Red & White

forty three.

By mid July, 3015 the war was still consuming the lives of the townspeople of England and Wales. The grand plan the Prince envisioned over a month ago was still in the works.

In that time, however, things did change. Ireland not-so secretly started to help Wales with ammunition production, but that's when Scotland stepped up and offered some of their soldiers and weapons to England.

Scotland's help was a huge relief to Harry and the King. The lead generals could devise large and dangerous enough plans without the worry of eliminating their entire military team. The surprise blow from Wales stole many of England's men.

So the production of the massive mission to end the war once and for all commenced. Harry was forced to work all day after he took a short break for injury recovery. His arm healed up well and the "okay" from the doctor sent him back to the meeting rooms.

Leah didn't mind the Prince's absence during the day. She understood it was his job, and plus, he was there in the morning to kiss her goodbye and at night to wish her sweet dreams as they dozed off together.

She did her own things, too. The girl ditched the elegant day gowns left out in the wardrobe from the maids and found her old scrubs to wear. Leah joined her family as they went through their daily chores, and their fellow employees didn't seem to mind much. She supposed they figured that she had nothing better to do and wished to help them, which was true, but Leah hoped her assistance would allow them to get off duty a bit earlier each day.

The dirt and grime of the day's job scrubbing the floors and dusting the couch cushions piled up on her exposed skin, and Leah blended right back into her roots as a peasant. Cleaning was like therapy for her now. She felt at home again. All the fame and fortune of being a royal's lover was splendid, but there was something about the feeling of normality that she adored more.

"Lady Leah, it's so kind of you to help us," Rosalie, a young maid, began as they sat back-to-back scrubbing off the footprints on the en suite bathroom of a guest bedroom. "We've never had a monarch help us before. You're revolutionary."

Leah wiped a bead of sweat away from her vision with a small laugh at the girl's comment. "I'm not a monarch, Rosalie..I don't even like thinking about it. With the possible title comes so much commitment and rule."

The scrubbing on Rosalie's side momentarily stopped as she considered what to say next. She wondered why Leah would think that way when she'd give anything to be Prince Harry's lover.

"Are you frightened of what the future holds?"

Leah pondered over the idea. Was she scared of one day possibly becoming the Queen of England? The daunting thought made her stomach flip. But she loved her country and she loved Harry. She could make the best of both situations by becoming a ruler and wife. Her thoughts drifted towards all the words she could preach to her people. Leah wanted to make a change in their society.

"I'm not sure," she responded after a long break. "There's just so much package that comes with loving Harry, but I wouldn't change anything. I believe in fate, and I think fate brought us together for the better. Together we could do something incredible for our country."

Rosalie pushed back her long blonde hair and dipped the ripped cloth back into the bucket of soapy water.

"I admire you so much for that and all you do. I still can't believe you were one of us and now you're here. You understand what we're going through and-"

"Darling?"

The thick sound of heavy boots clambering over marble alerted the two girls working in the bathroom. Leah's brows matched Rosalie's as they simultaneously furrowed in confusion. It sounded like Harry, but wouldn't he be working?