A Royal Duty

The Royal Invitation

The dawn's light filtered through the towering windows of Windsor Manor, suffusing the ornate dining hall with a gilded radiance. The Windsor family assembled around the lustrous mahogany table, while the heady aroma of steeped tea and freshly baked confections permeated the air. Abigail and the other attendants glided seamlessly, presenting an array of sumptuous breakfast offerings with meticulous care.

Lady Victoria, resplendent in her silk gown, surveyed the table with an air of satisfaction, her eyes gleaming with a calculating intensity. "Ah, excellent! Our staff has truly outdone themselves today." Her voice dripped with condescension, a subtle reminder of the family's superior status.

Lord Thomas, unfolded his napkin, his eyes scanning the morning's correspondence with an air of anticipation. "A letter from the royal castle, no less."

As Abigail poured tea with a steady hand, her blonde hair tied back in a neat bun, her piercing green eyes fixed on the task, Lord Thomas sliced open the seal, his expression transforming into one of triumph. "The royal family requests our presence at the castle," he announced, his voice swelling with pride. "King Henry invites us to join them for three days celebration, culminating in Prince Francis's coronation." The room fell silent, the weight of the invitation hanging in the air like a challenge.

Lady Emily's eyes sparkled with excitement, her raven-haired beauty radiant in the morning light. "This is perfect!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with calculation. "Mother, Father, I shall ensure Prince Francis is smitten. A union between our families would solidify our position and secure our future." Her words were laced with an undercurrent of ambition, a hunger for power that Abigail found unsettling.

Lady Victoria's smile was a calculating thing, her eyes glinting with a fierce determination. "Indeed, Emily. This is our chance to rise above our station and claim our rightful place among the nobility."

As Abigail continued serving, her thoughts drifted to the prince, wondering if he shared his father's enthusiasm for the arranged marriage. She recalled Benjamin's words, whispered in a quiet moment: "You deserve to be seen, to be cherished..." Abigail's heart swelled with longing, a pang of sorrow echoing through her chest. She pushed the feeling aside, focusing on her duties.

With the royal invitation, the Windsor family's machinations had begun in earnest. Abigail's fate, entwined with theirs, hung precariously in the balance. As she poured the final cup of coffee, Lady Victoria addressed her, her voice cold and detached. "Abigail, inform the staff to prepare for our departure. We will require our finest attire and jewelry. We must make a lasting impression." Abigail curtsied, exchanging a brief glance with Benjamin, who stood nearby. His subtle nod was a reminder of their shared understanding.

Lady Emily's chambers were abuzz with excitement as she prepared for the royal visit, her every move orchestrated to perfection. Alice assisted her in donning the finest gowns, each one meticulously crafted to accentuate Lady Emily's ravishing beauty. The velvet, satin, and silk fabrics shimmered in the soft light, radiating an aura of opulence. Abigail, meanwhile, was tasked with the more mundane duties by Emily on purpose by scrubbing the floors and dusting the furniture again with precision, ensuring every surface gleamed.

"Try this gown, milady," Alice suggested, holding up a sumptuous creation of a beauty gown that perfectly complemented Lady Emily's piercing blue eyes. "It complements your eyes perfectly and will make you shine at the royal court."

Lady Emily giggled, her raven-haired beauty radiant in the mirror as she admired her reflection. "Oh, Alice, I can already see myself as queen. Prince Francis will be utterly smitten. He won't stand a chance against my charms." Her voice dripped with condescension, her eyes sparkling with amusement.