The Sisters Of The Court

Chapter 13: Scarlett

I ushered her in seeing how upset she was and she sat down on my bed. We sat a few moments in awkward silence before she began talking. "I am engaged and we are getting married tomorrow." She said bluntly her eyes downcast. What? She's getting married? To who? I sat there dumbfounded as she continued talking. "I would like you to be a witness."  I was barely processing what she was saying. "Who?" I managed to blurt out. "The grand duke George." She said her voice barely above a whisper. "What? You barely know him for Christ's sake!" I rose to my feet towering over her I could see that she was on the verge of tears so I stoped yelling. "Fine. I'll do it only for you." I told her my voice back to normal. "Thank you." She said quietly and scurried out the door. Was she really this naive? Did she really love him? I pondered all of this information as I changed into my nightgown then all of a sudden a wave of nausea and dizziness overtook me and I had to rush to the bathroom. I felt like all my insides were turning inside out. And I leaned against the sink my chest heaving. What was the matter with me? Was that man who grabbed me doing something to make me ill in order to shut me up about something? I slipped into bed and into my dreams hoping I would feel recovered in the morning. I didn't. I woke up feeling more nauseous then I ever had in my entire life but I knew I had to go to that stupid wedding. I quickly got dressed and went down to the chapel. I was the last one there. Of course I am.  I couldn't focus on the ceremony my stomach felt so awful I was barely aware when it was over. I somehow was able to stumble to Alix's rooms. "I need to see a doctor." I said woozily and then I fainted. When I woke up I was in my own room with a strange man bustling about. I tried to sit up but dizziness overtook me again and I was forced to lay down. "What happened?" I said weakly my throat was so dry it felt like it was going to crack. "You fainted." He said non chalantly as if he didn't want to be here. "Well what's wrong with me then?" I asked with rising annoyance in my voice. "It seems you are with child." He says while packing up his bag. "What? That's impossible." Panic started rising up in me I can't be pregnant I'm not married this will ruin me. My child will be a bastard just like me. I have done the thing that I swore I would never do. I was so distraught I didn't even realize when he left. Then came a knock on the door. I swear to good gracious Alice if that's you. I think to myself as I swing open the door with a page stood behind it. "Her majesty requires your attendance at the ball tonight." Alix! How was I supposed to tell her she's my best friend. I can't do it I cannot face her.  Not today. "Tell her I am ill." I say calmly to the page but I'm reality I was barely keeping myself together. "It is mandatory." He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice and walked off. Darn it! What was I supposed to do now? I cannot keep it a secret forever. I need to find somehow to leave court. I was a bundle of nerves until finally it was time for the stupid ball that's apparently mandatory. Alix has never been like this to me nothing was ever mandatory especially when I was ill. I slowly walked down to the ball knowing full well that George would be There. As I walked down the hallway where I was grabbed I got chills down my spine. I was scared to death he was going to grab me again and shut me up this time. The guards were the same as last time and this time I gave them my invitation with a rueful smile and they said nothing. I walked in the grand double doors and I felt the room immediately tense up. Had I done something? I've just kept to myself for this entire time. I bowed to Nicholas and Alix as to show my respect for inviting me tonight. I was so nervous I almost stumbled over my two feet while trying to stand back up. Nicholas gave me an encouraging smile but Alix just frowned at me. We had only ever gotten into an argument once and I started it. As soon as this embarrassing moment was over I immediately set off to find George. I passed Alice and her new husband talking by the punch bowl and as soon as I came within two feet of them Alice shot me a dirty look. Great my life is a mess and everyone hates me. I scowl back at her she has no right to be judging me I can see her physically wince but I just keep walking. I didn't have time to fight with perfect Alice tonight. I found him sitting on the balcony alone in the night air. "We need to talk." I say to him boldly my heart is beating wildly and I'm already planning what I'm going to say. "There's nothing to talk about. You made that very clear the morning you kicked me out." He says calmly not even looking at me. "Something's come up." I say I can feel my temper rising at his inability to look at me. "It was nothing more than one night. A mistake." He turned to me and stood up I almost was as tall as him. I could see fury behind his eyes I looked over his shoulder and I saw Alice staring at me through the window but I honestly didn't care. "A mistake? That's all i was? You said that you were in love with me!" He laughed in my face. "You really think I meant that? Are you that stupid?" I could feel sadness rising up in my chest. He turned to leave but I grabbed onto his coat. "Please don't leave. I love you!" I thought I saw his eyes soften for a moment but then he ripped my hands from his coat. "I must go." He said to me with no emotion whatsoever. I sank down to my knees my dress all around me like a parachute. I sat there with shock and sadness until this stupid ball was over. As soon as Alix left I went after her and caught her in her apartments. "Your majesty." I said bowing low to her. "What do you want Scarlett?" She said with no emotion facing away from me. "I must retire from court for a few months." I said as softly as I could manage. "Are you pregnant?" She said to me. I was so taken aback by this I almost couldn't get a reply out. How did she know? "Y-yes" I stuttered out barely keeping myself together. "How dare you betray me like this!" She spins on her heel to face me and I can see tears welling up in her eyes. "What do you mean? I would never betray you!" I reached out to touch her arm but she snatched it away. "You think I don't see everything here?" She snapped. "You think I don't know you had an affair with MY husband?!" She paused trying to catch her breath. "Your majesty please." I say pleadingly. "Get out Scarlett." She says her back to me again I can hear her voice cracking. I bowed low and backed out of the room. I ran out into the hallway tears streaming down my face I saw Alice staring at me. God does she follow me everywhere? Once I got back to my room I quickly got dressed and got into bed. I cried
Myself to sleep that night I hadn't done that since I was six years old. The next morning I awoke to commotion from outside I pulled back the blinds and looked out. George was leaving.