Michael

"I thank you kindly, uh, pardon me. I don't believe I got your name." James shakes my hand upon our arrival at his temporary chambers within the castle.

"Uh, Michael." I respond, watching a woman round the corner with a palace guard at her side.

"Michael?" He asks. "Just Michael?"

"Just Michael. I don't bother with all of the titles. To be honest, I can't quite remember my title. I don't care for it too much. The queen mother gave it to me and uh- yeah I just don't quite understand it all."

James nods. "Right then. I thank you kindly for all of your help, Michael. I am Prince James Edward Charles Bronson. Though after my exile, I went by the name of Lord James Bronson." The woman arrives at James' side. "Michael, this is my wife, Lady Lorena St.Claire of France."

She smiles. He places his hand on the small of her back. She glances at him and back at me.

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. Am I to kiss your hand? Or uh, bow? I am terribly dense. I've never met a royal outside of the queen and her mother. I haven't brushed up on all of the protocols."

"Oh dear. That is hardly necessary. And you can call me Lorena. My husband and I are hardly royals and I don't quite fancy titles either. It's James here who is a stickler for all that." She smiles and grabs his hand.

"Right." I nod. "Well, James," I shake his hand. "Lorena," I bow my head. "I can not wait for the results of the blood test. The queen could use some good news."

"Oh Michael, before you go, could I have a word?"

"Of course." I nod. James sends his wife into the room to rest. "Regarding the queen, uh, my sister-"

I stop him. "I don't think we should be discussing the queen any longer. I should be getting back to her." I realize how that can be taken the wrong way and quickly add to my statement. "I am her personal guard, of course."

"I just wanted to know, um- is she well?" He asks anyways, despite my wishes to not speak of her with him.

"Sir?"

"My mother- our mother was a terrible person. She- she was a, how do I say this? A soul-sucking woman." He laughs and wipes his face.

Though I know Rae and her mother had their differences, I also know that she still tries to respect her mother's memory. "I feel the need to remind you that you are discussing the Queen Mother and her royal highness-"

He interrupts me.

"Yes. But she was still a retched woman. She bullied her children- exiled me and bullied Raeanne. I only regret leaving little Raeanne here to fend for herself. She was only a baby when I was banished." He shakes his head.

"The queen does not speak but of her childhood but she was just fine, I'm sure. She is powerful." I remind him. "She has been an amazing queen despite all of her obstacles."

"I'm sure she was. She's become a magnificent young woman. I just wonder the toll it took on her."

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