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(Artwork throughout the story is created by me)
~ Alexandra
Buckingham Palace, London Great Britain of 1942
"PIPPA!", "PIPPA!". The cries of my name singed my ears as my parade of 300 soldiers and 20 troops made our way back to Buckingham Palace. Calvino, my horse, lifted his hooves high so he would clop musically on the cobblestones, seemingly enjoying the festive air of my arrival from Spain. I wished I could stay longer, smelling the sweet flowers and hearing my name over and over again, but we pressed forward and soon enough, the throne room stood ahead of us. I slowed my pace as the doors opened and trumpets sounded at my arrival.
"Come upon Hackathrift Pippa, royal adviser to His Royal Highness".
I stopped before the Prince of Wales as my given name and title was announced and he allowed me to come forward.
"Welcome home!" I smiled my eyes averting at the other Dukes and Duchesses. I slowly walked forward as two girls tossed petals on the floor before me.
"Conquer of all Conquerors!" I aimlessly listened to the talk of the Prince of Wales company and I reached the throne and knelt before him.
"Welcome, my royal adviser." Charles, Prince of Wales voice rang in my ears as he placed both of his hands on my shoulders. "How you have used the grace of Scotland to make peace with Spain."
"May my arms stay strong in the service of your country, your Highness," I replied, crossing my left arm over my chest and getting up. "Your Royal Highness , I bring you His Majesty King Felipe VI and his daughter, Her Highness Leonor, Princess of Asturias and the future Queen of Spain." I presented, moving to the left.
"You are required to bow before, His Royal Highness." Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex declared,
"Your Royal Highness, that will not be required. I bring the King of Spain and his daughter in friendship, as allies to help defeat Germany," I replied, walking to the right.
"My adviser has dealt wisely with you, in our gratitude. We will be honored if you stayed as our guests," the Prince replied.
"The Royal Family of Spain is most honored." King Felipe VI dipped his head. I moved my eyes to Princess Leonor who was eyeing Prince Harry. "See to their comfort." The head of the house gestured with his staff for the ruler of Spain and his daughter to follow. I stood there awaiting my next command while noticing that the future Queen of Spain looked to be my age. I returned my attention to the present events, putting aside my interest in Spain for the time being. I walked forward,
"Your Highness, here is the full count of Spain's riches." I clapped my hands. "Bearers!" Spaniards walked out, each bearing a gift from Spain's culture. I took out a scroll, "There are 24 full barges of wealth as you see here, wine made from the sweetest grapes of Southern Spain's vineyards, silk spun from the silk weavers and, prized above all, the Andalusians." I rolled up the scroll.
"Handsome gifts indeed Pippa. They will be most needed." The Prince of Wales stood up "Let it be done." Charles stepped towards me and put a hand on my shoulder, dismissing me. I dipped my head, than I stepped down, I took a glance around the room as the Spaniards held our their gifts to the Prince of Wales.
My attention was cut short when I felt a pair of eyes on me, I averted my eyes to see Prince Harry who was glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes, I decided not to stay longer and walked back to my chambers in Buckingham Palace.
No sooner than later I was in my chambers standing on a pedestal as my maids brushed around me
"PRINCE WILLIAM, DUKE OF WALES." Trumpets sounded at the Prince's arrival. Crowds sang his name from outside. At the sound of his name, I stepped down and walked out to my balcony to catch a glimpse of him.
"Hear them, Lila, their shouts drown out everything, even the war." I said, I turned my head away and walked back down from my balcony.
"I hear them Hackathrift Pippa." Lila replied, closing my jewelry chest while another maid held it, the other beside Lila held out my stole, which matched my dress.
