CHAPTER 6. THE TRUTH
Ethel stared at the empty space on the wall. To his right, it was adorned with portraits of each passed king. The last one, his father's, King Wilfield portait, caught his eye.
This entire legacy didn't matter anymore. The king's family line had been broken. His mother had betrayed the king. Ethel fought the urge to take down Wilfield's portrait, meaning the interruption of the royal lineage.
"Mom isn't ready to be my queen. She's not prepared for that role or to have my child, to have my heir. What should I do, Dad? How can I fulfill your last will? I'm so confused."
"What have you done?" Beatrice came into the hallway, she still hadn't changed her clothes after the morning's incident. "How could you, Ethel! You tore everything down! You dishonored their king!"
"What does it matter, Mother? It was his fault. Coming into my home, making love to you behind my back and thinking I'm just a foolish child."
"What are you saying, Ethel?" She stepped closer to him, right at point-blank range. "Arantheal, he..."
"He is no longer a guest here, Mom. I do not want to see this man in my castle, in my kingdom! You are my wife, not his. Don't forget about that."
"But he's your real father!" she said. Mom's dark locks fell directly onto her breasts and the slit between the tits.
Ethel looked slowly at Wilfield's portrait. "My father is dead, and I still don't know all the circumstances of his death. What's more distressing is that you might have the answers," he then looked at her again.
She took a step back, visibly surprised. "What happened to you? I'm not going to put up with that tone, Ethel. I thought you'd grow up after King's death, I thought you'd be kinder to your old poor Mother. I thought you would change. But it turns out you're just like Wilfield. I don't want to see you, and I don't want to be your queen," she turned around, nearly leaving her son in tears.
"Perhaps I went too far?" He thought. At the same time from the other end of the hallway, Counselor Krubach and Tork were already bearing down on him. Sighing, Ethel answered all their grievances with only one thing. "Seek another kingdom for an alliance. And I need to have a serious talk with my mother. But first, I will meet Alfred."
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Protected by his guards, he strolled down the quiet streets as the evening set in. Eventually, he reached his destination; a modest hut nestled at the street's edge, and gave a polite knock on the door.
The door creaked open, revealing attractive woman, aged between 35 and 40, standing on the threshold. She had brown hair, captivating green eyes, a petite figure with a playful waist, and small breasts.
"Your Majesty?" she said, bowing slightly.
"Mrs. Noring?" Ethel replied.
"Just Jonelle," she responded. It was Alfred's mother. He remembered how as a kid he had often liked to stare at her round ass every time she bent over in front of ршь. He loved peeking at her neckline, seeing the muscles of her neck. Sometimes he noticed the aureoles of her nipples peeking out of her dress.
"Is Alfred home?" Ethel asked.
"Yes, of course. Would you like to...come in?" Jonelle asked, stepping aside. She nervously glanced at the guards, her chest subtly rising and falling. "Has he done something wrong?"
"No, not at all. Wait here," Ethel instructed the guards before entering. Once inside, he questioned, "And where's Mr. Noring? Your husband?"
"He's not here today. Alfred?" Jonelle stepped back, visibly trembling.
Alfred emerged from another room, "What's that noise, mother? Ethel?"
"Take a seat," Ethel tapped the table and sat down himself. Alfred nervously swallowed, glancing at his mother, and then hesitantly took a seat across from the king.
Ethel wasted no time, "What if I asked you to put poison in someone's food?"
Alfred, looking uncertain, turned to his mom, "I don't... know."
"What if my life depended on it?"
Alfred wiped his forehead, visibly anxious, "Well, I could, I guess. But... are you asking me to poison someone inside the castle?"
"I have my armed guards stationed outside your door. Tell me, Alfred. No beating around the bush. I want to hear the truth. Did you poison my father?"
The cup slipped from Jonelle's hands, and Alfred's face turned pale. "I... I don't know what you're talking about, Ethel. Me?" he stammered, his confusion evident.
Ethel slammed his hand on the table, wincing in pain, though he hid any sign of it. "Stop lying."
Alfred, with a pleading expression and lowered head, said, "I... I... had no choice, Ethel! She asked me. She made me do it. Please, forgive me, Ethel. She threatened to kill me and my family."
"She?" He asked, already knowing the answer.
"The Queen! Your Mother!"
"My Mother," Ethel repeated with a sigh, shifting his gaze to the door. "I thought we were friends, Alfred. I trusted you. And what if she told you to poison me? You should have come to me before murdering my father!"
"I was so scared; I didn't think you could help me."
Ethel looked at his once-best friend. Why didn't he come to him for help? The answer was clear. Because I've been a coward all my life. He is right. What would I have done if I had found out? Probably nothing. Even when I became king, my mother took over all the responsibilities.
Alfred sank to his knees. "Please, Ethel. It's my fault. Punish me, but spare my family."
"Just leave. I can't stand to see you right now."
Slowly complying, Alfred exited the room. Ethel then turned his attention to Jonelle, who stood frozen nearby. "Your Majesty, what will you do to us now?" she said, her voice trembling.
Ethel examined Jonelle's attractive body, red cheeks, small breasts, chubby hips. "Enough blood has already been spilled." He stood up and approached her. With slight hesitation, he took her by the head and kissed her full lips, a desire he had harbored for a long time. She opened her eyes in surprise but didn't resist. As he explored her mouth with his tongue, the sensations were overwhelming, yet this kiss felt different. It wasn't the same pleasure he had experienced before. It wasn't the same woman. It wasn't his mother. "My mom tastes so much better."
Finally breaking the kiss, Ethel headed for the door, leaving the cabin.
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Beatrice was perched on a bed, tears streaming down her face. Her dark curls draped over her eyes as the room's light highlighted her -- from the features of her face to the bold red dress with a deep neckline, pink halos peeking out.