Helena sat down in a beautiful rose garden. The weather was warm enough to enjoy tea at the outdoors. The fragrance of the tea mixed with the flower gave a pleasant smell. On the table were fancy snacks and pastries made by the best chef in the kingdom. Despite the perfect setting, Helena's whole body was tense.
The Eluvuris King and Queen were sitting in front of her.
This might be a new form of torture. Helena was tired from smiling. She was anxious to make a mistake in front of the noblest noble. As a lower-ranking noble, she was obligated to attend. Helena could not refuse the invitation from the King and Queen. The whole family was in chaos when Helena received the letter from the royalty. She must prepare from morning to look presentable. The news of her going to the palace was spreading like wildfire.
In her second life, Helena was capable of carrying out a good performance. She had no qualms about lying and boasting to look good. However, it only worked with someone who barely knew her. The King and the Queen was the ruler of this country. If someone exposed her lie, it would spell a problem for her.
Helena could not control herself when she had a private meeting with them. Her whole body was shaking from fear. Queen Patricia chuckled at Helena's pale expression when she noticed it.
"My, are you nervous? Have some warm tea, Lady Blackmoore. You will be much better."
Patricia Aurelius was the legal wife of King Opal. Prince Ruby inherited her red hair but his blue eyes from his father. Queen Patricia had forest-green eyes, ivory skin and full red lips. Her hair was tied in an elegant bun with a crown on her head. Her bright red dress complimented her hair.
She was later house imprisoned for poisoning a concubine. Queen Patricia avoided execution because of the support of nobles and officials. Nevertheless, she lost her title. She stayed in captive of her house in both of Helena's life.
"What-what pleasure do I owe to meet Your Majesty?"
The King was laughing at her stuttering. "I know it is terrifying to meet us, but we mean no harm. My sons danced with the same lady, so I became curious about you."
King Opal had blonde hair, a beard and blue eyes. Despite his weak appearance, he reminded Helena of an ancient relic, old but priceless. The age could not contain the passing down wisdom within his eyes. He somehow had a similar personality to Prince Sapphire regarding curiosity.
"Tell me about yourself, Lady Blackmoore."
"I used to be a commoner until my mother remarried. I hope it's not a problem."
"Of course not, dear! Most of our servants are commoners! No noble bother to learn cooking, cleaning up, cutting bushes or arranging documents. The commoners are more reliable since they have skill." The King whispered to Helena. "I'll never change my cook again."
Queen Patricia laughed. "Opal ate a lot of bland food before we hired the new chef. He was a cook for a small inn but knowledgeable about food from different countries."
"I could not believe soup tasted that good." He lamented his past decision. "I should have hired commoners earlier."
Queen Patricia sipped her tea. "Even if you are adopted, you are a noble now. The law stated that a child adopted by a noble should be treated as one too."
Helena nodded and smiled. The King and the Queen were not as scary as she expected. They were open-minded couples, unlike few nobles or commoners she met. Some sneered at her for her low background. Some reviled her after turning into a noble. Helena found a new respect toward both of them. They saw her as Helena instead of just a Blackmoore.
She put down her cup and stared at the young lady. "What else do you do, Lady Blackmoore?"
"I study dancing, ethics, history and other lessons from tutors."
King Opal nodded. "Your dancing was pretty amazing. It is entertaining to see a noble lady fights against Ruby."
Queen Patricia touched his head. "You should see him that night. I can't believe he laughed at his own child."
The King remembered something. "I heard from Sapphire and Citrine that you're doing charity. It is rare to see such a selfless person."
"It is nothing. I am just doing what I can for Angles Street. I grew up in there before moving to Noble Street."
"Wait. Are you the Saint of the Angles Street?"
Helena was embarrassed by that title. "That's... the residents of Angles Street give me that nickname."
Queen Patricia sighed and admitted her fault. "I suppose we owe you an apology. We almost did not invite you to Royal Ball because we thought it was only a tale. It was Duchess Vermilion who denied the rumour and asked invitation for you. The Princes even confirmed you are a real person."
The King smiled at her. "So, which one between my sons is your favourite?"
"COUGH, COUGH!"
King Opal's question came out of nowhere. Helena almost choked on her own tea. The drink spilt out from her mouth to the table. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty. Your question makes me surprised."
His wife giggled. "Opal, stop teasing the young lady!"
"What? None of my sons have a partner yet! Sapphire prefers working, Ruby cannot settle down, and Citrine is too soft. Three of them are already adults. I am not getting younger, Patricia. I want grandkids!"
Queen Patricia caressed his shoulder. "Patient, my dear. Let them have their own moment. They are still young. You cannot rush love."
"Hah. I guess you are right."
A well-dressed official entered the place. He informed the King about his schedule. King Opal stood up and said his parting word to Helena. "I have a meeting to attend. Nice to speak to you, Lady Blackmoore. Let's have a chat again someday."
The King left Helena and Queen Patricia alone. Helena was happy to see a harmonious couple. "Your Majesty, you have a good relationship with the King."
"Is that how we look?"
There was a tinge of sadness in her words. She had a melancholic expression on her face. Helena was nervous when she saw it. She might choose the wrong words.
"Oh, no. I apologize if I offended you."
"No, you said nothing wrong. My relationship with the King was complicated. Our relationship is akin to friendship or mutual understanding."
Helena watched Queen Patricia in awe. She never heard this information before. This could be great gossip for the high society if it was out in public. Yet, she remained calm and drank her tea before continuing her story.
"I used to be a lady waiting because I admired Queen Margaret. She was a brave, strong and smart woman. Alas, her body was not strong enough to survive childbirth."
Queen Margaret Aurelius was the mother of Sapphire Aurelius. She had beautiful golden hair and sparkling hazel eyes. Her face was full of vitality and confidence. Queen Margaret was an adventurous woman. She visited every nook of Eluvuris Kingdom, collected unique items from each region and was beloved by people.
King Opal used to be strict. He never employed commoners as servants. Queen Margaret was the one who changed his mind. She showed that talent and skill should be put above the title. King Opal never went back and respected her wish until now.
"Opal was destroyed when Margaret passed away. Nevertheless, he is a king and has a kingdom to support. He put time into his work, but other nobles kept nagging him to get married again. They were not wrong since no one worked on the queen's task. After some decisions, Opal chose me to be the new consort. Not out of love, but because I was the right person to do the job."
"Is-is it okay for me to hear this?"
"I can see why Duchess Vermilion like you. You are a humble lady." Queen Patricia stared at her while smiling. "You remind me of Queen Margaret. She also bears no judgment toward others and treats us like equals."
Helena was flustered. "You praise me too much, Your Majesty."
"Hohoho, I'm just stating the truth. Besides, you know what happen if this information goes out, right?"
She did not even need to think. Her reputation and safety might be in danger. Helena would never open her mouth about this conversation. Watching Helena cower, Queen Patricia moved along with her tale.
"Opal had an awful childhood. His father was a womanizer and had many concubines. The other concubines and his half-siblings kept harassing him and his mother. He became a King because his brothers and sisters were too busy killing each other. Since that day, he swore he won't have a concubine."
Helena tilted her head. "But King Opal has a concubine."
"I was shocked when I heard he put his hand on a maid." She took a pause for a moment. "Elena never shows her face, so I understand your confusion. The concubine was a splitting image of Queen Margaret."
Helena could not hide her surprise. If this came out, the whole country would flip upside-down.
"I guess Opal is enraptured by that face, but I cannot see her as Queen Margaret. Their personality is opposite. Elena is a gentle soul, while Queen Margaret is a passionate lady. However, Opal really loves her. I can see it in his eyes. I was going to go berating him for breaking his promise, but he came to me first. He asked if it was all right to keep a concubine. He would listen to me because my opinion came first. I am the ruler of this country." She sighed. "How could I refuse the foolish man? We stay together out of obligation, not love."
"Queen Elena, you are a strong woman." Helena now had a new respect for her. Allowing the concubine to enter the palace must not be an easy decision. "I am not in the right place to ask this, but... do you feel threatened by the concubine?"
"She possesses no threat to me. It is the opposite. I have nobles and people back up. She only survives the harsh palace because of Opal's love. Elena is not stupid and stays away from politics. We are not on bad terms and sometimes have tea together."
Helena began to doubt her past. Was this the woman who killed the concubine? Queen Patricia held no jealousy for Concubine Elena. She was a woman with power, wisdom and wealth. Why would she bother to murder a mere concubine? Something must go wrong.
"Look at this old lady, ranting about her life. You must be bored, Lady Blackmoore."
"That's not true! I don't mind listening to your story more. I actually think you are a strong person." Helena was a failure in her previous life. She looked down at the ground. "I do not think I can be something great."
"Everyone has their own strength and flaws, Lady Blackmoore. Your time will come."
Helena smiled upon hearing her word. They had a pleasant time that afternoon. Two of them spoke about news around the kingdom and shared their hobby. For once, Helena was not exhausted when she returned home. She was happy to talk to Queen Patricia.
Azure and Scarlett helped her to change her dress. "You receive many letters again, Lady Helena."
"After the Royal Ball, I get so many invitations. Please sort them out based on their family rank and title."
Violet cut her words. "Pardon, My Lady. I think you should prioritize this one."
The oldest maid brought her another fancy envelope. Helena was frowning upon seeing it. It was another letter from the palace. There was no way the King or Queen send her another letter when they just met today. Helena read the content and groaned.
The letter was from the concubine.