"Tante, what about this?" Mattie asked, holding a furred coat.
"Mattie, I think it looks nice. However, this will have to last your entire visit," I cautioned.
"Can we give it to Alfred?" He asked.
"Well, it looks nice, but I don't think it would suit him," I laughed.
He grinned and put it down.
Moments later, he picked up two more coats.
One was a dark shade of blue. The other a shade of red, not unlike the sky at sunset and the sky at night.
Wool covered the inside of the coat. It was very much suited for the twins. So, we bought them.
Next, we went searching for some new clothes. Mine were beginning to tighten around my stomach, Ivan simply needed some new shirts, and the twins had clothes that couldn't be worn in the middle of winter..especially in Russia.
We found high quality outfits, and I managed to buy a few dresses for going into town without feeling out of place.
Needless to say, it was a nice trip.
When we returned to the castle, we were greeted with chaos and disarray. Things were pulled out, chairs everywhere, even the throne was flipped. In the center of the mess was none other than Alfred.
"Alfred...what did you do?" I asked, knowing very well what the answer was.
"I got bored so I found something to do," he shrugged.
"Destroying the throne room isn't finding something to do. It's making more work for someone else. Didn't your mother and father tell you this?" I sighed, frustrated.
"Not really. I destroy rooms and they just have someone clean it," he explained.
"Of course they do," I muttered.
Leave it to Amelia to let him do whatever he wants and have Arthur second it.
"Well, this isn't England, therefore, you will be helping the maids clean up this mess. And, next time I go on excursion, have your clothes on and ready to go," I decided.
"Yes, Aunt."
"Now, go help them clean up this mess, then I want you to go upstairs to your room and get ready for dinner," I ordered.
He nodded and got to work.
After he finished, the twins went upstairs together, and got ready for dinner.
Meanwhile...
I marched upstairs to my "darling" husband's office. I was greeted with Eduard.
"Your Majesty, you can't go in there," he said.
"Is he in a meeting?"
No, Your Majesty."
"Is a dignitary or someone having a conference with him?"
"No, Your Majesty."
"In that case, I'm going in,"
"You can't go in there, Your Majesty," He pleaded.
"Watch me."
I entered without another word.
