Boarding
AN: Hello! I'm sorry that it's been almost a year since I last updated this story. Let's get on with it, shall we? Hope you enjoy it.
Previously:
With no time to change, they decided that what they were wearing was acceptable enough anyway, and two hours later, all of them were lying in either servants quarters or four-poster beds, looking forward to the new day.
Another two people looking forward to the new day were Princes William and Charles of Scotland and England. They were up at seven on the morning of the maiden voyage of the RMS Titanic, dressed by quarter past seven in travelling suits, and downstairs for breakfast by half past seven.
Prince William arrived for breakfast first, and the waiters in the dinning room bowed low when he walked in, his blue eyes shinning and a beaming smile on his handsome face.
"Good Morning, your Royal Highness," one waiter greeted with yet another bow, and received a smile in return.
"May I escort you to a table, Your Highness?" The man asked, and William nodded.
"That would be much appreciated, thank you," he said, his thick Scottish accent sliding out from between his teeth.
The waiter led the Scottish Prince to a table adorned with a golden cloth, pulled out his seat, and handed him a menu. He then stood back, waiting to hear what his very important customer wanted to eat for the morning meal.
Not to his surprise, William ordered porridge and haggis, with a cup of strong tea.
"An excellent choice, sire," he bowed, before he headed off to give the prince's breakfast wishes to the chef. As he headed away, a young woman came downstairs with her red hair all neatly curled, but was dressed from head to toe in black.
William, who already had a cup of tea, was astounded by her choice of colour, and had to fight every urge he had to not spit it back out again.
"Good morning," he said politely, and the woman shook her head.
"Hardly," she scoffed, just as an older woman who looked like her came downstairs, and screamed when she saw what the girl was wearing.
"BLACK!? Rose DeWitt-Bukater! Go and change at once!" Ruth ordered, just as the prince's order came out.
"Your porridge and haggis, Your Highness," he said, and Rose and Ruth stopped arguing. After apologising profusely for disturbing him, Ruth grabbed Rose by the arm, and pulled her back upstairs.
Will shook his head in amusement, before tucking into his breakfast, just as Charles joined him, and ordered Bacon and Eggs.
As the two of them ate and chattered, five other ladies came downstairs. Holly Pompadour had her black hair pinned back with an emerald hair pin, and was wearing a traveling suit of mauve and white.
Danielle had her dark hair pinned back with an amethyst hair pin, and was wearing a travelling suit of red and white. Her sister, Charlotte, was wearing a travelling suit of aquamarine, and her hair was pinned back with a turquoise hair pin.
Behind them were Ada and Silvia, and the attention spans of both princes were captivated by them. Ada and Silvia were, in the eyes of the princes, beautiful women born into a life of slavery.
When all five had caught sight of the two princes, Danielle and Charlotte made a beeline for them both, before making advances on both, saying how good looking they were, and should seriously consider them to be their wives.
Charles' fork froze at this, halfway between his mouth and the plate.
"We'll consider it, eh, Will?" He asked, hiding his astonishment that the two of them had been verbally accosted like that. Fortunately, Holly came to their rescue.
"Now, darlings, you'll have plenty of time to see them on the ship. Let them eat their breakfast in peace," she smiled.
With much battering of their eyelashes, the two sisters left them alone.
"I'm sorry about that. They were really excited to meet you, though," she explained.
"Not to worry," Will chuckled, and Charles shook his head.
"That's certainly the most extreme reaction we've ever gotten," he said.
"Yeah," Will agreed, before he and Charles finished off their breakfast.
When it came time to board, William and Charles gazed in wonderment at the beauty that was the Titanic.
"She's quite stunning, eh, Will?" Charles asked his friend, who was still drinking in the sight.
"Beautiful," he said breathlessly.
"Should we board?" Charles asked, "Or do you wish to admire her exterior some more?"
Will smiled at him. "Yes, we should board. I've admired her exterior, now it's time to admire her interior."
"Good choice," Charles said, and lead the way up the ramp to the First Class. There were two stewards to welcome them onboard; a Mr. Stewart and a Mr. Phillips. Both men greeted them with the utmost respect, and called for a Mr. Garber and a Mr. Hill to escort them to their staterooms.
When they reached them, Will let out an impressive whistle, as did Charles. All the modern amenities were available, they each had a beautiful bathroom, living room, and bedroom, not to mention, their own private promenade deck.
"White Star Line have really outdone themselves here," Charles said, as another steward came in with a bottle and glasses for champagne.
"Are the Royal Highnesses going to watch the sailing away from Southampton?"
"Yes, we'll watch it," Will said pleasantly as he took a sip of the champagne. It was a beautiful champagne, and he made a mental note to see if he couldn't find it once they had reached New York City.
"That's really good champagne," Charles remarked cheerfully and Will grinned at him.
"Indeed. Let's go and watch the sailing away from Southampton," he suggested, and together, they headed out onto the top deck of Titanic. The views were spectacular from so high up, and crowds below cheered and waved as the great floating palace began her maiden voyage.