Close to the Crown (On hold until 2021)

Chapter Eight (REWRITTEN AND EDITED)

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A/N:

THIS CHAPTER HAS BEEN REWRITTEN AND EDITED. This new version is completely different from the original, so I advise that you re-read every chapter marked 'rewritten and edited' as much of the story has changed.

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"And how many people are to be expected tonight?" My father questioned, leaning over the arm of his chair to retrieve the coffee cup that sat on the oak table.

"325, including everyone here presently," Elizabeth informed. "I initially had a list of 500, but Henry insisted I cut it down."

She looked over to her left, to glare at the King who was looking back at her in amusement.

"I'm sure everyone, apart from you, will agree with me when I say that inviting 500 people into our palace to celebrate the engagement would be far too chaotic, my love." The King told his wife, an amused grin on his face, "When you said you wanted to arrange the party, I expected maybe 150 guests at the most."

"150 guests is hardly a party, Henry!" The Queen shrieked, "We must give Lilliana and William a party fitting royalty, and that is what I had planned."

We were sat in the same sitting room that had been used for the press conference the day previous, except now the cameras had been moved, and the furniture was back to its usual position. My father was sat in an arm chair to the left of the fire place, where an oak table was placed between his chair, and the other arm chair, where William was sat. The King and Queen were sat on an elegant two seater chair, facing the fire place, at a right angle to William. Another pair of armchairs were facing the other two, where Adelaide and I were sat, with myself facing William.

It was 2pm, approximately five hours before the party, and I knew it would be a matter of minutes before the Queen demanded that we all began to get ready. We had all had lunch in the private dining room, just the six of us sat around the long rectangular table, that could comfortably sit at least 12 people.

"I'm sure it will be mother," William smiled fondly at the Queen. "If you have planned it, then it's going to be marvellous!"

Adelaide muttered something into my ear, which sounded something along the lines of 'suck up', causing me to chuckle quietly. This earned me a glare from my father, who still hadn't said two words to me since I had moved into the palace. This marriage would simply solidify his position as one of the most respectable and powerful nobles in the country. It didn't seem to occur to him that this marriage signed away my life for good- all plans I once had to become an English tutor had disappeared in a matter of minutes.

Despite William's words of comfort the previous day, I still have dubious about my father's love for me. If he really did care about me, like William had said, that surely I would be able to tell from the way he looked or spoke to me. However, as my father very rarely did speak to me, it was hard to deduce what he really thought about me. The only clue I really had was the frequent glares that I would receive, which hinted to me that he saw me as a burden, rather than a daughter he could be proud of.

I felt a firm kick on my leg, breaking me out of my thoughts. I glared up at William, who looked at me in almost pity, as if he knew that I was thinking. He shook his head, and then gracefully got to his feet.

"I'm afraid I have to go and do some work before I get ready for tonight's celebrations," He informed his parents.

The King nodded, "All right, Son. Go ahead, just don't leave getting ready too late. You mustn't be late to your own party."