chapter four : the intricate palace of the laconic king

as the days wore on, the young wife tried her best to fit in. she found that she got along well with her husband's brothers. the king have not really spoken to her except for instances when he would ask her if she had already eaten, or where her husband might be.

things were quite difficult with the queen, though. the young wife felt the queen's eyes on her constantly. she would be admonished, sometimes criticized for chores not done according to castle rules. the young wife would then ask evil nina how things are supposed to be done, not knowing that the devious castle-keeper will never be sympathetic to a commoner. the young wife did her share of chores around the castle. she would help with the dishes and sometimes did the cooking. during weekends, she would be assisting in the kitchen while her husband together with the other princes slept till lunch. they would be awakened only when the table has been set. she also helped in cleaning the castle, and would even volunteer to clean the chambers occupied by the king & queen.

laundry was another thing. the queen told the young wife that all soiled clothes must be put in the laundry area so that the servants can wash and iron them. she did exactly that. but when the young wife would go to the laundry room to gather her & her husband's clothes they haven't been washed yet. she found out later that evil nina removes their clothes from the bin, excluding it from the laundry. hence, the young wife decided to do the washing and ironing herself.

when the queen saw the young wife washing and ironing their own clothes, the queen admonished her, saying that what she was doing was not only a waste of soap but of electricity as well. a sympathetic servant told the young wife that evil nina had told the queen that the young wife keeps their dirty clothes inside the cabinet (together with the clean ones) and refuses to bring them down to the laundry area which is why the servant was unable to wash them.

the young wife never answered back. she would just bow her head and let the queen say whatever she wishes to. through all the times that she was criticized and reprimanded by the queen, her husband--the first-born prince would simply walk away. it was instead the quiet king who often came to her rescue.

the young wife was slowly beginning to realize that her valiant prince was born without a spine.