Part 11

Diane walked into her husband's office after the meeting with Liz and Serena.

"How did it go?" Asked Philip

"Not as well as I had hoped. Elizabeth the older of the two girls is really upset by the news"

"What about the younger?"

"She took it a lot better. She wants to stay. She was willing to even work for a home here."

"Edward is pushing for me to announce the engagement of Maxwell and Tessa."

"Are you?"

"No, Maxwell is really unhappy with the idea of being with Tessa."

"Philip, if you want my opion I believe that Elizabeth would be a good match for our son."

"She is human isn't she?"

"Yes."

"You maybe right. It would also do a lot to help to prove that humans truly do have equal rights."

"The only problem might be that Elizabeth, doesn't seem to want anything to do with Max. She feels that no one will accept her with him."

"So you may have to step in as guardian and force her into the marriage."

"Yes. I would rather not. But I know that just as our son has feelings for her, she has feelings for him."

"So she is stubborn?"

"Yes very."

"That is a very good quality in a future Queen."

"I know. I know that those two are right for each other. I think it is time that Tessa is sent home."

"Edward is not going to be happy about this."

"Philip, he only will support you if Tessa marries Max. He has been good friends with Kivar for years. Kivar hates you and wants nothing more then to take the crown from you."

"Diane, I am aware of that. But until we have proof the council will never support his removal."

"I know."

"Where are the girls?"

"Serena is in the library with a tutor. Elizabeth is in the garden. I have Lieutenant Zane keeping an eye on her."

"Fine, you make sure that the girl is prepared to become queen when the time comes. I will deal with Edward and his daughter."

Diane left knowing that neither of them had an easy job.

Liz walked through the garden. She knew that she should be happy that she had a safe place to live. That if either she or her sister got sick again then they would be cared for. But it was going to make it harder for her to fight her feelings for the prince. Then there was the fact that Lady Tessa was after the prince. Liz knew that she was not the right person for the prince. But he was not going to give up on her easily.

"Lady Tessa is a real bitch isn't she?"

Liz turned to find Princess Isabel behind her.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's OK Princess."

"It's Isabel. I am not that hung up on my title no matter what you may have heard. I mean yeah I make Lady Tessa call me Princess. But I don't like her."

"You know nothing about me."

"I know you were willing to risk going to prison to try and help your sister. That proves that you will put others before yourself. Tessa, only cares about power."

"I would never be accepted as a mate for your brother."

"Liz, the people of Antar aren't as close minded as you think."

"Humans are still treated like second class citizens."

"There was a poll done last year. The question asked of two thousand citizens of Antar was, if the best person to be Queen was human would you support it? 80% came back saying that if it was for the best of Antar they would support the idea of a human Queen."

"That is surprising."

"I understand that you have had it rough. But people do change. The shop owner could have had you thrown in prison for stealing the medicine. But he let you go."

"He was always kind to my sister and me. He had this metal box in the alley behind his shop. He would put food and water in it sometimes for us."

"You have seen the kindness of antarians. Liz, don't be afraid to open your heart to my brother."

"Where is my sister?"

"She is studying with a tutor in the library."

Liz walked off to find the library.