Elizabeth darted through the crowds in the throne room. She was supposed to
meet with the king to discuss her new duties five minutes ago.
"You wanted to see me, your highness?" Elizabeth curtsied.
"Yes, Beth. You are now responsible for taking care of my baby niece. She was recently orphaned, and is under my protection for the time being. My son, William, will help you take care of her."
"Of course, my lord."
"William."
"Yes, Father?"
"Please escort Beth to where Dianna is staying."
"Of course, Father. This way, Elizabeth." William firmly, but gently, took Beth's arm, and he escorted her out of the throne room. They passed through many halls and past many closed and sealed doors until they reached a hall where there hung on the walls portraits of children and infants.
"This is Dianna's room." William knocked on the wooden door, and a servant opened the door. "Mother!" he exclaimed, crossing the threshold to where a woman sat, holding a baby. "This is Elizabeth, she is taking over the charge of Dianna."
"We thank you for your generosity, Beth. I'm sure this is going to cut into your other duties."
"Not at all, my lady. My lord the king informed me that taking care of his niece would be my only duty."
"Well, then. Would you like to hold her?"
"If you do not mind, my lady."
"No, no. I've been holding her for a while now. My arms do get tired sometimes."
"I understand completely." Beth lifted Dianna from Queen Drusilla's arms, and she settled herself in one of the chairs. "If you'll excuse me, William, and Beth, there are things I must attend to."
"I'll see you later then, Mother." William gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, and she departed. "Is everything alright, Beth?"
"Yes, everything's fine. Dianna reminds me of my little sister Dawn. I haven't seen her in a while, and I'm getting just a bit homesick."
"Oh, well.um.I wish there was something I could do about that."
"Don't bother. My family is in the land of Shia. It's where I grew up. I miss it so much, but I should be seeing my family again soon enough." Beth sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"Well, Beth, I'm sure you'll become accustomed to Olympia soon enough," William grinned at her. "And if you don't."
"What will you do?" Beth seemed deadly serious, but a mischievous smile belied her tone of voice.
"I'm actually not sure yet. But I'll find something. Hmmm, maybe tours, no, ah-ha! Museums! Every single day."
"My lord. Are there not things a prince is required to do?"
"You forget, I was told to help you with Dianna. And." He put a finger up to his lips conspiratorially. "I'll get someone else to do the things I have to."
"How clever. Get the servants to do the prince's work."
"Yes, Beth. You are now responsible for taking care of my baby niece. She was recently orphaned, and is under my protection for the time being. My son, William, will help you take care of her."
"Of course, my lord."
"William."
"Yes, Father?"
"Please escort Beth to where Dianna is staying."
"Of course, Father. This way, Elizabeth." William firmly, but gently, took Beth's arm, and he escorted her out of the throne room. They passed through many halls and past many closed and sealed doors until they reached a hall where there hung on the walls portraits of children and infants.
"This is Dianna's room." William knocked on the wooden door, and a servant opened the door. "Mother!" he exclaimed, crossing the threshold to where a woman sat, holding a baby. "This is Elizabeth, she is taking over the charge of Dianna."
"We thank you for your generosity, Beth. I'm sure this is going to cut into your other duties."
"Not at all, my lady. My lord the king informed me that taking care of his niece would be my only duty."
"Well, then. Would you like to hold her?"
"If you do not mind, my lady."
"No, no. I've been holding her for a while now. My arms do get tired sometimes."
"I understand completely." Beth lifted Dianna from Queen Drusilla's arms, and she settled herself in one of the chairs. "If you'll excuse me, William, and Beth, there are things I must attend to."
"I'll see you later then, Mother." William gave his mother a kiss on the cheek, and she departed. "Is everything alright, Beth?"
"Yes, everything's fine. Dianna reminds me of my little sister Dawn. I haven't seen her in a while, and I'm getting just a bit homesick."
"Oh, well.um.I wish there was something I could do about that."
"Don't bother. My family is in the land of Shia. It's where I grew up. I miss it so much, but I should be seeing my family again soon enough." Beth sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"Well, Beth, I'm sure you'll become accustomed to Olympia soon enough," William grinned at her. "And if you don't."
"What will you do?" Beth seemed deadly serious, but a mischievous smile belied her tone of voice.
"I'm actually not sure yet. But I'll find something. Hmmm, maybe tours, no, ah-ha! Museums! Every single day."
"My lord. Are there not things a prince is required to do?"
"You forget, I was told to help you with Dianna. And." He put a finger up to his lips conspiratorially. "I'll get someone else to do the things I have to."
"How clever. Get the servants to do the prince's work."