Chapter 11
I stared out at the dreary English fields blankly as the carriage continued on its way to Newcastle, and my doom. I had been sent to live in Newcastle as a babe, as was customary for royal children, as we were sent to our own private estate to grow up there and to learn proper royal etiquette. It wasn't too bad I suppose; I had had a childhood friend, Ambrose. But when I was seven, my mother had ordered that he was not suitable to be a companion to an English Princess, and I had never seen him since. It was at the same time that I had been given Mistress Mazur as my new tutor. She had told me that she would beat me into becoming the perfect princess that my mother insisted upon. Apparently, she hadn't succeeded.
Tears filled my eyes once more as I thought of Dimitri, and the way he had looked at me as he walked away. As if he would never see me again... I shook my head. No. I would see him again. I have to. No alternative was acceptable. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I hadn't realised that we had stopped.
"Milady?" asked my sergeant, Sir Wickonby. I shook my head once more, trying to hide any sign that I could have been crying.
"Yes Sir?" I asked, Damn! My voice sounded bunged up.
"Milady are you well? Should I fetch a doctor?" He enquired anxiously.
"What? Oh, No. I am quite well thank you. Just a slight head cold I think." I tried to think up a good excuse. The look on his face told me that he had bought it. "Really Sir I assure you I am well. Shall we go?" I didn't need to see the pity on his face once he worked it out.
He nodded doubtfully, choosing to accept my excuse. "Please," he held out his arm for me to take. Smiling gently at him, I lowered my veil which I wore to hide the fact that a royal princess has returned. It would be difficult to do as I had the royal guard accompanying me, but I really didn't want to deal with the peasants at the current stage in time.
"It is a fair day today do you not think?" He asked; It was well known that I was not a very stuffy royal and liked to speak to my staff. I had a healthy deal of respect for working people unlike some people, not pointing any fingers of course, had for them. Though, if I was being honest with myself, today was a day in which I wanted to be left to my own musings. However, I was a princess, and I wouldn't say that until I really couldn't take any more.
"Mmm... indeed." Perhaps short answers would prevent further conversation.
"I can smell snow in the air though! Mark my words we shall have some by the end of the week!" He brayed annoyingly.
"Consider them marked." My response was dry; I had always found people who claimed to smell the weather rather odd. How do you smell the weather? Though, by looking at the sky I had to admit that it did look like it was going to snow and it was certainly cold enough.
He laughed slightly anxiously; I presume I had let my irritation seep out in my answer as well. I scowled at the ground in front of me. Do not feel bad, do not feel bad... Damn!
I laughed gently, "It is good to be back in Newcastle once more, though one cannot help but miss London with its bustling streets. Would you be aware of when we return?" Yes I admit subtle was not my forte. Sir Wickonby clearly thought so as well.
"When Mistress Mazur thinks you are ready to return she shall send a letter to the queen." He answered immediately.
"Ah, I see." I did see. The old woman was never satisfied and I would be lucky to escape before Dimitri returned.
"I wish I had better news" he looked down at me with an apologetic expression. I forced a smile, even though he could not see it.
"It matters not. I will be back soon enough." I tried to force some happiness into my voice but it wasn't really working.
"That's the spirit! Milady." He hastily tacked on the end. I just nodded. Optimism wasn't going to get me through this that was for sure.
I frowned. Ahead of me the doors had opened to reveal a tiny woman in a black dress. I snorted internally. Mourning clothes, typical! Mistress Mazur had been almost flying when she had told me I would be going to London, so glad was she that she would never see me again! And now, here I was. Ready to be tortured into being a proper princess once more.
Slowly, step my torturous step. We came to stand in front of her.
"Mistress Mazur" I spoke icily, I did not waste pleasantries on a woman who happily made my life hell on Earth.
She dropped into a tiny curtsey. "Your royal highness, please come in. Your room is prepared..." she went off in chatter about how things had gone back to how they used to be and how well I was looking etc... I tuned her out. Only my ears picked up once more when she mentioned Dimitri.
"Oh yes that is a fine young man but not at all proper! We must teach you how to turn off your emotions-" I abruptly shut her up.
"Excuse me?" I asked, bristling slightly.
"Wha- your highness?" She stuttered and looked up at me in bemusement. I wasn't fooled; she was a callous woman who knew everything.
"Turn off my emotions?" I repeated; Sir Wickonby looked at me in confusion. Mistress Mazur laughed however.
"Well of course dear! You're a princess! You're job is to produce a fine baby prince, not fall in love like some daft country girl!" She laughed again.
"I beg you to keep your mouth silent about such matters! Mistress Janine Mazur, I am well aware of what happened between you and one Ibrahim, so I suggest; if you do not want that to be told to the queen then you stay silent!" I stormed off into my room, leaving a gobsmacked woman behind me, and a rather bemused guard...
Hey!
This chapter is dedicated to Nicia, as she motivated me into writing! Here's to hoping you get a snow day m'dear!
What do you think happened between Janine and Abe... as clearly they didn't have a little Rose? And why would Tatiana care...?
I promise I will try and update sooner! On the plus side, Last Sacrifice comes out in 5 and a bit day! :D
Disclaimer: If I was Richelle Mead, I would currently be evilly laughing at the fact that she has got a few thousand people impatiently waiting for LS to be released!
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DarkRomanceAddict