Regina and the Mistress

                                    

                                          
Monroe was settled into one of the best rooms in the castle. Her chambers, however, were across the hall from Regina's. Adler assures her that Regina had consented to this arrangement, but she still feared otherwise. It would be simple for his wife to lie, so he would hear what he wanted to hear. She had to find out for herself. 
Monroe put on her prettiest dress and best jewels. Tullia helped her prepare. She had breakfast with the royal family that morning. She was nervous, but also hopeful that this could help then realize that she's not a bad person. 
Monroe and Tullia left her chambers and went into the hall. About at the same time, Regina exited her room with two ladies behind her. 
Monroe bowed her head. "Princess Regina."
"Oh, you must be her. Uh, Monroe, right?" 
"Yes, my lady." Monroe kept a plain face since she wasn't sure if it would be appropriate to smile. 
"Well, I can see why my husband chose you. You are very pretty." 
"Thank you, your highness. You are too." 
"Obviously not pretty enough." Regina snapped back. 
Monroe frowned and moved awkwardly. 
"It's a joke, honey. Lighten up. I know I'm beautiful. We both agree to this divorce, the sooner it happens the better." Regina walked down the hall. 
"Do you not like being a princess?" Monroe asked. 
"I like the money, the power, and the jewels. But I don't like the expectation that come along with it. I prefer freedom, which is something that you won't get here. No matter if you and Adler love each other, the hells of court will still affect you. Ask Queen Stella. She may look happy, but there is more under that perfectly shaped and tamed outer shell." Regina explained. 
Monroe wasn't sure what to think of this. "Thank you." 
"What for?" Regina asked. 
"The honest advice." 
"Us women have to look out for each other." Regina smiled. "I know what I want and I know what you want. There is a way that both can be had and that we both remain happy. I help you, out help me. It works." She added. 
"You are right." Monroe smiled. 
The girls rounded the corner and entered the royal dining hall. The chair at the head of the table was empty. In the chair to the right sat the Queen. The women curtsied and walked deeper into the room. Regina sat next to the Queen. Monroe wasn't sure where to sit. Luckily, Adler came in and saved her. 
"Here, sit here." He directed her. 
Adler sat to the left of the King's chair and Monroe sat next to him.
The Queen cleared her throat and took a sip of her water. "Monroe? Have you settled in well?" She asked. 
"Yes, thank you. The castle is beautiful and my room is great." Monroe smiled. 
"Do you only have the one maid?" The Queen asked as she pointed to Tullia. 
"Yes. She is my friend from home." Monroe replied. 
"I was going to have Lady Rockford attend to her, mother, but she was called away to her home. Her sister had a child and she wanted to meet the baby. She will be back and will become one of your ladies." 
Monroe nodded. "Fine."
"Just the two." She said it like a question, but it definitely more like a demand. 
"Yes, for now." Adler answered his mother firmly.
"Now? What will happen later?" 
Regina rolled her eyes and took a sip of her water. "Oh come now, Queen Stella. You can't deny the truth for long. Adler and I are filing for divorce it will happen and then Monroe will be the new Princess. She is a good woman, so get over it." Regina drank the rest of her water and stood up. "I can't handle this now. Have breakfast sent to my room." She said to her ladies. "Adler." She bowed her head. "Your majesty." She curtsied and walked out of the room. 
"She is obviously angry." The Queen said to Adler. 
"Yeah, at something." 
Monroe frowned as the Queen glared at her. 
Adler cleared his throat. "I think Regina is angry at you, mother." 
"Me? Why?!" She asked with offense. 
"Regina believes that as women, you should all stand together to fight against oppression." Adler said. "I agree with her."
"And you think I don't?" She asked with an angry tone. 
"No, but by the way you are acting towards Monroe I would think otherwise." 
"When did this conversation become about your whore?" 
Adler smacked his hands down on the table. "She is not a whore!" He shouted. "You should not think that of another woman. Just because we are together bad I am married doesn't make her a whore." He explained.
The Queen rolled her eyes. "If I had known this is what I would get into by coming down to breakfast, then I wouldn't have gotten out of bed." She stood up and walked to the door. 
"Mother, I want you to apologize to Monroe!" Adler yelled. 
"Oh! You want me to apologize? Fine!" She scowled at Monroe. "I'm sorry you were so dumb as to get in bed with a married man! You are way over your head. My advice, get out." She looked back at Adler. "And you. Get your head out of your cock and back into reality. You have a kingdom to rule and our family's name and reputation to protect. Time for fun is over." She whipped around and stormed out the door. 
Monroe sat back in her chair as a tear rolled down her cheek. That was completely humiliating. And it could only get worse from there. 
"That was something." The King said from the threshold to the dining room. 
"Father." Adler bowed his head. "Did you watch the whole thing?" 
"I just caught the end." He walked into the room and took his seat at the head of the table. "If it makes you feel any better, I agree with you, although your argument was lacking." 
"Thank you, Father." Adler nodded. 
"Your mother just doesn't understand. She can't see that you are unhappy in your marriage, both of you." 
"Exactly." Adler smiled. "Regina agrees. So, is it possible?" 
"Is what possible?" The King asked his son. 
"A divorce." Adler replied. 
"Oh, yes it is, but it won't be easy. Many council members and the people might not like it. It will probably come down to a vote." He explained. 
"Well, then you can tip the scales in our favor." Adler shrugged. 
The King didn't reply. 
"Right?" Adler asked. 
"That wouldn't be fair, Adler. That's not how I run my kingdom and hats not how you will run it either." The King responded. "If a majority of the council believes that the continuation of your 'marriage' to Regina is for the good of the kingdom, then I will do as they say."
"The good of the kingdom?" Adler frowned. "What about what's good for me?" He growled. 
Adler pushed his chair back in anger and swiftly walked out of the room. 
Monroe wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up. 
"Your majesty." She curtsied to the king. 
She scurried out with Tullia close behind her.