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She asked Hannah, But she was busy.

Hannah was always busy when Lina had questions

She asked Germaine, and was told that of course Daddy loved her

Lina looked up at Germaine and asked, " If Daddy loves me why wont he let me see him"?

Germaine frowned at Lina and Said, " I don't know how to answer that Cherie,

Still confused and sad Lina did the only thing left. She ran to Granny Beth

Lina knew Granny Beth wouldn't lie to her, or brush her off.

Granny Beth wasn't busy like Hannah and she didn't sugarcoat things like Germaine.

Granny Beth opened the creaky door of her cottage and gasped

Lina stood, dripping wet and shivering out in the rain.

Granny quickly ushered the sopping child inside and got her a blanket to wrap up in. Lina gave her a gape toothed grin and accepted a mug of hot chocolate.

Ní hé lá na báistí lá na bpáistí !

Whatever errand you are on, it must be important

What's on your mind Cherie?

"Granny Why doesn't my Daddy love me?"

Granny settled back on the sofa looked Lina straight in the eyes.

"Lina Cherie, I know that youve been told this before but your Daddy does love you."

Granny held up her hand to stop Lina's protests.

"The real reason that your Daddy doesn't want to see you right now is because you look extraordinarily like your mother.

"Is that bad?" asked Lina

"No honey, it's not bad but think about it from your Daddy's point of view, If you saw someone walking down the street who looked like your mother would it make you sad?

When Lina nodded Granny continued, "Your daddy loves you very much Lina. But it makes him sad to see you because every time he does he is reminded of your mother and how much he loves her. Can you understand that?"

Again, Lina nodded.

Granny asked kindly, "does knowing that help much?

When Lina shook her head no, Granny sighed, "I didn't expect it to but it takes a little bit of the pain away, to know that even if he is sad sometimes, your Daddy loves you a lot."

Lina still wasn't smiling, but her eyes were less pain haunted, and she looked and felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

Merci Beaucoup Granny Beth, Lina said, as she gave the mug back and headed for home.

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After Lina's visit with Granny Beth, she began to be happier. It still troubled her to have her Daddy not want to see her, but she knew that it wasn't her fault. Germaine often helped her write letters to her daddy, and read her his responses.

As time passed, Hannah grew more and more worried. Two years had passed since They had fled from court. Mourning for the late Queen was more than well over. The king should have sent for Lina but he evidently had no interest in the girl anymore.

The rumors abounded, everywhere idle tongues spoke in hushed tones of the escapades of the king. The royal court was no place for a young girl, so he kept the now six year old Lina locked away in the country side.

If the rumors proved true, the king still grieved for Queen Audrey and was attempting to drown his sorrows in liquor and parties and dancing. The king's advisors were trying to help him find a new wife. One who would bring with her an alliance with a strong country.

As hard as they tried, no Princess would agree to a marriage with an aging drunk who's country was falling to ruin while he hunted and partied.

Then one morning a carriage arrived at La Chateau de la Fleur. When Hannah opened the door, in stepped a royal messenger, and a very pregnant young woman.

The messenger confided to Hannah that the woman, named Blair, was carrying the king's child and was to live at La Chateau de la Fleur with princess Lina.

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