Chapter 8: One who cannot sit on the throne
Six experienced maids walked in one of the corridors of the palace, carrying the dishes from the kitchen to the Blackthorn family's dining room. When they reached the front door, Mr. Gilbert waved his hand for them to enter and begin serving the dishes.
The Blackthorn Palace's dining room was enormous with a high ceiling which had carved paintings, and from the ceiling hung three chandeliers, carrying burning candles now. The dining table consisted of a rather long table, and as big as the King's family was, there were still a few empty chairs.
At the head of the table sat King William Blackthorn, his hair short on his head. He had a trimmed beard and moustache which slightly tapered upwards on the ends. His eyes, though dull, looked cunning when he turned his gaze at Mr. Gilbert. He ordered,
"Bring the box that I gave you earlier."
"Right away, my king!" Mr. Gilbert bowed and slipped his hand inside the pocket of his cotton vest. He pulled out a decent square-sized box. Coming next to the King, he bowed, while stretching the box forward.
King William turned to his wife Sophia, and said, "I bought this for you from one of the Western countries named Civia."
Lady Sophia sat on the immediate left side of the King at the table, and looked pleased even before opening the box to see what was in there. She lightly protested,
"You didn't have to trouble yourself to bring me a gift, my king," but her hands were quick to open the box. When her eyes fell on the sparkling emerald necklace, her eyes widened in delight. She exclaimed with joy,
"These are beautiful! I have never seen anything like these before..."
The Mother Queen, who sat on the immediate right side of the King, remarked, "If you don't want it, I will be more than happy to have it for myself, Sophia."
Lady Sophia smiled at the Mother Queen and replied, "As the King gifted it to me, it would be rude to not accept it. Isn't that right?" Her eyes roamed around the table, to notice the two concubines of the King holding a look of envy. Of course, they should be envious, Lady Sophia thought in her mind, after all, it was she, who was the legally wedded wife of the King.