Several weeks later, Haley was seated in the study, a vast room filled with books and papers. A huge oak desk was placed in front of a large window, laced by red curtains. Often when she was really bored, Haley enjoyed pulling the large cord which opened and closed the drapes. She loved the swishing sound the curtains made as they came together and were pulled apart. She would stroke the soft velvet, sit on the settee and gaze out of the window, hoping that Nathan would be home early. For he had only been gone for five weeks and yet it seemed like an eternity.
It was in the study that Haley would take her lessons from tutors. Both Karen and Haley had started out with tutors, but they were all so terribly dull that Karen found that she couldn't keep her eyes open. It was then that Haley offered to take the lessons by herself and later teach Karen all that she learned. Haley vowed that as soon as Nathan got home, she would request for new tutors who were slightly more interesting.
One day was particularly uneventful. Haley had been forced to walk back and forth with books piled high on her head. Her tutor, Madam Gwendolyn, insisted that she was "making excellent progress" but Haley had the feeling that she was just trying to be polite. After Haley continued to trip and send books flying everywhere, Madam Gwendolyn tried a different approach. "Perhaps your Majesty would wish to have a cup of tea in the garden."
Haley jumped at the opportunity. "That would be lovely, thank you."
With that, the two of them retired to a shady table surrounded by tall trees. Madam Gwendolyn attempted to show Haley how to properly drink her tea, but Haley spilled and stained her dress before she captured the idea.
Madam Gwendolyn gave a sigh, "Your Majesty, is there something that I'm doing wrong?"
Haley didn't know how to respond, "I beg your pardon?"
"It just seems that nothing I do captures your interest."
Haley felt that she should be honest, "Perhaps it's because I don't find most of these subjects very interesting."
Madam Gwendolyn instantly knew a reply, "All the things that I have taught are absolutely necessary, your Majesty!"
In order to save herself another long speech, Haley quickly butted in, "I know that I must learn these things, Madam, but I cannot pretend that I like them! I am trying my hardest to please you, King Nathan, and all the people in Spain, but you must understand that this is very difficult for me."
Madam Gwendolyn was silent for a moment, and then spoke rather softly, "I'm sorry if I have offended your Majesty, is there anything that you would prefer that I teach you?"
For the first time, Haley looked upon her tutor as a human being, not just a machine spouting out etiquette. She had to admit that if it wasn't for her lack of personality, Madam Gwendolyn could be a enjoyable friend. "I've always had a real interest in history," she admitted, "Could we possibly go over King Nathan's ancestors, the former kings of Spain?"
Madam Gwendolyn seemed impressed, "That's a fine suggestion, your Majesty! Of course you realize, that I know too little about such things to properly instruct you. I'll see to it that Sir Velas is informed of your desire to know more about Spain's history."
Haley nodded, "That would be appreciated, thank you."
Madam Gwendolyn returned the nod and continued to instruct Haley on how to properly sit.

Haley received her first history lesson the next afternoon. Previously she had found Sir Velas as boring as her other tutors, but when he taught her history it seemed as if they both became alive. He shared her fondness for history and Haley tried her hardest to learn the family tree in order to please him.
"I'm very much impressed, Your Majesty." He admitted, "I've never seen anyone pick up on history so fast."
Haley looked up from the map she was studying and smiled, "Thank you."
"Our time is up. I will see you in a week's time."
"Thank you." Haley repeated, "I will look forward to it." It was the first time she could say that honestly.
Sir Velas bowed and swiftly exited the room, his long legs swallowing up the distance between the door and Haley desk which was loaded down with papers.
Haley pushed her chair back away from the desk, she would continue to study the map after she opened the window. It was a lovely day outside, and she felt the need for some fresh air.
She pushed one of the window panes up, knowing that princesses were not suppose to do so. She inhaled the salty sea air and sighed contentedly. Just as she was about to return to her desk, she heard the clatter of wheels and the pounding of horse's hooves.
"Who could that be?" She wondered, and curiosity caused her to stick her head out of the window.
The large gates open and a fancy carriage pulled into the courtyard. Haley squealed with delight. It was Nathan's carriage!
Yanking her head back through the window, Haley raced to the door, hiking up her skirts in order not to rip them. She headed straight towards the stairs that lead to the front door. Gripping onto the banister to keep her balance, Haley charged down the stairs, her feet pounding on the carpet. She was unaware of how the servants looked at her in shock and then quickly glanced away, she was too busy thinking about seeing her fiancé again.
When the front door finally came into view, Haley swung it open and raced down the stone path that led to the carriage. Nathan was just getting out. When he spotted her, he grinned madly and ran towards her. They met in a giant hug, laughing and crying.
"Surprise!" Nathan announced.
"You're back early!" Haley exclaimed and refused to let go of his waist.
"The king of France can be a very reasonable man." Nathan smiled. "When I explained to him why I was in such a hurry to get home, he insisted that I leave right away so that I could get married!"
"Speaking of which," Haley smiled, "I got a dress."
"Before long, you'll be able to wear it!"
Just then, Karen came running through the door, her dress billowing behind her, "Nathan! It's so good to see you! You're back early!"
Nathan laughed and hugged the older woman, "How are you, Karen?"
Karen sighed and rolled her eyes, "Much better, ever since Haley volunteered to endure those dull tutors by herself."
"Which dull tutors?" Nathan asked.
"All of them!" Karen laughed, "I could hardly keep awake through all their long speeches."
"I'll have to look into that." Nathan promised.
"I'm learning all about the history of Spain right now." Haley piped up, "It's the first interesting thing I've learned so far."
Nathan chuckled, "I can see that Madam Gwendolyn must have had her hands full with the etiquette lessons. Watching you come bounding out of that door was the funniest thing I've seen since I left!"
Haley blushed slightly, but laughed along with Nathan and Karen. "Yes, she hasn't had too much success with me, I'm afraid."
"Nonsense!" Nathan smiled, "Just as long as you don't rush down the stairs like that at the ball, then you'll be fine."
"The ball!" Haley squealed, "Why, I'd almost forgotten!"
"Which ball?" Karen questioned.
"I'm sorry that Nathan and I didn't have time to talk to you about it, Karen. We only just discussed it right before Nathan left."
"Well, when is it?" Karen asked.
"Pretty soon." Nathan replied, "As soon as Haley and I are married, and after we come back from our honeymoon in France, we will have a ball in which all the nobles are invited to meet the new Queen."
"I'll be so nervous." Haley admitted softly, "What if they all hate me?"
"They'll love you!" Nathan slipped his arm around her waist and directed her towards the front door, "Just be yourself. No matter how the tutors tell you to act, sit, talk, eat, dress, dance or think, it always works out better if you be yourself. Because if the people see what I've been able to see, then they will absolutely adore both of you."
With that, the three walked towards the door where they were greeted by a mass of servants who continued to look strangely at Karen and Haley.

The big day finally arrived. Haley had been yearning for her wedding ever since she boarded the boat to go to Spain, but now that it was here, she was at a complete loss of what to do.
The carriage had taken Nathan, Haley, and Karen to the church two hours early. Nathan asked why she needed so much time. "I want to make sure that everything is perfect." She replied, "Besides, It'll take me at least two hours to get into my dress."
Nathan didn't argue and the three of them rode on to the church.
Once inside, Haley took half an hour to make sure that all the flowers and the lacy white scarves were in place. The church, with it's stone walls and wooden benches, looked much more homey and welcoming with the white scarves draped across the pews and the pulpit. Flowers were around every window and pew, two lovely bouquets were on both sides of the pulpit. Haley practiced walking down the aisle and tried to remember all of Madam Gwendolyn's instructions on balance.
Karen directed Haley to a room that was off to the right. "We'll help you get dressed in here." She informed her.
When Haley entered the room she was pleased to find Theresa and Amber already there. "Well, let's get started!" She announced and the three of them helped Haley put on her gown. Haley had decided that Karen and Theresa would be her bridesmaids. Amber was her flower girl, although it was against Bevin's wishes to let her daughter participate in the wedding.
Karen did up all the many pearl buttons on Haley dress. Theresa fixed her hair and proudly placed the veil on her head. Amber was ecstatic because she got to sprinkle flower petals as she walked down the aisle.
Finally, one of Nathan's cousin's knocked on the door and pronounced that it was time to go. Haley tried to ignore the knots in her stomach, but they refused to go away. "I'm going to throw up!" she announced to Karen.
"You'll be fine!" She replied, hoping that it was true, "You look absolutely gorgeous!"
"Nathan will be so pleased!" Theresa agreed and laid and comforting hand on Haley shoulder.
Amber smiled, "You look really pretty, Your Majesty!"
Haley quickly bent over and gave the little girl a hug, being careful not to wrinkle her dress.
Amber was the first to emerge down the aisle. She skipped joyously, sprinkling petals as she went, almost dancing to the tune that emerged from the large organ. The ring bearer followed, proudly holding a plump, velvet cushion that gleamed with the jeweled rings.
Karen and Theresa linked arms with two of Nathan's relatives and headed down the aisle. Theresa was first, her face radiating her pleasure, and Karen was second, taking careful note of how she walked.
Then, it was Haley turn. Her heart was beating so fast that she was sure everyone must be able to see. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were focused on her destination, she looked down the aisle to the front of the church,,, to Nathan.
Nathan, meanwhile could not keep his eyes of her. She had been excited about her dress, and now he knew why, She looked positively stunning. The dress consisted of yards of white silk. The sleeves were clear, reveling her fair skin. The neckline stooped rather low, showing a glistening gold necklace with a simple pearl located at the end. The train of her dress draped far behind her, so that when she finally reached the front of the church it was only a few meters away from the door. She walked with graceful determination, her tiny feet covered in diamond slippers trod smoothly on the carpet, until she arrived at the front and turned to face Nathan, grinning madly.
"I did it!" she mouthed.
Nathan smiled and nodded, "You look beautiful." He mouthed back.
The sermon went quickly, seeing as how they had waited for so long. Both Nathan and Haley said their vows with no hesitation, and towards the end they kissed passionately, hoping to capture and hold on to it.
At the end of the service, neither Theresa or Karen were dry-eyed. Amber was nearly asleep in the pew, for what had seemed to go by so fast for the adults went extremely slow for a ten-year-old.

After Haley changed out of her wedding dress into a deep purple velvet creation, and after saying goodbye to family and friends, King Nathan and Queen Haley left for their honeymoon in France, ready and eager to start a new life together.

A month later:
Theresa could sense Karen's excitement as she brushed the older woman's hair. Karen simply wouldn't sit still. "You're worse than a dying chicken!" Theresa chuckled, "A little excited, are we?"
Karen laughed along with her friend, "Of course! I've missed Haley so much! The castle simply hasn't been the same with her and Nathan gone."
Theresa nodded, "I agree. I'm looking forward to seeing them as well."
As if on cue, the two women heard the carriage approaching. Karen, not even noticing that her hair was only half done, flung open the door and ran down the stairs. Theresa simply rolled her eyes and smiled, then headed after her friend.
Karen had reached the front door by the time Theresa and the other servants were lined up and waiting for the king and Queen. The footman open the door to the carriage. A small, gloved had popped out, followed by a petite foot. With the help of the footman, Queen Haley exited the carriage.
At once, she was engulfed in a giant hug from Karen. "I missed you so much!"
Haley laughed and untangled herself from Karen's grasp. "I'm so glad to see you, Karen! I had such a wonderful time, but I'm so glad to be back!"
Karen then diverted her attention to Nathan, who had just emerged from the carriage. "Karen!" he yelled and accepted her embrace, "It's so good to see you again!"
"How was France?" Karen asked eagerly, anxious to know all about it.
Haley eyes danced, "Absolutely enchanting! Karen, you simply must go there some day!"
Karen agreed, "I'm sure I'd enjoy it."
Nathan nodded, "Everyone there was so hospitable, including the king, who treated us like his own guests."
"I must hear about everything!" Karen exclaimed, taking both of Haley hands in her own.
"You will!" Haley laughed, "Why don't we head inside and tell you all about it!"
No one found any fault with that idea, so after giving some instructions to a few servants, the three found their way into the garden, with a lot to talk about.

"You look lovely." Nathan complimented his wife a month later. Haley had just experienced her first ball, which was an absolute success. Although Nathan and Haley were both tired, they felt the need for some fresh air. Nathan offered his arm to his wife. "Ready to go?"
Haley nodded her approval and accepted Nathan's arm. The two of them headed out the front door to go on their weekly walk around the castle grounds.
"Oh look!" Haley pointed towards Amber's small garden that girl had started to plant. "Amber's roses have started to bloom! Oh, she'll be so excited!"
"I'm glad that her plants are coming along so well," Nathan admitted, "With all this dry weather I was rather worried that they would not grow at all."
The two turned the corner that led to the servants quarters, in attempts to tell Amber the good news, but what they saw made them forget all about the roses.
Fire engulfed one of the servants' buildings, sending its inhabitants screaming and running all over the grounds in desperate attempts to find water. The bright orange and red flames towered above them, casting an eerie glare on the terrified faces. Long shadows to trembled as the flames did their evil dance.
Nathan and Haley watched in astonishment, to shocked to do anything else, finally Nathan ran to the well along with the others and brought back buckets of water to pour on the growing flames. Haley managed to calm a few servants down and convince them that it would be all right.
Suddenly, Bevin ran up to Haley and grabbed her skirt, "Is she here?!"
"Who?" Haley asked, alarmed by the terror that seized Bevin's voice. "Is who here?"
"I can't find her! I can't find her!" Bevin dropped to the ground, hid her face in her hands and started to weep.
Haley knelt by Bevin and tried to speak very calmly, "Who's missing, Bevin?"
Throughout her sobs Bevin managed to choke out. "A-Amber. I-I can't find her!"
Shivers wove their way through Haley body, despite the heat from the fire. For a second, Haley could not move or think. Still in a daze, she instructed Bevin to get out of the path of the fire. "I'll get Amber back." She told the child's mother.
Rushing towards the flames, and still in shock, Haley was only vaguely aware of someone shouting her name and begging her to come back. She pressed on, ignoring the screams and focused on her goal. She had to get Amber!
As soon as she entered the building, Haley was overwhelmed by the heat and the smoke. She tried to cover her mouth with her hand, but found that it could not stop the smoke. Her eyes burned, and she was forced to close them, using only her hands for direction. Everything was hot. Something close to her was on fire. Was that her hair burning?
Suddenly, her exhausted mind could take it no longer, she collapsed in a heap among the rubble, unaware of anything else going on around her.

Haley was vaguely aware of voices. Distant voices that whispered softly. They seemed worried. Something was definitely wrong. She managed to open her eyes, black shapes loomed before her, fuzzy and obscure. The sight overwhelmed her and she felt dizzy. She sealed her eyes shut again in order to stop the spinning. There was another noise then, a soft calling, trimmed with hope, "Haley? Haley? Can you hear me?"
This soft and yet urgent plea brought Haley back to earth. She once again forced her tired lids open.
Her eyes revealed a face, a warm, relieved face that was peering over her. "Nathan?" she whispered hoarsely.
"Shhhh " he replied softly, and placed a cool cloth on her aching head. "Yes, darling, I'm here."
There was no need for anymore words. Haley felt utterly exhausted and Nathan understood. There was much that needed to be said, but nothing that couldn't wait. In fact, Nathan knew that he would have to wait for just the right moment to Haley the heartbreaking news.
Little Amber had died.