Partial Royalty

CHAPTER 3

After 8 years of a beautiful friendship...

Mother was dressed beautifully today, as per usual and I, no different-wore elegance which proclaimed us royalty.

I propel myself from the car seat and turned to my mother who had been looking out the window for the majority of the trip. We were on our way to Aledrinna. Queen Amber invited mother for another silly tea party of theirs. Women and their tea, seriously? What's so great about it? Being close to the Queen of Aledrinna had ensured me more respect and attention than was accorded to most nobles.

Anyhow, even if she doesn't tell me, I know that underlying motive as to why she had accepted that invitation. I had become more and more speculative, perhaps because I had every reason to, consider the practice, I dare say. Mother might not realize it yet, but she apparently is becoming very predictable. Amelia would be there which is why she did accept it. Even a blind man can tell she took a liking to her.

The gravel groan beneath the wheels of the car, then it stops right in front of a tall iron gate in which it had opened by itself right before our eyes. Then an ominous castle appeared before us, there were no plants whatsoever, not a single fountain at all or beautiful sculptures even, just a disappointing pile of dried leaves, undergrowth and branches. I'm no design connoisseur, but heavens, that's just...unfitting.

Mother helped herself out of the car and I trailed behind her clinging into her arm for dear life.

"Come now, darling." She smiled, but I was honestly terrified to even take a single step into that...that building. I pulled her back, but she had only tugged me closer to her and went anyway.

The double doors had open, revealing the interiors of this horrid place. Inside was a splash of red and black. A grand piano sitting at the center for some odd reason, long wide flight of stairs that lead to the second story, a silver chandelier speckled with black and adorned with bright red rubies. Silk red curtains hang by the stained glass windows.

Then I heard the clacking sounds of heels against marble from the top the flight of the staircase, and as expected, the Queen appeared in an obnoxious light. She had awaited us, well more specifically, my mother. She strutted all her way downstairs and I couldn't be more frightened. I breathed a sigh of relief when Amelia peeked through the left pole upstairs. She wore a tiara, a pink dress and had white gloves on. She looked like a princess, although she really is one. She signed to me, motioning me over. Before I left I bow to the Queen and she curtsied.

"Boo!" she said while raising both of her hands.

"Real funny, kid!"

"Hello Jasper,"

"Greetings Amelia."

"I want to show you something, close your eyes." She held my wrist and I closed my eyes.

Meanwhile..

In my fourteen years of existence, I had never seen a room quite as messy as this. Dresses scattered all over the floor, the bed is undone, and pillows ripped off- lots and lots of feathers around the place. I no doubt surmise that Amelia was better at this job than anyone else I know.

"How on earth could you possibly sleep here? You call this a bedroom?"

Amelia craned her neck towards me and said: "I sleep on the floors remember?"

"Where exactly? Your dresses are all over the place."

"Not here silly, there!" She pointed at one corner of the room and my eyes trailed at the direction. A small fort assembled with pillows, adorned by blankets and ribbons. How could I miss that? It was right there. I probably got too caught up by the mess in front of me.