When Petals Meet The Blade (Priscilla and Waldo) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Consort Adele bowed before the king, gently tugging at the edge of his robes.

She looked up at him, her face filled with sorrow. “Your Majesty, I did this for Prince Waldo, but have I really done something wrong?

“Prince Waldo is a royal prince–how could his harem consist of only one woman? But Jessica refuses to understand and insists on having his exclusive affection. Prince Waldo, as a man, is powerless in this matter, just as you, Your Majesty, are…”

She paused for a moment before continuing. “Your Majesty, you too are helpless with the affairs of the harem. You know everything that goes on, but you must maintain balance. The Queen has always been loyal to you, and you have never wronged her. But as the ruler, you must balance all the forces at court, and that’s never easy.

“Even if Your Majesty desires to be faithful to one person, the entire kingdom would never allow it. It’s not that you’re unfeeling, Your Majesty, you are simply doing what must be done for the good of the people.

“As for us women in the harem, we understand that we cannot expect to be the king’s sole love, but how can we not admire Your Majesty’s greatness? What else can we do? You are not just the Queen’s husband, Your Majesty; you belong to all of us. How could Jessica expect to keep Prince Waldo as her own?

“Prince Waldo is devoted to Jessica. After all these years together, he has always cherished her in his heart. Jessica’s rash decision to break the engagement has caused him great pain. As a mother, how can I watch this happen? Your Majesty!”

Andrew entered, offering the King a cup of coffee.

But the King only stared at the tear stains on Consort Adele’s face. Slowly, his previously restless heart began to calm.

Some things might sound awkward or uncomfortable when spoken by a third party, but when the words came from the person involved, they touched a deep place in the heart.

He wondered, ‘Who says rulers must be cold and unfeeling? Who understands their helplessness and difficult choices?‘

Consort Adele’s words softened the king’s heart.

Men often understood each other better, and in that moment, the King realized that Jessica had been unreasonable in this matter.

He wondered, ‘What if, one day, Prince Waldo becomes the king? Would Jessica insist on being the only woman in his harem?‘

“Enough,” the King muttered, sighing. “I’ve had a bit too much to drink tonight. I was too hasty earlier.” He finally reached out and helped Consort Adele to her feet.

Consort Adele wiped her tears, hiding the anger in her eyes, When she looked at the King again, her face was full of sorrow.

“Your Majesty, what I did was excessive, but it was for the good of the royal family.”

Seeing the King raise an eyebrow and look at her closely, Consort Adele continued, “You must have heard about General Garbisch’s condition.”

The King remained silent. The injury to General Garbisch was the greatest shame the Yates family had ever faced.

Consort Adele pressed on, “I’ve heard that a man with such an injury cannot do heavy labor or exert strength. If that’s true, then the Yates family’s army of 100,000 soldiers will be… useless under General Garbisch’s command.”

The King remained quiet, but his expression darkened.

Consort Adele, reading his reaction, added, “If Jessica marries Prince Waldo, Your Majesty can still have General Garbisch command his army under Prince Waldo’s banner, keeping the Yates family’s 100,000 soldiers under royal control.