Even after two weeks had passed since the Ladies Meeting, the tension between Nathan and Queen Rosalind didn't seem to have eased. Though Nathan continued to treat her with respect, he seemed to mostly avoid getting into a direct conversation with her.

Nathan had always known Queen Rosalind had an orthodox thinking. So, much so, that she hated Catherine for the mere reason of being a female. Catherine was rarely allowed to be a part of social gatherings.

Most of the people had not even seen Catherine. It was just like she existed for name sake only. As it is, this did not go down well with Nathan and the attempt to humiliate Marina was like the last straw in their relationship. But, what Nathan could not get was the reason for this attempt to humiliation.

On the other hand, Queen Rosalind too was vexed with Nathan's obnoxious behaviour, only because of Marina and the stunt pulled by Marina during the royal ball (which led to Marina's marriage) as it is did not settle well with her.

She was a woman whose heart beated only for her son - Alfredo. As her hatred and loathe for Marina kept on increasing, the lust for vengeance started to overcome her senses.

As the days went, her mind was kept busy with finding opportunities to knock off Marina. One such opportunity knocked on her door when the Ladies, Dutchess and all other women of high society requested for a reunion at Queen Rosalind's place. Being at the centre, her palace was convenient for everyone.

"*KNOCK, KNOCK*"

"Come in," Marina answered while sitting on her bed and reading a book.

"You are reading again?" Anne questioned while snatching the book from Marina's hand.

"Why did you knock?" Marina asked Belle while running after Anne to take her book back.

"We forgot that Prince Nathanial has gone to Arrendale and won't be back till next week."

"See, I told you there's no need to knock, but your manners-"

"Ouch!!Why did you do that?" Anne asked, glaring at her sister, who had smacked her on her head.

"You don't get to insult your elder sister," Belle said seriously.

In a swift movement, Belle grabbed the book from Anne and threw it towards Marina, who successfully caught it. While Anne stood between the two, glaring at them.

"Thanks Belle," Marina said while sitting down on her bed.

"Always a pleasure, Marines," Belle giggles at Marina.

"*KNOCK, KNOCK*"

"Who?" Anne asked.

"It is me, Queen Rosalind."

"Well you can go, we don't need a witch," Anne says while glaring at the door, as if it was Queen Rosalind herself.

"Anne, don't talk like that," Marina whispers before saying "Come in".

"Did I disturb you?" Queen Rosalind asks, grinning evilly.

"No you didn't," Marina replies while eyeing her suspiciously.

"Well, you see, we are having a reunion today, on request of all the ladies, dutchess. So, I am here to invite you," Queen Rosalind says glaring at Ally, who hadn't moved an inch since her arrival.

"Here, this is a really lovely black dress. I hope you will wear it, without any alterations."

"That would depend on the dress and your taste," Anne comments in an indifferent tone.

"Your maids are so sweet and surely lack manners-"

"I am sorry to interrupt, but I don't think my sister said anything wrong," Belle argues back.

"You both!! How dare you talk to me like that? You are just some pieces of sh!ts, who don't even have a family or know where-"

"Queen Rosalind!! I respect you and your title, but that doesn't mean you can insult my sisters, friends and I will just stand and listen to that rubbish. I thank you, for the dress, now, you may leave us alone," Marina says her voice filled with venom as she opens the door for Queen Rosalind, gesturing her to leave.

Queen Rosalind glared at Marina and Ally, but, stomps away in silence.

"I-I am sorry, Ally," Marina says while hugging the twins.

"It's okay, we are not angry with you. In fact, we are so happy to see you took our side despite knowing the consequences," Belle replies.

"Consequences can go to hell. I will not just stand and let anyone insult my family."

"Thank you," The twins reply in unison while hugging Marina tightly.

"Now let's see what horrendous dress your mother-in-law has got," Anne says as the three of them watch the blue velveteen box that laid on Marina's bed.

Marina opens the box, only to reveal yet another "horrendous" dress.

"Ughh...when will this woman stop!!" Belle shouts at no one in particular.

"It's better than the last one," Marina says with a forced smile while taking out the black dress from the box.

True to Marina's words, the black princess scoop neck dress that reached till her mid thigh was better than the last one, both in terms of it's appearance and decency. Only if one leaves out it's length and the fact that it's backless.

"So, now what-"

"I am not wearing it. One of you go and give this dress back to Queen Rosalind and make sure to tell her, I refuse to wear it," Marina says while cutting off Anne and throwing the dress on the floor.

"WHAT!!" The twins exclaim at the same time.

"You heard me loud and clear."

"Okay, no problem. I will return it," Belle says, picking up the dress and keeping it back into the box.

"I am so proud of you and your decision Marines," Anne says while pulling Marina into a bone crushing hug.

~ 30 minutes later~

"I can't believe, she agreed so easily," Anne says surprise evident in her voice.

"Honestly, I am shocked too. But, when I returned the dress, she said and I quote 'it is fine, I know Marina has her own taste. Only time will tell what happens'," Belle says in a high shrill voice, trying to mimic Queen Rosalind, but failing miserably.

Marina and Anne broke out in fits of laughter, which was soon joined by Belle.

"I am pretty sure Queen Rosalind doesn't sound like that," Marina remarks, sitting on the bed.

"But, it's still really weird," Marina states to Ally.

"Well, till the time she doesn't bother us, I don't think we should care, right?"

"Right," The twins reply in unison but their minds pondered over someone's words, Queen Rosalind's words.

"Only time will tell what happens."

"*KNOCK, KNOCK*"

"Come in," Marina answered while patting Brialle.

"Good morning, Your Majesty. I am so sorry to disturb you," A blue eyed blonde haired girl greeted Marina while entering her room.

"And you are?" Belle asked

"Oh! I am so sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Charlotte, Princess Catherine's new maid. You did not come to visit her, so my mistress sent me personally to give you this Italian Quiche and lemonade which she prepared especially for you," the young maid gushed as she kept the plates on the table.

"That's really sweet of Cathy. Do thank her from my side," Marina says while taking a sip of the lemonade.

"Yes, I would. Miss Schwitzers?"

"Which one?" Ally asked in unison.

"Yes, both of you. Your highness made these for you too, so please do eat," Charlotte says while gesturing to the food.

"Now, may I have your permission to leave-"

Just then Brialle starts barking and growling at the maid.

"Yes, thanks," Marina says while holding Brialle tightly who seemed to be in a mood to attack Charlotte.

"She is gone, but what are you two thinking?" Marina asks Ally while eating the Quiche.

"Nothing, just she did not give me a good energy."

"Same here, for some reason I just can't shrug off my suspicion. See, even Brialle agrees," Anne states while patting Brialle.

"You two are worrying for no reason. Here come-" Marina is not able to complete her sentence because Brialle jumps on the table, while freeing himself from Ally and turning the whole table upside down.

"Very bad Brialle, bad boy," Marina scolds Brialle, but he keeps on growling at the now fallen food.

"See, even Brialle found her and her food suspicious," Belle remarks while calming Brialle.

"I am going to go and thank Princess Catherine."

"And I will go and see that maid."

"As you wish..." Marina said while laying down on the bed as Ally exited the room.
************************************************************
Hello dear readers!!

So, what do you think Queen Rosalind would do or better why did she accept the dress back so easily? And what are your thoughts about Charlotte, the maid and Brialle's unruly behaviour?

Come on guys, do try to answer. I am looking forward to hear your thoughts.

Till the next update, keep shining ;)

- Love Addy :)

P.S. A huge round of applause for SakinaNasir5253, her book "The Serpent Within" crossed 5k reads. Congo girl!!😍😍😊👏👏👏❤❤😇