Amber and the Magic Thread
Chapter 6
"What have I done?" Amber asked herself despairingly as she sat in the throne room trying to work.
When Amber had last pulled the golden thread, she thought that having a son or daughter of her own would make her feel less lonely and would make her life fun again. One kid; that was all she was planning on. However, when she opened her eyes, she had found herself struggling to watch over a pair of 4 year-old twins.
They were rowdy, obnoxious, and they never stayed still. It seemed to Amber that she would never be able to survive. She could barely get any of her work done, and anytime she asked her husband for help he would say that he was too busy and she could handle it herself. Well, she most certainly could not handle it herself! She was about to yell at her son for what seemed like the hundredth time for throwing a ball in the castle when her steward came up to her.
"Excuse me Your Highness, but Queen Sofia is here for your monthly visit," the steward stated calmly, ignoring the chaos that was ensuing around him.
"Oh thank goodness," Amber sighed with relief. "Please, send her up right away."
"As you wish Your Highness." The steward bowed politely and left the room.
Amber sunk lower into her throne, if that was even possible, and waited eagerly for her step-sister to arrive. As soon as Sofia entered the room, the twins attacked her with hugs. They were always so happy to see their Aunt, and Amber felt herself getting the smallest bit jealous.
"Sofia, I'm so glad you're here," Amber told her sincerely, "One more second alone with these two and I think I would have lost it."
"Oh they're not that bad Amber," Sofia disagreed, playing with the kids as she spoke. "Sure they can be a handful, but that's how children are."
Amber couldn't believe how different her children acted now that Sofia was here. They listened to her, they quieted down, and neither of them even tried to throw anything in her direction. They were…behaving.
"How did you do that?" Amber asked curiously, "I haven't gotten them to listen to me all day."
Sofia shrugged. "I guess I'm just used to it is all. I mean, I've been a mother for nearly 5 years now, and it's been some of the happiest moments of my life."
"Don't you get frustrated though?" Amber wondered. She knew her sister was kind, but even she couldn't be immune to getting angry.
"Of course I get frustrated," Sofia admitted. "But I have James to help me out when that happens. And our steward and the maids too. They are all willing to help. Not to mention, when I get upset, I start to think about all the things I love about being a mom. Getting to know the kids, learning new things about them every day, and spending time with them; all those things make me happy. Despite all of their quirks and flaws, I love them more than anything. Besides, soon they'll be all grown up and won't need us as much anymore. That's why we have to treasure our time with them now while we have them, don't you think?"
Amber had stopped listening. Instead, a new idea had formed in her head based on something Sofia had mentioned.
If the twins were older, they wouldn't need me to look after them all the time, she decided. They would have calmed down too, so I could actually have time to myself. Then, when I get lonely, I can spend time with them when it's convenient for me. It's perfect!
"I wish I could have stayed longer," Sofia announced after an hour of talking with her step-sister, "but I really should be going. We promised to take the kids to the circus today. Are you going to be okay on your own?"
Amber smiled, "Oh, don't worry about me. I've got it all figured out."
"Well okay then. Bye Amber, goodbye you two!" Sofia said, turning to the kids. "Be good for your mother!"
"We will! Bye Auntie Sofia!" The twins called back.
The three waved goodbye to Sofia as she left the room. As soon as she was gone, Amber stood up from her throne, anxious to carry out her plan.
"Well, now that that's over with, Mommy has something important she has to do," Amber called over the nearest maid. "I have to go to my room for a minute. Could you please watch them?"
"Of course, my lady," The maid curtsied.
"Great," Amber replied and rushed towards her room. She took out the golden bauble and held it tightly in her hands. "This is definitely the right choice."
Convincing herself that it was, she pulled the thread.