The Queen had woken up on the wrong side of her bed. Quite literally. She had been certain that she had fallen into a deep slumber clutching onto her spouse but when she had woken up, Bran was gone. From then on, Amelia’s mood darkened along with the sky over Geraldia.

Rain fell over the kingdom as Amelia ate her breakfast alone since she was informed that Bran had already eaten. When this news had been conveyed to her, lightning struck outside ominously as if the woman had been controlling the weather, which definitely wasn’t it.

It was all just a coincidence, as was Bran’s actions. The other woman had gotten up to use the lavatory but then got hungry and went to get breakfast. She didn’t think of the consequences of her actions since she had been doing similar things ever since her marriage with the Queen.

“Tell me, Elric, about this Felix fellow.” Elric frowned as he turned to look at the Queen who had moved into the study room after breakfast. She had been in her mind too much even when she was getting all her work done simultaneously.

“What would you like to know, your highness?”

Amelia narrowed her eyes at her clear study table. She had always been one to keep her spaces clean and uncluttered. How did her life become such a mess? Sighing to herself, she glanced at her advisor. “Tell me what you heard them talk about again.”

Elric didn’t know what this was all about, but he knew that the Queen was referring to Bran and Felix. Sucking in a breath, he let out what he had heard. “Felix was upset with the King, and he kept repeating about a betrayal on the King’s part.”

Unfortunately for both Elric and Bran, the advisor had only been there to witness Felix being upset with Bran. He didn’t know what the reason behind Felix’s anger was.

The Queen frowned as she nodded her head. She remembered perfectly of what Elric had told her a day ago, but she wanted to hear everything again. To her, Bran was an enigma that she had no information on.

Bran had a friend named Felix; she also had allied with a banished man named Pellin; and then how she had won a battle with multiple men. Amelia didn’t know which side of Bran was the genuine one. Which Bran was real?

Seeing the Queen’s conflicted expression, Elric continued to speak. “What is your highness thinking of?” Amelia turned to her advisor before she frowned. “I am thinking about this Felix.” After a pause, and a thought emerging in her confused mind, Amelia asked. “Do you think that Bran used to be in a relationship with this Felix, perhaps?”

The question was asked with a venomous tone since the Queen disliked even thinking about such a thing. What was she going to do if her spouse had feelings for someone else? The thought brought a discomfort to Amelia, who hadn’t even gotten to know more about Bran yet, and here she was, doubting her loyalty.

“That...could be possible, your highness.” Elric didn’t know what else to say but Amelia immediately came to Bran’s defence after Elric’s agreement. He wasn’t supposed to agree with her unreasonable doubts.

“She -- She said that they are friends.”

Elric nodded his head, not understanding what was going on in Amelia’s head, so he just did what he thought was best. Advise Amelia even when it caused the Queen more discomfort. “Often times, friendships blossom into a romantic relationship.”

Amelia heard the words with a heavy heart before a permanent scowl made its way to her face.

“I want this Felix to be brought before me right this instance!” Elric jumped at the command since he wasn’t expecting such a reaction from the Queen. “Your highness--”

“Right now, Elric!”

The advisor was out of the study as soon as the Queen exclaimed. The man had never seen her so agitated before and as he quickened his steps in the hallway, his eyebrows furrowed together. He had only one person to blame for all the Queen’s absurd reactions and behaviour.

It was all Bran’s fault.

…......................

Felix didn’t know why he was there. In front of a calm and collected Queen, and a furious advisor.

His day was first ruined by the sudden rain which had him cancelling his daily visit to the arena, and then the Queen’s advisor comes knocking on his door, letting him know that the Queen had summoned him.

It was already an eventful day for the young man, but seeing the Queen so up close and personal, had him feeling as if everything was just perfect.

“Bow your head in front of the Queen, young man!” Felix immediately did as was asked but it didn’t stop him from peeking at the Queen subtly.

“You must be wondering why I had you called here.” The sound of the Queen’s voice silenced the study room as Elric and Felix, both, straightened their backs in respect. But Amelia didn’t care of anything other than the man standing in front of her.

His shaggy hair was unkept and the stubble on his face made him appear unappealing. He didn’t even seem strong enough to Amelia as she thought back to Bran’s strength. The comparison was apparent, but Amelia shook her head to rid herself of the other woman’s thoughts for the moment.

She was going to have an entire conversation with Bran later on anyway.

“Yes, your highness.” Felix answered with some hesitation. He was only afraid of the advisor since he had been the one to come get him. But the Queen – she was as beautiful as Felix had seen her from afar.

“You are a friend of Bran.” At the sudden mention of Bran, Felix raised his head to frown at the Queen. “She’s not my friend anymore! She --”

“Insolent fool! How dare you raise your voice at the Queen?!” Elric stepped forward with a glare and Felix immediately bowed his head in apology. But Amelia didn’t want to have her advisor interrupt whatever Felix had to say next.

“Elric, please, let the man continue.” The advisor glanced at the Queen before he stepped backwards again but remained glaring at the young man in front of them.

Amelia grabbed a quill pen as she played around with it, while regarding the man before her. His first sentence was proof enough of his anger for Bran, but there was something else. Amelia wanted to know what.

“Continue, Felix.” Hearing his name being said by the Queen he had adored so much, Felix smiled with his head up again. Elric only clicked his tongue while the other man began to speak. “Bran betrayed my trust, and I don’t want to remain friends with her anymore, your highness.”

Amelia narrowed her eyes with clear contempt. “You will refer to her as you refer to me. She is my King.” A bitter smile came onto the man’s face, and Amelia’s doubts began to take fruit. Each reaction from the man was proof of what the true relationship between him and Bran was.

A frown came onto Amelia’s face when Felix continued. “Her royal highness hurt me the most and I will never forgive her for it.”

“Do you love her to such an extent?” The question not only confused Felix but also surprised Elric. Both men looked at the Queen with questioning expressions. Amelia gritted her teeth before the quill pen was snapped into two in her hands. “Your highness!” Elric had been quick to bring out a handkerchief from his pocket to hold over the Queen’s bleeding hand. 

Amelia didn’t mind the pain in her palm as she remained staring at Felix. “You haven’t answered my question, Felix.”

“Your highness, we should stop--” Amelia turned to Elric with a sharp look which had him silenced while he backed off, leaving the handkerchief in the Queen’s hand. Felix glanced from Elric to the Queen’s bleeding hand, before he shook his head. “I d-do love her a lot, but she hurt me.” That was true for Felix since his feelings for Bran were still there. He had spent many years with her, and they were the best of friends, but how could he forgive her so easily for betraying him in such a way?

Amelia’s lips stretched into a humourless smile. She nodded her head before waving her other hand. “Take Felix back to his home.” The advisor stepped forward hesitantly as he glanced down at the Queen’s covered hand. “Are you alright, your highness?”

“I will be fine, Elric. Go take the King’s friend back home.”

Felix didn’t know what had happened, but he bowed his head respectfully before he was guided out of the study room by Elric. The advisor only sent a worried glance back at the Queen before he closed the door after exiting.

Amelia leaned back in her seat before sighing loudly.

She had been left alone but her thoughts were still there to keep her company, as were her doubts which had been verified vaguely into facts. She didn’t understand what it was that was bothering her so much. Bran was a woman who did not want to be in a marriage with her, but Amelia had wanted them to remain together.

Bran also had a lover, but she hadn’t informed Amelia of that. But even then, would Amelia have left the other woman?

Amelia had never wanted to marry but her obligation to the throne and her kingdom had forced her into this situation. But then Bran had been there unexpectedly, winning a useless battle of strength and challenging her to keep her word. It had been Bran who had Amelia questioning herself.

But Amelia didn’t know her. And of course, their relationship didn’t mean anything. It was only on the surface.

A Queen and her forced King.