Chapter 103 - The King And Queen

The door to the carriage was opened and Mason grinned at them before practically leaping out. Delaney looked at Vincent, all the fear from the morning suddenly rushing back to her. Vincent didn't look particularly comfortable himself but he smiled at her and leaned over to give her a quick kiss before getting out himself and helping her down.

"Alright then Lady Adair," Mason said excitedly, "Welcome to my humble home."

Delaney looked up in awe at the sprawling castle in front of them. It was bigger than anything she had ever seen, including Edgewood. They stood in a courtyard in front of giant doors that were open now because of the Prince's arrival.

Looking around them, Delaney saw there were servants bowed down, waiting for them to leave before they would stand again. Not knowing what to do, she looked at Vincent and found him blank-faced but head held high. This was different than being at home with his wife. Here he was a duke among his peers.

"Come," Mason smiled, "Let me take you to meet my brother."

Before they could argue, he turned and headed towards the doors. Vincent sighed before taking Delaney on his arm. They hurried to catch up with the Prince before he could leave them behind.

They walked down hallways filled with people but the crowds parted immediately, giving them a wide berth, every person bowing low to the crown Prince. Delaney and Vincent walked quickly behind him but she still noticed eyes flying to her and her husband. Most went wide and before they had even passed, some people were leaning over to whisper to the person next to them.

They got to the second pair of high wooden doors and the two guards scrambled to step in front of Mason.

"Your majesty the King has commanded that no one is to disturb..."

"Tell him I threatened your lives," Mason cut the guard off before shoving between the two of them. He stepped to the doors and with a hard push, threw them open.

"Brother!" he exclaimed as he went strolling into the throne room where the King and Queen were holding court. All around him, noble men and women looked startled and hurried to step back so he could get to the King. King Daniel himself and his wife did not look pleased.

"Mason," the King spoke evenly, "We were not to be disturbed."

"Oh?" the Prince gave him a look of mock embarrassment, "Terribly sorry about that. They didn't mention it. It worked out in your favor though because I have brought you a surprise!"

Mason stepped back and dramatically threw out an arm in the direction of Delaney and Vincent.

"Behold!" he announced, "Lord and Lady Adair! Come to visit all the way from Edgewood!"

It was only then that the King's eyes landed on Vincent and he relaxed, then even grinned. Delaney saw he looked nearly identical to Mason, just an older version. He had the same wavy golden hair and deep blue eyes. She noticed he also seemed a lot less wild than his younger brother.

"Vince!" the King laughed and stood, walking quickly to his cousin and clapping him on the shoulders, "It's so wonderful to see you! Why didn't you send word you were coming?"

"Hello Danny," Vincent smiled, "I'm sorry I should have sent word but it was a last-minute trip and we weren't sure what day we would get here."

"Ah well no harm done," King Daniel grinned, "It's just good to have you here. And this is your lovely wife you told us about then?"

Delaney curtsied low, her eyes dropping to the floor as Vincent introduced her to the King of the land. When she straightened she looked up and found Daniel smiling warmly at her.

"It is wonderful to meet you, Delaney. And may I introduce to you my wife, Queen Sophia."

One of the most beautiful women Delaney had ever seen stepped up beside the King. Sophia had lovely caramel-colored skin, long, flowing ebony hair, and chocolate-colored eyes under long black lashes.

"Hello," the Queen smiled kindly at Delaney, "I'm so pleased we can finally meet. Vincent has always told us such sweet things about you."

Delaney quickly curtsied to her too before standing and smiling again, "I'm very honored to meet you both your Majesties."

"Please," the Queen shook her head, "Call me Sophia and my husband, Daniel. We are family now after all."

"Well then," Mason interrupted, throwing one arm around both Vincent and Daniels shoulders, "Does this mean I'm in your good graces again Brother? Since I brought you such a surprise?"

The King rolled his eyes in annoyance and Delaney saw even the Queen pursed her lips at the Prince. Daniel shrugged out from under his brother's arm.

"I have some things to discuss with the two of you actually," the King said to Mason and Vincent, "I trust Sophia to introduce Delaney around. I'm sure by the time we're finished they'll be good friends."

Delaney turned to Vincent and felt her stomach begin to turn again. She didn't want to be here without him by her side. Especially not if it meant being left alone with the Queen of the land. She had never even met a royal until two nights ago when she met Mason and that had gone terribly at first.

Vincent met her worried eyes with a small smile, "Will you be alright?"

"Perhaps I should stay and keep her company," Mason winked, "While the two of you talk."

"I'll be fine," Delaney answered quickly before she insulted the Queen, "You go ahead."

Standing with the Queen, she watched as her husband disappeared into a room with the King and Prince. As soon as the door was closed, she turned to look at the lovely woman she had been left with.

"Why don't we save your introductions for later?" Sophia suggested with a friendly smile, "How about first we talk, just the two of us."

"That sounds much better," Delaney chuckled with relief.

"Good," Sophia linked her arm through Delaney's, "Come with me."

Together the women left the throne room as the other nobles bowed to the Queen as she walked by. They went down a hall and up a flight of stairs and down some more before they came to a door with a servant waiting in front.

As soon as he caught sight of his Queen, the little man opened the door for them. In the sitting room of the Queen's apartments, there were a few women sitting and gossiping. Sophia dismissed them and Delaney guessed they must have been the Queen's ladies.

Once they were alone, Sophia dropped onto a plush purple couch and Delaney took a place on the golden one across from her. It felt strange to be sitting alone with the Queen as if they were friends. Secretly, she hoped they might end up being so.

No sooner had they sat down than Sophia jumped right into all the questions she wanted to ask. They ranged from everything from her childhood when her parents had died, to loving Vincent despite his scars. Delaney answered everything the woman asked and was happy when the Queen answered some of the questions she was presented with as well.

Sophia had been a princess in another kingdom and had been sent here to marry the king of this land. She and Daniel were quite fond of each other but she admitted they weren't deeply in love as Delaney and Vincent were.

They talked for a long time and Delaney felt herself warm up to the other woman more and more. Tea was brought in while they talked so they sipped it and continued. Eventually, there was a lull in the conversation and Delaney looked over to see Sophia staring hard at her cup as she stirred the contents.

"May I ask you something?" the Queen asked after a time.

Delaney answered that of course, she could.

"Will you tell me how you met Mason and what has occurred since?"

Delaney thought that an odd request but since his actions had all been harmless she told the Queen everything about their meeting as well as their drive to the castle that day. When she had finished, the Queen was quiet for a long moment as she considered the other woman's words.

"He's never told Daniel he does things like that with the people," she said quietly after a while, "The King wouldn't like it."

Delaney swallowed and looked down, hoping she hadn't gotten the prince in trouble.

"He may be hiding that but he is most definitely not hiding the fact he likes you."

"He's very kind," Delaney said sincerely, "I like him too."

"I don't mean he likes you in that way. I mean he's interested in you."

"What?" Delaney asked in confusion, "What are you talking about?"

Sophia sighed, "He compliments your beauty even when he's right in front of your husband. He took you to do his little project with the children this morning because he knows you'd love that. And he seems to stand as close to you as he dares without making Vincent angry. He stares at you openly."

"You really think so?" she asked looking at her Queen in surprise, "I... I didn't notice anything... and-and Vincent is always with us."

"I know," Sophia nodded, "I have just known Mason for a very long time and I seem to see his true colors more than Vincent or Daniel do. I suppose because they're blinded by their love for him."

"You think he would risk things with Vincent in order to chase me?" Delaney asked in disbelief before a knock came at the door.

"I will give you a warning Delaney," Queen Sophia whispered quickly before the door opened, "Mason will take what he wants no matter who it hurts. Do not trust him!"