The Blue Queen

Chapter 12

I almost run when I hear the knock at the door after lunch. I have not been left alone all morning. Father and Elizabeth just remind me of their wishes before I get into the carriage. As I am driven away I pin the broach to my dress and I rest my head back, enjoying the quietness. All I hear is the sound of hooves and the occasional bird singing.

"We have arrived Miss." The driver says as the coach stops. I look over and Harry walks over happily and opens the door for me. I step out and he holds me, spinning me around and making me laugh.

"I know you said wait a few days but I couldn't." He says as he puts me down.

"No it was the right decision, the best decision. My father sprung back to life after getting the invitation. I have not been left alone for a minute since, I am beyond grateful you have given me this escape." I tell him.

"Why are they so excited?" he asks as we start walking together.

"They think you sent the invitation because my sister impressed you last time you met. They want you to fall in love with her at the ball so they need me to design her dress, make it and find out how to make you fall for her while I am here." I tell him.

"There is no chance of that happening, ever." Harry laughs.

"I know that." I laugh with him. "I just hope they do not blame me when the find that out for themselves." I confess.

"Well what do you want me to do? Lead her on?" He asks.

"No, that would hurt her. I just want you to give her a reason why you do not want her that is out of my control." I say.

"I could tell her I am promised to another." He says.

"That would work, but she would probably tell people. What if that puts other women off from approaching you?" I ask.

"That doesn't matter. You know the truth." He says. "You are the only one that needs to know the truth, for you are the one my heart is promised to."

"I only said I would marry you with my father's blessing. That is more unlikely than you waking up as a woman in the morning." I say as Harry leads me into the maze.

"I would have asked a thousand times over by now if I thought it was safe to do so." Harry says.

"My father would laugh at you, shout at you at worst. He wouldn't dare hurt you." I tell him as we turn through the maze.

"But he would hurt you." He says. "He joked about it when we had cake, saying you needed a smack every once in a while to work properly but he didn't want to damage you further." He says with an annoyed tone.

"He has never hurt me before." I say quietly, ignoring the hurt I feel.

"I want to keep it that way." Harry says with a sigh, taking my hand and leading me down a path to a dead end. "If I ever caused you pain I would never forgive myself. While I wish you did not have the respect for your family like you do I understand it; I want you to be happy and I see that to be happy your family has to be happy too." He says. "I believe you are the only one in that family that deserves happiness." He tells me honestly. I look down and turn to look away from him.

"I understand what you are telling me." I say. "Part of me completely agrees with you in all honestly. But my mother believed my colour at birth mattered, it is the only way I can honour her." I explain.

"Well, she was upset because she wanted what is best for you. Doesn't that mean that she would want you to have the best life you can?" He asks me. "Being happy would honour her then would it not?" He asks. I turn and look to him.