My Heart Is Yours…
Chapter 1
"By order of the queen"
It was the morning in the family of the Duke Edmund Hayden-White. He was at the table with his wife, Madeline. The servers were tending to them. The children hadn't come down yet. They had an elder daughter, very beautiful and gracious with golden hair, that was called; Anastasia Victoria Candice Roselyne, but she answered to the name of "Candy", she was 18 years old; a boy, Charles Eric James, 16 years old, that they called "Jimmy"; another girl Veronica Henrietta Josiane, that they called "Josie", she was 14 years old and finally the little baby, Leopold Emmanuel Stephen, they called "Leo", he was 12 years old. The parents had started to eat their breakfast and they heard noises. The kids were coming downstairs, talking and laughing.
- Good morning father, good morning mother they say at the same time.
- Good morning children, said the mother smiling.
- Good morning said the duke, where's Candy? He asked when he saw that his eldest daughter was missing
- I don't know said Jimmy, she wasn't in her room when I went to get her.
- She's out again, said Leo.
- Yes, said Josie, she must have gone to help the poor and the sick ones…
- She's not possible said her mother…
- She's generosity incarnate, said the father, I'm wondering who she takes after…
- Edmund! Said the mother.
- What? This child is an angel… she always thinks about other people…
- Did you tell her last night that we wanted to talk to her?
- Yes, she promised, she was going to be there…
- We have to have tea with the queen…. Said the mother.
- She promised she was going to be there, and she always keeps her promises…
- I know honey, I only hope, that she won't be late.
The other children were listening to the conversation with attention.
- Why does Candy have to go and have tea with the queen with you? Asked Josie.
- Because she reached the age where she gets "sold" said Jimmy.
- James! Said his father.
- Sold how? Asked Josie.
- She's not going to be sold. Jimmy is exaggerating, said the mother.
- But the queen is going to give her , her suitor, said Jimmy.
- Her suitor? Asked Josie.
- Yes, said the father, the queen has chosen a husband for Candy.
- Oh… so she's going to leave us then? Asked Leo.
- Unfortunately, yes, said the mother.
- Oh no, I don't want her to leave, said Josie sadly.
- Oh, but she will come and see us and you could go and see her too… said her mother.
- Ok, said Josie.
They continued their meal when Candy arrived. She smiled when she saw her family at the table. Her beautiful green eyes were shining.
- Candy! Said Josie, where were you?
- I was in the village…
- Helping the poor, said Jimmy.
- Yes, of course, said Candy.
- Don't you ever get tired? Asked Jimmy.
- Never! Said Candy, mother, father, good morning…
- Good morning honey, said the mother.
- Good morning angel, said the father.
- You didn't forget about the tea with the queen? Asked her mother.
- Of course not, mother, said Candy.
- You're going to get sold, said Jimmy.
- Jimmy, that's enough, said the mother.
- Jimmy the queen is going to find me a husband she chose herself…said Candy.
- You don't know him…said Jimmy.
- I will learn to know him, said Candy, it's my duty to obey the queen.
- Your duty? Said Jimmy, what about love and passion?
- Leave her alone, Jimmy. Don't fill her head with futile notions said the mother.
Candy didn't answer. She had never been in love, and she wasn't thinking about that, as opposed to most of the young girls, her priority was to help the poor. They started to talk about other thing.
Candy's best friend was Annie Emily Brighton, daughter of the Earl of Brighton. She came to see her, to help her choose a dress for the tea with the queen.
- You have to be perfect, Candy said Annie.
- Annie, I'm not going to see my suitor… just the queen.
- "Just the queen" she says, you do know what a big honour it is to have an invitation from the queen? Asked Annie .
- Ok, she wants to marry me to God knows who, like I was some…cattle…
- Where does that come from? Are you listening to the rambling of your brother?
- He's right Annie; they are going to expedite me like a petty parcel, to a husband, I've never seen…
- Candy, be optimistic… maybe is really handsome…
- He could be old…
- You're not in love with anybody, so that shouldn't bother you…
- What if I fall in love with another man? What will I do? Be faithful to a husband I don't love?
- You do like all the women; you take the man you're in love with as your lover….
- ANNIE!
- What? I listen to conversations mature women have, they all have lovers…
- Annie, you shouldn't listen to those kind of conversations…
- Oh it's really fun and exciting; I assure you…I even let Archibald kiss me just to see how it was…
Archibald Rothman of Cornwell was Annie's hidden suitor, he was hitting on Candy, but this last one, didn't see it, or was pretending she didn't understand him at all.
- Oh… said Candy blushing, how was it?
- Wet… the tongue really has a weird taste… but it was good, really good… I couldn't stop myself!
- Annie, please stop! Said Candy blushing some more.
- Candy said Annie laughing, you're so prude… and you're getting married soon… your husband will have to teach you everything…
- Well… I'm going to learn with my husband… said Candy blushing again.
- Ok, I'm stopping, said Annie laughing, it's funny you're so adamant for the cause of the poor, but…
- One has absolutely nothing to do with the other… the poor need medical treatment and food…
- You can't save all the poor, Candy.
- I know but I'm going to ask the queen if she can help me…
- You're going there so she could give you your future husband, Candy, not to plead the cause of the poor…
- She is my godmother; that why one of my middle names is Victoria… if she wants to give me a husband I don't know, she can help us with my cause for the poor…
- You can't miss this opportunity for your cause…
- It's not everyday you have the occasion to have tea with the queen…
- I'm going to try and help you… with Archibald after our kissed, he's going to help me so I can kiss him some more
- Annie!
- What? If it could help your cause… you should try it, it's really good…
- Annie, please stop talking about that… it's…
- Degrading? People have been kissing since the dawn of times Candy, you should get up to speed…
- And do what? Kiss all those youngsters that want to fondle me and play with me? No, my husband will be in charge of teaching me that's good enough for me…
- What if he's an ugly old guy, weak and fat?
- Well I'll have to content myself with him, said Candy, if that's what the queen wants…
- Don't forget, you can take a younger lover and still appreciate the delights of love.
- I'm not in love, so, it's not important for me. If my future husband can help my cause for the poor, that's all I want…
While they were talking, one of the maids had come to make Candy's hair in a very nice up do. Annie did her make up lightly. Candy had a dress on the same green as her eyes…
- There, you're ready for the tea with the queen… said Annie.
- Ready to be sold, like Jimmy said!
- Come on Candy, do you know how many girls end up old maids? You're lucky the queen wants you to settle…
- She doesn't care about me, she must've done a deal with my future husband… and I'm at the age where I'm ready to get married, that's all…
- He will probably be a really good catch… at least he will be rich, if the queen chose him for you…
- Well we'll see…
There was a knock on the door and a maid came in to tell Candy that her parents were waiting for her in the carriage.
- I have to go, Annie. Wish me good luck….
- Good luck Candy said Annie, everything is going to be fine, you'll see.
Candy put on a cape and went downstairs to join her parents outside in the carriage. She sat next to her mother..
- Are you ok, honey? Asked the mother.
- Yes, mother. It's unavoidable…
- Everything is going to be fine said the father
- Yes, it's the tradition in the family…said the mother.
- She's the queen said the father, we can't disobey her…
- I know father, I'm going to marry a perfect stranger, a man I've never seen, by order of the queen, my godmother…said Candy ironically
- Candy, said her mother
- I'm sorry mother…
They arrived at Buckingham Palace; since they were invited, the guards opened the gate. The carriage stopped in front of the principal entrance of the palace. They got off the carriage and entered the palace. A valet took them to one of the living room where they were going to wait for the queen. Candy was a little nervous; they were going to give her a husband… a husband… she didn't think about boys… she had never been in love… the valet announced the queen who entered with her subjects. Candy and her parents stood up to greet the monarch. This last one looked at Candy smiling.
- Is this my goddaughter? Said the queen, charming, absolutely charming
- Thank you Your Majesty, said Candy.
- Ok, I'm going to send you on the other side, in Europe so you could marry the man I have chosen for you…
Candy felt like cattle… but she was in front of the queen, she couldn't protest.
- It's the prince of a small principality in the middle of Europe, Oxenbourg.
- A… a prince? Said Candy.
- Yes, you didn't think that I was going to send my goddaughter to marry anybody…?
- Of course not, Your Majesty, said the baron.
- A prince, Candy, said her mother.
- Yes, mother, I heard, said Candy without any enthusiasm.
- You're not happy, said her father…
- He's still a perfect stranger for me… said Candy, but I'm going to comply, Your Majesty. But since you want me to marry this prince for you, can you in return, help me?
Her mother and father looked at each other, what was she talking about?
- You're not here to negotiate, my child, but to get your order…
- Your Majesty, with all due respect, you just made the biggest decision of my life by negotiating with this prince, I suppose…
The queen's subjects started to whisper among them, the baron and the baroness didn't know what to do to make their daughter shut up; she continued talking, to the queen's big surprise.
- I'm ready to obey you, but I think that I also deserve a favour from you…don't you think so?
The queen looked at the young girl in question who didn't seem to be intimidated by her presence; she was impressed… her subjects wanted to make her stop talking, but the queen made them a sign to stop.
- All right, you're right, said the queen, you can talk, I'm listening…
Candy's parents were stunned. The queen was known for her hardness, but she seemed to have softened in front of her goddaughter. Candy who was prepared, started to talk.
- Here goes. I take care of the poor a lot; they need not only food but also medical treatments
- That's very generous of you, my child, said the monarch.
- But I'm a little limited financially…
- She uses her pocket money to help the poor, Your Majesty said the duchess.
- She's generosity incarnate, said the duke.
- I know I'm not going to be in England for much longer, because I have to go join my husband, but in the mean time, I can do a lot of things, if you help me financially with a fund or a donation so that I could create a charity house, that would be able to take care of poor families and take in charge all of their medical needs…
The queen looked at Candy and she was proud of her choice; as the wife of a prince, she will be perfect and her people are going to adore her.
- All right. I'm going to give you a fund so that you could create your charity centre and if you leave England, I'm going to make sure that you centre has everything it needs…
Candy remained speechless for a few seconds, she expected the queen to resist a little; not to comply so easily.
- Thank you, Your Majesty, said Candy doing a curtsy…
-
You're welcome my child. Do the same thing where you're going and you will be the perfect wife. I'm proud of my choice. Now, that tea…
They had tea and Candy spent the majority of the time, talking to the queen. Her parents were still stunned by their daughter's audacity; to negotiate with Queen Victoria! Before the queen left the room, she was still talking to Candy.
- So Candy we have an agreement? In three months you will go in central Europe, to Oxenbourg to join your husband and fulfill your duty. I will send your trousseau in advanced, all you'll have to do is get there, marry your prince and rule by his side…
- Very well, Your Majesty, said Candy.
The queen stood up to leave the room followed by her subjects. One of her counsellors came with an envelope for Candy and told her that he will come the next morning at their castle to make financial arrangements for her charity centre.
In the carriage, that was taking them home, Candy's parents were talking..
- Candy, said her father, you're very courageous to have confronted the queen…
- Yes, you must really care about your charity work… said her mother.
- Well I'm happy the queen helped me… said Candy, I'm going to be able to help so many people…
- Candy, most people would ask the queen for something for them, not for others; the poor… you're incredible! Said her father
- As a princess, you'll be able to help a lot of people said her mother…
- Yeah, it maybe the only thing that gives me the courage to go join my future husband, said Candy with a tired tone… I wonder what he looks like…
- He's a prince, said her father, we don't care what he looks like…
Candy didn't respond. To marry a prince… she should've been happy… but she thought about all she will be able to do for the poor… and the queen had promised her that her charity centre will continue even when she'll be gone. When they arrived, her brothers and sister were waiting for them ; they wanted to know what happened.
- So said Jimmy, to whom did she sold you to?
- James, said her father.
- To a prince, said the mother.
- A prince? You're going to marry the queen's son?
- No, said Candy, the prince of Oxenbourg…
- Oxen, what? Said Josie.
- Oxenbourg, said Candy, it's a principality in the middle of Europe…
- Oh… so you're going to be a princess… said Josie smiling
- Yes, Josie, I will be a princess said Candy smiling..
- What did your godmother give you aside from the prince…? Asked Jimmy
- Jimmy, said the father, the queen found him a nice husband, that should be enough.
- But Candy asked the queen for help for her charity work, said the mother.
Jimmy looked at his big sister fascinated. She was truly amazing.
- Candy, said Jimmy, you're in front of the queen of England, Empress of India and you think about the poor? You couldn't ask for a castle…?
- I'm going to marry a prince, Jimmy, so, I will have my castle…those poor people need help…
- You're incorrigible! Said Jimmy laughing, I'm going to help you…
- Thanks Jimmy, said Candy.
-Candy, said Josie, come and tell me how was Buckingham Palace…
- It was very, very big, said Candy climbing the stairs with her little sister…
The next day at the first hour, Annie came to see her to know what happened at Buckingham Palace… she entered Candy's room very early in the morning.
- Candy, wake up!
Candy was in her bed, appreciating her slumber and she didn't want to wake up…
- Candy! Said Annie shaking her.
Candy finally woke up, sorry to have been dragged from such a nice sleep.
- Annie, she said with a sleepy voice…
- Come on sleepy head! I want to know…
- Annie, let me sleep… I'm tired…
- Candy!
Candy knew it was no use and anyway, her sleep was ruined…
- Annie… you couldn't wait for me to wake up?
- No, as you can see… come talk!
- Ok…. I'm promised to a prince…
- WHAT?! A PRINCE!? One of her sons?
- No… Oxenbourg…
- Oxenbourg? You're going to marry the prince of Oxenbourg? You're playing with me!
- Not at all said Candy…
- You're going to be a princess… princess of your own principality…
- My prince's you mean….
- Which is going to be yours once you marry him… you're very lucky…
- Yeah, if you want…
- Candy, you're not more exited than that? A prince… you're going to have all the money you'll need to help the poor…
- I'm marrying a stranger, Annie…
- It's not like you're in love with someone else… you blow off all the guys that are interested in you or you pretend not to understand them…
- Maybe he's old and not attractive.
- Or handsome built like a Greek god… Candy you have to be optimistic…
- Whatever… I have to get ready to go see the poor…
- You're incorrigible…
- I asked the queen for help….
- What?
She told her how she negotiated with the queen for her financial help. Annie didn't believe her ears…
- I didn't think you'll go through with it… you weren't afraid? Asked Annie.
- She's my godmother, Annie.
- She's also the Queen of England and…
- Empress of India, I know… said Candy, she didn't eat me… she's kind of likeable when you know her…
Candy got ready; she took a bath, got dressed and did her hair and left with Annie to go help the poor. Another young girl would've been on hot coals… to marry a prince…. But Candy, she was thinking about helping those poor sick children whose parents didn't have any way to pay for a doctor and medicines.