Hey guys new chapter! Thanks for those who continually leave comments and follow me and my story I really appreciate it. I realize many of you question when Jane is going to appear and I just wanted to clear some details up. This is a Maura centralize story and will mostly be about her. Now eventual we will encounter Jane again and she will have a more permanent role within this story but it will take time in leading up to that. I know that we really want to see more of Jane in this story and you will eventually I promise. Alright as always thanks for taking the time to read my work and I hope you enjoy it. Without further ado here is chapter 9!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The smell of the aged pages of books and manuscripts filled the air as the pages continued to turn. The honey blonde girl was closely holding a maroon colored book in her hands. She was scanning the pages of the book, drinking in all the content it held. This room became her new safe haven, her sanctuary. If anyone were to look for the young princess, the library was one of the top places she would be at. The stacks of books that surrounded her provided company for her even when she was completely alone. It was another place she could act herself and indulge in her hobby without ridicule. It had been a couple months since it was given to her and she had already read about a third of the books it held. Maura would never be without one of her books and would take them wherever she would go. Maura kept her promise to her father and read to him every night one of the fairy tale books. It eased both Doyle and his daughter from the long days they would endure. They would end their day by listening to fascinating stories and fables to take them away from the everyday stresses of their lives. Maura had found herself reading more of these fables by herself because compared history, medicine, and science they took her away to an impossible world of fantasy and happily ever after's. But she knew that no matter how many of these stories she would read that reality was not like fairy tales and that the darkness of the world would eventually come back, and it was fast approaching.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A few weeks later:

For once the dining room had been full of occupied seats all around the table. The mumbling of conversation was floating around her but she did not pay much attention. Her father was in the middle of a discussion with another man discussing business. The conversation was of no interest to her and even the people as well. Maura found more fascination in the food on her plate that the cook had made special for their guests. The voice of Mrs. Fairfield broke her out of her trance when she directed one of her questions toward her as she felt her eyes on her.

Maura looked up and cleared her throat, "What was that Mrs. Fairfield?" she asked politely.

"Maura dear! I was wondering what you have been doing recently? It has been so long since we have seen you!" Mrs. Fairfield asked loudly as her shrill voice echoed throughout the hall.

Thinking of a proper response she responds, "Oh I have been here in the castle with Papa. I have been reading and writing a lot."

"Oh dear haven't you done enough of that? You have learned enough of knowledge dearie; don't fill your head with all this unimportant rubbish. In my opinion woman's amount of knowledge should only be so much. There are other more important expectations to worry about like socializing and things like that will lead to your future" she spoke proudly pretending she didn't insult Maura.

Maura caught on to the remark that she had expected from someone of the likes of this woman. She was the model upper class wife of a businessman. Does nothing more than to play the part of the wife and mother but push her children on the help and do nothing more. Fairfield's wife had two talents, boasting about her husband's success in finances and gossiping about all the other poor souls that are deemed unworthy of the superior class. Like that takes much talent or intelligence for that matter. An ape could be classier than she could. Thoughts like this were present in her mind and she tried hard not to laugh out loud while trying to respond back.

"Oh mother I don't think that's fair" Garrett spoke out of nowhere. "Someone who would be the future leader of a country should be well educated in order to assist in ruling the kingdom. It is only for the good of the people." Garret had sat across the table from Maura and gave her a sweet smile. Well at least one of them was tolerable she thought. None of the Fairfield's children had spoken until now. Adam, the oldest was not present for he had business to attend to that Mrs. Fairfield already overly discussed earlier. The youngest, Sumner who had to be no older than 11 looked bored out of his mind and felt as inclined to be there as Maura.

"Oh son you are right as always" his mother said proudly. Everyone in the room was irritated by her constant praises. Even Mr. Fairfield seemed to try to ignore her as he continued to eat not engaging with any contact in the conversation. "Garret you are so perfect. Perfect son and you would make the perfect husband. Wouldn't you agree Maura?" she coaxed trying to get an answer from her.

Maura slightly chocked on her food that she was currently eating. She had not expected the bluntness of her questions but she should have known better. Ever since his mother found out that Garret and she were in contact with each other she tried to use it to her advantage. She would constantly badger Garret to ask Doyle's permission to court her. Even though Garret wished for the same he was at least smart enough to know that it was not a good idea, at least for the time being. Being unable to lie became difficult for the young girl to endure but she learned ways around by stretching the truth. "Oh yes Ma'am he is a fine young man" she said honestly believing what she said. Garret was not a bad guy but she just had no romantic feelings for him. Though I could do worse.

"Oh wonderful little Maura! You are so sweet!" she said annoyingly. "You both would be the perfect little couple. My handsome son with your beautiful daughter Patrick truly!" with this she looked at Doyle.

"Oh yes Martha" he responded trying to hide his annoyance with little success. Doyle was listening to this conversation and it was becoming difficult for him to hold his tongue. He was not oblivious to Mrs. Fairfield's remarks toward his daughter but she seemed to hold her own. Not to mention the Fairfield boy somewhat stood up for her. He's decent but he seems like brown noser to me he thought quietly. He knew that both he and Maura were not ready to be courted, be married, and to live the life that was expected of her. She's too special to just live an ordinary life.

Maura had enough of dinner and this unwanted company. "Papa, can I be excused I am rather tired and feel slightly ill" trying to convince her father. She felt ill but not from sickness.

"Sure angel go ahead have a good night. Pleasant dreams" Doyle responded to his daughter.

"I apologize for my leave. Good night Mr. and Mrs. Fairfield, Garret, Sumner" she said.

Everyone in the room looked at Maura and said their goodbyes as she made her way out of the stifling room. She continued to stalk down the corridor only wanting to go to her room in order to seek sanctuary from the Fairfield's, particularly the missus. As she was doing her nightly ritual before bed and she was calming down from the strain of today but many thoughts were going through her head. How much are people going to pressure me into socializing and finding a husband? She thought annoyingly not agreeing with their ideas of a perfect life. She knew that her father would not push her into the standards of their class and more importantly finding a husband. Though she was afraid for how people would respond to the princess of Ireland not practicing in socializing and seeking marriage with a suitable suitor. These thoughts plagued her mind that made it difficult to find the peaceful slumber she wished to gain. She went to grab the book she was currently reading in order to occupy her mind. When she went to look for it, she realized it was gone and nowhere in sight. She began to look all over her room from top to bottom. Oh no, it's out there she remembered placing it in the parlor room before dinner. Knowing that she would find no sleep if she did not retrieve it. She decided to go get it. I'll just be quiet and hopefully they will be too occupied to hear me. And with that she pulled on her robe and stepped into the darkened hallway. As she crept through the castle she was listening closely to possible voices of her father or their guests. She made it all the way down to the foyer without any trouble continuing to breathe quietly.

"Hey Maura!" an enthusiastic Garret spoke loudly with a smile on his face.

This had caused Maura to leap, make a small shriek, and she placed a hand over her heart. Once she calmed down she responded back. "Garret! You started me! What are you doing?"

"Waiting for my parents, they wished to have a word with your father. How are you feeling?" he asked with concern laced in his voice.

"I'm feeling slightly better" she said in order to avoid the hives. "I just wished to get something from the parlor and then I was going to go back to bed."

"Oh that's good. Just try not to get caught especially since you are not properly dressed. You don't want others to assume things but I'll pretend I didn't see you" he said proudly as if he was committing a heroic act.

"Oh thank you Garret. You are so sweet" she responded trying to hide the irritation from her voice. So much like your mother Garret. "Well then good night Garret" and with that she turned around and went to go to the parlor. While making it to the desired destination Maura heard faint murmurs of her father and the Fairfield's. When she finally reached the room she immediately found the book on top of the mantelpiece. As she retrieved the book she began to make her way back to her room.

"…..Patrick you know that this is not normal for a girl her age" the shrill voice of Mrs. Fairfield could be easily heard by those who were close by. This grabbed Maura's attention and made her stop in her tracks. She moved closer to the door and was trying to listen from the outside.

"What are you trying to say Martha? Nothing is wrong with my daughter!" Doyle growled at the woman. The sound of her father's voice shocked Maura not hearing him ever speak like that especially to a woman.

"Now Patrick that's not what she meant. She is trying to be helpful, there is no need to get so agitated" Mr. Fairfield spoke softly trying to calm down his friend.

"Well Fredrick what if someone was saying one of your sons was not normal? Would you appreciate that?" Patty refuted back angrily.

"Patrick that is not what I meant. Maura is a sweet girl but she is not like those of her youth. She should be attending balls and meeting eligible suitors rather than stuffing her head in a book all day. It's not healthy Patrick" she said as if she was actually concerned. This brought the feelings shame and guilt to Maura. I'm a disgrace to the Doyle name.

"There is nothing wrong with her interest in reading. She is more intelligent than the majority of her youth and could do more than just look pretty" Doyle sneered at his guests. This warmed Maura's heart that her father continued to defend her.

"Well Patty you have never been able to properly teach her how she should act and what is expected of her. I understand that you have difficulty in helping Maura….."

Patty cut her off, "No. You don't understand! With all due respect Martha you have no idea what is has been like. Losing Hope has been the most difficult part of my life. Not only had I lost the love of my life, my daughter is motherless! I am doing the best I can with trying to rule my kingdom and raise my daughter. So if she does not follow elite class protocol well that's just too bad!" Patty said seriously trying to get his point across.

"Patrick you are doing a wonderful job with Maura, truly. But you are right she is missing her mother as well. She needs a motherly figure to help her out. You as her father can only do so much. There are many times where Maura is going to need to help that only a motherly figure can provide. Maybe it's time to find another wife. You are still relatively young and this is something Maura needs. Not to mention the kingdom can only benefit from a union and the church would have no objection from it" Lady Fairfield tried to explain. No Maura thought in her head. He can't marry someone else. No one could replace my mother.

Doyle had wide eyes when she said this. "I don't think I could every replace Hope for another woman. I don't think that is an opinion" he stately quietly.

"Think about your daughter Patrick. Maura needs a mother in her life" she said in a reasonable voice. "Just consider it. Well I think it is time we left. Fredrick?" she addressed her husband and he nodded his head in response. Both bowed and said their goodbyes to the king and then left the room.

Maura hides in the parlor waiting for them to leave. When she hears their echoing footsteps far enough she returns to the door she had been ease dropping at. She looked through the slight crack that gave her a view of the room. She saw her father hunched over with fists tight and turning white. "What should I do Hope?" Patrick asks while looking toward the ceiling. "Is it selfish of me not to remarry for my feelings only? What if it is in Maura's best interest to remarry? I don't know what to do."

This private moment create moisture to appear in Maura's eyes as her father was facing new struggles that she was the cause of. She didn't know what to do or what to say. What's going to happen?

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

3 months later:

The skies of Ireland had the color gray that had hovered all across the land. The recent weather had been rainy with constant cloudy skies. This had been the most rainfall that Ireland had experienced in a century. This caused the people and inhabitants of Ireland to stay in the safety of their homes. Maura had not been able to go outside and explore the land from the difficult weather that had been becoming common around there. The young princess was currently reading a book that had used words that had imaginary in it. A lament she thought they were called. This manuscript had many of these types of writing that interested Maura. It made her think of the letter she received after her mother's funeral by an unknown author. I wonder where they are. Will we ever meet? These were the questions that were rooming through her head when they were interrupted by the sound of a trumpet. The trumpet was used for alerting the castle of someone's arrival. Maura peered out the window which provided a view of the front of the castle gates. She saw a half a dozen men on horses surrounding a carriage with unknown occupants inside. Doyle's guards went to the carriage to search its contents and talked to one of the men on the horses. One man on a horse dismounted and held his scepter and banged it roughly on the ground then shouted. "Here is the arrival Mr. and Ms. Isles of England!"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Alright now where getting somewhere! This is where the beginning of the main plot takes place. It should start to pick up from here that will lead to the main event! Thanks so much for the support and I will try to quickly begin on the next chapter. Reviews are appreciated! Alright good night guys!

~C.L 3