A/N: Wow! I didn't how happy reviews, favourites and story alerts could make me! Thanks a bunch to all my readers! Even if you didn't pay very much attention to this story. Also, I'll warn you in advance (perhaps it is a little too late though), my updates are going to be quite slow. Because I'm just a slow worker. I'm willing to admit it, but it's just the way I am, I suppose.

I wonder if anybody noticed the mistakes I made in the first chapter? I fixed them though, thank goodness. If anybody notices a mistake, don't hesitate to tell me and I'll fix it as soon as possible. No, wait. Forget what I said. I should obviously get myself a beta reader... but are so many to choose from... I have posted this first though, so that I wouldn't have to keep you guys waiting any longer... If you have been waiting that is...

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Chapter Two

When I got back to the castle, the servants swarmed around me like bees.

"Your Majesty! Where did you go!"

"We were worried sick about you!"

They were overwhelming me with too many questions, so I rose my hand like I've seen Father do, to try and quieten them.

They quickly fell silent. I addressed the servant closest to me. "Go get a vase for me would you please? Any kind of vase will do and it would be nice if it was half filled with water. Bring it to my bedchamber."

The servant nodded and went on his way. I looked at the crowd of servants expectantly. "Well, why are you all just standing there? Don't you all have jobs to be doing? I'm aware that you are all just worried about me so thank you all for your concern but I'm... fine really." I gave them all small smile.

The crowd of servants dispersed and I headed to my bedchamber. I was hoping I could get some embroidery done today. I haven't touched any of my sewing stuff for months now (because I was in a state of depression and anger from that cursed wedding) and I didn't want my skills to get rusty.

I set the snowdrop carefully on my desk and sat down on my armchair. On a small table beside the armchair, sat my sewing box. I opened it and set to work. I started off sewing a small flower pattern on my embroidery hoop so that I could get the usual feeling of doing needlework back again.

When I was positive that my sewing was at least decent, I picked up a pair of white stockings. Earlier today, I heard that Mirabel's birthday was coming soon. Mirabel was a girl from the closest village to the castle. I had often played with her when I was younger since there wasn't anyone else my age nearby. She was, sadly, my only friend.

She must think that I don't care about her anymore. We haven't spoken in about a year after all. But I genuinely miss her company. She was always willing to listen to what I had to say... And I her.

So... What pattern should I sew on the stockings? I tried to remember her favourite flower. Marigolds. Yes. I should sew an orange marigold pattern! She would love that!

I eagerly began my embroidery.

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Today is Mirabel's birthday. My present for her is finished and folded neatly in a lavender pouch. Although the problem is... How do I get out of the castle? Father had made the security much tighter than it was before.

I know I could always send a messenger but I want to give the present to her and wish her a happy birthday in person. Otherwise there would be no meaning to it.

But now I can only see one option to take. And it requires seeing him. I cringed at the mere thought.

I'll be doing this for Mirabel. Is what I kept repeating to myself. I caught a glimpse of the snowdrop Arryn gave me and smiled. I walked over to it and put my face very close to it. It was scentless but it was still a lovely flower. Now that I think about it... The flower was made entirely of my tears. Hmm...

I dipped a finger in the water in the small glass vase and tasted it. Blech! Just as I thought. Salty. So even if it looks like a normal snowdrop it still has some properties of tears. Magic really is mysterious! I laughed.

I merrily skipped out of my room in a good mood. Too bad it'll be ruined because of my father... Do I have to see him though? Maybe I could see one of the elders instead? I'll give it a go...

Clarence seems to be a good choice. He is one of the elders who I get along with best. Plus I know where he would be at this time. He is always reading in the library in the morning.

xxxxx Third POV xxxxx

Joy poked her head into one of the study rooms in the library. "Mr Clarence~!"

Clarence almost jumped out of his wrinkled skin. "H-Huh? Oh it you Princess. I- I mean Your Majesty."

Joy grinned. "I knew I would find you here!" She skipped over to him. "What caught your interest this time?" She gestured at the book Clarence had in his hands.

He chuckled. "Myths and Legends. This sort of thing has always fascinated me." Clarence made a mental note to himself of the page number and closed the book. "You were looking for me?"

"Yes! I would like to pray in the village church! Can I? Please?" Joy gave him a pleading look.

Clarence was surprised. He had a feeling that she was probably lying but... It had been months since he last saw her so cheerful. And she seems to want to go so strongly...

"...Alright. You have to get some guards to protect you though!"

"Yay! Thank you so much!" She lightly kissed him on the cheek and skipped out of the room.

Clarence sighed and went back to reading his book. What could have possibly made the princess - er queen be so happy again? Not that it was a bad thing. In fact it was definitely a positive thing. But, what an enigma. Whatever it might have been, it doesn't matter. It did a good job anyway.

The elder smiled as his eyes stuck to a page about fairies dedicated to human emotions...

xxxxx Joy's POV xxxxx

I didn't mind the guards. Not very much. What I disliked the most was the fact that I had ride a carriage to get there. Seriously? I could easily walk there in ten minutes!

Still, mother taught me that appearances were important. Nobody likes to see their queen walk that much distance even if they don't get tired. I'll have to respect that.

The horse drawn carriage I was sitting in came to a halt. I heard the voice of one of the guards say "We have arrived Your Majesty."

One of them opened the door and helped me out. It was good manners after all. I smiled at him gratefully.

The carriage had arrived directly in front of the church. The church was built years ago, back when my mother was still alive. It holds many happy memories that include praying to God with my mother and Mirabel. At the moment, I'm not really religious. I feel guilty for thinking this but, I stopped believing in God when I was twelve. Things to do with my mother's death and my father's depression... So my visits to the church were very, very occasional...

I climbed the three steps leading to the door and the guards loyally followed me. One guard went ahead and opened the church door for me. He too, received a grateful smile.

Villagers inside of the church gasped at the sight of me. Some remembered to bow in respect. I paid no attention to those who forgot. I silently walked to the angel statue and slowly brought my hands together in a praying position, bowing my head slightly. I wasn't praying though. I was trying to convey a message to mother. I'm not sure if I can actually do that in a church, but I wished for luck anyway.

As I finished praying, I heard footsteps approaching that sounded too light to be the steel boots of the guards. However, I had an inkling of who it was.

I stood up straight from my position and faced Mirabel. The look on her face showed me that she was surprised to see me. I was even more surprised to see a bulging belly, most likely containing her child.

We both gasped in unison. "J-Joy?" "Y-You're pregnant?"

I lowered my eyes in embarrassment. It was just that she was younger than me (albeit by a few months) and she has found love before me. I spotted the ring on her finger. Well, I should have known that it was going to happen. She had the freedom to choose her husband after all and I didn't have a choice.

I looked back up and coughed in a futile attempt to make up for the initial rudeness. "So, you have gotten married?"

Mirabel gave me a meek, hesitant nod. It was obvious that she felt uncomfortable to be talking to me. I don't blame her. I have a much higher status now. How I wish things were the way they were before...

There was an awkward silence as we didn't know what else to say. I watched Mirabel cradle her tummy affectionately. In my mind, I was glad to see her so happy and living a such a peaceful life but I could help but feel the guilty twinge of jealously.

I took out the pouch containing the present. "Happy birthday." I said and handing it over.

Her eyes widened. "A-Are you sure?" she asked, fingers loosely grasping the gift as if it was something she shouldn't have.

I smiled at her encouragingly. "Of course! I wish you and your new family all the best." Then I left the church.

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Mirabel getting married and being pregnant was a real shock to me. It was not because she wasn't a pretty girl. On the contrary, she was a real beauty. But a strange thought ran through my head.

What if I get pregnant too? By Father?

I involuntarily shuddered and wrapped my arms around myself as if I could somehow protect my virginity that way.

Images of Father's grabbing hands and malicious face haunted my mind the entire day.

Next Chapter:

I didn't bother trying to hide the shock that inevitably, and blatantly showed on my face when I stood at the top of the ballroom's staircase.

I stared at the dancing figures in confusion. How on earth did they manage to invite royalty from other kingdoms to this ball, without informing Father?