Makeshift Royalty

Chapter Six

Pushing the door open, I peek inside. I first notice the Queen, lounged on her throne, looking bored. She twists a gold ring around her finger, paying no attention to the gathering in front of her. A line of nearly thirty people, probably from the market lead to her. The people are dressed in dirty rags, skinny children grasp the hands of their parents. The sunken faces of starving parents gaze up at the Queen. An elderly woman limps to the front of the line. Her back arched forward, her hands shaking ever so slightly.

"your majesty." The woman stutters bowing slowly.

"What do you plead for?" The Queen shoots back.

"My daughter is ill because we do not have enough food. My husband just got his wages cut in half. We  ask for a loan of ten pence for the week, just to get us started.” The woman rehearses with a hoarse voice.

“Be lucky your husband  still has a job” The Queen utters before waving a frail hand to the guards posted at her sides. The two guards step forward in unison, startling the woman into a scuttle back down the line. The Queen glances around the room, before I can swing the door closed her eyes reach me.

“Ah the princess has decided to join us, my people.” The Queen announces waving me out. I give her an over dramatic eye roll before stepping out from the doorway. My boots, hidden under my dress, clatter on the marble as I make my way over to the throne. I can feel the tired gaze of the crowd on me. I feel guilty, knowing I could be one in the line.

“Next!” The Queen shouts. I struggle to stand still without feeling awkward in front of the crowd.

A young woman holding a bundle of cloth to her chest takes small steps to the front. A splotch of dirt on her left cheek matches the color of her hair. Her skin is pale, her ragged clothes hang loosely on her skinny frame. Her hollow blue eyes flick down to the bundle that lets out an empty cry.

“My husband,” the woman stutters, “He is dead.”

“And you want me to do what?” The Queen urges abruptly.

“Just a small loan. I will pay you back once my baby grows stronger and I can find a job.” The woman replies. “I have no food. Nothing, your majesty.”

“Hmm I will think about it.” Minerva grumbles, “Next! Actually I am exhausted. That is it for today!” She steps off her throne, indulging in the looks on the faces of the disappointed crowd. She stands next to me as people start to file out through the doorway at the end of the room. Cold wind hits my face, and I can see the rain slanting through the air outside.  “Ew look at them, leaving their muddy footprints behind,” Minerva mutters under her breath before stomping from the room. I shoot a glare of disgust at her back before walking across the room to stand near the doorway.

A young boy looks up at me, his face dusty and lost. Reaching into my skirts, I slip the roll from lunch into his pocket. I discretely lift my finger to lips, “Shhh.”

It seems as though everyone has left the room, leaving behind a creepy silence, when someone taps my shoulder. The young woman stands in front of me, her eyes glossy from tears. “Please,” She cries softly, “Take her, please.  I cannot feed her.” She pushes the bundle of cloth into my arms. I shake my head trying to protest, but the woman is loosening her grip on the baby. I cradle the baby in my arms, as the woman’s hands fall to her sides.

A single tear cascades down her cheek leaving a clear path on her dirty face.

       “Ma’am, really you should-” I try to persuade her to take the child back.

       “Because I love you.” She whispers staring at the baby in my arms. She slides through the doorway.

“Uh I-” I stutter looking around, only to realize the room has completely cleared out. The guards have disappeared and the scuffed footprints on the marble floor are the only evidence of what just happened. The baby squirms in my arms,  her eyes flicker in sleep.