Earning the Love of a Princess-Chapter 260: Violet: Changing of the Guard

10 May, 1348. Magdaline Castle, Islia

Kathryn Danner’s fall from grace turned out to be both swift and glaringly obvious. Queen Celia isn’t the type to forgive and forget, Violet noted to herself for future reference.

Kathryn was no longer asked to sing the queen’s beloved ballads out loud or to brush out her hair at the end of the day. The queen never asked her to the strum a harp, the way she had before. Queen Celia was nothing but polite when she spoke to Kathryn but she now addressed her former favourite in detached tones.

It wasn’t long at all before the other ladies-in-waiting noticed the changes as well. No one was brave enough to ask Kathryn directly what had happened, of course. Instead most of the ladies started giving her sidelong glances. They also started keeping their distance from her, as if whatever had made her lose favour was contagious.

Even Maisie Setterten started avoiding her, even though it was clear Queen Celia’s affection for Maisie had cooled as well.

One early afternoon, Prince Leo strode into the queen’s apartments to call upon his mother. As soon as his arrival was announced by the guards outside the door, the ladies stood up and went into a quiet frenzy of smoothing their gowns and fluttering their eyelashes.

Leo was carrying what looked like a platter with a rounded gilt cover over it. He walked past the small crowd as if they didn’t exist, though Violet suspected he was the kind of man who knew exactly how many ladies had their eyes fixed on him. He knelt before his mother and bowed his head to receive her blessing.

Queen Celia’s face glowed with pride as she placed a gentle hand upon his hair. She was known to be a fond mother to her brood of sons but everyone whispered her heart belonged to her firstborn. "My darling boy. Such an unexpected joy to have you visit us. What has brought you here?"

Leo smiled back and removed the gilt lid to reveal a plate piled high with ripe, red strawberries. "The first crop of the season. I thought you might enjoy them, Mother."

Queen Celia beamed at the sight, then glanced around the room to gauge her ladies’ reactions. As if on cue, they all cooed admiringly at what a thoughtful gesture it was for the prince to bring his mother fruit. Kathryn Danner, who had been relegated to the furthest edge of the ladies’ circle, called out her compliments the loudest.

Violet tried very hard to not roll her eyes. You’d think the queen had just been presented with the moon and stars on a platter, judging by her reaction. No wonder Prince Leo was so spoiled, if this is how his mama fawned over him.

Kathryn’s excessive praise rang out and briefly drew Leo’s attention. Violet could see how the girl was pleading with her eyes and looking at him for help. She probably thought that a good word from him might help raise her standing before the queen.

Leo blinked in Kathryn’s direction for a second, but then his gaze skidded away as if he didn’t even know her. Instead, he sprawled his long frame out on the floor at his mother’s feet and lazily bit into the strawberry she handed him.

"Lady Kathryn." Queen Celia ordered sharply. "Bring my son a cushion to lay upon."

Kathryn scurried to do as ordered and picked up a large velvet cushion. The look on her face as she desperately tried to make eye contact with the indifferent prince, was nothing short of pathetic.

Violet shook her head in disgust.

The rest of the ladies sat down quietly and pretended to return to their embroidery, when in reality they were avidly listening to the conversation between the two royals. Unfortunately, nothing very interesting was discussed - the next planned hunt, tax collection and a pair of new stallions Leo had recently purchased from the Haviettenese court.

Once they had chatted for a long while and all the fruit had been eaten, Leo stood up and bid his mother goodbye. He promised to talk with her further at dinner, then nodded politely to the ladies-in-waiting.

Violet noticed he was very skilled at pretending he couldn’t see that the woman he’d recently used and discarded, was now looking up at him as if she wanted to cry. He turned away indifferently.

Just before he exited through the door, Violet saw Leo cast a look over his shoulder and aim a faint, playful smile at one particular person.

Ilse.

She smiled back.

- - -

When the time arrived for Queen Celia’s afternoon nap, all the ladies knew to leave the royal presence chamber. Some headed for the gardens, others to their shared dormitory.

As the twins started walking down the corridor to their own chamber, Kathryn Danner headed straight for Ilse and grabbed her roughly by the elbow.

It turned out that a few other sharp eyed ladies had also seen Leo smiling at Ilse.

"What is going on between you and Prince Leo?" the mousy haired girl hissed, the mask of her previously gentle nature gone. Behind her stood Maisie Setterten, who looked eager to watch a brewing quarrel.

"Nothing’s going on." Ilse wrenched her arm away with a frown. "Are people not allowed to exchange smiles at court anymore?"

"Liar! I saw the way he looked at you." Kathryn shot back, eyes filled with angry tears.

"Why would I lie? I have nothing to lie about!" Ilse tried to brush past her but Kathryn blocked her path.

Violet instinctively stepped in to defend sister. "Stop making up scenarios in your head and trying to lay blame on others, Lady Kathryn. Just because you’re angry you’re no longer the queen’s little pet is no reason to attack Ilse."

Kathryn slowly turned her head until her gaze rested squarely on Violet. "And I don’t suppose you had anything to do with that, did you? It’s not like you poured poison about me in the queen’s ear, did you?"