Like sisters
Amberjill couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Walking briskly, and swaying her hips from one side to the other, followed by a retinue of maids, was Abba. Heading towards where she was. This woman did not cease to amaze her with her exotic beauty. But it wasn’t her lustrous hair falling down her back in beautiful ringlets, adorned with little jewels, nor her domineering eyes surrounded by those thick, curved lashes. Neither were those fleshy and red lips, which invited to kiss.
No, nothing like that. It was the beautiful blue dress, with silver trimmings that caught Amberjill’s eye. Discreetly, she eyed her own outfit. The colours and the style were the same, and the queen could even swear that she had seen that dress before. The only thing that didn’t feel right was that it looked tight on Abba’s voluptuous body.
Beside her, her servant Sandra raised her hand to her mouth, gasping in surprise. Amberjill, intrigued, looked at her from the corner of her eyes. Sandra did not stop staring and was alarmed at the outfit that Lady Abba was wearing. Without realizing it, she grabbed the tablecloth that beautifully decorated the table, wrinkling it. So outraged in favour of her lady.
“Sandra,” the queen drew her servant’s attention, but she immediately returned her gaze to Abba. But the king’s new wife was now only inches from Amberjill. “Your Majesty,” Abba made a respectful courtesy, and then said, “I’m sorry to intrude, but I was walking, surveying the gardens of my new home,”
Amberjill ground her teeth in anger. Hearing the word, my new home, drove her to madness. The electric blue colour of her eyes shone even more. But the tight control that year after year was instilled in her since she was a child did not let her reflect her true intentions. Tear off Abba’s limbs one by one.
The queen smiled, and let the unexpected, unwanted visit continue, “and suddenly, I saw you, having lunch, enjoying this wonderful day. I couldn’t help, but get closer.” Amberjill, still saying nothing, kept looking at the dress Abba was wearing. The intruder noticed it, and, blushing, she runs her hands along the torso.
“Oh! You have to excuse me for my audacity. I borrowed this dress from your stunning collection. I hope it has not bothered you.” Hmm! So that’s why it looked so familiar. And indeed, the queen had a huge collection of dresses for every occasion. This one didn’t really matter, but the daring. “During the move of my personal belongings, most of my clothes were ruined. I sent them to the royal tailor to have them repaired.” Abba searched the queen’s gaze for any sign of discomfort but found none. “You don’t mind, do you, your majesty?”
Amberjill smiled placidly, and at the same time said, “Oh! I do understand the situation. I hope nothing else has been spoiled.” Abba, understanding the double meaning of what the queen said, Abba’s cheeks flushed, a little embarrassed.“No, no, your majesty. The others are fine. Thank you for your concern.”
Amberjill was uncomfortable with this woman in front of her, interrupting her lunch, and her life. But after a moment of awkward silence, she was the one breaking it. “Please, have a seat. I’d like to invite you to join me for a few snacks.” Abba’s eyes sparkled, and without thinking, she took a seat opposite her. Amberjill forced herself to send Sandra to attend to her, much to the world’s sorrow.
A plate of sandwiches was placed in front of Abba, and then, the delicate cup of tea. The hesitant maid served the exquisite liquid, adding some sugar cubes, with a splash of milk. The servant prepared it in the same way that she prepares it for her mistress. But the difference this time was that instead of feeling adoration, she was frustrated, and forced to do it.
Abba, without thanking her, lifted the teacup and took a sip. Her eyes widened comically, and the queen only thought that as much as she hated her, Abba at least knew about good tea.
“Oh! My queen, this tea is delicious. I had never tasted this quality before.” But Abba, thinking that only the queen had access to this kind of delicacy, made her heart sour. But her evil did not last long, since she thought that now that she was the wife of the king of Mahala, all this and more would be at her disposal. With this in mind, she continued to enjoy the queen’s lunch.
Amberjill, being the matriarch of the castle, took her role seriously, just as she had promised her husband.
The two talked about vain things, without depth. What was the point? But Amberjll did not want for any reason to get to the fact where they delved into the subject of the king. No, Amberjill wouldn’t. But her wishes were not fulfilled, because what Abba said next, dashed her hopes of getting out of this intact.
“Your Majesty, I must tell you that I am very pleased with the reception that the kingdom of Mahala, and in particular you, have given me.” The queen noticed that Abba was constantly watching every single move that she did, and said. Her eyes went straight to her mouth, and when she thought the queen wasn’t paying attention, Abba absorbed everything about her. The queen noted it all.
Amberjill thought it odd but took no further interest in the matter. What did catch her attention a bit, was the deep blush that formed on Abba’s cheeks, before she continued speaking, “My queen, the king is wonderful.” Abba averted her gaze in embarrassment. Amberjill could only imagine what she was referring to. It devastated the little calm she had acquired during lunch.
Abba again looked up at the queen, and continued, “Now that we’re practically sisters, there shouldn’t be any secrets between us.” Abba’s bright eyes sparkled more than usual, watching the queen at all times. Amberjill was outraged. Lady Abba was crossing the line. At that moment, she felt that the woman in front of her came to Mahala only and directly to displace her.
The queen took her cup and took a sip. Stopping suddenly at what Abba commented next. “I don’t know what it’s like to share a man, and therefore, your majesty, I want to ask you to give me advice. My temper sometimes gets the best of me. Afterwards, I have to regret my reactions. I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding between us, especially now.”
Abba shyly touched her abdomen, and with a mischievous look, and charming smile, said, “After last night, I have no doubt that the seeds of your majesty have taken root in my womb.”
Amberjill dropped the fine cup of tea on the table. Pieces of fine china were scattered across the table. The queen rose, and with her, her servant. The two guards accompanying her were ready to go and on guard. Abba raised her head in amazement at the incident that occurred. But before she could say anything, the queen spoke, “Lady Abba, I am sorry to cut this meeting short. My royal duties await me.”
Without saying anything else, the queen, and her contingent, left the area. Abba, still sitting in the same place, followed the queen with her gaze, until she was out of sight. Then, she turned her attention to the queen’s fine china. Abba, satisfied for the moment, smiled wickedly. “Wench, collect the queen’s tableware and take it to my chambers. From now on, I want my tea served in those.”
