18 Four Country Tour

The King walks towards the princess and then stand next to her. His eyes find yours and you see only pain. He then quickly reverts his eyes back to the crowd.

"My dear Ladies, it's with great honor that I announce our new Ladies in waiting. Please step forward when your name is called

"Lady Anabel" Everyone gives a round of applause. She steps forward.

You whisper to Kendra"I thought I was the only one?"

"Yes, I thought so too?"

"Lady Elizabeth" You see the King smiling and nodding but the emotion in his eyes are dead.

"...and of course....Lady Winters"

(...of course...what does that mean?)

You see the King's hands turning into fists as he looks at you, trying to control his emotions. You step forward.

"Congratulations Ladies and welcome to the court!" The crowd gives another round of applause.

"King James, if you don't mind saying a welcoming word?" The princess looks at him.

"With pleasure, princess" Everyone bows as he steps forward. "Ladies of the court. It will be a great honor to serve alongside you, to look after our great country of Monoca. May this time in court be fruitful to you and may you uphold our country's beautiful name"

The crowd applauds the King. He holds up a hand, waving. He then locks eyes with you and you see his affection for you, gazing at you. Your heart almost break, not being able to stand next to him and let his hand envelop yours.

"Thank you, your Highness." The princess bows before him and he nods.

"Now Ladies, your first order of business as Ladies of the court, will be, to accompany us on your four-country tour!"

The crowd goes wild and you stand in stock your eyes dart to the King. He looks bewildered.

(What?)

"We're leaving tomorrow morning first thing, so pack your bags and join us!" The princess smiles.

Once again they're applauding and cheering. The ladies are giggling and excited. You stand out like a sore thumb not giving the correct facial expression for the exciting news. You turn around and look at Kendra, who is in as much shock as you are. Then you look at the King, he leans in towards the princess and whisper something to her.

"We want to thank the King for gracing us with his presence but sadly he has to leave us now"

Everyone bows and he gives you one last look. You see frustration crossing his eyes. You give him a smile and you see the corner of his mouth lifting briefly. He turns around and leaves the room. It feels as if your heart left with him.

"Ladies, please join me for lunch!" All the ladies find their seats. You almost run to Kendra.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! What happened just now??" You whisper to Kendra

"Well, it looks like you're going on a tour....a four-country tour...with the Princess and the King..."

"What am I going to do? We're suppose to keep our distance...this is going to be impossible"

"Don't look now, but-"

Lady Denise comes walking up to you "Well, hello there dearies"

"Good afternoon, Lady Nottingham. How are you this afternoon?" You try to keep as much sarcasm as you can out of your voice.

"Very good Ladies, thank you for asking. So you're joining our little Ladies in waiting club?"

"It seems that way, yes"

"You must be very excited....Oh, Lady Benette, so sorry you won't be joining us. You must be feeling so left out"

Kendra comments "Yes, Lady Nottingham, that exactly the words that I would use to describe the feeling I'm feeling right now" You cough hiding a laugh behind it.

"Well....Ladies....it seems you settled in nicely. I'll go and do my rounds. You girls have a nice afternoon" She turns and you giggle as she leaves.

"I can't stand that woman" Kendra smirks

"I swear she has a carrot up her....you know what, or maybe it's the princess that's up there" Kendra almost burst out laughing so loud that everyone can hear her. You cover her mouth.

"Honey, I'm going to miss you when you're gone"

"I know, I wish you could come with me"

"I know, me too. Looks like you're going to have to make friends with the "Ladies"

"Who do you think I should target, they all look so stuck up-"

Lady Anabel comes to greet you "Forgive me for interrupting, I just want to meet you in person, Lady Winters. It seems we're going to be prisoners together" You and Kendra look at each other and smile. Then you stand up and shake her hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Anabel. I'm sure we're going to get along just fine. So you were summons too?"

"Oh yes, she invites me for tea, and then the next minute I'm a Lady in waiting. Don't get me wrong, I'm very excited to be one, I just want to know why she picked me, you know?"

"Yes, you know, that's what's also bothering me" Sarcasm was never so true in that sentence. You carry on chatting with her and she seems like a very nice person. You eat your lunch and you watch the princess closely.

"I'm sure she up to something. I guess I will find out on this tour?"

"This will give you a lot of time to really get to know the princess. I really wish I could go with you. I'm going to miss so much" Kendra looks sad

"I'm sure Lord Harrison will miss you even more"

You finish your lunch party and head home. You start to pack for your trip and you organize that the winery will go on without you being there. Luckily the business was running long before your parents were alive. You wake the next morning and get dressed. Kendra meet you outside. She offered to take you to the train station.

"Oh god, I don't know if I'm ready for this"

"The King will be there, I'm sure he wouldn't let you go through this alone?"

"We can't be seen together. We must keep our distance"

"Okay, but you do have Lady Anabel?"

"I'm going to miss you..." You hug each other. Soon, you arrive at the station and the train is waiting for the passengers. It's still dark outside. You get all your luggage and get on the train. You give Kendra a hug and they show you to your compartment.

"Thank you" They put the luggage down and close the door behind them.

(So this is the place I will be for an entire month. I better get used to living like this)

There's a knock on the door and a note is pushed through. You take the note and read it:

Lady Winters,

Breakfast will be served in the dining car at exactly eight o'clock. Your presence is required.

Regards

Your Royal Highness

Princess Catherine of Monoca

END

(I'm not even on the train yet and she's already ordering me around. This going to be a very long long trip...)

You put the note down on the table and fall down on your bed.

(I wonder if he's okay? I miss his touch, I miss his voice and his gentle nature. I miss him....)