《The evil concubine actually loves the broken queen?!》


 Foreword and chapter 1

    So i decided to write all my character ai conversations as stories.All inspired ofcourse. I won''t copy paste stuff. Also I''ll be changing a lot of stuff from the conversations i had so this is written entirely on my own.


    Short stories mostly because I''m not at all confident in my writing skills at all.


    But...i wanted to atleast try.


    I will have a lot of mistakes in grammar.


    Please correct me kindly if you want.


    I also hope you enjoy the stories i write.


    All things/places/characters/everything is all fiction.


    Thank you for picking this up. ?


    Flies land on the watery soup prepared for the Queen.


    The stale hard bread accompanying the sad plate of a meal. It could probably be used to crack a window. Dust piles in her room, floating and sparkling under the dim sunlight entering through the gaps of the dusty curtains.


    Oh, how Diana wished she could smash the window and escape, run away from everything wrong in her life but she has nowhere to go and no person to welcome her in.


    For she is the Queen of Itredour, the princess given to this kingdom after her father lost the war against Greis Reigelhof, the king of Itredour.


    She was no better than a hostage even though she was a queen. The crown bestowed no power nor honour to her highness.


    For she is a trophy from war.


    A Queen only in name, only in shell her soul long gone from the misery she was subjected to by her husband and people of the royal court.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    The king barely paid attention to her existence unless he wanted to relieve himself. The maids being rude and dismissive of their own queen.


    After all who would she ever complain to? Who would soothe her worries? She held no power, no presence in the royal court.


    She didn''t try change the situation either.


    Diana had become a husk of a person. A pretty shell, nothing more.


    Although after a while, even her blush pink cheeks and her fair skin started to become gaunt, her once soot black hair lost it''s lusture, her obsidian eyes losing their life and she was becoming skin and bones all due to the new prank her maids were playing on her, to give her the worst food possible.


    The maids would get off on the high of tormenting the queen.


    Greis had even completely stopped bothering about her existence after her beauty started to fade. There were many more beautiful women in the royal court and loyalty is not something anyone expected of him.


    So when King Greis took in a concubine no one batted an eye.


    They infact celebrated a new, beautiful face to plaster as the female royalty in newspapers instead of the gloomy queen diana.


    Esadora weinser, beautiful woman her stunning crimson hair framing her dolled up face and her red siren eyes fierce enough to light candles with one look. She looked as if the word elegance had come to life. Her presence was warm, fun. She was chatty for sure but also bold, extroverted. Within a week she was able to captivate the entirety of the royal court with her flamboyant charisma. Everyone wanted to be her acquaintance, ladies wanted to be the lucky ones to be invited to her tea parties and men wished they had the chance enough come in vicinity of her gaze, to touch her hand and kiss it.


    Esadora was the complete opposite of Diana.


    Does anyone remember diana exists now?


    Maybe Diana wants it that way. Atleast with no attention, comes no hurt in her way.


    But....the sting that Diana felt was present. Was it jealousy? Envy?


    Esadora had everything whilst being the other woman.


    While she being the Queen of the kingdom was barely fed good meals.


    How unfair.


    But Diana wanted to avoid Esadora. A concubine meant bad news.


    I can''t be seen by her, who knows what she''ll do to me.


    Diana thought.


    Diana''s room was far from the main palace and quite isolated, barely having the required number of maids and she had no personal attendants of her own. She cleaned her own room.


    But the greenary and less people outside was something Diana preferred.


    She went to the garden to get her bedding since it was dry.


    Hustle


    Diana, startled turned around form the bushes to see...her, along with ther entorage of ladies Snickering.


    Esadora.

 Chapter 2

    Esadora looks at Diana. She stares for quite a few seconds , the ladies behind her not giving a crumb of respect to the "Queen".


    Esadora takes a step forward.


    Daintly bows as she holds up her skirt.


    "Greetings your majesty."


    Any form of greeting from this woman felt like an insult to Diana. People rarely showed her respect. she was just a war trophy not their queen who was respected.


    Diana just stared at the woman without saying anything, slowly backing away with the basket of freshly dried blankets in hand.


    "You don''t need to do that lady Esadora."


    Countess Alice spoke up, hiding her mean smile behind the fan she was holding to her face.


    The other ladies just chuckled in response as if Diana was not worth the effort of greeting.


    Esadora looked at lady Alice.


    "But she is our queen."


    "Have you not been taught etiquette Lady Alice?"


    A red blush of embarrassment covered Alice''s face. She haphazardly managed to bow and mutter a greeting to Diana, followed by all other ladies behind Esadora, not exactly because they wanted to pay their respects to the queen but to not lose favour of Lady Esadora.


    The other ladies stood straight after their fake show of respect but lady Esadora glared at them.


    "The queen didn''t give permission to raise your heads yet."


    She said and looked at Diana, who was visibly baffled. Since when did people require her permission to look at her? This was something she wasn''t used to, wasn''t felt in a long time.


    The other ladies quickly held down their heads again, sweating bullets.


    Esadora looked into Diana''s eyes as if she was carefully analysis her. Her gaze felt so unbeknownst to Diana, she was only used to scrutinizing gazes here. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    "Y-you may raise....your heads."


    Diana Muttered out, holding her basket close to her chest. She didn''t speak words a queen speaks here in Itredour ever since she came.


    The gazes of these women felt suffocating on her timid soul.


    She turned around and started to walk away.


    What was that? She thought to herself. One doesn''t usually get lost and end up all the way over to the abandoned villa where Diana lived plus Esadora didn''t look like she was bad with directions at all.


    And don''t even think about her thoughts on how she was the first one to bow to Diana out of etiquette and respect.


    There wasn''t a ounce of hate in Esadora''s gaze. It almost seemed like she felt Diana was no competition for the affection of the king.


    Not that Diana wanted his affection anyways.


    In a few days Esadora was the imperial image of love, beauty, any good word one can utter about a woman was said about Esadora.


    The word of mouth was that king Greis found true love in Esadora after being forced to marry the gloomy princess after war.


    She lived in the palace meant for the Queen, she had the support of nobility, she hosted balls, tea parties and masquerade balls in the single year she became a concubine.


    Diana was never the part of these luxurious gatherings.


    She could hear muffled music from the gardens which reach her desolate villa, the light from the garden lamps from night parties.


    The world seems so fine without her.


    What does it matter if she''s the queen or not. Nobody wants her, nobody needs, she was a nuisance


    Such an important title to be wasted on someone like me. she thought.


    She was too hallowed out to even hate her tormenter, the one who stole all the love. She was just numb.


    A Husk.


    A day later Diana was in her unkempt garden with overgrown shrubs and weeds everywhere, not a single valuable flower in sight. The broken fountain without a drop of water.


    There is no life in the abandoned villa behind the palace where Diana lives.


    She heard rustling. Bunnies? Diana thought.


    She went towards the broken fountain, looking down at the ground to spot any rabbits. But she saw...a green fabric from a dress? She raised her head to see the person who the dress was donned on by.


    Esadora.


    Diana''s eyes widened. What is she doing here???. She took a step back almost instinctively, gulping as if she''s expecting verbal abuse from her and preparing for it.


    Esadora quickly gets up and bows gracefully as always, her crimson hair draping on her shoulders elegantly.


    "Your majesty, good evening."


    She greeted. Her voice sounding a bit worn off since the last greeting she gave Diana.


    Your majesty. The words Diana is still not used to being called.


    "G-good evening, Lady Esadora."


    Diana managed to mutter out still wondering why is the most treasured woman in the kingdom is doing in her grungy garden. But she didn''t dare ask. Diana''s natural instinct was to be guarded up.


    Esadora looked at Diana.


    "I''m sorry for invading your private space, your majesty."


    "I just needed to get a ... quiet moment for myself."


    She explained to diana as if wanting her understanding.


    "Oh".


    Diana simply said. She didn''t yet realise Esadora was explaining herself for not wanting to look bad infront of diana. Diana was so used to being trampled afterall.


    "I''m sorry. I''ll leave now."


    Diana said and turned back to leave.


    Not wanting to disturb Esadora''s quiet moment to herself.


    "Wait-"


    Esadora quickly said as she took a step further towards Diana.


    "Why haven''t you replied to any of my invitations?"


    Esadora asked.


    Diana stood there for a moment, baffled for a moment. What did she just say? . Never in her life Diana imagined after coming to this kingdom that she''d be remembered enough to be sent those.


    Was this to mock her? But Esadora''s tone sounded genuine.


    "You sent me invitations?"

 Chapter 3

    "You Sent me invitations?"


    Esadora''s eyes widen with the horror of realisation at Diana''s words. The queen''s mail is being tampered with? Esadora knew Diana wasn''t treated right but she didn''t know to what extent.


    But the almost ruined villa and the state of the queen''s garden should have been her first clues.


    Esadora felt so stupid.


    "Your majesty, your mail is being tampered with?"


    Esadora asked her eyebrows raising in concern.


    "I guess so".


    Diana shrugged and said as if this was something she would expect if she received mail, if any.


    Esadora was rendered speechless by Diana''s answer, was Diana so used to her circumstances that she doesn''t feel greatly wronged at this? Esadora can''t comprehend the level of Insolence she had endured to grow numb to her situation.


    "And you''re fine with it?"


    Esadora asked.


    "There''s nothing i can do about it."


    Diana said so casually that one would think she was talking about the weather.


    Esadora looked away trying to avoid eye contact. She was baffled at how bad Diana''s circumstances are.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Diana on the other hand had wept, begged and tried her hardest to get people, her husband to like her or atleast acknowledge her. All that to no avail. She has grown numb to it all, taking wherever the flow takes her and letting every bad thing happen to her.


    "You, the queen have never been to balls?"


    Esadora asked, with a gulp.


    "I don''t even have dresses."


    Diana said hoping Esadora gets the idea of her circumstances and stops asking stupid questions. Everyone knows how she''s treated and no one will do anything about it.


    "That''s horrible".


    Esadora expressed loudly.


    Diana shrugged.


    Esadora looked down and then at Diana again. Esadora can feel from her demeanor that Diana is not a fan of people... atleast not anymore.


    "Your majesty, may I have the honour of inviting you to tea?"


    She asked with a faint smile on her lips


    Tea?? When was the last time i had good tea? Diana wondered.


    She doesn''t believe that Esadora would have any good reason to invite her to tea. Why would a lady who has everything and everyone''s love want from her?


    Is it because Diana is the only one indifferent towards her and not fawning over her that Esadora can''t help but be salty?


    Diana can''t help but foster these cynical thoughts in her head because she knew better than to trust unusual kindness that comes her way in this kingdom.


    But can she really refuse the personal invitation from the Nation''s most treasured flower?


    She can''t outright. But maybe she can give an excuse.


    "I can''t go outside of this place for...reasons"


    She said and didn''t elaborate, hoping Esadora can just leave her alone. Alone in her own misery where no one should join her.


    "Oh-"


    "Then I''ll arrange it here itself."


    Esadora quickly said.


    What? Does this woman not get hints?. Diana frowned a little but quickly readjusted her face.


    "I don''t do well with people."


    Another excuse, but this is mostly true in Diana''s case. She hates being looked at. She hates being stared at and sneered at. But unfortunately that''s all she''s ever received here in Itredour.


    "It would be just the two of us".


    Esadora clarified.


    Just the two of them? Diana pondered.


    The nation''s most loved lady sharing tea with the most hated one.


    How comical. She thought.


    Diana ran out of excuses.


    "If it''s just the two of us and if it''s here...then.."


    A small nod confirming that then she''d be okay with this tea party Esadora was dying to have with her.


    Esadora beamed with happiness. She gets to have tea with Diana, Who she has always thought of the most mysterious and enigmatic woman in the empire the moment she laid eyes on her.


    But first Esadora was thinking ...


    I am gonna find the person tampering with the letters for the Queen. I will give him a niceeeee talking to. Then I''d move on to the useless maids of Diana''s villa...should i just replace them? I  have enough power to do it. Wait...I should teach those rats a lesson first. I should ki¡ª


    Oh my, loom at the time! I should quit


    these silly thoughts and start preparing for my private tea party~.


    Hehe~

 Chapter 4: the Tea party

    The butter soft sunlight seeps through the holes of the delicate lace parasol that covers the table. In Diana''s unkempt garden where bushes grew without limit and weeds thrived. Clearly, no one took care of Diana''s living quaters. Even diana herself is looking like she''d rather be anywhere than here. She stirs her cup awkwardly and is avoiding eye contact with Esadora. No one can guess she was a former princess by the unrefined way she acts.


    Just how much had Gries broken her?


    Esadora wondered.


    For a whole few minutes only the clinking of tea cups were heard.


    "Your majesty, I''ve had chamomile tea prepared for you. I had no idea what your preferred tea is. I hope this is to your liking."


    Esadora spoke stirring her tea and looking at diana.


    "I have no preferences or favorites in tea".


    Diana said as she took a light sip of the sweet concoction.


    "No favorites?! Unbelievable. Why is that?"


    Esadora enquired because the first thought her brain came up with was that the queen wasn''t even served nice tea which would be just sad.


    ".....no reason.."


    Diana said. She knew that Esadora knows about her bad circumstances but she was ashamed to admit the depth of it. Esadora would surely look down on her if she already didn''t.


    "What do you think of this herbal tea, your majesty?"


    Esadora said as she poured Diana a fresh cup.


    Diana took a sip and svaored the taste.


    "Sweet..." She said with a small smile which is rare on her face.


    "Wrong."


    Esadora curtly said wiping the smile off Diana''s face.


    "herbal tea wasn''t supposed to be sweet. It''s bitter. This is jasmine tea".


    Esadora said picking out Diana''s lack of knowledge on the most basic teas.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "Sorry-"


    Diana Muttered.


    "You are not even given decent tea?"


    Esadora asked with a baffled face.


    What kind of people would treat their queen like this- this situation is more frustrating than i imagined.


    "I don''t really need tea-"


    "No, the point is you not even given the basic decency..."


    Diana turned her face away. She knew all too well how she''s treated. But what could she do? Nothing. for she was just a war trophy, a hostage.


    "And there''s nothing i could do about it."


    Diana said as matter of fact. Not a wisp of a human soul behind her dead eyes.


    "I-"


    Esadora wanted to say something. Anything. But there''s no words she can utter that could attempt to comfort Diana. What would ease her pain that she''s going through? Mere words? A few kind gestures? Something so temporary would never ease the daily grueling loniless and torment. Not a bit.


    "My Queen, let''s sit and find out what''s your favourite tea is."


    Esadora said after a minute.


    "Huh?"


    Diana couldn''t comprehend what went on Esadora''s mind to suggest this after the depressive atmosphere a minute ago.


    Before diana could even object or question Esadora had already ordered the maids to brew a pot of every flavour of tea available in the royal pantry. The maids hurried


    "Why?"


    Is all diana could ask in the confusion in Esadora''s actions .


    "We''ll have a taste testing session, find teas that you like and I''ll be sure to bring it for our evening tea next time."


    Next time? Diana widened her eyes.


    "I''m boring, there''s no need for you to force yourself-"


    "I''m not forcing myself, your majesty."


    Diana eyebrows scrunched in confusion. She had nothing to offer conversational wise, title wise.


    "I can''t grant you any favours, i myself have no power-"


    "I don''t want that too".


    Esadora''s sharp interjections only serve to deepen Diana''s confusion.


    "Then...what do you....?"


    "Your time"


    Esadora said looking into the depths of Diana''s eyes with her firery yellow orbs.


    Her time? She had a lot of it, she doesn''t have anything to do apart from hiding from everyone anyways.


    But why would Esadora or anyone for that matter want to spend time with her? She had nothing to give and mingling with diana would make Esadora a laughing stock amongst others .


    But someone willingly wanting to spend time with diana flattered her very much. Someone wanted to be near her, talk to her and share things with her.


    A friendship waiting to form perhaps?


    Diana looked away feeling a bit shy and unsure. Esadora was the king''s favourite afterall. She''s been hurt enough...but... but...just once ..maybe it wouldn''t hurt to have a friend..


    "A-Alright. You may have my time."


    Esadora smiled in happiness. She will get Diana''s time.


    She will get her way.


    ******


    "I heard you spent time drinking yea with that wretched woman".


    King gries looked down at Esadora with a look of disapproval.


    "Mingling with that tramp will be of no use to you."


    Esadora looked away, tugging the blanket around her beautiful curves of her body, this was after the king had performed the lustful deed with her. Seducing the king was an easy job, he was afterall a lustful dog. Esadora is clever enough to keep her position as his mistress too.


    "I know i know, your majesty."


    "But wouldn''t it be a waste for her to just rot away in a corner when she still has useful limbs?"


    Esadora said with a mean snicker to the king.


    "What are you suggesting?"


    Greis raised an eyebrow, intrested in any more mean ways of humiliating Diana more than she already was.


    "Give her to me. I''ll make a niiiice use of her~"


    Esadora said smugly, swinging her legs on the bed almost giggling.


    The king was sadistically pleased at this idea.


    The queen serving under his favourite mistress.


    This was sure of trouble diana.


    "Very well, I''ll grant you the pearl palace and have diana at your feet."


    Gries said with a mean laugh.


    Esadora smirked.


    All was going just how she wanted.


    ******