The Blue Queen

Chapter 6

The footman carries in our things before driving back to the palace. I start to separate what is who's so I can put the things in their respective rooms but Father stops me.

"We must talk, all of us." He says. Elizabeth yawns and nods, sitting down ungracefully. I put down the coat I was holding and I sit too, father sitting in front of us tiredly.

"First of all we do not tell anyone the true reason we had to spend the night, say we were invited as our house was a fair journey. Elizabeth, start writing to your suitor as to keep his interest. But the main reason I called this meeting is because I need to know exactly how close to the Prince you are Anna."  Father says seriously. Elizabeth sits up and sadness washes over me.

"We made polite small talk Father. That is all. I would hardly call us acquaintances. I would not be surprised if by now he has forgotten my name and simply calls me his shirt maker." I tell him.

"Good. It would be a shame if you caught his eye." Father says with a sigh of relief. It angers me slightly.

"Why is that father?" I ask, wanting to know what he meant. I understand why he may not like me much but it is truly hurtful now.

"Because you are not right for him; he is rebellious still however so it would not be good if he took a liking of you. It would be a shame for the country. You sister would have been much better but she has a suitor now and the Prince is most likely not happy with us." He explains, not letting the sadness wash away.

"Well it's a good thing he cares not for me." I say as I stand up. I take our belongings and sigh. "What would you like for lunch?" I ask so I do not have to see them again for a while.

"I am not hungry. Elizabeth?" Father asks.

"I am not hungry either. I shall not be eating until morning." Elisabeth says. Father hums in agreement and I put their things away. I put two loafs of bread in the oven and start sweeping all of the rooms, opening the windows to allow the old air out. I water my lavender bushes which have sprung to life and I get to mending clothes.

I assist my sister to bed before it is even dark and I hear my father snoring. I sigh; I honestly wish that I had more to do today. Elisabeth is not even asking me to clean for her.

"What was the Prince like?" She asks me as she climbs into her bed.

"He was alright; kind and listened happily but did not understand what I meant at times. Why?" I ask her as I draw her curtains.

"I wanted to see you talk about him. Father is right, it would be a shame if he liked you; I wanted to see if you liked him." She says. I give her a questioning look and she sits up. "The Prince is rebellious; if he liked you he may even marry someone like you. I just wanted to make sure you did not seem to like him for is something was to happen with you two it would truly put the country to shame." She says. Thankfully the room is dark and the slight light is behind me for tears start to roll down my face.

"Will that be all?" I ask her.

"Yes, goodnight." She says lying back down.

I run out and walk to the lavender bushes, calming myself down amongst the scent; I take the bread out of the oven and decide to finish unpacking my room to keep my sad brain occupied. Before I get to my room however there is a knock at the front door. I wipe the flour from my hands on my apron and I open the door.

"His Highness has sent these for you." The man at the door says. I bow slightly and look at the white horse behind him. I see the fine material which is folded neatly in a case and I nod.

"Yes, thank you." I say. He closes the case and passes it to me.

"When do you think you will be prepared to send some back miss?" The man asks. "I suggest soon miss, you will understand." He says quietly. I think for a second, it does not look like too much material.