Anagha Baheti

His footsteps announced his arrival before the usher did.

The curtains on my door went flying as Richard stormed in, anger reeking through his body. He grabbed my hair hard and pulled my face so close to his, I could smell the whiskey on his breath. Six months ago, this would have terrified me, but all my emotions ended with Edward’s last breath, leaving behind nothing but a void filled with anger.

“What do you think you are doing?” Drops of spit fell on my face.

“Your presence in my chambers violates your oath, my king. One taken in the presence of Gods, no less.”

“Do you suppose yourself smart, woman? When your decision to close the pillow houses results in a mutiny by the soldiers, do you think I would lift a finger to help you?”

“Times are dangerous, my king. Who is to say the mutiny and the silence from their king will not result in revolts across the kingdom? I would assume they didn’t have the resolve, but the servant girls whisper otherwise. What if the farmers burn their crops? However shall we feed the massive army without interference from their king?”

His demeanour changed as defeat dawned on him. With a cold smile, he released my hair and rubbed his knuckles against my cheek.

“Stop poking your nose where it does not belong, or you will force me to hurt you. Have a pleasant evening, my queen.”

Richard was a sore loser. I needed to anticipate his strike and prepare my defences. The one thing in my favour – the one thing that would be his downfall – was that he underestimated me. I was only getting started.

---

“Apologies for the interruption, Mother. The king has summoned you.”

Henry took my hand and led me to his father’s chambers. His touch was gentle and his words were soft, but I could feel the anxiety within him. This day was the culmination of years of effort, but I hadn’t expected to be summoned so soon.

The usher announced our arrival as we entered Richard’s chamber. It was larger than a family affair. Richard had invited his trusted advisors and – according to Henry – mine. Most of my people had chosen not to respond, but my father’s chief advisor Martin stood away from the crowd, fidgeting with the goblet of wine.

“Ah, there she comes – the bane of my existence. The one who sows the seeds of malice and discord in my harmonious court.”

“Father, please. You agreed to make this peaceful.”

“Peace is the one thing your mother is incapable of, my boy. But for my part, I will honour my word. I will not agonise you.”

“Thank you, Father. Chief Arthur, please begin.”

The old man squeezed himself past Richard’s guards and spread a parchment on the table before us.

“Given the events of the last few months, after hours of careful consideration, we believe that for the stability of this kingdom, the crown should be passed from His Highness to Prince Henry. We bring this proposal to the King and the Queen in hopes they would agree. We await your guidance.”

“Advisor Martin, would you bring me my seal?”

I accepted the seal, dipped it in the indigo dye and stamped the parchment at the bottom. Richard did the same. The advisors gathered the parchment and left the room, escorting Henry along.

With us alone in the room, Richard filled two goblets with wine and carried them to the window, motioning for me to join him. I did. He handed me a goblet and I took a deep swig. The evening market was in complete chaos below, and we spent some time observing our subjects hustle about.

“You finally did it! Our marriage no longer holds the kingdom together.” He said, still not looking at me.

“It was easier than I had anticipated. My people needed very little push to disobey your orders, and your people were all too eager to sabotage mine. A few lies whispered in the right ears, and here we are.”

“You must be proud.”

“Of our son, yes.”

He took a deep gulp before responding.

“He is the only good thing about our marriage. The boy is exceptional. He will be a better ruler than both you and I.”

“It just dawned on me. Once Henry gets the crown, our marriage will lose its importance.”

“Oh, it has never been important, my queen. The relevance of it… now that is a different matter altogether. You can’t leave me. Our divorce would take the crown off his head. And if you think you can get away with killing me, you aren’t as smart as I gave you credit for.”

“You failed to consider one thing, husband.”

“And what is it?”

“I am driven by revenge. And I have been poisoning our son for fifteen years. You will never be able to mould him into your image. In his desperate hours, he will never come to you. I will take back my kingdom, and I will erase your legacy while I steal your armies.”

“Why are you so callous and rude and… and impertinent? Why do you insist on being my downfall?”

“Does the venom in my heart burn you, dear husband?”

“Deeply.”

“Good!”

“Why?” He turned to me and whispered in my ear.

“Because you killed the antidote.”

I plunged Edward’s dagger deep into his heart. It did nothing to soothe my anger, but the tears that followed celebrated my freedom.