Just a Girl

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve

 Winnie saw the door open, and began to worry. ‘Who would be up at this time? The king and queen were fast asleep, for they did not need to wake up until later, when they were about to depart.’

 “Hello,” a familiar voice said.

 “Ah!” Winnie screamed, “Who’s there?!”

 “Winnie,” the voice said, soothingly, “It is Loretta. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”

 “Oh,” Winnie sighed, “Ok. Good morning madam.”

 “Thank you, Winnie, but you don’t have to be like that right now. You can talk normal to me, for I know that you respect me.”

 “Yes, ma’am. So may I ask you a question?”

 “Anything,” Loretta said, surprising Winnie at how easy going she was while the king wasn’t around.

 “Um.. What are you doing here at this hour? I ‘m setting up. There’s no worry.”

 “It’s not that I’m worried, Winnie…”

 “Then what is it?”

 “I think I owe you something.” Winnie looked at her with a puzzled glance from across the dimly light room. “You don’t know what I owe you do I? You don’t have the smallest idea?” Loretta said, starting to get emotional, but Winnie couldn’t tell if it was anger or sadness. “I owe you an apology,” she said quietly, as though she had rarely ever said this.

 Winnie couldn’t believe her ears. It was the queen apologizing to her! Now any normal, average girl would have sulked up this moment and brought more drama and emotion to it than necessary but Winnie knew better than that, so she just gave a small nod, showing that she was listening and she wanted her to continue, but not in a rude way.

 “I’m sorry…” she said, but she couldn’t seem to finish.

 “For what?” Winnie asked, not regarding the rudeness to her questions.

 “For not standing up for you. I know you probably know,” Winnie took a hard gulp, in fear that Loretta knew about her little secret of being in the kitchen when Liz stood up for her.

 When Winnie didn’t say anything, Loretta continued, “I apologize for not sticking up for you. I’m sure Liz gave you the whole story.”

 “Yes, ma’am, she did,” Winnie said politely, trying to give back all the respect that she was receiving from Queen Loretta.

 “Well, I had known about his plans to keep you longer than necessary, but I had not said anything, letting him go on with the wrong doings. I should have stopped him, and I have failed to be a good queen. I am so sorry. I should have done something…” Loretta said, starting to cry slightly.

 “Queen Loretta,” Winnie said, walking toward her, and opening her arms to her for a hug, which was accepted. Winnie couldn’t shake the feeling of how wrong this was, but she wasn’t going to let the queen cry in front of her without comforting her.

 “It’s ok,” Winnie said softly.

 “No, Winnie, it’s not ok. You don’t understand. I should have fulfilled my job as the queen, and not letting things go wrong. I hold a high position in this castle and-”

 “Excuse my interruption but you do a fine job, Queen Loretta, and you must not cry now, for you are departing soon.” With a sniffle, Loretta had brought herself back together. “You’re right,” she said, “I do need to ready myself.”