The Footsteps to Freedom

Chapter 10

Take his advice she did, as Alice did her best to avoid her father. Her father did not seem to mind, and he didn't move in with any plans yet. They spoke very little to each other, and spoke only professionally. Queen Sophie talked to Alice and told her that it was smart to avoid her father for a while. He needed to cool off a little. Despite this, Alice continued to receive Thomas's daily letters, even though she couldn't reply to them. She hid them in her room, and every now and then she pulled them out to reread them.

One evening, Alice sat with her mother in the garden. A court session was canceled, and the Queen and Alice took this opportunity to relax.

"Enjoy this while it lasts. You won't get many chances to relax," Queen Sophie warned. When Alice didn't reply, she asked, "What's occupying my mind?"

"I was just thinking," Alice said slowly. "How did you and father meet? Was your marriage an arranged marriage?"

 "Arranged marriages aren't always bad, you know," Queen Sophie understood right away what her daughter was hinting at. "Yes it was an arranged marriage, yet look at how successful it was. Also, your father and I came from different countries with different methods for ruling. We were able to learn from each other. Especially for someone like you, who has no experience with this. It will be good for you to marry someone who is already experienced a little. "

"Mother, I agree with what you said. I am different than others. I experienced a different lifestyle, and yes, I also agree that our differences could bring us together," Alice said. "But I lived a different life than any princess. Mother, I have never met anyone who had an arranged marriage. To me, it was not a norm. How do you expect me to accept this so easily?"

"We all know that this is going to be hard," her mother said. "But life is hard. It is filled with challenges. You just have to accept everything that happens."

"You can't just sit back and accept everything. If everyone went by that logic, then we would never progress in life. If we do not challenge the things in our lives, then we would always be stuck on the same level. We won't ever move forward in life."

"I completely understand your point of view, but think about it. If you marry a commoner, then you have two commoners ruling the country. You both have no experience, and that can ruin the kingdom. We are looking for the greater good."

"But you and Father would be here to help me. Gregory as well," Alice said.

"That's not enough," her mother protested.

Mother, if I marry Phillip, not only will it be unfair to me and Thomas, but also to Phillip himself. I will be constantly comparing him to Thom- I mean other people, and that wouldn't be fair to Phillip," Alice explained to her mother.

"Listen honey, no matter how much we talk about this, we won't end up anywhere," Queen Sophie said honestly. "Besides, it is time for the next court session. Let's go to the throne room."

King and Gregory were waiting for them to arrive. Once they came, the king called the session in order. Two men entered the room, one who was escorted by guards.

The first man bowed to the king, and then spoke. "My king, I hope this will not take much of your time. The story is simple, really. This man stole from my bakery a bag full of my best goods. I caught him stealing, but he ran away. Eventually, I tracked him down. He should be punished for his actions."

The king turned to the man with the guards. "Do you admit to stealing?"

"Yes, your highness," he said. "But-."

"I did not ask for an explanation!" the king exclaimed. "Do you have a family?"

"Yes sir," the man said.