A/N: So so so SO sorry for the wait! I must make a reminder not to do three stories at once, such a hassle. The italics at the begging are from the end of the previous chapter btw. Anyway, here is the 4th chap!
Lavinia shot me a glare, "Who is the father of the child?"
Oh no! How was I going to respond? I could not say Gunther! Oh perfect! Just perfect. Think Jane! Think!
The Queen and Princess both leaned intently in toward me, both faces, hollow and rich, showed curiosity. I gulped.
I could not possibly say Gunther! I could not possibly say it was him! Knights were not supposed to marry – let alone have a family! Dung-beetles! Maggots! Why does this question have to come up?
"Ah-ah," a little, sweet voice said – I looked down at Minerva in surprise. She talked. She just talked for the first time. Well, sort-of.
The Royals jumped and looked down at the child clearly forgetting that she was there before she spoke. Lavinia looked questionably at me and I could see in her eyes that she wanted to hold Minerva. I bowed my head, and took a step back before she picked up her pink dress and walked to my little girl. What else could I do?
Getting closer to Minerva as with each step the Princess walked, something familiar - though not the same – showed inside my child's eyes. It looked a little like fear, though I am not quite certain what it was exactly. When the Young Majesty reached Minerva and put her hand out to reach toward the girl, Minerva shied away and ran toward me with tears brimming her eyes. When she got to me, she quickly hid behind me clutching the beloved fabric and said, "Ah-ah." in a scared manner.
So the Princess tried again by kneeling down and out-stretching her arms and smiling. Minerva put her head around my dress and then hid behind it again. Poor girl.
"What is wrong with her?" demanded the Princess.
I said frantically, "I-I do not know! I came here only talk to my Mother and Father and maybe my friends…but I do not know Princess! I have tried every logical explanation for this, and none of them fit."
"Mother, let Jane onto the grounds, please! I will go and get the Lady-In-Waiting meanwhile." Goodness how Grown-up she was! I could barely even tell she was Lavinia!
The Queen bowed her head, clearly trying to avoid a dispute among her daughter and told me I was free to roam the Castle Grounds when I wished for the future and present. "But Dear Jane, make sure that you come to the Throne Room and let me or the King know, and to keep us informed of your little darling."
I nodded and said my thanks along with an oath and walked outside with Minerva clutching my dress.
-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-
The sun was brighter now, a little higher in the sky too. Minerva and I did not seem to mind though as I knelt down in front of her. "Minnie," she turned her head to the side questioningly when I said her nickname. I rephrased, "Minerva, darling, listen: We are going to head into the kitchens now, which is where Pepper works. She was, and hopefully still is, my friend. Meaning, you are to behave in an appropriate manner, understood? No taking food unless she offers, alright?" Minnie nodded and started sucking her thumb; a few strands of orange hair fell into her face. She looked so innocent and sweet it was surreal to me. Mainly because I knew she was a victim of some sort.
I pushed back the strands and tucked them behind her left ear, and hugged her. Then I stood and held out my hand, and she took it. Not before beginning to skip. I laughed and followed her with my hand outstretched and trotting.
-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-
"Petal?" I jumped. How did she know I was here?
We were right in the kitchens ducked down behind the brick wall that held the stairs leading down. I put my finger to my mouth and looked at the red-haired girl. Minerva copied me abstractedly and started to look at the ceiling.
"Petal?" Pepper repeated.
How did she know?