By morning, the palace was abuzz with even more rumours about Crown Prince Cristiano and a new courtesan named Mari who had just joined. During breakfast, the king and queen were joined by the two consorts.
"Your Majesty, you need to do something about the gossipmongers in the palace," Azalea sighed, while delicately placing her teacup down. "It is quite discomforting to wake up to such unpleasant news."
Lately, Consort Azalea had been enjoying the king's favour. He and the queen had been clashing over many matters and since Azalea always took his side without question, he sought comfort in her company.
"What ill news?" the king asked while his gaze shifted to the queen.
Azalea quickly interjected with her sickly sweet but cautious voice. "It has nothing to do with Her Majesty. She is not at fault."
Queen Charlotte appeared composed while calmly sipping her tea. However, inside she was rolling her eyes.
"Sister Azalea is right," Consort Violet added, stirring the pot further. "Her Majesty has nothing to do with this. But such matters cannot always be controlled. They weren't before, and they cannot be now. After all, it is a matter of the heart."
The king's expression darkened as he realised that this matter was something urgent. "What is happening? Lea, I need an exact answer."
Azalea hesitated for a moment before lowering her eyes and feigning hesitation about snitching on the queen and her son. "Your Majesty, there are rumours that the Crown Princess is living with another courtesan named Mari after Courtesan Isabella was thrown out."
The king's expression turned to one of barely contained fury. Cristiano had no child with his legal wife yet he was entangled with royal courtesans.
His voice was ice-cold as he turned to the queen. "What have you done to control this situation? The Duke of Hawthorne's family was already furious about the condition their daughter was in yesterday, and now you are giving them another opportunity to complain. The harem is your responsibility and clearly, you are failing it."
Before anyone could respond, a sudden announcement cut through the uneasy atmosphere.
"The Grand Princess Serafina has arrived."
As the Grand Princess Serafina entered the dining hall, her presence was impossible to ignore. With effortless grace, she strode toward the long table where the king sat at the head and his consorts were positioned nearby.
"Brother, did I disturb your breakfast?" she asked, an innocent but teasing hint in her voice. "I thought of joining you. I hope I'm not intruding."
The king's face lit up instantly. If there was one thing known throughout the kingdom, it was how much he adored his sister. Unlike his wives and children, Serafina had always held a special position in his life. She had never married, nor had he ever forced her to. He always treated her with a reverence that even the queen could not command.
"No," he said, smiling warmly. "Your arrival has only made this morning brighter, Serafina."
But as her sharp eyes flickered toward the two consorts Azalea and Violet she noticed their forced expressions. "Then why do your women look so displeased?"
She did not mind being outspoken as well.
At her words, both consorts immediately straightened and plastered artificial smiles onto their faces. "Welcome, Your Highness," Azalea said sweetly, though her grip on her goblet tightened.
"Indeed, it is an honour," Violet added though her voice lacked sincerity.
Once everyone was seated, the king recounted the morning's dispute. When he was done, Serafina leaned back, resting her chin on her hand as she addressed him thoughtfully.
"How can you blame the queen for this?" she asked. "If she cannot stop her husband from taking mistresses, how could she possibly control her son? This practice won't end unless you establish a law of monogamy."
The king sighed, rubbing his temple. "But if we enforce monogamy, what about heirs? It is well known that Lockwood women can typically bear only one male child. What if that child is lost? What then?"
Serafina's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Then, I suppose you will be left waiting for Cristiano to impregnate a courtesan. And when that happens, you will have no choice but to elevate her to the position of his second wife." She paused, allowing the words to sink in. "You know your history, brother. Whenever a mistress bears the first heir, the queen's life becomes a living hell. Do you really want to set that precedent? The Hawthorne family may not meddle in power struggles, but they are wealthier than any other noble house. Are you prepared for the consequences if they feel their daughter has been wronged?"
The king exhaled heavily, considering her words. "Then what do you suggest?"
Serafina chuckled, "For once, hold men accountable for their own mistakes. And stop blaming a woman who has no control over this situation." Her gaze moved toward the queen.