Addy followed Philip and his mother into the banquet hall and sat down at the table. "This is a lovely room, your majesty."

"Thank you. The portraits are of Philip's great grandparents on his father's side." The queen smiled fondly. "They were good people. I met them only once but they were very kind to me." She turned to Philip and her eyes lowered with grief. "Did you find your father?"

Philip closed his eyes and nodded his head ever so slightly. "I found him in a cave where the ogres had him. They tortured him severely. I..I couldn't save him." He choked back a sob and placed his head in his hands. "I couldn't save him, mother."

The queen wiped away tears from her eyes and walked over to her son, kneeling by his side. "There was nothing you could do to save him. We both know your father was a strong man and held on with every fiber of his being. He was a warrior. Your father knew that it was his time, my son. Not even you can prevent what is written in stone." She gripped Philip's hand tightly. "Do not blame yourself, my darling."

"Mother, he died with me by his side. How was I not to prevent it? I should have tried to save him."

"Are you an apothecary?" The queen looked deep into his eyes.

"What?"

"Are you an apothecary? Do you know medicine?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"N-no. No, I'm not." Philip blinked rapidly, his eyes filled with confusion.

"Then how were you to know how to save him? Even an apothecary would have struggled to help your father during his time of passing. Did you make him comfortable?"

"Yes, I believe so." Philip's bottom lip quivered and he sniffled.

"Then you did all you could do for him. Your father ruled with a steady hand and taught you well. You will not fail at following his footsteps." The queen smiled. "I know you will be a great and fair king to these people. Do not doubt yourself."

The door to the banquet hall burst open and a man in a dress coat and military uniform walked in. "Your highness." He bowed at the waist. "I see you are back from your crusade?" 

"How unpleasant it is to see you, Grandmaster." Philip stood and helped his mother up and to her seat. "I trust your investigation has gone no farther than when I left?"

The Grandmaster scowled. "In fact, it has. We killed a pack of ogres not a fortnight ago. They may have been the ones who captured the king. Though, I must admit, we still have not found him yet."

"I see. Well you may tell your men that the search for the king is over."

"Finally given up hope, I see?" The Grandmaster raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"No, Carter. I have not, because I know where my father is. I was the one who found him." Philip's hand curled into a fist at his side and he stood a foot away from the other man.

"Oh? Where is he, might I inquire? Have you hidden him from the kingdom?"

"I buried him on the outskirts of the village this morning. You may go see his grave, if you wish."

The Grandmaster's face went gray. "He is dead?" 

"Yes, he is dead. Which means that I am now king of this land and I may get rid of certain positions, if I see fit. And how unfortunate for you that you are among that list."

"Now, your highness, you should not be so hasty. After all, you are grieving and will make brash decisions that you will later regret."

The queen stood and walked over to the pompous man. "Now, Carter, I do not believe that you have the right to talk to your king in such a manner. After all, one could be killed for such a risky thing. We are a peaceful kingdom here and we would like to keep it that way. As my son has said, you are no longer needed here." She nodded her head firmly. "Please do not cause any reason for the guards to personally escort you from the castle."

Carter's nostrils flared and he bowed curtly and turned to leave. "You will not have much power over these people, young king. They will come to see that you are unfit and call for a better ruler."

Philip shook his head and sighed. "I have never appreciated that man and I believe the feeling was mutual." He laughed and gestured to the table. "Why don't we try to resume our meal?"

The queen sat down and rang a small bell. When a maid rushed in, she ordered that the cook make whatever was convenient and requested some tea and cakes for them to eat while they waited. "Now, Adelaide, how do you like the kingdom?"

"Oh, I find it very beautiful, your majesty. The village was quite a shock, I must admit. I am not used to so many people around all the time. But I do enjoy it. I think raising Roisin in a place where there are other children will be wonderful for her." Addy smiled and looked at her daughter. "I know my childhood would have been a little more joyous if there were a lot of other children to play with."

The queen smiled. "Please, darling, call me Felicity. You and I are going to get to know each other much better, so there is no need to be so formal!"

Roisin started to cry and fuss, so Addy got up and walked around with her, trying to calm her down. Her efforts didn't seem to help any and it made Roisin fuss even more.

Felicity stood up and walked over to her. "Do you mind if I try?"

"No, not at all." Addy passed her fussy child over to the woman and watched as Roisin almost instantly calmed down. "I do not understand. What did you do?"

"I am afraid I am not able to tell you. I have always loved children and they have always taken to me. Sadly, William and I could only have one child, our darling Philip. I would have loved to bless my husband with more children, but the Lord did not have that in the plan." She smiled and bounced Roisin. "Would you mind terribly if I hold her while we eat?"

Adelaide smiled. "Be my guest."

A/N: Hey guys! So here is the update!! I know it is early but hey! Here it is!! I hope you like it!