Aideen's Answer

~Chapter Five~

Aideen floated home on a cloud, barely noticing returning to the castle. She went up to her room and sat at her dressing table, staring dreamily into space.  Kevin and his romantic poem occupied her thoughts fully.

A knock at the door startled her so much that her head nearly went through the ceiling. Shaking her head at her own foolishness, she went to the door and opened it. Before her stood a smiling Dilly, her mothers personal handmaiden.

"Why, hello, Dilly!"

Dilly curtsied and smiled, "Greetings, madam. Your mother asked me to inform you that she and the king will not be in attendance for supper tonight. They had an urgent matter to attend to. Also, she wished for me to give you this."

Dilly produced small white envelope from in her apron pocket and handed it to Aideen. With that, she curtsied once again and hurried off.

"Thank you, Dilly!" Aideen called after her.

'Wonderful woman, even if she is a bit strange,' Aideen thought. 'Oh well, she does her job and does it well. Mother certainly adores her!'

She shut the door with her foot and turn back to her dressing table. Aideen lowered herself onto the stool and opened the letter.
My dearest Aideen,
I am sure Dilly told you my message. Your father had urgent business on the South side of the kingdom. Nothing too serious, we shall be back within a day or two. Your father made sure to leave a message for your brothers as well. I did not have a chance to inform you before we left that your cousin, Samantha, is due to arrive for a visit tomorrow. We only just received word of her impending arrival. Due to our absence, I wish for you to prepare her chambers for lengthy visit. She may be staying several weeks. Welcome her with the same hospitality as we would. I leave her in your capable hands.
                           All my Love, Mother

Aideen stared at the letter in her hands for a full minute before she let out an ear splitting shriek and began jumping up and down.

"Eeeee! Oh my! I-I-I can't BELIEVE this! Oooooh she is doing it! She is finally coming back! Eeeeeekk!"

This went on for quite some time before she finally came to her senses and calmed down.

"Regan!" Aideen called out, "Regan?"

She heard footsteps hurrying towards her door right before it opened.

"Yes, madam?"

"Regan! Oh Regan! I have the most joyous news! She is coming! Samantha is coming! We must prepare! Immediately! What are you waiting for?" Aideen was so thrilled all that she wanted to say seemed to come out in one breath.

"And what exactly would you like done?" Regan asked calmly.

"Oh. Well, um, I suppose I had not yet thought of that, Regan."

"Miss Samantha has previously rested in the west wing, has she not? Were those chambers to her liking?"

"Oh yes! Wonderful idea Regan. I like that, yes. Could you please round up, say, five servants, to air out the room and clean it thoroughly? I would also like some of the nicer quilts and drapes brought out and aired, specifically for her."

And so her day went. She inspected the room, had things brought from the attic and aired out, and made sure the room was meticulously clean. By the time she deemed it perfect, the navy and gold bedroom was sparkling.

Aideen realized with a start that the day was almost past. She rushed her room to freshen up and prepare to dine with her brothers.

She made her way downstairs and entered the dining room just behind Mitchell. The two shared a smile then turned to greet the twins.