Lead With Me

8

Everyone was sitting at the table at their usual spots. Princess Maribel was sat next to Riley. Madelyn and her mother sat in their usual seats.

Breakfast was served and everyone ate in silence until Rupert spoke up, "I believe you two have not been properly introduced. Maribel, this is Madelyn Pawns. She is Riley's caretaker for the time being."

"We've met, your majesty." Madelyn quickly, trying to change the subject immediately. She had no interest in knowing the Princess. Never has and never will.

"You've met before, when was this?" Riley chimed in, curious.

Curiosity killed the cat, as Captain Darcy taught her again.

Before Madelyn could say something, Maribel spoke up first which made Madelyn look at her. What was she going to say? Was she going to lie or just tell the truth?

"This morning, my love. She has shown me how to guide you and her techniques." Glancing at Madelyn, probably hoping that she would help her out. Yet Madelyn did not care to help her.

A brow raising in confusion, "I did? I thought you were taking over for the days you are here, your highness. Never once have you asked me for help. I must be mistaken that you asked if I should choose to wander around the palace or return home." A smirk gracing Madelyn's lips, maybe she shouldn't have said that.

Her eyes glared at her, upset and frustrated at Madelyn. Madelyn hated liars, frauds and down right horrible people. Princess Maribel was beginning to make the list.

Maribel glanced at Riley when he turned to speak to her, Madelyn continued on with her breakfast, not paying any mind to their conversation.

"My apologies, Madelyn for Maribel's behavior. She can be quite possessive over what is hers. I do hope you agreed to stay at the palace." Riley said finally after finishing their conversations.

Madelyn shook her head, "it is quite alright. I have no desire in taking what is hers anyhow. You two belong to one another. Your attitudes match well with each other." A comment that gained a slap on her arm from her mother, a chuckle from Rupert on the end as well

Maribel scoffed, Riley chuckled. "Most would say the same about ours as well, your mouth is worst than mine. No ordinary person would say the things you have been saying."

"What things have I been saying? Actually, do not answer that. And the answer to your question is, with a little convincing from Mrs Meredith Pawns here, I agreed to stay here for assistance and besides, the sight from the palace is beautiful in the morning, afternoon and the evening."  Madelyn finally stood up after her meal, turning to her mother who was just looking at her, entirely confused but most of all, entertained by whatever she was looking at prior to her.

"If you will excuse me, your majesties, your highness, Prince Riley." Madelyn curtsied and walked out of the room to be alone in the study.

She could not be bothered to be in the same room with those two for much longer. Their engagement was infuriating for a number of reasons. Reasons even she could not explain.

No, she was not in love with the prince. Madelyn was not the love type. Even if she was, royalty was not for her, she could not see herself with royalty as a commoner. She could see herself with Captain Darcy though.

He was handsome, rich, stable, goal-oriented. She could see herself marrying him. And her mother would approve, right? Something in her told her that her mother would rather see her with the Prince than Princess Maribel and that is when she would bring her mother down from her fairytale land and set it straight.

A knock on the door sounded from behind her as she did not even know she was still leaning on the door. She opened it to find the Queen standing behind it to her surprise. Quickly curtsying before tugging at her fingers. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Are you quite alright, my dear?" She said as she walked into the room, Madelyn stepped aside so she could enter.

Madelyn nods, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Yes I am alright. Perhaps I'm just not used to being in a room full of royals."

"That is alright, it is your second day here so I did not expect you to be used to it right away. Is there something you would like to tell me?" She questioned right away.

Madelyn's lips started to get dry, shaking her head. "I do not believe so. Is there something you would like to hear, your majesty?"

"You said the Princess came to you this morning, I can detest that you do not like her much. I must say, you are not the only one." The Queen admitted, a light chuckle leaving her. Her laugh was so elegant, it was gentle yet hearty.

Madelyn shrugged, "Maybe it is just I am not a big fan of liars. Pardon me for saying but I do not believe she actually loves him. Although she says she will take care of him for the days she is here, she has not once asked for how I chose to guide him. It works well for him. He listens to me finally. Do you believe me?"

The Queen nodded, sitting down on the chair near the desk. "Oh dear, I had a feeling this would happen."

"What would happen?"

"Princess Maribel is possessive, that is correct and now you are saying all things, it makes sense. Do you really believe this? That she is not in love with him. All I want is for my son to be happy." The Queen was really worried. She was genuine and Madelyn felt that. Madelyn didn't want her to be upset but she also didn't want Riley to ruin his life with someone who did not love him.

"Yes, I'm sorry your majesty." Madelyn apologized sincerely.

"Well then..." The Queen said, standing up to her feet. "This leaves quite a big discussion with the King and Riley, and Maribel. I appreciate your honesty, dear. And please, call me Mildred."

Madelyn smiled at her, nodded her head with a curtsy, "Of course. Have a wonderful evening, your maj- Mildred."

The Queen walked out of the study and Madelyn not too far behind to head to her bedroom. Her mother was sitting on the mirror desk, brushing her hair of knots.

"What was that about earlier, Madelyn?" She asked as soon as Madelyn entered the room.

Unfortunately, she had to deal with the aftermath of what happened at breakfast.

"What about it?" Madelyn said not even wanting to talk about it but knowing her mother, she had a way of spilling everything out of her with just a few words.

"Madelyn Eleanor Pawns, please do not tell me you are in love with the prince. You have been here for no more than two days and he is engaged to be married." She asked, clearly not knowing the situation.

"No, mother I'm not in love with the prince. I just can not understand why he should marry her. Forgive my speech, but she is a horrible person and I have only known her for less than a day." Madelyn explain, trying so hard not to say the words she really wanted to say; Riley is a nice person, and deserves so much better than a fraud of a princess.

"Madelyn, my love. You obviously care for the Prince but don't you think you should be happy for him at least. He seems to be happy." Meredith sighed and continued to brush her hair before stopping to turn around in her seat.

Madelyn looked at her and sighed, "Yes, yes I know. I care for him, it's like a maternal instinct. I want the best for people I care about, you know that.

Meredith smiled, "yes, yes I do."

~