Emmy

CHAPTER EIGHT

Emmy and her two brothers departed for the castle at nine the next morning. She felt better this morning than last night, for as well as uplifting Alex, he had inadvertently cheered her up too. The carriage ride to the castle took just under an hour.

"So, Emerald," Arthur began, the younger of the two brothers, "what did Alexander want to talk about last night?"

Emerald still didn't like to talk about her personal life with her brothers. She knew they were curious as Alex was their friend, but she also knew how over-protective her brothers were of her. She remembered back to when Adelaide was courting the Duke and of how the brothers sneaked about the house to make sure he was the right man. They still hadn't decided if he was by the time he left for Europe. Emerald was under the impression that her brothers were doing the same to her now, and it began with interrogations.

"He wanted a break from the castle so he came for a visit."

"You avoided my question, sister. What did you two talk about?"

"Arthur, I don't need to tell you everything about my relationship with him."

"We're your brothers," Henry chipped in. "You have to tell us everything."

"And in what rulebook is that written down in?" Emerald replied comically. The siblings laughed.

"That was the first time he's ever been to the house. It must have been for a special reason," Arthur said with a smirk.

Emerald didn't even think about that. It was a big milestone for the courting couple, especially since Alex was a Prince, but with the circumstances she questioned if it really meant anything bigger than Arthur was insinuating. "I didn't realise," she said. "He just needed some space away from the castle."

"I suppose they want him to make all the big decisions now regarding the country?" Henry questioned.

"Yes."

"It must be hard for him," Arthur said. "Edmund always seemed the smarter one of the two."

"Hey!" Emerald exclaimed, rushing to defend Alex. "Alex is just as smart if not smarter!"

"Come on Emerald. Edmund is good with ordering and running the country; it's been peaceful for as long as he has been on the throne. Alexander on the other hand is ... well, what would you say brother?"

Henry laughed. "He's more like one of the old knights in shining armour trying to win the heart of his lover."

"Well I like that thank you very much," Emerald said.

Arthur continued where Henry left off. "But the knights in those stories of old always remain knights, longing for love and glory. Did you ever hear of any of them becoming Kings? Or even leading battalions?" Emerald shrugged. "There wasn't any knights that became good Kings, dear Emerald."

"Well maybe Alex could prove you wrong and be the first 'knight of old' turned King," Emerald said, trying to defend Alex's honour.

"Well if he was then you would be his Queen. Could you imagine that brother!" Henry said, laughing whilst smacking his brother on his neck. "Emerald as our Queen! I couldn't imagine that!" 

The two brothers were in fits of laughter as Emerald sat there in disbelief. In all her worrying over Edmund and Alex she hadn't once thought of that prospect. If Edmund did not recover then Alex would become King, as Edmund had no offspring. Alex and Emmy shared a great love and she knew it was only a matter of time before he asked her for her hand in marriage. If Edmund did die and Alex became King, she was sure he would ask her to marry him and they would rule England together. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the terrifying realization.