Chapter 5: Goodbyes

"Cora, Cora, are you in there?" I was startled to hear quiet whispering from behind the door of my prison. "Cora, it's me, Jenna."

I felt my heart rise. It was so good to hear my little sister's voice.

"Yes, Jen, I'm in here. What is it?"

"Oh, it's awful, Cora." Jenna started to cry. "Mathilda heard Dame Olga talking to Queen Hattie." Her quiet sniffle broke into a steady stream of tears.

"It's alright, baby," I said, in my 'big sister' voice. "Don't cry."

Jenna abruptly stopped crying. "Dame Olga's sending you to live with Queen Hattie. Nancy says we will never see you again."

I was suddenly shaking. I could not stand rabbit-like Hattie, with her disgusting ways. I was absolutely speechless.

"Cora, do you hear me?" Jenna started crying again.

"She hears you." I was surprised to hear a second voice in the hall, the voice of Dame Olga.

Smack! I heard the sharp sound of a slap and Jenna begin to sob again.

"Stupid Girl," Dame Olga growled, "get to the kitchens, now."

The sound of quick footsteps down the stairs could be heard, as Dame Olga opened the door.

She looked me over, checking every feature of my appearance.

"That won't do at all," she remarked, opening a small wardrobe in the corner. "Here, put this on." She tossed me a very ragged old brown frock.

"Why should I?" I happened to be wearing my nicest gown, an old green satin dress of Darla's. I did not want to put on this ugly patched dress. "I'm fine wearing this dress."

She slapped me. "You are dressed above your station! You are going to see the queen, and she must see you for what you are, her most humble servant."

"Fine!" I quickly slipped off the gown and pulled the rag over my head.

"Good," she said, rumbling through the wardrobe. "I see nothing else in here belongs to you, come along then."

She pulled me down several flights of stairs and out of the manor. There, I was surprised to find the whole household waiting, and Olive and Darla climbing into a carriage. Along with the carriage were two wagons full of their luggage. Dame Olga pushed me into the back of one wagon, then went to the grand carriage.

"I'm off to see my lovely daughter and her darling children," she said to the head of the household. "We shall be gone for a couple of days at least."

"Yes, milady," the maid said.

Then, with a sweep of her hand, Dame Olga acknowledged the servants, who all bowed at one, sending the party off.

As the wagons pulled away, I searched desperately for my family. I saw my sisters quietly crying and my brothers standing in a tight group, grim looks on their faces.

Goodbye, I silently thought, I'll be back for you one day.

A/N: I kind of already know what chapter 6 will bring, so I am (for once) not begging for story suggestions. I am however, begging for a new title, the current one's awful. Thanks so much to all my reviewers, y'all are the best! Love y'all so much Curly Q