A Meal Not Eaten Is A Meal Wasted (5/5, Morning)

[NPC Servant]

Beth scooped up the tray from the Queen's chambers turning her back to the sleeping woman. For days now the Queen ate any little. She stirred only slightly and when she did it was only to go relieve herself or even to eat. Even that she barely ate. Beth looked down at the meal- soup. She had never lost a child but she made a tut-tut sound. She moved outside of Alaine's chambers, a scowl upon her face.

“All that food wasted! Ye would think that stupid girl would eat when food is place in front of her.” She looked over at the soup that was barely touched and cast a look at another of the Queen's serving maids, Joanna. “She needs to eat. Its not like its going to bring the babe back.” Joanna shook her head. “You've never lost a child. You don't understand.” Beth raised a brow. “I perfectly do well understand! That woman is a Blanchard. She ain't nothin' but bad blood! You know the babe even came out deformed. The doctor said so himself.” Joanna's face came into a look of shock. “That is true?”

Beth merely nodded. “Yes. No wonder the girl didn't live. Those Blanchards are nothing but cursed. Jon Fitzwulf should have known better when he wed that woman. She is nothing but a witch....” Their conversation continued on as the two women went back to the kitchens.

The next morning Beth once again brought the Queen food, saying nothing but her regular good mornings and usual greetings. Her chamber pot was emptied- this time full of nothing but vomit. She wrinkled her nose, disgusted and then turned away to finish her daily chores. However when she returned later for the laundry she noticed something else- a hankerchief. She thought nothing of it of course, there were plenty of those about in her lady's laundry. However when she went to put it in the wash, Joanna grabbed her hand.

“Where did you get that!” Startled, Beth looked over at it. “What? It's nothing but the lady's kerchief, its-” Joanna stopped her. “Look at it. LOOK.” Beth opened the kerchief and immediately dropped it upon the ground.

When it hit the floor its design became visible- a red and white flower with the initials clearly at the bottom- C. B.