Princess - A Love Story

Chapter 4

She hated him.

God, what was she doing? Her mother was right. She was crazy. She had no sense. How long would this tinpot remain airborne? It was so small. So ok, it looked nice from the inside. Big deal. She was going to die in a comfortable tinpot. And what if this was all some elaborate hoax. What if she was being trafficked? What a way to go. She'd be remembered as the girl who went off to play Princess and ended up in some brothel and died by age twenty-one of a drug overdose. So sad, they'd say. Then they'd say, so stupid. Who takes a nobody and makes her a Princess? She was insane. And if she died, she'd be the girl who died stupidly and God, why was that the thing that upset her most about this.

As they prepared to land, Philip looked up in time to catch Emily glaring at him. Mystified, he watched as she then winced, clenched her teeth, then squeezed her eyes tight, then she opened them wide, rolled them and then she sighed. What was wrong with her? Idly he wondered if Grandmamma had done a psychiatric evaluation along with the other background research on her because she definitely had a few marbles missing.

All too soon, they landed. She was shepherded into a waiting car with Philip while the Queen was ushered into another. It was a lovely clear afternoon, but Emily noticed none of it. As the cavalcade started off, Philip looked at Emily. She had been so quiet throughout the long flight. He thought she was displaying admirable restraint on the flight but, given the heat of her glares, he fully expected her to jump down his throat the minute they were relatively alone. But she just curled up against the door and stared outside.

The two cars reached at the same time. The Queen followed by Philip and then Emily walked into a large foyer where staff awaited them. They murmured polite greetings. Gesturing to them the Queen turned to Emily, "You must be tired my dear. I suggest you rest this evening. We will talk tomorrow." Not waiting for a response from Emily, "Philip, in my study in two hours please." Once the Queen left so did Philip. He was stuck up and really unfriendly but oddly Emily felt abandoned. Mr Norris tapped Emily on the shoulder. She was so relieved to be able to speak to someone, she almost burst into tears.

"Lady Stylianou, I'd like to introduce Marie to you." Lady. Emily grimaced. He had started that the minute she'd signed and she hadn't had a chance to ask him to stop. She looked up to a tall smiling woman. She was older than Emily, probably early thirties. Emily liked her immediately. Marie will be your personal attaché. At Emily's blank look he amended, "Like I am for the Queen. In her capacity, she is your secretary, your representative, your aide."

"Anything you need my Lady, I will get done," Marie finished. Emily was officially intimidated. What on earth was she going to do with a secretary? No. Attaché.

"For now though, I will simply help you get settled. If you need anything, please let me know."

"You're in good hands," Mr Norris assured her smiling encouragingly. Emily managed the barest of nods. "Come with me, my Lady." They set off along a series of corridors with Marie keeping up a steady stream of chatter about the history of the mansion. As they turned yet another corner Marie said, "...Prince Philip's wing."

Emily's feet involuntarily stopped, "Sorry?" Marie stopped and looked back at her. "I was saying that as the Prince's betrothed you will be part of his Household. Your apartments will be across the corridor from his."

"Isn't this whole place one household?"

"Oh no. Each member of the Royal family is an individual standing member of the government. Spouses are part of their Household. Direct descendants are part of the Household till they attain majority at eighteen, then they assume their position in the government. Each Householder is responsible for those part of it."