The Footsteps to Freedom

Chapter 8

I just want to say that i am a little disheartened by my readers. I really wish more people would comment and let me know what they think about the story. i know i decided not to update, but i feel really bad since i know you guys are probably itching to find out what happens next. so, i decided to update. but please please please comment and let me know what you think. i would really really really appreciate it. even if it was one word. as long as you tell me what you think. Please try not to let a chapter pass without you commenting.

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!

Alice could not believe what had just happened. How could she live like this any longer? She never asked to be a princess. She was not willing to give up her life. She wished she could throw herself into her mom's arms. It was as if someone heard her thoughts when a knock came from the door. The door slowly opened and revealed her mother, but not the mom she wanted. The queen made her way over to the bed slowly. She looked really tired, and Alice knew the Queen hadn't fully recovered from her illness yet. She sat on the bed and patted Alice's shoulder.

"Don't cry, dear. It pains me to see you so unhappy & to hear your sobs," Queen Sophie said gently.

Alice stifled a sob. "How can I not cry? Have I not been through enough in the past few days?"

"Alice, listen to me. With all my heart I wish I could make you happy, but it just isn't possible. It would not look good at all for you to keep in connection with your old life," Queen Sophie said.

"Why not?" Alice cried. "What is wrong with me wanting to have friends and family?"

"It just isn't proper," Queen Sophie said. "The other kingdoms will look at us in mockery. You represent the people of Westphalia to the world. Not only are the people of Westphalia watching you, but so are the people in the rest of the world."

"Mother, does it really look like I care about being proper?" Alice asked, exasperated.

"But you must care. You must care if not for yourself, then for your people," Queen Sophie went on. "Your people include all of your friends and people you've dealt with in the past. Don't you want to ensure them happiness and security and comfort in their lives?"

"Of course I do. I want them all to be happy, but what about me? What about my happiness?"

"As princess, some sacrifices just have to be made. I'm sorry," Queen Sophie said.

"Are you really sorry, or did father send you to take some sense into me?" Alice asked suspiciously.

"No! Of course not. Your father would be upset if he knew I came to talk to you," Queen Sophie confessed. "Alice. Please hear me out. Your actions have really upset your father. You do not realize how hard this all is on us. Stop for a moment and put yourself in our shoes. Imagine you had to give up your daughter for nineteen years. Nineteen long years filled with hope that she is still alive. You lose connection with her, but you want so badly to hold her. You want so badly to hear her call you mommy. You wish you could have been there for her first step, for her first smile. You wish you could be there to comfort her every time she was hurt or upset. It is not easy to give up your child, but I did it. I did it for you, and for the people of our kingdom. These sacrifices might be hard, but they must be done. Think about this."

Queen Sophie got up and left, leaving Alice to her thoughts. She hated to admit it, but she was starting to understand the whole idea of sacrifice. Despite this, she still wasn't ready to give anything up. She just had to find a way to get in contact with Thomas. She wondered if he was sending her letters, but she never got them because her parents censored the mail. This, she decided, she was going to find out. Slowly, she got out of her room and went to her guards.