Emmy

CHAPTER NINE

Emmy waited in Alex's private drawing room for half an hour. She had only been there once before, and she marvelled at the sheer size of the room. One wall had two almost wall-length windows which looked out onto the front of the castle and the city that stretched beyond. Between the windows was a roaring, crackling fire that gave the room some atmosphere. At the far end of the room was a huge oak desk with paper and parchment spread out chaotically, and ink stained the left side of the desk.

The half an hour suddenly turned into an hour and a half. She had looked at the spines of the vast collection of books Alex had to pass the time, but she had been through all one hundred and twenty of them, neatly arranged on two dark oak bookcases. She sat down on a bright red chaise lounge and wondered how long the meeting would take. She eventually stood up again, grabbed the closest book to her, and began to read. 

Just as she was about to sit down again the door opened, only to reveal her two brothers. Emmy put the book down. "I thought you two were Alex."

"What? Have you not seen him yet?" Henry asked. Emmy shook her head. "Well, we heard the meeting finished about half an hour ago. We thought we would meet you two back here."

"Oh. Well he has not come here yet." Emmy tried to make her voice seem cheerful even though she was disappointed.

"I'm sure someone is talking with him," Arthur said, sensing Emmy's dismay.

Emmy agreed. "That's probably it." While Emmy was disheartened that Alex had not appeared, she was more worried about who he was talking to. Would it be the Duke of York who seemed to not have any faith in Alex, and more importantly faith in Emmy as Alex's courter? Or was she worrying needlessly? Only time would tell. Emmy came back to reality. "And where did you two wander off to?"

"We were making ourselves useful," said Arthur.

"We have both taken on some tasks for the kingdom," Henry said stoically.

"What are your tasks?" Emmy asked. She had the feeling they weren't telling her everything.

"Oh, you know..." Arthur began, but his pause for thought was interrupted by the door opening.

Alex and the Duke of York stepped inside, both laughing. Emmy immediately was sceptical of their conversation. Alex looked over towards Emmy. "Emerald, Henry and Arthur, I want you all to meet the Duke of York."

The three siblings bowed to the Duke because of his superior rank, even though it pained Emmy tremendously. York smiled cynically. "No need," he said as the siblings stood upright. "We met before in the throne room."

"It was our pleasure," Henry said.

"And mine too to meet the beautiful Miss Longford," York said. "I am pleased to finally meet the courter of Prince Alexander's choice." 

While York's words were pleasant, Emmy thought his tone was sinister. Emmy smiled, as did Alex. "Yes, I am very lucky," he said. Alex walked around the room to the desk. "Just give me one minute York to I find that copy." He shuffled through lots of documents before finding the right one. 

York attentively followed the Prince. "Thank you Alexander," he said. "I will do as you have requested."

"That will be all then York. I will see you tomorrow." York bowed to Alex before moving across the room. As he passed Emmy he stared at her for a moment with eyes that made her feel small and helpless. Nevertheless, she stood firm staring back at him as well. He broke eye contact first and left the room. His demeaning stare made Emmy feel uncomfortable, and although she had guessed before she now knew that York was against her.

"Henry and Arthur, there is food being served in the Great Hall if you would like some," Alex said.

"Thank you," Henry said, the two brothers leaving the room. It was now just Alex and Emmy.