Whew! I am back in this wild society of fanfiction again! I've written you the 11th chapter of 'Not Every Royal Wears A Crown', and I am presenting it proudly. After almost a week of being busy by life itself, I managed to squeeze some time to write today. And before I say anything else, I will make an announcement; I won't be able to use my computer for one week from this week's Thursday onwards. So I apologize for that, I will try to be back as soon as possible to write some more. I hope you can excuse the possible typos and enjoy reading! I'll see you soon, I hope! Stay safe! :)
Thursday 19th, Grantham house, early morning
The travellers got settled in, ate their dinner, and went to bed. The morning dawned way too soon for most of them. Elsie had, as Lady Rosamund promised, chosen a room upstairs for her and Charles. They would be sleeping in one of the guest bedrooms, away from everyone else.
She was currently sitting by the white dressing table, brushing her hair, her hand carefully gathering her auburn curls for the normal updo she always makes. The pins were scattered around the table, Elsie picking them up one by one. They would have to go down for breakfast in twenty minutes. She doubted anyone else were even awake yet, despite the servants and she herself. Charles was still sleeping like a baby, and she just didn't dare to wake him up, after everything that had been going on he hadn't been able to sleep too well. But she would have to soon. It wouldn't do for them to miss the servant's breakfast. Upon finishing her updo, Elsie stood up, making her way to the grand bed that was laid in the middle of the room and sat on the edge. Her hand gently brushed against his cheek and her husband slowly opened his eyes and woke up from his deep sleep.
"Good morning sleeping beauty.", Elsie teased gently, her hand still resting on Charles' cheek.
It took him a moment to realize where he was, but soon he answered her with a smile;
"Good morning, lovely."
"It's almost breakfast time."
"What the time is?"
"It's soon seven. You've got enough time to get ready for the
day, don't you worry.", Elsie told him, standing up from the bed and walking to the other side where her clothes for the day were laid.
On a chair next to the window, were the dark housekeeper's outfit. Elsie turned around to reach for it.
"You are going to wear that?"
"And my corset.", Elsie joked.
"Well…I don't think they expect you to be in your work clothes for the morning. We've only a couple of hours before we have to leave."
To Buckingham Palace. Yes, she knew, Elsie sighed. How could she not when it was all she thought the whole night, hardly having enough time to fall asleep before the alarm rang.
"Elsie? Is everything alright?", Charles asked, seeing a tiresome, hurt, confused look on her face.
There was no way to tell him everything was fine when he could clearly see so much himself that something was bothering her. She slumped on the bed, very unladylike, her hands touching the black garment in her hands.
"I don't think I can go there. I've been so terribly happy these past years and now I don't even know what's expected of me, nor how I am supposed to act when I go and meet my new 'family'. Can I even think of them like that?", Elsie explained her worries, only stopping to breath."What if they don't want me after they've seen me, Charles?"
"Then I shall rush you to Egypt or America, where we can live a life in secret. Elsie, I don't know if I've said this before, but if someone didn't want you, I'd say they are mad. And I know for a fact the Royal Family of England is not mad.", he leaned to pull her next to him on the bed.
She immediately curled up in his embrace, her head reasting under his chin. Oh, how she wished she could stay here forever…His left hand moved in reassuring circles against her back. She didn't fight the tears from falling, nor did she mind if she got his shirt wet. Charles gently took a hold of her right hand with his own. He lifted it to his lips and kissed it slowly.
"Is your wrist still hurting?", he was worried of her.
And she shook her head, only grabbed his shirt lapels more tightly.
"I know you will be an amazing princess. Understanding, caring, loving, kind, passionate, gentle…And in everyone sane's eyes, beautiful."
He kissed the top of her head, savouring the aroma of lavender and salt and lemon.
"I'm not even sure if I am sane anymore, to be honest. But as long as you don't mind, I'm not going to think more of it."
They sat in silence for a moment. Charles quickly glanced at the bedside clock. Ten minutes. They could easily change quickly enough with years of practise.
"I don't think I've ever cried so much as I have in the past week…", Elsie sniffed."I've gone terribly soft, I'm afraid."
"I like my women soft.", Charles smiled in her hair.
"Let's go eat breakfast. I can't stand the way your stomach grumbles right beside my ear."
She looked up at her words. Her eyes were puffy and red from all the crying, but Charles couldn't help but see the bright smile on her lips. He was so proud he still managed to make her smile like that, even in moments of uncertainty and doubt. Everyone else might give her judging glances, but Charles would dry her tears like they were his own.
The breakfast was almost as delicious as Mrs. Patmore's, but the couple would never say that in front of their friend. After finishing her breakfast, Elsie went up to see to her ladyship, Charles helping her bring the breakfast tray. She assisted the lady change her clothes before she left her in peace. Cora had wished them good luck with their meeting, if she were not to see them again before they left. The housekeeper thanked her, of course, and went back to their own bedroom down the gallery and made their bed and changed her own clothes. Elsie had fretted over her clothes days ago, worrying what she would wear to see the King of England himself. Upon hearing about the housekeeper's worries, Lady Grantham had offered to help, but Elsie had kindly declined the offer. She did have the time to go down to do some shopping with her dear friend Mrs. Patmore. She had bought herself a new, beautiful dark blue coat (to match her eyes, just like Mrs. Patmore had pointed out), and a new, white blouse. She wouldn't propably wear the blouse ever again, as it was such a fine piece of clothing, but you never know, do you? She would wear one of her old, long skirts and some black heels. Her hat was also new. After her dear sister Becky, may God bless her, had passed away last year, she was now entitled to spend money on something else.
Hours passed with attending to her ladyship, mending a dress of her own and drinking tea with her husband. It was as if time had stopped for a while. Their appointment to meet the king and queen would be at eleven, but they would be leaving a quarter past ten. When the right time came, Charles found his wife in the backyard of the servants' quarters.
"Are you ready to go? We should ask for a cab to take us near the palace and then we can walk the rest of the way.", his hand found its way to her lower back as his eyes took in the lovely sight of his beautiful wife."You've done something new to your hair."
"It was Anna's idea. She taught me how to do it back at Downton. It's something they call, a trend, for older ladies to wear."
"Then why would my young wife wear such a thing?", Charles teased, making her smile at the flattery."I think you look so very beautiful. Just as you look in everything, or nothing, you wear."
"I do love you, Charles. More than words can ever say."
"I love you more.", he leaned down to capture her lips, kissing them lovingly as his hand caressed her cheek. After they broke apart, both out of breath, he whispered in her ear."Let's go give the Royals a taste of fresh Scottish blood, darling."
"Sounds like a challenge."
"Then fight it like a soldier."
"And will you be fighting alongside with me, my dear?", Elsie asked, already knowing the answer.
"Always, Mrs. Carson. Till my blood runs cold."
It only took them a handful of minutes to arrive at their destination, which they pretended to be a small tearoom in the corner of a business building. They could clearly see the palace at the end of the busy street. Charles tipped the cab driver generously before the man drove away, leaving the couple stand alone on the pathway.
"Shall we, my dear?", Charles extended his arm for her to take.
"Let's.", Elsie nodded, taking his offered arm gladly.
They walked in silence for a good while, slowly making their way towards the back of the huge building. In the latest letter from the court, Elsie had been instructed that they expected her to come through the back, to not look suspicious. She kept thinking it was not to embarrass the Royal Family, but it was only for her own safety.
"What are you thinking?", Elsie found herself asking her husband. She needed to talk, or else she'd go mad.
"I suppose the same as you. I'm starting to get nervous, isn't that surprising?"
"I was rather reassured I had someone to calm me down, but if we both get nervous, that's no good.", she joked, but the joke fell flat.
They went silent. As the gates at the back of the palace came to their sight, Elsie felt him try to pull his arm away, as the trembling in his hands appeared at his stressful state. Elsie gently squeezed his arm, not letting it go. She would need a hand to hold, as well as did Charles. He puffed his chest and straightened his back to hide his nervousness from the two men that stood at guard on either side of the wide gate.
The guards didn't even blink an eye when the couple came near.
"Can we be of any assistance?", asked the guard on the left, his voice cold and distant.
"Yes…Uhm, I believe we are expected.", Charles mumbled in his deep baritone voice.
"I don't think so. You best just turn around and leave, before we call for the police."
Charles was about to give a remark at the guard's words, but his wife came to the rescue.
"We've been invited here by the King, his majesty himself.", Elsie handed the other guard the first letter she received a while back, and the man took it with slight hesitation.
No one said anything in a while, Charles and Elsie both holding their breaths.
"I do beg pardon, your royal highness.", the guard hurried to bow before her."Of course you are expected."
The guards moved to open the gates for them, standing in guard on either side after they finished. This kind of attention was completely new to the retired butler and the housekeeper. They knew how people acted around royals, but now that someone was bowing before them, it was like something in a fairy-tale; It would never happen in real life, at least it was something very unexpected.
"Thank you.", was all she managed to blurt out before they were led inside the glorious palace.
Another guard led them through the halls, the walls were full of beautiful paintings of the previous kings and queens and shining crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings. They both glanced around in awe. They could say the palace was hardly something compared to their own, cozy cottage. This was something grand. The hallway was long and on its sides there were many doors, which Elsie thought must lead into the hundreds of drawing rooms and libraries the palace must held. She turned her head to look at her husband, who was walking alongside her, his hands behind his back. He forced a smile at her when he realized she was looking at his way, and Elsie lovingly returned the favour. She knew he was just as nervous, worried and scared as she was.
"His majesty will be waiting for you in the main library, your highness. Shall we introduce you and your companion?"
Elsie thought the choice of words very weird, but she didn't let it bother her.
"Of course, thank you."
The guard opened the door to the library with one swift movement and the chatter in the room quietened immediately. Elsie recognized three of the voices for sure; The king and Lady Bagshaw, of the other woman's voice she wasn't completely sure, but guessed it belonged to the queen.
"Yes?"
"There are visitors for you, your majesty.", replied the guard formally."Mr. and Mrs. Carson, the prince and princess of Scotland, your majesty."
With a last glance at Charles, Elsie whispered;
"It's now or never, you can still escape."
"Why would I do that? I married you for who you are, not what you would become."
And without saying anything else, Elsie stepped into the library, Charles following right after her. The door was the portal to the new life, with all it's flaws and virtues, everything that it involved. There was no turning back now.