A Peasant and A Princess

Chapter Six: Thoughts

Unlike most days, when the palace only seemed empty, today, it actually was. Father was in another country, most likely discussing something related to politics. Mother had accompanied him for once. Henry was in Atralya for the third time this month, visiting Lady Vera again. Louisa most likely out with some suitor. Peter had gone hunting or something like that.

Obviously, the palace wasn't completely empty. The servants that weren't specifically Father's, Mother's, or Henry's were scurrying about, and I was still here. It was just the idea of the palace being empty of it's primary residents.

In the library with Miss Edith, it didn't really feel any different. The sound of whatever she was saying echoed throughout the silent library library.

"Princess? Are you paying attention?" She asked. I sat up a little straighter, and nodded my head.

"Did you hear anything I just said? She asked, clearly annoyed.

I nodded, hoping that she wouldn't question me.

"Tell me about what I just said." She demanded.

I sighed.

"Something about Duchess Lucille Alaina of Alexandria?"I asked in bored tone. Miss Edith sighed.

"You didn't hear any of that, didn't you." She sighed.

In general, Miss Edith's assumption that the plain quiet one was going to be smart had led her to many disappointments. In Alexandria, they had had a typical layout of princesses. Two pretty ones, and two smart ones. Again in Atrebla. One pretty, and one smart. I guess I wasn't fitting the trend.

"I was thinking of going for a walk later." said absentmindedly. Edith shook her head.

We're going over the lords and ladies of Alexandrian for another half hour, and then you can go out." She said.

That was fine by me.

"Duchess Lucille's mother in law was Lady Grace of Alexandria." Edith went back to her dull lecturing tone.

Grace. Was that something Mallory possessed? She didn't hold herself as a women of nobility did, nor did she have the manners of one, but was that grace? I realized that I really had no idea what grace was.

"The mother in law of Lady Ethel Claude was Lady Joy Vivianna of Alexandria." She dragged on.

Mallory was definitely joyful. There was a spring in her step, and her voice sounded like a song. Her joy was beautiful.

"Lady Jaqueline Amity's mother in law was Lady Emil- Princess, are you paying attention?" She demanded.

I barely heard the statement. I was too busy wondering what Amity was, and if it applied to Mallory.

"Sorry," I apologized.

**********

Later that day, I went for a walk. This time, I knew exactly where I was going. I walked with determination, and for the second time this week, without any guards. I barely saw the crumbling road and the ragged houses. I need to see Mallory for some reason I couldn't explain. I realized know, that when there wasn't pretty thing to look at, it was actually quite a long walk. The city was big, and wasn't designed for getting from the palace to the slums.

Why? Why couldn't I stop thinking about her? It didn't make any sense. She had appeared in my dreams, for goodness sake! She danced through my mind during lessons, and name causing me to think of her. Nonsense, that's what it was.

It was almost like when Louisa described being in love. Love. Edith told me it was strong word, but Louisa threw it around so carelessly. Did she feel love when she talked about a man she had met at a dance, or another she had once courted? Or was she just misusing the word?

Once I got deep enough in my thoughts, it seemed as if the walk got shorter. After a while, but not before I had decoded my thoughts, I arrived at Mallory's house. This time, I didn't hesitate before I knocked. I nearly flew at the door, and rapped on it until someone opened the door.

It was Matthew. He looked confused.

"Mama isn't home," He said.

"Is Mallory there?" I demanded. I couldn't really tell how I sounded, but he gave me a weird look. He ran back inside, yelling for Mallory. I looked into the house. It seemed emptier than the last time I was there. Alice sat at the table, as she had the first time I'd visited. Mallory was in the back of the room, and Matthew's footsteps seemed to be the only noise. Mallory looked up in confusion.

"Umm," I muttured. I had no idea what to say. I had come with such determination to see Mallory, but know that I was here, I felt like an idiot. So what did I do? I freaked out and ran away.