For Crowns Sake

Welcome to Royalty

Life hadn't always been kind to Elizabeth. The daughter of a poor young mother who had fought illness for years before her passing, Elizabeth was only four at the time and was fortunate enough to have been approached by a distant member of the royal family. She wasn't wealthy but she did live comfortably and Elizabeth knew her fate if Meredith hadn't taken her into her home. Appreciative for Meredith's efforts to help her succeed Elizabeth did anything she asked of her. Meredith's last request while Elizabeth still lived at home was for her to marry Meredith's nephew who was next in line for the crown. Elizabeth shrugged it off for a while, fearing the idea of being a wife to what would one day be the king. What if she did something wrong. Reluctantly, Elizabeth agreed and Meredith began the collaboration with the king to plan a ceremony. It was a hot day in the spring when Elizabeth was to meet with a tutor in the courtyard of what would soon be her home. Meredith was inside discussing details of the big day ahead, while Elizabeth began being taught how to be prim and proper. The tutor had gone over the lesson and then looked at Elizabeth up and down. "You must put on some weight, as a member of the royal family especially one now so sought after, the sign that you're eating well will show as a sign of significant wealth." She spoke slowly looking at Elizabeth who looked perplexed. "I have to be fat?" She asked, the tutor smiled and looked down. "Not necessarily fat. You just have to be a little bit bigger. Although fat would really get the point across." She said as she stood up to leave. Elizabeth stood up quickly to escort her to the gate. "No, no unnecessary movements. Put on some weight before the wedding next week." She smiled as she left. Elizabeth sat back down. She thought long and hard about if this is something she could do. Meredith came outside and sat down on the bench beside her. "Did she speak to you about your body?" She asked looking down at her dress. "Yes, you knew?" She asked looking at her bitterly. "Please, Elizabeth? It's too late to back out, besides you're going to be beloved by our country it's worth it, you'll be very comfortable." She said as she stood up. That night Elizabeth laid in bed trying to fall asleep but to no avail. Meredith walked into her room with a large tray of sweets. "Where did you get that?" Elizabeth asked nervously. "Well the king had his chefs prepare anything you'd like and I know you enjoy these quite a bit." She smiled setting the tray on Elizabeth's lap. "I don't want them." She said turning her head. "Please, Elizabeth. You're a very lucky girl! You could be on the streets right now being sold to anybody for a night just to rent a bed, with no food in your belly. Eat the food, Elizabeth!" She said angrily. Elizabeth didn't upset Meredith often, she always knew Meredith was right and had her best interest at heart. Meredith sat and watched as she ate the food and she endured Elizabeth didn't leave a single pastry on the tray. She felt sick, Meredith laid her down and rubbed her swollen belly. "Good job! Before you know it you'll be married to Prince George and it'll all be worth it!" She said as she blew out Elizabeth's bedroom candle and left. That next morning Elizabeth felt awful she had never been so sick in her life, as she reached the dining room, she could smell all sorts of different smells. Instead of their normal porridge and eggs there was an array of meats and breads as well. She rolled her eyes as she took a seat. Meredith sat across from her as she watched her plate be set before her. Elizabeth glared at Meredith. "I'm not hungry." She said angrily as she attempted to get up. "No! You will eat or you'll be sorry." She said as she looked over to a servant by the door who was holding a whip. She gasped and sat there staring at her food. After a thirty minute wait time she finally began to eat her breakfast. In fear, she ate every last bite. Each meal followed the same pattern. She felt beyond sick for the next several days. Once the day came for the wedding ceremony she felt absolutely sick, she looked in the mirror and saw that she was definitely softer and fuller than before. When the ceremony ended, George couldn't make eye contact with her. She wondered why. He looked over her body but never in her eyes. The day went by quickly with festivities in their honor. And later that night when the party had ended they were then to begin spending their nights together.