles and Sophia was at the palace's harvest party.
Charles entered, resplendent in a robe of royal crimson, with Sophia trailing closely behind, a woman I hadn't laid eyes on in days.
She wore a daring, shoulder-baring gown that ended well above the knee. Under the glow of the chandeliers, her pale legs were impossible to ignore.
A collective gasp swept the hall.
Jocelyn's face went ashen, her handkerchief nearly torn in her grip.
Laurel averted her eyes, muttering, "Shameless."
Charles nodded to me, his gaze flickering nervously. "My Queen, it's the Harvest Festival. I've brought Sophia to join the celebration. You don't mind, do you?"
I offered a slight, formal smile. "Of course not, Your Majesty."
Sophia sauntered right up to me, looking me up and down without restraint, her eyes lingering on the intricate embroidery and layers of my formal gown.
She smirked. "Seriously, doesn't all that fabric make you hot? Where I'm from, we wear what's comfortable to parties. Comfort comes first."