The Footsteps to Freedom

Chapter 3

For the rest of the semester, Alice and Thomas car pooled together whenever they could, since they attended the same colleges, and their schedules were generally the same. This brought the two friends even closer, and simply strengthened the feelings Alice had for Thomas.

One evening, the Kinsley family sat around the dining room table, eating and talking. It was a warm day in May, and everyone was in their own world of thoughts.

“Alice is so lucky she finished. I wish school would hurry up and end too,” Haley sighed, breaking the silence.

“How was your final test today, Alice?” Mrs. Kinsley asked.

“Fine,” Alice mumbled, and moved the food around her plate.

“What’s wrong? You look worried,” Mrs. Kinsley asked. “Was it one of your tests?”

“What? Oh no, not that. I am worried, but it’s not about the tests. I saw on the news the other day that Queen Sophie was very ill, and the king was very distressed. I don’t know why, but I can’t get them out of my mind,” Alice admitted.

At the mention of the Queen, Mr. Kinsley looked up sharply and almost choked. He coughed a little, and then said, “What’s wrong with her?”

“They didn’t say. All I know is that the doctors are worried,” Alice said, staring at her plate.

Mr. and Mrs. Kinsley exchanged a look. “Poor King Henry. His wife is a great Queen, and it would be a great loss to all of us if something happened to her,” Mr. Kinsley remarked.

“I know. I really hope she’s okay,” Alice said.

“Why don’t you go visit her?” Jason joked.

“You can’t just visit royalty. Not anyone can do that,” Haley informed him.

“You know what? That’s not a bad idea,” Mrs. Kinsley thought out loud.

“How would I do that? Besides, it’s not like I know her on a personal level. I don’t know why though, I’m still worried,” She pointed out.

“Maybe seeing her will help you stop worrying about her,” Jason said.

“Maybe,” Mr. Kinsley said. Then, he stepped out of the room for a minute and motioned for his wife to follow. After a few minutes, they returned.

“Alice, are you done, sweetie?” Mrs. Kinsley asked.

“Yeah I guess. I can’t really eat anymore,” Alice said.

“Okay then, get dressed. We are going to try to get you to see the queen,” Mrs. Kinsley said.

“Really? Can I come?” Haley asked, her eyes widening.

“I’m afraid not. It’s not going to be easy getting even Alice in, let alone anyone else,” Mrs. Kinsley said. “I’m sorry honey, but maybe next time.”

Haley pouted and protested, but to no avail. Alice even offered to let her go instead, but her parents were persistent on taking Alice. Finally, Haley went up to her room and Alice went to get dressed. Alice called Jess over to help her pick out an outfit, since she had no idea what she should wear.

“Hey Alice. Going to meet royalty?” Jess asked.

“I guess I am. Don’t ask me how or why. We have no time, and I need to make sure I look good. Now how should I dress? Elegant? Fancy? Business attire? What do I choose?” Alice was frantic.

“Calm down, girl. Let’s go through everything you own. Let’s see your dresses,” Jess said.

After going through countless of outfits, Jess and Alice finally agreed on a flowing crimson red maxi skirt with asymmetrical seams. She added a cream and ruffled high neck halter top. Because she wanted it to look a little professional, she slid on a cream blazer and tied her hair up in a bun. Then, she slid on a pair of cream heels and decided to put on just a little makeup. Finally, she slid on some jewelry.