Avalo''s royal palace.


    Princess Ellen was ready to have lunch with the queen as early as possible. Grater was also ready with the tea leaf and together they walked over to the Queen''s court where the lunch was going to take place.


    "your highness,"  princess Ellen bow when she get to where the Queen was seated. Queen Magret look at princess Ellen and nodded her head.


    "welcome, the Queen said. Grater handed over what she brought to the Queen''s maid after she bowed to the Queen. Queen Magret smiled satisfied with Ellen''s simple dress and gift. The Queen did not fancy very bright and attention-seeking dresses as she referred to them.


    Ever since the Queen sat on the throne with the Queen she always wore a plain color dress.


    " Seat, " the Queen gesture to the chair next to her. Princess Ellen nodded her head and did as instructed. Prince Diana arrived next and greeted the Queen. She took a seat next to princess Ellen.


    Lady Catherine and Lady Vare arrived at the same time.  They were both wore a bright pink dress that had many patterns design on it. The Queen rolled her eyes at their attention-seeking dress that she hated so much. If only she did not have to continue acting graceful and kind.


    "Lovely dress you both have on," Queen Magret compliment them as they bowed in greeting. The two ladies felt pleased with her comment.


    Princess Ellen was a bit surprised to see the other ladies but she relaxed since Grater had informed her of the Queen''s habit of inviting the young wife for tea or lunch.


    "Now that everyone is here, we can begin," Queen magret said.


    The maid brought the different food and help serve all that was seated at the table. Prince Ellen felt skeptical after the many attempts to poison her, her behavior was normal.


    "What is the problem?" the Queen raised her brows when she noticed that princess Ellen did not attempt to eat the food before her.


    "it nothing," princess Ellen shook her head but her heart was beating fast. If there was anything in the food what would she do? The annoying part was that all the dishes on the table are not so familiar, so she would be unaware if something was wrong.


    Queen Magret noticed the princess''s behavior. She wanted to command her to start eating like the rest of them but she did not dare. The feature of her beloved son rests on this young lady and the Queen was scared that her attitude may scare the girl.


    What if that made the princess unwilling to give birth to her grandchild. Queen Magret shook her head and pretend not to notice anything.  She could not act recklessly and make things difficult for her son.


    Princess Ellen reach out for the water and drank the entire content. She was a bit hungry, but she did not dare to take the .chances.


    "is the food not to your liking?" princess Diana who was seated next to Ellen asked. Hearing Princess Diana''s question, Queen magret realized what she had done wrong. Princess Ellen was not from Avalo it was natural for her not to be used to the dishes on the table.


    " I should have found out what she likes," the Queen mentally scold herself. "it is not that,"  princess Ellen replied taking her spoon. Queen magret shook her.


    She felt that princess Ellen just said that to not offend her.


    "you don''t have to if you do not like it,"  Queen Magret stopped her. Princess Ellen took a breath of relief. She did not want to take chances.


    "Your highness, I just learned from the princess maid that she likes apple pie. I made some this morning," one of the Queen''s maids said. She knew that the Queen was having this lunch special for princess Ellen.


    Queen Magret smiled gratefully to the maid.


    "Would you like the apple pie?" Queen magret asked.


    "yes your highness, thank you so much," princess Ellen said with a sweet smile on her lips but she was cursing Grater in her heart. Now that all this lady knows what she likes, there is no way she can reject the Queen.


    Seeing the smile on the princess''s face the Queen felt satisfied. Princess Ellen decided to drink more water. The pie arrived and Princess Ellen took a small bite. She took a deep breath in relief when she realized nothing was wrong with the pie.


    The lunch went on quietly, Lady Catherine boiled in anger and Jealous. Before now the Queen always treated her nicely. She always include her favorite food on the table when they had lunch.


    Princess Ellen''s appearance has not only killed her husband but in a matter of few days, she would no longer be a part of the royal family.


    "I will take my pound of flesh soon," she comforted herself as she thought of the fact of working as Ellen''s maid. Although this punishment was humility lady Catherine did not mind since it allowed her to take her revenge.


    "Is everything alright, Catherine dear," Queen Magret asked she had noticed the sour face the lady have any time she looked at princess Ellen.


    Some people make think that the Queen invited lady Catherine because she was still a wife of Julia but the truth was the Queen wanted to study her attitude toward Ellen.


    "How can I be fine your highness, my husband will lose his head by tomorrow. I don''t even know the fate of my father yet. Tell me your highness can anyone be fine in a situation like this," Lady Catherine made sure her voice was not too disrespectful.


    Ever since her encounter with the Queen after breakfast the previous day, she learned a valuable lesson. The Queen was not simply.


    " I understand child, but you have to be strong, " Queen Magret said with an encouraging smile. Lady Catherine nodded her head in agreement hating the way the other ladies looked at her with pity.


    It was both their fault, if they have backed her up in the courtroom then things would not have got to this extent.


    After lunch, they all remain seating taking a sip of tea.


    " I blame myself for what happened,  this lunch took me a long time to prepare. It was just that the marriage of the crown prince was a bit sudden. If I have called for this lunch sooner then maybe all this misunderstanding would never have happened and things would have not gotten to this, " the Queen spoke in a voice that sounded regretful.


    But princess Ellen could tell that the Queen was not sincere with her words. If she remembered correctly the Queen was nicer to Julia and his wife than her son. So why was she pleased about what will happen to Julia soon?


    " Do not blame yourself, your highness. We were too naive and acted without thinking.  Some of us let our pride and anger get into our head," Princess Diana said. She had a mischievous smile because she was indirectly referring to Lady Catherine.