The grass ruffled slightly upon the impact from my feet grazing through. The wind was cold and insistent. But nothing pestered me more than my company at present.
As expected, the Duke had infact managed to call upon me the next morning itself. And it was not going any good, as I expected it to be. We were promenading in the Royal Gardens and the Duke couldn't stop praises of the grounds, hoe expansive the lawns, how stately the hedgerows, how magnifiecint the palace. Talking to him was like talking to a voracious box of gold.
"The palace certainly sparks out great wealth, indeed." The Duke of Dunwell spoke behind me. "If should offer all of you luxury beyond words, ofcourse?"
"Indeed it does. But we should be grounded in the fact that this belongs to the nation, not us." I replied. "And it will be put to use if necessary."
The Duke chuckled. "Nation's? Are you quite serious, Amber. All of these estates were passed down for our benefit. The people have themselves to look after."
"Whatever should you mean?" I asked with a sneer look.
"The Crown provides security, unity and ranks to the people. Land for commoners to live on. Perform their buisnesses and earn money. Are we supposed to sell our silk if there's a village dying of hunger due to their own misguided notions? A duty they most utterly failed to do?" He smirked.
"Yes. That is what we as fortunate citizens should be doing. Giving out some metres of silk that so lavishly drapes our standing or anything for that matter should not affect us much." I talked back.
The Duke looked visibly uncomfortable at my comment. "Amber, this topic should not be something we should be discussing at present. Perhaps we might steer this conversation?"
"Perhaps we should. Might I talk about how low of self-esteem you carry on and about? You didn't think twice about your standing when I approached you at yester night's soirèe. Are you so in debt with your moneylenders that you couldn't muster up to deny a Princess's hand that basically disrespected you at your own ball?"
I rasped diligently.
"I do not enjoy your tone or your words, Amber." He said quietly, probably embarrassed at my confrontation.
"You should mean, 'Your Royal Highness' do you not? And I don't enjoy you tone or words either. And if money is what you need solely from this union which seems like the truth. It makes rather sad to inform you that I possess no funds or dowry for you to spare. And you shall not even if I did."
A heavy pause settled between us, the air taut with unsaid truths. The Duke's jaw tightened , though he no longer dared to meet my gaze.
"You wound me incessently, Amber. If you think you can wager through with such temparament and find a husband, you are very mistaken." He vexed.
"I can take care of myself." I replied, my voice calm and collected. "Clara, please instruct and show His Grace the exit to the palace. He need not come here again."
I turned around without any other note, all to pleased to never have to see him again. Although, I wonder how the Queen would react when she gets to know the interruption in wedding arrangements.
I spent the next hour or two in the Gardens itself, tending to my Viper. He was welcoming today, perhaps because he noticed I was alone and by myself. He easily travelled from just my wrist up to my arm and around my shoulder. He was still very young in my eyes, even if it had grown several feet since I bought him to his new home.
The story of how I got him was bifurgated into two. One truth that only I knew and other a lie that everyone was told about. Everyone thought I had captured him from the wilderness of our estate in the country but the reality was that he was that had chosen me during one of my visits to Evendon when I was one and twenty. He was a baby and very young then, who clung himself to my hand. As any normal person, I was terrified to even come close to him. What if it was venomous? I'd ask in the beginning. But he did not leave my side. After warming up to him, he was in my rucksack travelling to his new home.
I was never a animal adorer really, but I had my phases. Owning a snake and a beautiful Horse in the stables contributed greatly. But nothing ever compared to the small puppy I used to adore when I was in leading strings. She was infact gifted to me by His Majesty, perhaps the only time when he acted paternal and showed any care for me. When I lost her, I do not really remember but I still do mourn her death.
Getting lost in thought should become the speciality of my person, since I unravel myself so deep into it that I forget someone's presence lingering.
"Your Highness." Clara said. "Her Majesty is asking for you. Seems as if the latest news has reached her ears."
"Oh." I chuckled. "The Duke couldn't resist complaning to his dear Mama so soon?"
While walking through the palace to get to the wing of the Queen's residence, I replayed the recuuring sentences in my mind to mentally prepare my mind to take on another good hearing. What new could the Queen say this time? Probably nothing of note.
"Ahh! If it's not the greatest disapointment of my being." She had a smile that could cross oceans.
"Your Majesty." I curtisied. "You asked for me?"
"I asked so much more than just your presence, Amber. You have successfully rejected yet another prospect for yourself. And disrespectfully so this time." She said ghastly. "I'm at failure of words to say anything at all to you! What do you want to do, be a spinster for the rest of your life?"
Yes. If I had the choice.
"Might I remind you that if it wasn't for your rank or title, you would have none of suitors that you so blatantly play with!" The Queen rasped. "Seriously, what do you wish to do with your life?"
I was tempted to speak the truth that my mind then and there. But for my life's sake I couldn't say anything treasonous. And suddenly so, I remembered Clara's words.
"You can use the Crown Princess as a shield. Not only for yourself but for her future as well. A decision that would grant you and her happiness instead of burden."
Happiness was out of question for me at all. The moment I would be updated as someone's wife, it would suck out all last dregs of anything close to happiness from me. It could be richest or the most generous man on Earth and I would consider him a burden no less. As much I wanted to act as if my actions didn't matter at all, it would. And the person who would have to suffer from it would be Ruby. The Ton would make sure of it. I had to come up with something that would offer me my freedom and Ruby's security.
"Don't you think..." I started to speak with no script. "For my rank...I deserve someone more...um...rich?" Oh Lord, I was so bad at this.
The Queen frowned. "What are you talking about?"
I breathed and started speaking as if my life depended on it. "I am a Princess after all, Your Majesty. Do you want me to adjust with a Duke or an Earl? Heavens, I cannot imagine doing so." I rolled my eyes.
"What is the meaning of this?"
"Getting married to someone of my rank would bring me satisfaction, Your Majesty. And would that not attract a line of fantastic suitors for Ruby to choose from?" I said eagerly, mustering up a small smile.
The Queen needed so much explaination, it hurt my soul, really. "Get me a Prince. With a Palace and all the riches. He should be the eldest child and should inherit the throne one day."
She looked at me as I had just demanded for her life. Such was my target, no one really could fulfill it. "You are asking as if it's some toy or a new dress, Amber. That is impossible."
I gave the Queen a sneer look, full of judgement. "If you wish to see me married and avoid seeing me as a spinster, Your Majesty, you will search for some such suitor. This will ensure for both of our satisfaction, will it not?"
The chamber fell silent, save for the faint rustle of her gown as she shifted in her seat. A flicker of irritation crossed her face, though swiftly masked by the elegance she carried as an armor. "I shall see into it. Only for Ruby's sake."
"Then we finally come into an agreement." I smirked.
I had nothing else to say to the Queen, so I left her chamber to spare the both of us from the displeasure our company. I stalked down away from her wing quite hastily.
"What do you think, Clara? Did I do justice to your advice?" I asked as she basically ran behind me, trying to catch up.
"Um...I don't think I quite understood what transpired back there." She said.
"It is simple, Clara." I stopped midway and faced her. "My request is almost impossible to complete. There's nary a prince out there who is eligible for marriage. Atleast if they aren't half a century old. And the next obstacle would be being the eldest to the throne. It is unattainable in every sense. Rest assured for Ruby, I would make up some story about wanting true love or some such thing as a reason for the delay."
"That's quite some thinking, Your Highness." Clara smiled hesitantly.
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