Chapter 19 Her Mistake

She went to sit on the golden chair not far away from where Tracy knelt.

"Do you know why you were slapped and why I am so angry?" Queen Mother asked with a stern expression.

"No, Your Highness," Tracy said with her head lowered. The rule in the palace was that when the royals were speaking all employees in the palace must not look at their faces except asked to do so.

"It's because you dared to accuse the king without evidence.  Do you know what would have happened to you had I not spoken up for you?".

"Not even I would have been able to save you and your family if the king decided to pursue the matter".

"Your Highness is gracious. Your benevolence...,"

"Don't praise me when you haven't realised what you have done wrong," The Queen Mother cut her short abruptly.

"Your biggest mistake today was not making sure that the King had no way of returning to his chambers before we arrived there," The Queen Mother said in a calmer tone.

"I will make sure such a thing doesn't happen...,"

"Don't make promises that you can't fulfill especially when you know very well that you can never outwit the King and his smart head of guard".

Meanwhile at the road close to Audrey's house Joanna bumped into Audrey on her way home.

"Hey, why did you leave so early? Did mum chase you out of the house?" Audrey asked worriedly. She held Joanna's hands and examined her to make sure she was ok.

"I want to reach home early so I can meet little rice ball before he leaves for school. He will be upset if he doesn't see me...,"

"That's not true. Tony is more understanding than you think. He was very worried when I said you fell ill," Audrey replied.

"He said he is my husband, I guess that is why he is playing his role well," Joanna said smiling when she recalled the day Anthony fought with Kayden over who is her husband and who is not. She almost laughed her guts out that day because of them.

"Hehe... He wants to take the king's place, doesn't he know that is a capital crime?" Audrey said laughing.

"I never agreed that I would marry him...,"

"Although everyone hates you, no one in the kingdom doesn't know that you are the king's chosen mate...,"

"Stop saying that except you want the villagers to murder me on my way home," Joanna said as she tried to walk away but Audrey held her hand, preventing her from leaving.

"You are coming to school right?" Audrey asked, her gaze focused on Joanna's face.

"After how I almost died yesterday I think it will be better I keep away from school for some days...,"

"What would happen to your remaining papers if you don't show up to take the exams? Do you want everyone to have another reason for hating you? Do you want them to say that the King's mate is an illiterate who didn't even go to the university?"

"We are still in the Academy and yet I live on yours and little rice ball's allowance, how am I gonna fare if I go to the university?" Joanna asked feeling sentimental.

She can't recall the last time her father has given her allowances. As far as she can recall it is Audrey and Anthony who have been secretly sharing their allowance money with her. She would have long starved to death was it not for them.

Because of her situation she has tried applying for a job but employers always told her that she wasn't of legal age to work.

The fact that she was the king's wife-to-be also contributed to some of her rejection.  Those in the kingdom who hated her didn't even wait to hear her out but always chased her away from the gates like she was a plague.

"I still owe you money for the three spare uniforms you have given me since this...,"

"I never said you should pay for the spare uniforms so what are you saying?" Audrey said, tapping Joanna by the shoulder.

"What are friends for if they can't do that much for a friend?".

"Also you don't have to worry about university because things will turn out for the better after you regain your powers. Who knows your father might start sparing you some attention and Adhara might hate you less..,"

"I doubt if that will ever happen," Joanna said dejectedly. She began working away. She glanced behind when she recalled something she failed to tell Audrey.

"You will escort me to the cafe today after school to meet the boss of the place. Who knows I might be lucky and she accepts me to work for her," Joanna said waving to Audrey. She resumed walking away.

Audrey stood there and stared at her friend's departing back.  "Anna is the loveliest girl I have ever seen. She has never hurt anyone before so I wonder why everyone hates her so much?"

"I have never seen or heard of the mate or future Queen of a big kingdom as ours ever suffering but Anna has suffered for as long as I have known her. Her father doesn't love her, her stepmother and stepsister make life a living hell for her. Almost everyone in the kingdom despises her. When will her suffering end huh?" Audrey said while gazing up at the cloudy sky.

She turned and left for her home after Joanna was no longer at sight.