“Find the truth in your lie, convince your moment and you will convince them. And for our sake, please him above all others.” The Dowager Queen reminded her for the hundredth time.
“I will mother, I will make them love me.” And then I will make him choke on it Meera finished the thought in her head.
“How could they not… You are my daughter, and your father’s as well... Cromwell.” Cromwell stepped forward as his mistress called him to attention. “See to it that every opportunity is taken, you know our goals as no one else does.”
“Every opportunity your majesty, and some that need a little prodding as well. Beleth will come to love their new Queen, Theren has every faith in her.” Cromwell assured his mistress, but kept his eyes trained on Meera, reassuring her as well.
Meera nodded at him, her smile fell a little, “I think that’s enough mother, we can’t delay any further. I must go.” The Dowager Queen sighed and shut her eyes as her daughter said this. Meera knew that her mother had been stalling all morning with preparations, despite her expectations she did not actually want to send her daughter into a den of lions and snakes.
“Your majesties if I may.” Cromwell interceded, Meera nodded to him, allowing him permission to speak. “I have never seen any more gracefully prepared then Theren’s Queen, this struggle will be a long one, and sacrifices will have to be made, but Theren will get through this, stronger than ever. And with the most capable people behind her to aid and protect her with their lives.” He assured them.
The Dowager Queen hugged her daughter, “Go then, before I have a chance to delay you any more that you should not go at all.” She held Meera tighter, before finally letting go. Meera blinked tears from her eyes and departed from her mother.
“Take care of them mother…” Meera said over her shoulder as she left hurriedly.
█████████████████████████████████||Two Weeks Later||Beleth||█████████████
A Belethan scout arrived before the traveling party to alert the castle that a physician should be on standby when they arrived. The reason for this was soon apparent as the carriage, galloping, arrived and opened, to reveal a merchant father and his daughter badly injured, with the Queen and her ladies tending to them, their beautiful dresses and hands stained with blood. The father and daughter were carried away promptly.
“For the love of any gods above or below, see to it that they live.” Meera called after them and watched them go. The situation they had stumbled upon half a day’s ride from the castle had come at the worst possible time. The Queen was in no condition to meet the King, she looked down at her state, and then to her ladies. They looked as though they had just witnessed a massacre, pale and in shock. The Poor merchant’s wife and little girl’s mother had not survived. Her wrapped up body was deftly lowered from the top of the carriage, and handed to the Belethan guards. Meera didn't know how to compose herself at the moment.
Lord Cromwell promptly jumped down from his saddle, “Her Majesty is in no condition to meet the King. And what’s more there are bandits in your wood.” Lord Cromwell set about briefing the nearest people in charge of the situation.