Chapter 8

Not a hypocrite. I wasn't a hypocrite. A hypocrite wasn't I.

I was just being nice and I still wanted him to go to the middle of the maze and stay there for an eternity.

Stupid Prince.

It had just been a moment of weakness.

I took my anger out on the meat in from of me. I was starving and impaling beef and chewing it like it was grass wasn't helping.

Stupid meat.

Stupid influenza.

The incident from earlier had been written off. If they didn't acknowledge it, it didn't happen.

It was nonsense and one of the many reasons as to why I should move to a chicken farm. Chickens couldn't talk and chickens didn't arrange marriages.

The prince or Newt, had walked me to the chair next to him but he then proceeded to speak to everyone but me.

He was one of those annoying individuals who could talk to everyone. The nerve.

Princess Rosemary wasn't here to entertain me with her dress choices, she was farther off flirting with the men surrounding her.

Stupid Brittannica.

Well at least when I was Queen no one could force me to come to these stupid things.

It was too loud to eavesdrop on a conversation. The words overlapped each other.

I let out a sigh and glanced at the clock at the end of the room.

I couldn't see it very well but it looked like an eternity was yet to pass before I went to bed.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to find a footman holding a letter for me.

I took it and thanked him.

Princess Roan,

Your presence is required. Please make yourself present in the throne room directly after dinner.

I leaned forward when I was finished reading and scanned the table for Thomas. They had separated us. He sat farther down. He was staring at me too. There was a letter in his hand.

Well maybe they hadn't completely written our transgressions off.

I folded the letter and stuck it underneath my leg.

Maybe dinner could go on for a little longer.

I wasn't necessarily scared of what the note entailed but it did make me uneasy. Someone was not happy. My first day in Brittannica and I had already angered someone.

Brittannica was what you could call a rigid country. They were systematic and methodical. Rule breaking was frowned upon intensely. Most of the time, when the yearly memorial rolled around and it was Brittannica's turn to host the festivities, I stayed in my room and out of sight. My parents feared that I would do something barbarous or impertinent. I didn't blame them, I wasn't the most refined individual but it was truly their fault I was this way.

Due to the fact, that I was a girl and my father a rather unimaginative fellow, as I grew we played in mud and rode horses. He didn't think it would matter if I had manners, I'd be Queen one day and it wouldn't matter how well I curtsied, the only thing that would matter was my ability to rule.

Mother was too depressed most of my childhood to do anything about it.

My hands were rough and scars from failed adventures stained my arms. It wasn't until Mother started to shake of her lull, that the reins were pulled. It was too late by then. The damage to my identity had been administered.

Not that I minded.

I finished my entire plate and then some mousse cake afterwards.

The Queen stood and the men at the table stood with her.

"Well, its been lovely but I'm afraid we must retire." She smiled warmly and clasped her hands together.

She was lying. After dinner, an elite group would follow the royal family to a drawing room to play cards and perhaps enjoy some tea. It was a very coveted list but thankfully I was exempted.

The room cleared quickly and I found Thomas at the door waiting for me.

"I wonder if they'll make us scrub the floors." I said to Thomas, handing him my note.

"Wouldn't surprise me." He said shaking his head "I hate this place. I can't believe I got stuck here with you."

"Well at least you can leave."

We waited for the room to clear before heading for the throne room. The hallways were darker and emptier than before.

"What compelled you to try and save that man?" I asked. We were halfway there and the entire palace was eerie enough that I practically cowered behind Thomas as we walked.

"What compelled you?" He asked, turning to glance at me.

I shrugged. "You did, so I just assumed that you had a good reason and that you might need some help."

"I'd seen it before and I promised myself I wouldn't let it happen again if I could stop it."

"Did you see it here?" I asked, looking over my own shoulder. The shadowed environment made me suspiciously aware.

"The first time I saw it was in Hiberia but those people were past the gone, it was more of an act of mercy. Sometimes when they let us out from the academy, Newt would bring us over and we saw them more often." Thomas said "But not on purpose. They came out of nowhere."

"Why didn't the Golden Prince stop them?" I asked.

Thomas stopped. We were in front of the Throne room doors.

They opened as if they had known we were lurking outside.

My breath hitched and Thomas gasped.

A naked woman wrapped in a curtain giggled as she ran out. She winked at Thomas and smiled at me.

"Ah it's the Suecians! Come in! Come in!"

I pushed Thomas forward but stayed firmly behind him.

The infamous Georgios of Soutwark was standing akimbo in front of the throne.

"You must excuse Melanie. She's a forgetful girl. Left her dress here."

The regent kicked a red dress across the room with his bare foot. Then he retreated until he fell backwards unto the throne.

"Tell me how do you like the castle? Is it pleasing to you?" He stood again and started pacing "My nephew tells me, that you in particular young lady, are very hard to please. Is that true?"

I looked at Thomas and stepped to the side.

"I don't think so. I mean I find the palace pleasing but I'm not hard to please. Not that the palace isn't nice, it's a very nice palace." I sighed and stopped talking. I felt like crawling under a mountain. My neck was burning and I was sure my cheeks were red. I put my hands behind my back and interlaced my fingers together.

"I'm glad you like it. I've tried keeping it together but its very hard with all the distractions" He glanced at the dress on the floor "But that will be your job soon. Tell me, how did my nephew propose? I was told this was not a marriage of convenience."

I glanced at Thomas. He looked as confused as I did.

"Well actuallu-"

"Uncle!"

I turned around to find a panicked Prince and an equally distraught Queen.

"I'm so happy to have found you dressed. Why don't you put some shoes on and join us in my private room?" Antonietta said, motioning towards the door.

"Shoes! I hate those and we don't need a drawing room to talk. We can chat right here." The regent sat back down in his throne and smiled widely.

"Uncle, I specifically told you to leave them alone." Newt said, walking past us and standing straight in front of the regent, blocking my line of vision.

"I am! I just wanted to see who was causing such scandal in my parliament! She's very plain Newt, you could have picked better. There was that one girl…what was her name? Oh the one from Bohemia! She had a nice shape! And what about Isabelle, I don't think she's very happy to be replaced by barbarian from that mountain tribe.'" Georgios said, before standing.

The usual bitter taste of discomfort appeared in my mouth. I wasn't plain or a barbarian.

"Why do you insist on causing trouble?" Antonietta interceded, coming to stand next to her son.

"I'm not causing trouble, I just want to know why my nephew, the heir to the most powerful throne in the world, is marrying an unrefined mountain wench."

I gasped in outrage.

I was not a wench.

"Excuse me, if I may," I side stepped Antonietta and Newt to look directly at the regent " I am not a mountain wench or a barbarian. I'm quite civilized, well at least more than you, and I don't appreciate the way you are talking about me or my kingdom, so if it's not a bother, please stop talking before you look like more a fool than I already think you are."

That was a good spot to take my leave. Thomas followed as I stomped away in dignity.

"Janson, Can I banish someone or is that something only the king can do?" I asked.

Janson looked up from the newspaper he was folding.

"You can banish anyone you want once your queen. I take it the current regent is at the top of your list" He answered before going back to stick the newspaper in an envelope. He was sending mother all the articles that talked about what had happened yesterday.

I shook my head "You never fail to amaze me Janson. How on earth do you manage to know exactly everything that goes on?"

"I only concern myself with what either benefits or harms you." He said while standing.
"I wonder what I'll I do when you return home. I'm sure you and my brother will get along splendidly." I said, crossing my arms and walking towards the desk.

Janson hated Remi.

"I'll help your mother and father until your brother is of age." He said, heading towards the door.

I didn't miss the grim look on his face as he walked away.

"By the way, the Queen has requested a viewing. She wants to talk about the wedding. I have to meet with someone but when I'm done, I'll join you."

I groaned but followed out the door, Agnes trailing quietly behind me.

Janson couldn't stay because his allegiance was to Suecia but I wasn't letting them take Agnes away. I'd rather eat raw manure than not have Agnes.

She was two years older than I was but she had always been there. It was bad enough Janson couldn't stay.

I'd been to the palace in Oxforshire since I was child and knew it well enough to navigate it myself.

"Pray tell Agnes, if they separated us, would you miss me?' I asked, turning my head to look at her.

"I would hate serving anyone else, your highness." She was looking down but I could see a smile starting at the corner of her lips.

"Wonderful, because I don't ever plan on getting rid of you."

I turned back around only to find the dreariest sight. The back of Prince Newt.

I held a finger to my mouth and looked at Agnes to give her the message.

Hopefully, he wouldn't see me. It was a wide enough hallway.

I looked down and hunched my shoulders. I'd learned from vast experience, that it was the best tactic to avoid people.

We were about to pass him when I made the mistake of glancing up.

A girl was with him. Her eyes widened in recognition when she saw me.

Damn it.

I looked back down and continued to walk but it wasn't enough.

"Pardon me, are you Princess Roan?" The girl asked.

I stopped and turned around.

The girl was blond and petite, her blue eyes were bloodshot and it was evident she had been crying.

"Isabelle please don't do this." Newt said, taking the girls forearm and pulling her back.

I glanced at Agnes, then at Newt and then back at the girl.

"Who's asking?" I asked. Something didn't smell right.

The girl just sniffled.

"I mean no harm, I promise. Are you Princess Roan?"

I pressed my lips tightly together.

With great hesitation, I nodded my head.

The girl took a deep breath and smiled widely.

I was too busy watching her face to see her raise her hand.

I only realized her intentions when her dainty hand flew through the air and landed with a burning sting.

I held my cheek and stared in astonishment.

She did mean me harm.