A/N: It gets easier to write a story when ya just keep typin and typin! First chapters are always kind of a hassel. It's like you want your story going one way but as it progresses it takes a full turn! Lol well enjoy!
Chapter Eight
Easter went by unnoticed by anyone in the entire Kingdom as the news of Queen Pamela's death spread. She was a good Queen who cared deeply for her country. People young and old were mourning. The funeral was depressing. But not so much to the people as it was to the Royal Family.
The King and Princesses Stephanie and Michelle sat around a table. Each holding a hankercheif in their hands except Daniel.
"Your Majesty, Queen Pamela would not be happy if she saw you crying like this right now. She wants you to move on." said Vicky calmly.
Daniel wiped away some of his tears, "How could this happen...?"
Vicky sighed, "There was nothing anyone can do. What's done is done."
"We should have just sent someone to go greet my uncle instead of having my mother go!" shrieked Stephanie.
Michelle sat right next to her, the bracelet clasped around her wrist. Lisa and Denise are the only ones who knows she hasn't took it off since the day she nearly smashed it to pieces.
"You know," began their father, "She just wanted to see her brother."
"I still wish she'd just sent someone else." whispered Michelle.
The Grand Duke walked into the room. His hands held a letter.
'Another one...' Stephanie thought bitterly.
"Danny, Pamela wrote a letter before the accident."
Barely finished with his sentence, Stephanie snatched the letter and ran to her room.
Mickey was disposing a vase of decaying roses and replacing them with fresh magnolias. When Stephanie slammed the door, it startled Mickey causing her to drop the vase.
"Are you alright?" asked Mickey.
Stephanie ignored her and plopped onto her bed. The letter held infront of her.
Dear Everyone,
My feelings have never been wrong. I'm laughing right now if you can believe it. What were refered to as "feelings" were really dreams. So yes, I had a dream the night before I was suppose to greet my brother and his family. Also my family. I was frightened my what I saw. In my dream, or rather, a nightmare, I was sitting inside the carriage, Lady Claire next to me. We passed by Charanell Moutains, the sky a wonderous blue. Then my Ladies-In-Waiting outside screamed. Lady Claire and I looked out the window only to be greeted by the painful blow of boulders smashing into the side . The footman and everyone else by then, as you can predict, were dead. It took a while to realize our carriage has toppled over down a hillside. Everything went blank. That is when I awoke an came back to reality. My body was covered in cold sweat, fearing everything will once again come true like everything else I have seen. My daughters, I shall miss you dearly if that were to happen. And my husband Danny. I could never live without you. That must be why leaving caused the death of me. Humans have lifespans. Royalty or peasant your life is similar. Birth, Grow, live and death. My time is up I'm afraid. But even so you must learn to let go and move on. Live a joyful life. My dying wish for each of you. Donna Jo to be a brilliant Queen to the people of Churchill. Stephanie to marry and live a life as great as my own. Michelle to remain as kind as she is now so the Kingdom she is yet to be Queen to will love her as much as Ladies Lisa and Denise do. Danny to remember me, but also learn to let go and find love once again. Either this message is ever delivered or not, I will be satisfied if my wishes were given the smallest attempt. Heaven or the Kingdom of Tanner, I will forever watch over you and always love you. Good luck...for the hardships yet to come.
Sincerely yours,
Pamela Regina
Stephanie folded up the letter and stuffed it under her white pillow. Her mother's words touched her heart. She shall keep this as inspiration.
"I will marry and live my life as enjoyable as I let it be, mother. I won't let you down." she said with her head tilted towards the sky.
Mickey had quietly "floated" over to the huge bed and put a hand on Stephanie's shoulder.
"You alright?"
Steph nodded. She got off the bed, making her way over to the sharp pieces of what was an antique. Stephanie brushed the shards and water aside to pick up a bright pink magnolia.
"Can you come with me to my mother's tomb?" It wasn't really a question. Stephanie just pulled Mickey with her out the room.
Halfway out Vienna Palace, Lancaster appeared almost out of nowhere and curtsied.
"Your Highness, where are you going?" She asked, voice feigning concern.
Before Stephanie could respond, Mickey stepped infront with her hands on her hips.
"Can you not see the Princess is doing something important?" Both continued on their way, "Besides, last I checked you are Princess Michelle's governess, not Princess Stephanie's."
"That Lancaster seems to always be everywhere to spy on people just to report to my father!" hissed Stephanie.
"Well, she's just doing it cause she holds grudges and wants money." said Mickey.
"Still, there is such a thing as privacy!"
They have reached their destination. Emerald Oriela.
Many of the Tanners' ancestors' final resting place is here. Gorgous place. Gentle sunlight shining through stain-glass windows, showering the tombs with it's warm rays. You can hear the priests praying and nuns chattering away in a foreign language. Birds landing outside looking at visitors. Few weeds growing everywhere from lack of cleaning. Daniel would have been hysterical. Nothing much to remember the faces of the ancestors. Portraits were rarely accurate. The only sure way to know what someone looked like is to see for themselves. That is something even a King cannot do. The eldest person Stephanie has ever seen was probably her grandmother from her father's side. That's as old as they get. No cure for the plague or smallpox or any other terrible disease you do not want. Millions die when one illness starts. Mickey had told her how one snobby princess who visited the Tanner family once spent all her time showing off her beauty and saying how men would just die to have her as a wife. She caught the smallpox leaving deep pits on her face. The snobbish Princess hides her face with a dark indigo veil, never allowing candles near her chamber. Stephanie did not remember such a princess coming to her father's kingdom. But she believes it. That's one portrait not worth painting.
Nonetheless...all Steph sees is graves. No sight of a priest reciting psalms. No nuns walking around in groups. No Princess in veils. The place was like a ghost town. Maybe it is. After all...the spirits could be watching her right now. Or as her mother told them in the letter that she shall forever love and watch over them.
"Stephanie," Mickey tapped Steph's shoulder, "I think I see Queen Pamela's grave. Right over there! The brand new one!"
Lady Mickey was correct. The tomb with the letters "Queen Pamela of Tanner" were carved into a pristine white stone while the other's were turning a light beige by time.
Stephanie set the magnolia down softly with the tombstone.
"This isn't good-bye...I'm sure we'll see each other again, mother."
King Daniel sighed for the billionth time that day. There was absolutely nothing to do. He wanted to know what Pam had written in that letter but yet his daughter had to take it. This is becoming frustrating.
"Your majesty the King of Tanner! We have found a SURVIVOR!" shouted a man from the search parties that still continued looking.
Daniel snapped his head up looking towards the giant doors. They opened revealing two men one running and panting, the other also breathless but holding a woman bridal style in his arms.
"Whom!" demanded Daniel with eagerness.
The men bowed, "We believe she is the late Queen's Lady-In-Waiting. Lady Claire."
Everyone around gasped.
"Thank goodness there is one person left!" said the King with relief.
"But that is not all!" exclaimed the man holding Claire.
"What else is there?"
"Along our search we found the Emperor and Empress of Katsopolis with the two Princes and about thirty servants."
"Excellent! Excellent! Where are they now?"
"Right outside, Majesty." The man running by himself pointed to the doors.
Daniel patted his back, "Good work, gentlemen! You shall be rewarded! But first, bring Lady Claire to her room and summon the physician."
"As you wish."
Daniel opened the doors running right into his brother-in-law Jesse.
"So sorry, Mister King! So how's everything here?" asked the Emperor casually.
"That would be King Daniel to you. But just Danny will be fine."
Empress Rebecca bowed her head a bit with a smile.
The royal twins followed their mother's example.
"So Danny, how is Pamela and your daughters?" asked Rebecca.
"Donna Jo is married long ago and is now Queen of Churchill. Stephanie unfortunately still has trouble with marriages. Michelle finally learned to be a bit more patient at things and is even keeping a journal." He hesitated before going on, "Pamela...s-she...she i-i-i-i...she is dead. Carriage accident while going to the docks to greet you."
Now for those who don't know. Rex means King and Regina is Queen. I've read those Bloody Mary, Anne Boleyn, Princess Elizabeth kinds of books. Whenever they sign something it's something like Henricux Rex for King Henry and stuff like that. I didn't put a 1 next to it cause I kinda feel it gets in the way of the letter.
