Delvin shot an arrow across the courtyard and it hit the target. The guard beside the target pulled out the arrow and brought it back to Delvin. The king took the arrow from him and loaded the bow with two other arrows, preparing to shoot.
Sheila stood a distance behind him and looked on as he shot arrows across the courtyard. "Is this what you're going to do all day?" She asked and slumped into the chair provided for her.
"Do you have any better options?" He asked and shot another arrow. Sheila sighed and faned herself. Delvin handed his bow to a guard and went to sit beside Sheila. "Fan me" he said casually. Sheila jerked her head towards him.
"Excuse me"
"It seems a few mins of luxury have made you loose your memory. Well let me refresh you. You are my maid" he said and grinned. Sheila stood up reluctantly and rolled her eyes as she began to fan him. Delvin shut his eyes and relaxed in the chair.
At that time, Belinda happened to walk part the courtyard with her entourage of court maidens. She spotted Delvin and Sheila in the courtyard, delvin smiling and Sheila looking at him with such a tenderness.
She turned to her head maid, "summon the minsters and noblemen, I have quite the tale to tell" she said. The maid bowed and hurried away. Belinda turned towards the unsuspecting duo and began walking gracefully towards them. She reached and bowed to delvin. "My king." She said in a voice laced with accusation. She motioned for Sheila to step back and filled the seat Sheila had sat on. Delvin, who initially planned to ignore his consort, opened his eyes when the fanning seized. Sheila walked away and stood a small distance from them, just so she was out of earshot. Delvin looked around and when he found her, he motioned for her to come back. Belinda raised her hand, motioning for Sheila to stop.
"I told her to step away so I could speak to you my king" Belinda said in a stingingly sweet voice. She motioned for her maids to fan Delvin. Delvin signed for them to move away.
" Point of correction, I am not your king. I am THE KING" he said and relaxed on the chair again. "Speak if you must, make it snappy." He said. Belinda smiled satisfied. She cleared her throat and began.
"Well, first I wanted to apologize for last night. I came to you without your permission. And I am sorry"
"No apology required. You are human as am I. Mistakes are bound to occur." Delvin replied.
"Then , I wanted to discuss the matter of an heir. The ministers are growing anxious...."
" They are anxious because I haven't crowned a queen to bear an heir. And the summary of you being here is because you want to become the queen. Unfortunately, that will not happen. I do not love you, I married you out of convenience and my father's influence" Delvin said. Belinda was stunned by his reply. A guard ran towards them and bowed
" Your majesty, the ministers and noble men, they have called for an emergency meeting"
The guard said.
Delvin stood up
" What is the emergency?" He asked. The guard hesitated.
" It seems, they have a spy among the servants. And word of you rejecting your consort has reached their ears"
" So they cannot accomplish their duties fully, but they want to meddle inthe affairs of my harem. How convenient " he said. He cast a glance at Sheila who was now moving her weight from one foot to another, probably tired of standing. "Sheila, let's go." He said and turned. The guard looked up .
"Sir, what do I tell the minsters?" He asked. " Tell them I said to focus onatters that actually concern them." Delvin replied and walked away. Sheila trailed behind him glancing at Belinda who glared menacingly at her.
Dolores walked into the court room and saw the crowd of officials waiting for the king. She put on her veil and sat on her throne. A while later the guard entered and relayed Delvin's message. The officials were enraged and turned to Dolores to speak some sense into her brother.
" He is in truth my younger brother, but aside that he is king. I might council and advice him all I want. He will still do as he wishes." She said. " Now if there is no other matter to report, you are all dismissed" she said and left the room. As she walked down the hallway, she met Belinda on her way to her chamber. The two locked eyes as they walked past each other.
Belinda went into her chambers and sent all the maids and servants out. She summoned a huge cauldron in the center of her room.
"Spirits of old, masters of the four realms I beseech thee. Your loyal servant seeks your favor" she said and bowed her face to the ground. A cloud of silver mist rose from the pot, filled by a gold, red and then a black one. They all took the shape of orbs and floated around her.
"SPEAK CHILD, YOUR REQUEST SHALL BE GRANTED AS YOU DESIRE IT" they said in unison.
"I desire the knowledge of alchemy to deliver into your hands the throne of colgard" she said. A small shard fell from the silver orb to the floor and silver mist filled the room disappearing into Belinda's body. She lifted her hands in honoir to the beings as they vanished into the cauldron. Belinda Rose to her feet and the cauldron vanished. She called for her closest maid and gave her a list of items to purchase. The maid left immediately. Belinda smiled and walked to the balcony. "Soon. I will be queen over all this." She said and leaned on the rail.
That night, delvin stayed up to work in his study. He had a good supply of wine close by to help him stay awake. Eventually he got drunk. He called for his personal guard, Kanis, to escort him to his room.
Kanis obeyed and led him to his chambers.
" Send all the maids and servants out please" Delvin instructed as he lay down on his bed. Kanis bowed and did as he was instructed. As soon as that wing if the palace was empty, Belinda tiptoed into Delvin's chamber. Delvin tossed and turned on the bed, his vision blurred and his senses smeared. Belinda walked up to him and trailed her hand down his chest. He jerked to a sitting position but soon fell back. As Belinda walked around the room a silver mist emerged from her foot prints. The mist filled the room and Delvin's nostrilshe couldn't tell what happened around him anymore and the events of that night blurred into oblivion in his memory.