There are plenty of roses, wilted, but still red.  A large statue of a beautiful woman stands in the middle, ivy growing around her.  She seems very kind in her expression.  It seems as though she may be buried underneath.  There is an overgrown mess of plants that form an archway that she is staring at.
Hidden garden, Outside Palace
gardener
mother
I am the king's mother. When I was raising him, I did little to stop his cruelties to other children. I am now the mother of a bloodthirsty warmonger. I have been imprisoned because I dared speak up when he murdered his sisters' husbands. I am full of regret.
Would you help sir? Certainly, Madame. How can I assist you? I see ivy growing in your garden, I may been to free yourself of some. Do you have a penchant for concoctions?  Of what manner of concoctions do you speak? Edible concoctions? Or concoctions that cause enchantments? I have done wrong. My son is a monster who killed all his brother's in law. I couldn't stand for it but my outspeaking over the situation has landed me in jail. You see, my son is... the king. Good heavens! So you came to the garden to escape or to fetch items for a spell? A poison in fact. Thats why  have my eye on that ivy. A poison to do in the King? I'm not sure I want to be involved with this. I have known of his evil ways for many years, but I am frightened. Everything I have done thus far in life I regret. Spare this one grace for a woman baring too many mistakes to make a full recovery, yet enough power to make a final jab at redemption. And if you do take the King's life, who will that leave in power? I hadn't thought that far ahead. Your'e very wise. I suppose one of my embittered daughters would find her way up Hmm... perhaps there is another way to take your wrath out on the King. He is evil, but he rules our nation well. Perhaps a poison that disables him but keeps him alive and thus does not strip his reign?