Lucy Wickshire 46 Chapter Six 7

Before Lady Steinhouse arrived before the king, news of her actions at the gate had reached him. Seeing her smiling face, he sighed.

"Did you have to go that far?" he asked her as she curtsied.

"I'm in a good mood, so I went that far." she smiled.

"What?" he asked her.

"Everything is prepared. The moment you give the order, we will execute." Lady Steinhouse said and the king sat up straight on his chair.

"Really?" he asked.

"Yes, Lady Wicks.h.i.+re sent someone to help us out. He made sure while we take down the queen, we also take down some of her helpers. Most of them are officials in your cabinet." she said.

"How many?" the king could not hold in his excitement.

"Six. It is full proof." she said and the king laughed out loud.

"When do you intend to start?" she asked.

"The next cabinet meeting I call, we will act. Be ready then" he told her and she nodded in response.

"We can only execute. How this will all turn out, will be up to you." she said then turned to leave but was stopped.

"I heard you have a lover." he seemed to have remembered. Lady Steinhouse paused with her hand on the door handle.

"You should know better than to listen to rumours, Uncle" she said without turning around.

"He got you a token at Madame D'huile. I thought you said you didn't want it when I wanted to request one for you? You said that they look down on your person, so they are not worthy to dress you; yet, you actually went and had a fitting when he got you one?" the king asked. She turned around to see his blank expression. Her face went a deep shade of red at his words.

"Uncle, that was in the past. As my taste has changed, I wanted something appropriate." she said.

"Yes, your taste started to change; you suddenly wear less make-up and your dresses are much simpler. I remember when I asked for someone to teach you, but you said that if people think less of you because of your dressing, they are not worthy of your time. So, you wore those dresses and thick make up with head high, saying everyone was going to have to accept you that way." he said.

"People change, Uncle, I suddenly like these. Shouldn't you, who has been trying to get me to change, feel happy? Why do I feel as though you are complaining?" she asked and his expression remained the same.

"You must really have a lover." he said.

"Why are you so sure? Shouldn't my words hold more water than those of rumours?" she asked.

"You have called me uncle three times now." he said and she paused.

"You never call me uncle. No matter how I try, you refuse to break etiquette with me." he said.

"Just worry about the problems at hand, Your Majesty, I'll handle my problems." she said and turn around.

"Don't forget your background, Helen. You may escape with this as a widowed d.u.c.h.ess and even as a princess, but as the daughter of Jin Ke, this can never work. Who you choose must be worthy." he said and her expression became solemn.

"I never said I have a lover. I have no intention of recognizing that side of my blood. Who I choose will be who I want." she said solemnly before leaving.

Only after his niece left did the king look toward the shelves.

"You must meet her one day; she would love you and you, her." he said.

"I like her already." a voice said and came out from behind the shelves; it was Lady Raine.