The Royal Entanglement - Not A Fairytale

CH 18: THE PLAGUE

The Oakwood manor was filled with commotion with all servants, craftsmen and workers busy with the wedding preparations. Laura visited the Oakwood manor so that Henry and Laura could choose the decor together.

"Please put these flowers here.", said Laura as she instructed one of the servants.

"And these flowers are for my lovely Lady ", said another voice. Laura turned back to see Henry holding a bouquet of roses.

"Aw Henry, that's lovely. How did you know that I liked roses?",asked Laura.

"One automatically happens to know what the love of their life likes, don't they?", said Henry as he smiled.

Laura could not help but smile. Just as they continued to talk, a servant approached them.

"Which colour would you want the decorations to be, my Lord.", asked the servant.

"I would say, green. Would do think love?", said Henry.

"But isn't green considered to bring bad luck?", asked Laura.

"Darling, we should not let some mere superstitions ruin our wedding.", said Henry.

Although Laura was not sure, she reluctantly agreed.

Mary was at the castle. Although she promised Laura that she would help her with the wedding preparations, she could not bring herself to go to the Oakwood manor. She looked out the window in despair. Just then she heard a knock on the door.

"Lady Mary, your cousin Lady Emma has arrived at court.", announced her guard.

Mary rushed to greet her cousin. As she stepped out of the castle she saw her lovely cousin waiting for her.

"Oh Emma, it's been so long since we met. How have you been?", asked Mary as she hugged Emma.

"I've been good. How have you been? I've missed you and Laura. Now that Laura is to be wed, I used this as an excuse to meet you both", said Emma.

Emma was Mary and Laura's aunt's daughter. As kids ,the three of them loved spending time together. Since Laura and Mary's father secured a position at court, the sisters had to part ways with Emma. Although they have been writing to each other, Emma was really happy to finally meet them in person after all these years.

"How is Aunt Margaret and Uncle Gregory?", asked Mary.

"They have never been better. Mother and Father wanted to attend Laura's wedding but they could not make it as father is completely tied up with his duties.", said Emma.

"At least you could make it. Laura would be so happy to see you. ", said Mary.

"Oh, that reminds me. Where is the bride to be?", asked Emma.

"She went to meet her fiancé to help with the wedding preparations ", said Mary.

Just as Mary and Emma continued to walk ,Hannah quickly approached Mary.

"Oh Mary, here you are. I've been looking for you everywhere. I just came to check on you and see if you were alri-", Hannah's words were cut off as Mary slightly shook her head indicating that she did not want Hannah to talk about it before Emma.

"I see you have a guest.", said Hannah as she looked at Emma.

"She is Emma, my cousin.", said Mary.

"Oh Emma, lovely to meet you. I am Hannah", said Hannah.

"Please to meet you Lady Hannah", said Emma.

"I just came to ask if you could return the book you borrowed.", said Hannah as she diverted the topic.

"I returned the book to Philip.", said Mary.

"Which book was it? I love reading books.", exclaimed Emma.

"T-the Canterbury Tales",said Hannah saying the name of the first book that came to her mind.

"Oh I love that book. Would you mind lending to me.", asked Emma.

"Sure. Why don't you come with me to our manor. You can choose the book you want along with that. ", said Hannah

"Thank you", said Emma.

Mary said a little thank you to Hannah as she and Emma left.

Emma and Hannah got onto Hannah's carriage as they began to head towards the Oakwood Manor.While they were in the carriage Emma looked out to see a funeral of a person in the village. Her eyes widened as she saw that the people present there had bruise-like marks. She immediately called Hannah and showed her.

Hannah did not know what was happening either. As they made their way further they saw many funerals and many people infected. Soon they made their way to the Orkwood Manor. Hannah rushed inside with Emma and their house maid received them with a horrified expression.

"Lady Hannah! There is a plague outbreak in the village. It may soon spread till the castle and the manor!!!.", she exclaimed.

Hannah and Emma looked at each other petrified.

"Lord Philip told that no one from now should enter or leave the manor until the plague is subdued.", said the housemaid.

"I am very sorry Emma. I should not have brought you here. You came to visit your cousins after so many years and now you are forced to stay here for a couple of days", said Hannah.

"Its not your fault Lady Hannah.", said Emma as she reassured her.

Laura and Henry were still busy with the preparation when Henry's adviser Walter came rushing towards them.

"Lord Henry!Lady Laura! There is a plague outbreak in the village.", exclaimed Walter.

"Please escort Lady Hannah inside the manor as quickly as possible.", ordered Henry.

"Henry! What about you?" , asked Laura.

"Your safety is of utmost importance. I have send these servants and workers away as soon as possible.", said Henry.

Mary's guard quickly escorted her to her chambers.

"What is happening?", asked Mary.

"Lady Mary, there has been a reported plague outbreak in the village. Lord Balmont ordered that no one shall enter or leave the castle.", said the guard.

"WHAT ABOUT LAURA?MY SISTER IS OUTSIDE THE CASTLE . SOMEONE HAS TO FIND HER!!!", said Mary.

"Lady Mary it is extremely dangerous to leave the castle. We can try looking for her, but we cannot assure her safe return if she left the Oakwood Manor.", said the guard.

Mary's eyes widened in horror.

"YOU HAVE TO FIND MY SISTER!", she exclaimed.

"We will try our best. ", said the guard as he left.

Hello my lovely readers! your author is back after exams. From now on I will try to keep updating as soon as possible. Hope you guys are enjoying the story.