The King's Mistress

Chapter 45: All Other Routes Lead To Death

"I am a knightess. My real full name is Sierra Bancroft, adopted daughter of General Leon Bancroft."

Sierra began to explain how things came to be. To others, it might look as if she was betraying her home kingdom by revealing the truth of her circumstances to the Queen, but what other choice did she have? All other routes would lead to her death.

This was the best course of action to take. Roxine and the others listened on in silence. When Sierra was done, she ended her explanation with a simple line.

"...I will accept any punishment you see fit, I-" before Sierra could finish, Ida got down on her knees next to her.

"Ida, what are you-"

"Your Highness! Queen Roxine, I implore you to look the other way and forgive Princess Sierra. She did not have a choice in the matter, she was forced by the King of her country to do this. It isn’t fair for her to be punished!" Ida pleaded with the queen.

Sierra was surprised. Ida had treated her with nothing but kindness since they first met. She had chosen to stand by her side. Even now, when the truth of her identity had been revealed, she was still standing up for her.

Even the Queen and her maid were surprised by Ida’s loyalty.

"You foolish wench! You are a palace maid, of Vargos Castle no less! Your allegiance should be with your Kingdom! Not this... this... fake princess!" Marionne chided.

"Prin- Sierra might not be a real princess by blood, but she’s a princess to me! In the time I have served her, I have seen how she treats those around her. She’s more of a princess than some of the other real princesses I have seen. I am willing to follow her, even if she’s not a princess.

In the time that I have served her, she has treated me with nothing but kindness. She saw me as her equal. For that alone, I am more than willing to pledge my allegiance to her."

Sierra was moved by Ida’s passionate speech. She did not know what to say. The maid who was by her side all this time truly had her best intentions at heart. She was lucky to have her as a close confidante, as a friend.

Marionne was livid by Ida’s responses. But she did not know what else to say. When she turned to the Queen, she was surprised to see a smile on her face.

"This is most certainly not what I had expected. You truly are an interesting character, Sierra. I wonder what other surprises you’ll have for us in the future," Queen Roxine chuckled with delight.

Confused by the Queen’s reaction and words, Sierra did not know what to say. As she was still on her knees, the queen told her to get back up and take a seat. Sierra was hesitant at first but eventually, she did as the Queen had asked.

After all, her life was in her hands. She did not want to upset her.

"Aren’t you going to expose me, Your Majesty? I...I’m a fraud." Sierra said as she bit her lip.

No one liked to call themselves a ’fraud’ but in this situation, it was the unfortunate truth. Roxine looked over to Sierra, amused by her response. The Queen gathered up all the material laid out on the table.

She got up and walked over to the fireplace and tossed it in there. Everyone gasped in shock.

"Your Highness-"

"My Queen?" Sierra got up on her feet, confused by the Queen’s actions.

In the past, she thought she had a pretty good idea of what sort of person she was like. Now, Sierra was only certain about one thing. She did not understand the Queen at all.

"Why?" Sierra could not help but ask.

"Because you’re going to make things very interesting," Roxine declared with a smile as she took a seat on the sofa once more, "These tests are going to be so boring if I take you out now. Besides, I don’t think you want Cassandra to win, now do you?"

"Your Highness, but Sierra is not a princess. She can’t compete," Marionne reminded her.

"Who’s to say she isn’t?" Roxine said with a smile as she threw up her hands, "There’s no evidence, is there?" ƒгeewebnovёl.com

That was the only copy of the report. It was now reduced to ash in the fire pit.

"Your not-so little secret is safe with me, Princess Sierra," she said with a smile, "But be warned, I have my eye on you. If you step out of line, your head will roll and I will show you no mercy."

Though Sierra did not fully understand why the queen was helping her, she was not about to turn down the offer.

"Thank you, Your Highness. I will not disappoint,"

When she asked about the other people who knew of this, Queen Roxine explained that everyone within the room will be keeping it to themselves. As for the informant, he too will not divulge it to anyone. All she needed to worry about was herself and Ida.

"Ida, I know it’s a lot to ask but-"

"Say no further, Your Highness. Your secret is safe with me."

Tears were welling up in her eyes. Sierra did not know what she did to deserve all this kindness from all those around her, but she was eternally grateful to them.

"What about the King? Will you tell him too?" Sierra asked as she tightly clutched the hems of her dress.

If he found out the truth about her real identity, what would he do? How would he react?

"It is best that he doesn’t for now. When the time is right, we can tell him." frёewebnoѵēl.com

After Sierra left the Queen’s Quarters that night, Miss Marionne could not help but ponder over what happened. As she helped Roxine to comb her hair, her mind was occupied.

"What’s the matter, Marionne?" Roxine asked.

"It’s about Sierra, why did you-"

"Why did I not arrest her?" she helped her to finish her sentence.

Marionne nodded.

Roxine smiled as she began to explain. She saw a small part of herself in Sierra. She was married to Alistair for the sake of her home kingdom. Sierra’s sacrifice was to ensure the safety of her family and her kingdom.

She did not have a choice in the matter either. It was not her fault that things turned out like this. But there was one more reason why. She could tell from the interactions between them that Alistair had taken an interest in her.

Sierra, on the other hand, was tougher to read. However, with time, she was sure the knightess’ true feelings would be revealed.

"If my predictions are right, I dare say their feelings for one another are mutual."