Chapter 1
"Who is that girl? She is very young." A man asked.
"Charles, that's Lady Elizabeth. No one knows where she came from. As well, she will not speak. She nods and that is it." The other man nodded.
"Edward, you know more than most about her.' Charles laughed.
I looked up at Lord Charles. I knew that I was being whispered about. When I came to court, I took an oath to serve King Henry and not to be whispered about. I do my chores; I only wish to know why I am talked about.
As Lord Edward and Lord Charles still talk, I had no reason to stay there any longer. I had all my chores done for the queen. I do not like her that well. Queen Ann is a devil in a dress. She gets angry at me because I refuse to answer her. For being the youngest lady in waiting, I have learned my place rather quickly.
Once I got back to my room, I was called upon by the Lord Moore. So I went swiftly to see what he wanted. When I got to see him, he was sitting down. I knew that I was in trouble. He was angry.
"Lady Elizabeth, I heard that you have not responded to any one at court. You are just a lady in waiting. Those that are higher than you have the right to ask you to do things. You shall answer back to the people that ask things of you; especially if it shall be the Queen who ask you. Do you understand?" Moore stood up at his desk.
I nodded. Lord Moore said that I could leave. I shall not answer any one. There is no point in answering. Starting back to my room, I decided to go to the garden. The garden is the only place that I am able to be alone.
I started to walk around in the garden. When I stopped, a little dog ran up to me. The dog wagged its tail for it must have been excited. I bent down and pet it. The dog started to lick my face. I smiled when it started to lick me. After about a minute I started to laugh like a child again. I heard a voice calling the name of the dog. When I looked up, it was Queen Ann and King Henry.
I stood up and curtsied. Queen Ann came and got her dog. She looked at me with anger in her eyes. That is when the devil in the dress started to talk to me.
"Why are you touching my dog? Do you not have any other chores that you have to do?" Queen Ann asked.
I shook my head no. She moved back by the King. She whispered something in the King's ear and left. The King came in front of me. I looked at him with fear, for I had a feeling that I would get yelled for not answering.
"Lady Elizabeth, you are the youngest girl at court. How old are you?" King Henry asked.
I had nothing to say to him. I never have anything to say to the King when ask me a question. I believe that he knows that I will not answer, but he continues to talk.
"I see that you have a fondness for dogs. Before I leave, you have a wonderful smile and I will have someone sent for you to come to my room." King Henry walked away.
I looked at him as he walked away. I couldn't help to only smile a little. So I started to go back to my room. After about an hour of being in there, someone came and got me. I started to go to the King's room. Once I was able to go in there, I stood waiting in the corner. I didn't want to get yelled at for looking around.
As I looked out the window I was by, my name was called. I looked over and saw that it was the king. I curtsied to him. He came in front of me and told me that I could stop. He sat down at the table that was in the middle of the room.
"You can sit if you like my lady. I would not want you to think that you are not welcome to sit with me at my table.' King Henry offered me a seat.
I sat down on his left. I looked over at him and then at the table. I was still thinking about what the king had said to me earlier.
"Lady Elizabeth, will you not answer me?" King Henry smiled.
I shook my head; so the king started to talk some more.
"My lady, you are not like most of the ladies in waiting here. You do everything you are told and not say a word. No one knows where you have come from and you will not say your age. I guess that you are not much older than 15." King Henry got up and got a drink.
I watched him do so. He offered me some, but I thought it would be wrong and shook my head. I wanted to say something to him, but I just stayed quiet. I think that was the first time I ever wanted to say something, but I had to mainly force myself. As I still listen to the king talk, he said something that really got my attention.
"I want you to stay close by the queen. You will work under her. There is nothing more to say to you. I have some things to take care of, so go." King Henry got up and left.
I left the room in a hurry. I was heading back to my room, when I heard my name was called. I turned around and saw it was the queen. I curtsied to her, than I stood up. That is when she started to talk. I thought how dreadful she sounded to me.
"Lady Elizabeth, I hear from the King that you will be under my command now. I expect you to show me the most respect you can give. I shall not deal with anything wrong in my presence." Queen Ann looked at me.
The only thing I did was listened. I didn't want to say anything. Queen Ann is nothing more than trouble for the King and this realm. I feel sympathy for these people. Once I started to listen to the queen again, she grew angry.
"Did you not hear a word that I have said to you?" Queen Ann started to turn red.
I shook my head. I have been taught to be honest and I was. I knew that she did not like that answer, which is when she really started to yell.
"You are nothing more than a servant here. You will respond when you are asked a question. While you are under my command, I shall teach you how to be respectful to the noble and the royal." Queen Ann glared even more.
I only nodded. That is the only thing I could do. I keep putting my life at risk when I do not answer. Even though I keep doing it, I find it amusing when the queen gets mad. She turns into a child not being able to get their way.
"Lady Elizabeth, in the morning you shall report to my chambers at once. That is when I will give you what you need to do for me. Until then, stay out of my way. I do not want to see you for the rest of the evening. Do you understand me?" Queen Ann calmed down.
Once again, I just nod. She once again got mad, but instead of talking she just went away. I was relieved when she went away, even though I will have to listen to her. For the remaining time that I have, I went out to the garden. This was my favorite spot to go to.
Before I went, I went back to my room and grabbed me a book. Then I set out to the garden. Being out in the garden before nightfall was really nice. I was the only one. It was very peaceful. I am glad to have another moment of peace in my life again.
