Chapter 9

I applied pressure to my cheek, hoping the stinging would go away.

"Isabelle!" Newt pulled back the girl harshly.

"He doesn't love you, you know? We were supposed to get married."

I narrowed my eyes and scoffed.

"Is that supposed to offend me or make me upset?" I asked. Making sure the disdain and fury I felt dripped with every word.

The girls resolve faltered.

"He'll never love you. How could he love a mountain wench?" The girl asked, smirking.

I yawned exaggeratedly "I'm sorry, are you done being pathetic? I have someplace to be."
I gave both of them a dead smile and turned on my heel.

I walked away as quickly I could. When we finally turned a corner and were out of sight, I stopped and heaved air in frustration.

"Agnes… did that just happen?" I asked. My hands were shaking.

"I'm afraid so." She said.

I nodded my head. "All right. Add her to the banished list but before that I want you to run to Janson and tell him an attempt was just made on my life."

I was not overreacting. An attempt had been made on my life. Someone had physically assaulted me.

Agnes didn't move. She looked at her hands and cowered.

"You are right. It's ludicrous but I do want you to find out who that was."

She nodded and I started walking again.

Everyday more evidence was literally hurled at my face. I had to move to a chicken farm.

I've had many embarrassing moments in my life but that was pitiful. I was a dignified person, I did not deserve that. I didn't care what sort of dysfunctional relationship Newt had or if he even had one; I just wanted him to keep me out of it.

If the Brittannicans were going around telling people that this was more than a marriage of convenience, we were going to have a problem.

I wanted everyone to know that I had been forced into my position; I hadn't fought for it and that if I could, I would give it away to the first person that asked. I'm sure that Isabelle would appreciate the opportunity.

I stopped in front of what I knew to be the Queens drawing room; pinched my nose, took a deep breath and walked in.

"Roan! I'm so pleased you could join us. Sit, Sit, Sit." Antonietta patted the spot next to her and started to pour some tea into a cup.

I pinched myself to keep the smile on my face.

With great effort, I forced myself to sit down next to her.

Rosemary was on the settee across from ours and other women I didn't know were scattered around.

"I've summoned you here for two things" The Queen took my hand and patted the top of it, "I wanted to apologize on the regent's behalf. I fear the power has gone to his head" The women around us tittered, "I also wanted to bring up something much more enjoyable. The wedding."

She smiled widely and handed me a teacup.

I sipped the tea to hide my frown.

"If we don't start planning know, I fear nothing will be ready by the end of the month. I know you haven't had much time to think about this but do you know what flowers you want? It takes a very long time to grow them in this weather."

Flowers, I could handle flowers.

"I think Geraniums and Gardenias would be lovely."

Every wedding I had ever attended had Gardenias. I wanted no one to remember my wedding.

This was going to be a standardized wedding.

"Oh...lovely" the Queen seemed pleased "what color scheme do you want?"

I suppressed a sigh.

"You know, I think its quite obvious that I never went to a finishing school. So consequently, I never had many lessons on being a good host but you have plenty of experience. Would you like to plan the wedding? Your taste is by far better than mine." I said and sipped from the horrible tea.

"Oh?" The Queen could not hide her smile. "As honored as I feel, don't you want to plan your own wedding?"

Not at all. I wanted to cancel it.

"But I would do such a terrible job! You'll do much better."

The Queen smiled and then looked at the rest of the room, a triumphant glint in her eyes.

"Well now that it's all settled. I really should take my leave-"I set the tea cup down and started to stand.

"Nonsense! Stay I want to talk to you about something else." She pulled me down by my arm.

"So as you know, when you wed you'll be crowned queen regnant. That means that you will need four ladies to assist you on a daily basis. This is something very important; the women you choose will be there for your entire life."

These Brittannicans and their rotten traditions.

"I have a list of ladies you might want to look at. They are all from respectable families and with impeccable reputations." The Dowager took a parchment from the table and she handed it to me.

"Peruse it at your leisure. Oh and these are all suggestions."

I scanned the paper and on the third line down I found the name Isabelle Winchester.

What a peculiarity.

"What about this girl? I hear the Winchesters are respectable family with an impeccable hereditary line."

I had no idea who the Winchesters were but I knew about Brittannican court.

The Queen smiled smugly once again.

"Oh she's a lovely girl. She is a great conversationalist. My children are rather fond of her."

Indeed they were.

"I'll take this list into consideration." I smiled and stood again "I'd love to stay and chat but Janson and I have some very important matters to attend to."

"Agnes how would you like to move to a chicken farm? I hear they're lovely." I said. I had immediately returned to the periwinkle pink cell. I didn't want to risk anymore attacks.

Agnes shook her head "No mam. I think I'd rather stay here."

I rolled over and stared at the ground.

Boredom had taken over ages ago. I was getting a headache from doing nothing.

Agnes hadn't been able to find anything. The servants were tight lipped.

This Isabelle, whomever she may be, was really starting to get on my nerves.

"All right Agnes. I'm done. You know what they say; if you want something done right, you better do it yourself."

I stood from the bed and put my shoes back on. My hair was puffy in the back and I did my best to smooth it down.

"Lets find Thomas and do some snooping before Janson finds out."

I had Agnes check the hallway before I exited.

"All right. If you were Thomas were would you be?"

Agnes shrugged. "Perhaps with the Prince."

"We are definitely not looking for the Prince."

I wanted to find Thomas as soon as possible. Contrary to my preference, I decided that the we would achieve the quickest results if we headed to the main hall where all the courtiers were. Thomas would most likely be there and if he wasn't, I would be in a position to ask for him.

It didn't take long to reach the main hall. The palace in Oxoshire was smaller than the one's out in the country. Everything was centralized and there was a lot of red and more red and then again red and if you squinted you could some gold peek out. I planned to change that. It was an abomination to the eyes.

The main hall was crowded with flirting ladies, pompous noblemen, and up and coming military men.

Blegh.

I don't think I could change that, I would just have to avoid it.

I faked smiled to people I didn't know and craned my neck around for Thomas. The place was so crowded I had to shuffle instead of walk.

I let out a sigh of relief when Agnes pointed out Thomas's back.

I poked Thomas shoulder when I reached him.

"You're not going to believe the day I had. This klunk faced shank came up to me and… Oh."

Depressingly enough, Thomas wasn't alone. They were all there. All my enemies talking to my only ally.

The mean maze guard, the infuriating prince, and public enemy number one.

Well at least she heard me call her a klunk faced shank.

"Hmm" I looked them up and down unimpressed "I'll talk to you later Thomas."

I turned on my heel and started back the way I had come.

"Agnes we need to meet some new people. Find me three people that those awful three hate and make them my new best friends. We need to prepare for war."