Royal Blood

Chapter Three

The next few days go by without any major incident happening. I've spent most of my time either in my room or in the library where I have been focusing on my studies. I learn about old battles that had taken place during the times before the unspeakable disease, learning about how leaders even back then thought that attacking rebel camps was the best option. A small part of me wonders if my mother is right but that is only a small part of me.

History is one of my main subjects. If one day I am to rule this country then I need to know about its past, including when all the individual zones were countries of their own. It is a lot to take in and remember but I know that locking myself away and studying is making my mother happy. She is still set on not allowing me to attend the meeting so I'm trying everything I can to get back on her good side; the only problem is that she is so busy.

"Louis, do you know if my mother has any free time today?" I ask while we are both sat in the library. He has orders to escort me there and back every day; in fact he has orders to do that no matter where I go.

"I believe the only free time she has is this evening but I imagine she will want her sleep because she will need to get up early to prepare for tomorrow's meeting. Do you want me to pass her a message?"

"No thank you. I was hoping I would be able to show her how well I have been doing with my studies but she obviously has bigger issues that need to be dealt with. She is the queen after all." I smile back at Louis but then quickly look away so he doesn't see that I'm actually upset.

Ever since I was a child I've always been second best to the country in my mother's eye. I remember one day after my tutor left, I had drawn my mother a picture of the two of us together. I felt so proud of it and begged my nanny to take me to my mother so I could show her it. Looking back now I know that my mother had bigger responsibilities but when I showed her the picture all she said was 'what is this? You shouldn't be wasting your time drawing and you shouldn't be wasting my time showing me these pictures!'

She then handed me the picture back and from that moment I knew I was never going to be good enough for her and I've kept that picture as a reminder. My mother would rather rule a country that hates her than ever try to be a good mother. Even now, at sixteen years old, I still forget that though and hope that one day she will be proud of me but the more she shuts me out by not letting me attend important meetings, the more unlikely that is going to be.

I stay in the library until late in the evening before deciding to go to bed. I wake up in the morning with my stomach feeling like it is knots. This is my last chance to get into that meeting and I'm going to have to make it count.

"Your highness, here is your breakfast." One of the other butlers says while entering my room.

"Please could you knock next time?" I tell him which scares him, "And before you go please will you find Louis and tell him to come up here immediately, thank you." He walks off before I even have the chance to say anything else. I have to admit, I do enjoy the authority that comes with the job.

While I wait for Louis I look in my wardrobe for something to wear. I know that today I want to look professional so I pick out one of my white blouses and then struggle to decide between a pair of black trousers or a pencil skirt. I think back to the other night where I wore the jumpsuit I decide that my mother would probably prefer me in a skirt so I go with that. If I look professional in her terms, then I have a bigger chance of being able to go to the meeting.

"Your highness, you called for me?" Louis says while he is stood at the door.

"I certainly did. I assume you will know my mother's schedule for this morning? Do you think there will be any time for me to talk to her?"