At the Wise King’s voice, Ellen immediately rose from her seat, bowed her head, and withdrew. Celia’s eyes lit up with a smile as Ced strode into the bedroom, and Duke Madison who followed after the King bowed to Celia. Ellen observed the Duke from the corner of her eye.
At first glance, the Duke appeared to resemble River closely. Both of them had the same dark blonde hair and blue eyes and similar heights and builds. However, upon closer observation, she could identify a few differences. If River was characterized by his naturally disheveled hair and a friendly, laid-back smile that granted him the familiarity and friendliness to strike up a conversation with anyone, then Duke Madison’s hair was brushed back neatly and there wasn’t even a hint of a smile near those handsome lips. He looked at the King and Queen with dark blue eyes like two frozen lakes. Ellen quickly lowered her eyes before their gazes could meet by chance.
The wriggling prince in her arms was her only consolation. She patted the prince’s butt as listened in on the King and Queen’s conversation
“We were just talking about the reception on National Day. Duke Madison believes you should attend,” Ced said as he settled down next to Celia while taking the prince from her arms. Celia’s eyes grew round.
“Me? At the party? I don’t think that’s necessary. What would I do at the party? Besides, I have to take care of Simmy and Allan. Wouldn’t it be better for just the two of you to attend as usual?”
As Ced frowned slightly, Ellen unconsciously spoke out quietly. “No, your Majesty should attend as well!”
When everyone turned towards her, Ellen bowed with a blush in the realization of her mistake Perhaps the prince in her arms took it as a joke, for he squirmed in joy.
“Really? Why do you think that?” Ced had asked in a calm voice, but Ellen trembled.
She knew very well that he was the one who executed without the blink of an eye all the nobles who had rebelled against the royal family. Her body shook, but relying on the prince’s warmth, she spoke.
“Her Majesty should appear before the nobles and show them just how precious she is to Your Majesties. Only then would, the nobles’ gossip would disappear, and the queen would receive the respect she is due. As long as the aristocrats are unaware of just how precious Her Majesty the Queen is to Their Majesties and how much they care for her, they will continue to belittle her.”
The number of gifts the queen received from the nobles was even less than that of the Kings’ chamberlain! It was an outrageous fact, but Ellen chose to remain silent and kept her head down and stayed still until the king’s voice carried on.
“What do you think, Duke?”
The duke’s shiny boots came into Ellen’s sight.
“She’s right. The Queen must attend the party. You also need to show them how much the two princes have grown.”
Celia sighed. “I don’t like those kinds of events.”
“Then, let’s execute all those who talk nonsense about you and our children. Aryll would definitely agree, and that will be one less worry for me. Both of us are tired of the aristocrats’ baseless rumors and shameless attempts of throwing their daughters at us. It’s decided. Duke, I’ll make an official announcement tomorrow; get ready for the bloodshed…”
“Alright, alright. I’ll go!” Celia sighed helplessly. Ced wrapped his arm around her shoulder and patted her.
“Don’t worry. Aryll and I will be next to you the entire time. The Duke of Madison will also be in charge of the security that day.”
Ellen’s gaze turned back to the Duke, who was nodding slightly at the queen before he suddenly turned to look at Ellen. Faced with those deep, frosty eyes, Ellen yelped in embarrassment and nervously made sure her twisted ear was covered by her hair.
“I think the queen’s maid should attend too; don’t you need someone to take care of you and the children at the event?”
Ellen raised her head, eyes wide. Celia smiled and clapped her hands. “Oh, that would help. If Ellen’s around, I’ll have someone to talk to. Ced and Aryll will be busy talking to the nobles at the party, anyway. Could you please get Ellen a new dress then?”