Gypsy Rover

Chapter 6-Keys and Keyholes

A few minutes later Winter was back downstairs at the banquette which was now in full swing. The King, the Queen and herself sat at the high end of the table, with Baron Conrad just below them. King Rowan and Baron Conrad were busy discussing business of some sort, Winters' mother was chattering away with some of the other ladies of the castle about the brand new fashion or something. This left Winter sitting quietly trying to be as ladylike as she could while cutting a tough steak. This was practically impossible. She sat back in frustration and gazed around the room that was full of excitement and talk. The banquette seemed to drag on endlessly and Winter became gloomier with every passing moment. Finally her father walked up to her and saw the depressed face, "Aren't you enjoying yourself, this is an amazing dinner," he beamed cheerfully.

Winter shook her head, "No. I hate it, there's nothing to do," she complained. Rowan pointed over to her mother and the group of ladies gathered around her. "Why don't you go and talk to them, they seem to be in high spirits," he suggested. Without turning around Winter shook her head, "No," she repeated. "All they're talking about is the latest fashion," Winter argued. King Rowan nodded his head in understanding, "Well with that dress of yours that you're wearing at could probably top their fashion sense any day," he bragged with a grin, and Winter smiled at him then said. "I think I'm going to call it a night," she yawned, even though she was not tired.

"Okay, goodnight," her father called to her as she started towards the door. "Night father," Winter replied over her shoulder, and then rushed out the room.

Winter was slowly heading her way up the stairs and through the hallway and stopped just outside her door, facing the heavy wooden entrance thinking. She was thinking about the locked room, it wasn't that much different to her own door. Same coloured oak wood planks with round metal hinges at the top and bottom of the door, the only difference that Winter could think of was that the other door was locked. "Should I," she whispered to the wooden object in front of her. "There won't be a better time than this," she decided. She turned and quickly skimmed her way over to the other room a few paces away. Once again she tried the handle, but it was locked. "Of course," she protested. Then an idea formed in her head, she smiled at the thought and rushed away to find her mother.

When she reached the Main Room the banquette had finished the eating part now there were musicians on the side of the room playing upbeat tunes and melodies, while other danced with their partners. Winter quickly scanned the room spotting her mother immediately, still surrounded by the ladies. "How much fashion is there to talk about these days," she thought sarcastically.

Winter drew herself up and strutted over the where the group was talking, trying to think up and excuse along the way.

"Ahem," she coughed loudly, the group of women whirled around to face the girl standing behind them. "Good evening your Majesty," one of the ladies greeted. "Good evening," Winter acknowledged then turned to her mother. "Excuse me for interrupting anything your Highness, but may I have a quick word," Winter asked in a pizzazz voice. The group of women surrounding their Queen took a step back to give them at little privacy, but all the while glancing over their shoulders to try and hear bits of the convocation.

"Mother, someone must've locked the door to the ladies restroom and I cannot get in, may I please have the key," Winter smiled in her mind, she knew that she had worded the sentence well. "Oh dear, of course, here you are," her mother handed over a massive bunch of keys secured to a large ring. The ring contained all of the castles keys, and Winter knew that, so it must have the locked rooms' key. The Queen discretely handed he ring over to her daughter, no one knew that the Queen carried all of the keys, and it intended to stay that way. When Winter hade the ring safely hidden within the fold of her dress she looked up, "Thanks mum, I won't be too long," then she turned glided back out of the room.

As soon as she had left her mothers' side, the group of women crowded eagerly around the Queen once more. Winter sighed and rolled her eyes, "Always the same," she thought.