A/N: This chapter was fun to type cause I'm a very dramatic person and knows how to make things sad. Well...at least most people think I'm dramatic...it depends really on your idea of drama!
Charles walked unsteadily around Vienna Palace. He was worried about why the Queen wanted those records. He knows Princess Stephanie was eavesdropping. Probably worried about her mother. If he were to tell her, would it be the right thing to do? Would it cause her to worry constantly. So much she will no longer be aware of anything else? This may even cost him his head if Queen Pamela had meant for it to be a secret and no one is to know. But still Charles did not want to see Stephanie in such distress.
"Halt, boy! This is the Grand Duke's Chamber!" said the guard harshly.
Charles snapped out of his thoughts and glared at the guard, "Well EXCUSE ME!" he turned around sharply to leave but was stopped by someone calling his name. The brunette turned again to see a very out-of-breath Duke.
"Charles! I believe that is your name? Haha! I found you. But listen, it's been a week now and the Queen and the royal family have not come back yet. I really worry you know." said Joseph.
Charles gave a slight bow, "Yes, that is my name and I know it has been a week since Queen Pamela's leave to the docks."
Joseph nodded, "Then you should know, we have sent out a search party to look for them. Right?"
"Yes, I am aware of that."
The Duke's face filled with grief, "I have this letter...a message if you will, to deliver to the King and Princesses. Then send another to the Churchill Kingdom."
"Rest assure, I shall complete this task."
Joseph smiled and returned to his chamber.
'What made him seem so sad all of a sudden?'
He decided to forget about it and deliver the letter to the King first.
Later
Charles arrived at the throne room requesting for the King. The guards at the door let him in after he showed the Grand Duke's signature on the parchments.
Daniel looked up and smiled, "Yes? What can I do for you?"
"Your Majesty," Charles knelt down to present the letters, "A message from the Grand Duke."
"Thank you. You may be excused."
He hurried out as quick as possible to give one to Princess Michelle. After that, the person Charles was anxious to see. Stephanie.
The young scribe was about to knock when a blonde head peeked out.
"Good afternoon, Charles. Would you like to come in?"
"That would be lovely, thank you Highness."
Stephanie stepped aside allowing him entrance to the large chamber.
'The King really loves his daughters.' he thought to himself.
"What is it that you need?" asked Stephanie.
"A message from the Grand Duke."
"Thank you."
"I'll be leaving now." He turned to leave (A/N: Yet again...) but Stephanie grabbed hold of his hand to prevent that.
"Stay with me, I don't think this is good news." So Charles sat down on a couch with the Princess of Tanner.
Stephanie opened the small letter to read it. Scanning it over twice to make sure everything is real. Then to Charles' shock, she burst into tears.
The brunette put his arms around her shoulder, "What is the matter, Princess?"
She continued sobbing. Salty tears soaking the front of Charles' robes.
"Shhhhhh, it's alright." soothed Charles.
He could feel Stephanie shaking her head. After her crying lessened, she looked up at the person who held her.
"Could you please go get my governess? The Countess Laura Skeffington?"
"Of course. I trust you'll be alright while I am gone?" asked Charles.
Stephanie gave a tiny smile to show she's grateful that he is worried about her.
"I'll be back." The door closed behind him.
"I'll be waiting..."
In another part of Vienna Palace, Michelle's face was not covered in tears like her sister's was. She was too stricken by the news that her own tears seem to freeze along with her body. The quill in her hand slipped onto the cold floor. She had been writing in her diary when the message arrived. Denise and Lisa also stood like statues. Not sure if moving was a good choice or not.
"Michelle?" addressed Lisa timidly, "Mi-"
Michelle threw everything off her desk. She tipped the chair over and kicked at the desk. She picked up various items from her vanity table and hurled them at the mirror until it shattered. The young lady opened her wardrobe and began tearing her magnificent gowns till only shreads were left. The books she kept on her shelves had their covers torn off and pages ripped out. Michelle was taking out her grief by using anger, distroying things.
She marched over to a drawer, taking out a bracelet with the family crest carved on a charm. Michelle was about to smash it when she heard...
"Stop! Your Highness, stop!" pleaded Denise and Lisa.
The youngest princess threw them a glare. They hesitated before continueing.
"Your mother, our Queen, gave you that bracelet. Do you not remember?" cried Denise.
Lisa tried comforting her friend, "Please...it is possible that is all you have..."
Elsewhere
Skeffington ran with her hands gripping her dress.
"Princess!" she cried out.
Stephanie ran to the Countess and embraced her.
Laura Skeffington's own eyes seem to start welling up with tears too. How could this happen? It was not fair.
She patted Stephanie's head before the Princess tore herself away from her. Running out to the balcony of her room, she gripped the rail and screamed.
"My mother is dead! MY MOTHER IS DEAD!"
