Still Alek! Deal with it! Okay, so in this chapter, since I'm not good with history and it's kinda late and I'm only running on three hours of sleep, the Queen is going to be made up and so are her daughters, the princesses. I'm sorry if it offends anyone, but I'm lazy, so deal! Anywhore, enjoy!

Chapter 6

The small Clanker contraption he rode in swayed gently from side to side, giving him a seasick feeling. He'd gotten used to the usually smooth sailings of the Leviathan, that being on the ground was like learning to walk all over again.

He stared out, but saw nothing of the passing beauty of the small town in front of a very large, but very green, forest. He didn't want to see it, for all of this was just farther from Deryn than it should be.

He sighed as he thought her name. Volger must have guessed the depressed prince's thoughts because a moment later he said, "It's for the best. That girl was just a crush. It will pass in time."

Alek remained silent, and continued staring. He didn't say anything since those words had sparked a genuine emotion in him since he'd left: Hate. Hate and anger.

Alek stretched, feeling tired and irritated after the long and silent ride to the British Palace. Queen Mary's young daughter, Princess Elizabeth Ann, rushed out to meet him, her pink and silver gown bunched in her hands as she jogged.

Alek pulled his jacket straight and combed his hair to the side with his fingers quickly. Putting on his best "I'm royal and I know it" smile, he bowed swiftly and confidently to the girl of only fourteen. She dropped a quick bob that barely passed for a curisty, then looked up at him a pair of eyes that reminded him of Deryn.

Alek had a quick flash of young Elizabeth Ann replaced by Deryn, but quickly mentally shook the image away, blinking away unmanly tears.

"Welcome, Prince Aleksander, to the Royal Palace. Mother is dying to greet you. Please, come inside for some tea," she said, her english accent contrasting with the smooth scottish lilt Alek missed so much.

"Thank you," he said.

Elizabeth Ann turned, and he let the smile slide off his face. He felt out of place here.

Elizabeth Ann lead him through several intricate corridors and hallways that looped and spiraled and curved. He was thoroughly lost by the time they reached the sitting chambers.

"Mother, Prince Aleksander is here," Mary's daughter sang, pushing open the heavy looking double doors gilded in gold.

The Queen sat in a straightbacked red velvet chair pushed up to the marble table. Her hair was dark black laced with gray piled high on her head. Her startling blue eyes contrasted greatly with the daring red dress she wore.

"Prince Aleksander! Welcome," she exclaimed, rising from her chair to greet him.

He bowed stiffly, placing his silly royal smile back on. When the Queen raised him, he moved to pull out her chair and then the princess'.

The servants brought in the tea, added the extra things, then left, bowing and curtsiying to the Queen as they backed away. As soon as the heavy doors closed, the princess and queen began whispering to each other in earnest, not caring that they were being rude to their guest.

Alek could hear their voices, but it sounded like a faint high and low pitched hum. Back and forth it went, high, low, high, low. He could pick out a few words, such as 'wife' and 'princess', but the few words he caught made him uneasy.

He cleared his throat after awhile, uncomfortable with the thought of being rude to the Queen and her young daughter, but offended as well.

A matching set of piercing blue eyes settled on him. After a moment of utter silence that left the room ringing, the Queen moved away from the princess.

"Aleksander, Elizabeth Ann and I have decided. It's time you met Princess Diana."

I'm finally done with this stupid chapter! It was the hardest to write and by far my least favorite. Why, Alek, must you be so difficult? Oh, well. I still love you!