Emmy

CHAPTER THREE

"Have fun, my darling," Emerald's Mother called out after her.

"You too," Emerald called back after getting into the carriage Alex had sent for her. This carriage was grander than the one she had returned home in last night. On the outside were gold leaves and silver sculptures, and the inside was covered in red and gold fabric. This carriage was sending a message to all: the person inside is very special indeed.

Emerald waved at her Mother. She blew a kiss back. Millie broke through the servant's grasp and waved enthusiastically at her sister's departure. Emerald waved back just as enthusiastically before settling down into the carriage.

She could feel the grandeur that this carriage represented. The red, leather seats gave a pleasantly comfortable ride to the castle. On the way, Emerald tried to remain calm and forget what her sister had said to her the previous night.

***

After slipping into her bed, Emerald awoke to Adelaide's presence in her room.

"Just before you go tomorrow, dear sister, I heard a rumour I thought you should hear about."

"Adelaide, I'm trying to sleep. What good can come of this rumour anyway. Leave me to rest."

Adelaide sat on Emerald's bed to show her dominance. She ignored Emerald's protests to go. "I heard Lady Gwendolyn Snowdon is attending tomorrow's jousting tournament."

Emerald rolled onto her other side to look away from her sister and to try and block out what she was going to say.

"You do know what happened between her and Prince Alexander, don't you?"

Emerald gave a sigh. She knew there were rumours they had been courting but Alex had told her he had broken it off because she was a gossip. He didn't like gossiping.

"Well, apparently Prince Alexander asked her to come tomorrow. He wants to make up with her and be on amicable terms again. Some say it's for the good of the kingdom; her father is a wealthy merchant after all. Others say he can't be without her for any longer. She is stunningly beautiful after all."

Emerald had had enough. She sat up in her bed, staring with anger and intensity at her sister. "So why is he inviting me?"

"To make her jealous of course." Adelaide smiled at her sister. "But don't worry little sister. I'm sure Prince Alexander really does want you by his side." Before Emerald could say anything, Adelaide had already gotten up and exited the room. 

Emerald sat upright in disbelief. "It's only a rumour," she told herself. "It's not the truth." She rolled back onto her side. "It's only a rumour," she repeated. She knew Alex had once been close to Gwendolyn, but this was before she had reconnected with him again. "Only tomorrow will tell," Emerald whispered to herself, believing that their relationship was strong enough even when the waters were tested. She fell asleep picturing Alex's face when she would descend from the carriage in her beautiful, pink dress.

***

The carriage was held up for several minutes; most of the upper class were attending the tournament and all appeared to have arrived at the same time. The carriage meandered on at a slow pace giving Emerald time to reflect on her thoughts.

She smoothed out her dress as she tried to disregard Adelaide's nasty rumour from last night. Who knew if it was true? Only Alex would know if it were true, but Emerald felt that asking him would be unwise. It would, she believed, cause an argument, and she did not want that at all. She decided to leave the rumour as a rumour and be kind and graceful to all she met.

As she returned to the present day from her thoughts her carriage pulled into the castle entrance. She could see Alex's figure from the carriage and her heart fluttered with pride that this jousting tournament would be their official courtship beginning.