Encounter

Part 6:A Challenge

Luxenbourg Embassy

"Will someone find out where Carolyn is and have her brought to my study" the duke said to his secretaries.

Hey dad, you want to see me, what's up?" Carolyn said.

 "Please sit daughter" sid the duke.

Uh, uh, somethings up and it's not good, he's addressing me as "daughter."

"You know your Inheritance is ready for me to sign. It's a great deal of money Carolyn, and to be perfectly honest I don't feel you are capable,  mentally or emotionally ready for it."

"WHAT!!!!"

" You see that's a prime example of what I'm talking about. Instead of discussing it with me you flew off the handle."

"I want you to have your inheritance Carolyn, It's yours and you will get it but you're going to have to earn it."

"What on Earth are you talking about?"

"I've arranged a job for you. You will work for Freddie Mercury, live at Garden Lodge, which I believe you're acquainted with. You will assist him with what ever he deems necessary.  If he asks you to make a bed you will do it if he asks you to wash the dishes you will do it, if he asks you to run a chore for him you will do it and he will report back to me once a week. You will also receive a wage that you will live on"

"Father, that man abused and embarrassed me in front of a roomful of dignitaries. My God, he spanked me and you didn't do a thing about it."

"Daughter, you deserved it. You hit him in the face with a cake. What did you think he was going to do ? Thank God the press wasn't present, the photos and the stories would have gone viral and your reputation would have been sullied, perhaps irreparably."

 "Father, you are forcing me into slavery to do someone's bidding and to perform tasks that I have never learned" Carolyn cried. 

"That's exactly it. You hit the nail on the head. Think of Garden Lodge as a training camp, and I am hoping you get your certificate of merit and the $400,000,000 will become yours."

" Go get packed, daughter."

Carolyn arose, without  saying anything to her father and left the study in a huff, slamming the door.

Carolyn's POV 

Fine! If dad thinks for one  moment I'm going to kowtow to that bastard and have him boss me around he has another thing coming. I'll do whatever I have to do to get that money and then I'm gone from Luxembourg, the so called royal life, and I will join the world and get back to my main love...the violin.   I must remember to pack that and to pack it carefully, it's not every day that someone packs a Stradivarius in their luggage. My own personal treasure, my first governess told me it belonged to my mother. I learned over the years through my various governesses that my mother became withdrawn when not allowed to play her violin. Others thought it was unseemly and unfit for the royal life. I guess I'm just like my mother, I'm not fit for the royal life either, I feel stifled, royalty has got a stranglehold on my life and I won't stand for it.  My father never let her pursue her dream, but I won't let anybody stop my dream, even if he is the Duke of Luxembourg or Freddie Mercury.

Garden Lodge

"Phoebe, you are ready for your new assistant?" Freddie asked

"I really don't know about this Freddie I really feel quite uncomfortable and besides she's supposed to be working for you." Phoebe said with a smirk.

"Oh, so shall I have her wash my back in the tub?" Freddie said.

" You know what I mean, stop being so clever"