The King's Unbreakable Wife-Chapter 58: New favourite (1)

"All of you can relax. Even you son," Tabitha said, looking over the three young folks before her.

They were either stiff, uncomfortable, or seemed to be overthinking why they were here right now. There was only bad news for one of them.

"Would you like tea? I’d do the honour of pouring it for all of you," Tabitha offered as there were no servants in the room. If not her doing it, the others would need to pour their tea or water themselves.

There weren’t any maids present in the room because she had to deliver bad news to one of the sisters. News that was going to fix everything for her, but be awful for one person.

"I’ve been enjoying my time with both of you though our sit down yesterday was quickly interrupted. I hope you can forgive me for sending you off to your room. I truly hope it did some good in saving you from what your peers said at dinner," Tabitha said, gracefully moving a cup to pour tea for Hazel.

"I enjoyed staying behind last night. I understand the position you were in, Your Majesty," Hazel answered, watching as the hot tea was poured for her. She would have preferred the water first as the tea finished cooling, but it was an honour as Tabitha said to have the queen pour tea for you.

There shouldn’t be any harm in taking a small sip and then putting it down for it to cool.

"I admire the strength you have Hazel. Nothing seems to get to you. It is something the future queen will need as there might always be obstacles in her way that try to break her. I also took a quick liking to Helena. You remind me of my younger self. But," Tabitha paused to put the teapot down. "I’ve realised that there is a need to correct the mistake the palace made."

"It has always been one young lady from each house. There were only two sisters before because there were two princes of different ages to wed. I thought it would be possible to have you two, but I’ve realised it’s best to only have one here. I’d hate to see such a good relationship be ruined over the selection," said Tabitha.

Hazel knew where this was going after the queen mentioned only having one of them here. She had mentioned a few times to Helena that if one of them were to not take part in the selection it would be Helena because she was the youngest. However, Hazel found the queen to be unpredictable so she was not certain if it would be Helena leaving.

Tobias also shared Hazel’s thoughts as he impatiently waited to hear who would be leaving the palace. His mother said she was going to fix everything, but what she thought was fixing was actually ruining everything to him.

"It is expected for the older sister to get married first. Your parents should have focused on Hazel and then had all their attention on you, Helena. The selection is not the only event where young women are looking for husbands. There will be many weddings aside from my son’s wedding. I have called your parents here to let them know that I will remove you from the selection," Tabitha said, looking at Helena.

With this, she wouldn’t be swayed to root for Helena and could focus on Hazel. Tobias wouldn’t have to worry about her pushing Helena his way and the sisters would have their relationship.

Helena played with her fingers under the table. It was her way of hiding her anger in front of the queen. Even though she was angry and wanted to lash out, she could not.

It was unfair that she prepared for this moment of entering the palace. She had become the perfect lady as she was told by her tutors. She had learned everything about the prince to make it easier for them to fall in love.

This rare chance was given to her and already she was dreaming of herself sitting on the throne. It would have been better if they had left her out from the beginning so she wouldn’t be this far in to be left feeling so heartbroken.

It upset Helena that this was what she was called here for when she had been thinking that the queen was going to help her right now. That Hazel was right about her having to be the one to leave if it ever came to this. She was the one participating the most between her and Hazel, and yet, she had to leave.

How was the fair? When she had done nothing worthy of being made to exit the selection, how was this fair? What did the queen know about her relationship with Hazel? If this was all because Hazel was looking out for her at the ball, it was foolish. Their relationship was still fine.

"I know this must be hard for you to take in as you’ve become quite settled in with all the women. You were the talk of the ball so to not have you be the topic of gossip, I will allow you to stay in the palace until the end of the selection. There will be many great men here for me to introduce you to for you to find a husband. It is the least I could do for your family," Tabitha said.

It hurt Tabitha to see Helena having to hold in what she was feeling now. If you took one quick look at Helena, you would not be able to tell that she was sad and on the verge of tears, but Tabitha was quick to notice that Helena wanted to cry or perhaps yell.

Initially, Tabitha thought of sending Helena out of the palace, but she couldn’t bring herself to now. She could keep Helena here and take her under her wing to continue to turn Helena into a lady who would go far in the social world of women here in Lockwood.

Tabitha felt inclined to help Helena since they were similar.

Tobias didn’t see the point of keeping Helena in the palace when she would no longer be in the selection, but since it was Helena and not Hazel who was no longer up to compete for a spot as queen, he couldn’t complain.

Tobias could put up with this now that Hazel didn’t need to worry about her sister anymore. His mother was close, but not close enough to know how to fix the mess she created.

"The maids outside will lead you to your parents. They should have been told why they are here by my lady-in-waiting as of now. I will call for you at noon to have a better talk with you alone. I will wait for the end of the day to let your peers know that you are out of the selection. I am truly sorry," Tabitha apologised.

Helena forced a smile. The mere fact that she was not sent out of the palace meant that this was not over for her. She was confident that it wasn’t.

"Thank you for looking after me, Your Majesty. I will take my leave now to find my parents," Helena said, standing up right away to make a quick escape so she could let out what she was holding in.