Author's Note: There are nine chapters in all. Tim413413 and I edit one every couple of days. Tim uses three colors to identify my errors. The first draft always comes back looking like Joseph's technicolor dreamcoat. I really should have paid more attention to English in school.
*****
I entered the throne room with a terrible intent. I ignored the gathered court, and concentrated on the scene before me. Alia was standing before the throne, alone. 'She would be alone no more,' I thought as I moved quickly to intercede. It was Angelica who stopped me. She was off to the side, and signaled for me to hold, giving me a knowing smile. I slowed to a stop and watched in confusion.
"You agree with all the crown offers?" my father asked in his omnipotent voice.
"Yes, your Highness," Alia answered. I could hear the confusion in her voice. My father smiled and addressed the court.
"Let it be known, from this day forward, Lady Alia Targot is our ward. To be considered our blood family, and carries with her our love and devotion." The court applauded, and Alia curtsied to the king. I stood dumbfounded, sweating profusely in my inappropriate attire.
Angelica gathered a stunned Alia from the front of the throne as the court began to disassemble. My father approached me with a grin of state on his face.
"Did you not have time to change, Prince?" my father queried as he moved among the court.
"I was not aware court would be held today, Sire" I replied, trying not to sound too out of sorts.
"Your mother deemed it necessary," my father said to the growing throng, "Lady Alia has been so instrumental in your bride's acclimation, your mother thought it necessary she join the court. I could not have agreed more. The princess was overjoyed." There were volumes of information for me in that statement. An agreement had been set between my parents and me.
"We missed the queen, your Highness," a courtier said, joining the conversation. I was sure others had noticed as well. My father turned to him.
"Alas, Reginald, the queen has taken ill. Nothing serious, mind you," my father spoke easily, "she did not wish to risk it spreading. Even I am to stay away, though I suspect she will recover soon." The last part was directed to me, although he was addressing Reginald.
"I hope you will convey our best wishes, your Highness," Reginald added formally. The king nodded and turned toward me.
"I should look in on Mother, Sire," I said quickly.
"The love of her only child would do more than all the physickers combined," my father smiled at me, "of course, you may want to bathe first." The gathered court snickered at my expense. I could only grin and accept the jibe.
"I will be off at once, Sire," I said, with a courtly bow. There was relief in my father's eyes, although I was the only one who recognized it.
I raced after Alia and found her with Angelica, traveling the hall toward the Douderson suite of rooms. It was a bold risk, but my heart could not wait.
"You will not leave me now?" I begged quietly. Angelica turned away from the conversation.
"I thought you would leave me," Alia responded, her confusion was still evident.
"My mother has fixed it." I ran my hand along her hair, such beautiful curls. "I was ready to run with you last night. I would have left it all to be with you." I saw Alia's eyes swell so I pulled her to me. I heard Angelica cough in warning. I pushed Alia gently away; the hallway was not the place.
"I must see my mother," I said quietly, "I said terrible things that wounded her greatly. I fear I let my anger lead me astray." Alia smiled at me, and my heart filled.
"I will see you tonight, my love," Alia whispered. There was everything in those words. Angelica took Alia's hand, and gave me a sly smile.
"You should bathe first, my Prince," Angelica said. Alia giggled her agreement and they moved off, hand in hand. My future wife and my love. It was indeed a strange family I was building.
<<<<<>>>>>
I, clean and calm, entered my mother's room. I had said things I now regretted, and could only hope I had not gone too far. I did not immediately find her, the curtains were all drawn, and the sitting room was dark. I feared she may had retired early.
"I was a stupid woman," my mother's voice came weakly from a dark chair in the corner. My own words had hurt me badly.
"And I a stupid son," I said as I moved toward a chair near hers.
"I was vain," my mother continued, "I did not want you to love a maid so."
"You made her a lady," I offered as I sat close.
"She is more a lady than I," my mother said sadly, "I chose not to see it, and, instead, damaged it greatly. I am ashamed, and I lost my son in the doing of it." I could tell she was crying, though she hid it from her voice. I had done great damage.
"You have not lost me," I said, "I only hope you can forgive my words. It was my broken heart screaming last night."
"You do not hate me, then?" my mother asked. My eyes teared as I fully comprehended the pain I had imparted last night. I dropped to my knees before her and laid my head in her lap.
"Only love," I said as her hand caressed my head. I had been here many years before, a young boy seeking solace from his travails. We needed to return to that, if only for a moment. She would always be my mother.
"I did not know about Angelica," my mother said in a way of an apology, "I suppose this Mylle is special to her?"
"Yes, very special," I answered.
"I understand more of what you two have done," my mother confessed, "I will support it, as will your father, but it is a strange thing."
"It is that," I said.
"Will you bring Alia and Angelica to tea tomorrow?" my mother asked, "I wish to discuss things and make amends. I could see to some of the practicalities of this union. Mayhap ease your burden."
"I would like nothing better," I answered truthfully. A queen could see to things unquestionably. My mother urged me to my feet and stood by my side.
"None of what I did was meant to hurt," my mother said, "I was blinded by what I thought was best for you. I had it wrong, so very wrong." I hugged her then. It was good to feel her love again.
"Father seems to think you do not wish to see him," I said. Mother broke from me, and opened the curtains. I could see she had not taken care of herself this morning. It was rare to see her so disheveled.
"Ah, yes," my mother thought out loud, "anger and shame make you say things you wish you had not." I nodded, not wishing to rehash my ignorance. She cradled my face in her hands and kissed my forehead. "You tell your father to come see me," a sly smile formed on her face, "tell him I wish to have a long talk with him."
I found Father conversing with a mason. One of the flanking towers was showing signs of weather wear. The discussion was regarding how best to make the repairs without bringing down the whole structure.
"The queen is feeling better, Sire," I said formally, since others were present. My father smiled and nodded. He went back to his discussions. I turned to walk away, and remembered my mother's words. "She wishes to have a long talk with you," I added, looking back. My father's face brightened.
"We will return to this on the morrow," my father said quickly. The discussion was over in a flurry of bows the king did not slow to watch. He was off with a silly grin on his face. It hit me then, my mother had used me to set up a dalliance. Images came unbidden to my mind, and I forced them away. I would just have to assume my father would accept the apology.
<<<<<>>>>>
Happiness has many definitions. To some, it was measured in wine, women and song. In others, the pursuit of one's dreams. To Alia, it was sitting at the main table. Angelica sat between us, a good thing since my groping would have given us away. Alia wore a new dress, something from Angelica's wardrobe I assumed. It was a soft pink, trimmed by a flowery twirl the color of brass. The sleeves flared out wildly, almost forming wings. The sides were cinched by darker pink lace ending in bows at her hips, the trailing ends flowing to the floor. It was an overwhelming visage enhanced by her unbidden smile.
I spent most of the dinner watching Alia. Angelica would intercede, to maintain our illusion, but my eyes always traveled back to Alia when they could. There were small white daisies weaved into her curls, and they danced when she moved her head. My mother made it a point to talk with her, and pull her into other conversations.
"Can you look any more smitten?" Angelica whispered. My eyes snapped to hers, my mind now aware.
"She is so happy," I quietly replied. Angelica smiled and kicked my leg under the table. I laughed at her sister-like maneuver.
"Will you take me riding tomorrow, my Prince?" Angelica asked in a less quiet manner. I would have preferred spending the day with Alia. My duties would not allow it at this time. My bride would need my attention.
"Of course, I look forward to it, my Princess," I answered brightly, "I believe I owe you a contest, one a little more fair than the first."
"Was the contest not fair the first time?" King Toric asked, interjecting himself.
