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Prom, Final Day (Gardens) |
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[Read Jacob's first please smile ]
We talk, as usual. I never could remember of what exactly we ever spoke...our conversation has always been so nice in itself that the subject is meaningless. Hours fly by, and before we know it, dawn is here again.
"Well, Isabella, dear," Edward sighs, looking at the lightening sky. "I guess this is goodbye." He looks so forlorn that I almost can't bear to leave him.
"But Your Majesty," I laugh, "I'm not leaving forever." Again speaking the very sentence is like a stab to my heart.
"All the same." He hesitates, and then he draws me in close.
I am surprised, but I stay calm and nestle into his embrace. Suddenly, however, I feel his body stiffen. Nervously I turn my face up just a bit.
"Is something wrong?"
My heart skips a beat, then starts pounding double-time. His face displays three expressions in rapid succession: surprise, horror...and then a terrifying anger.
I pull back quickly, but he won't let me go. "What is it? What's wrong?" I gasp, hoping desperately that I might explain myself.
"Your roots are showing, Alisyn, dear," he growls, and I choke at the terrible ugliness in his voice. I haven't had any time to re-dye my hair with all these late nights, but I had thought I would have been okay.
"My hair--I didn't--natural--" I stutter, but I know there's no explaining this. The green eyes were close enough...but pink roots? A dead give-a-way.
"I should have known there would never be anyone else like you," he nearly yells, but his voice is still a whisper. "I should've known you were one-of-a-kind--I can't replace you! But I wanted--" he stops abruptly, and I cease struggling for a bit. What is he saying?
"I won't make the same mistake again," he mutters ominously. "It is off to the dungeons for you, 'Lady Isabella.'" He spits over me, onto the ground. "Did your beloved sister help you? Did Lord Philip come with you?"
I am trembling with fear and I try to pull away again, but his grip is tight on my arms. We are locked in a monstrous embrace.
I sob, out of stress and this sudden, horrible turn of events. Was I really so happy ten minutes ago?
"You had better tell me. Princess Momo is carefully guarded by only my most loyal supporters."
I gasp at the insinuation. "You could not hurt her--your own daughter--a princess!" The first tear falls. I know I should control myself, but I cannot. If I believe that he can be so cruel than my life will surely lose all color.
"Anyone can be hanged for treason," he whispers, barely audible. My heart sinks. No, no, no, no, no.
"So this other new noble...wasn't his name Lord Andrew? I wonder if he also came from Wesley."
"I know it looks that way, Edward," I say quickly, throwing away all pretense. He flinches at the use of his name and my pleading tone. "But I would not involve them in something so dangerous. I came alone, I swear it!"
"Do you swear your sacred word as a Queen?"
I open my mouth; I must. And yet I cannot. I cannot give my word.
He turns me around, holding me to him and covering my mouth. "So you lie to me as well. That will be added to your list of charges. Keep stepping out of line, Alisyn. You're pulling up a very nice, long list."
He takes me back into the ballroom, completely deserted. Even the servants have already finished cleaning and are resting this morning. I think with worry that Lord Philip will be waiting for me at the garden exit that leads away from the palace. I hope he will not do anything rash. I hope he will not go looking for me.
One last tear falls on Edward's hand. I blink furiously, ashamed to have shown so much weakness. I must act the Queen from now on.
Finally the King and I arrive at the dungeons. The guard's eyes widen at the sight of the King holding a young lady like an apprehended assassin. Which, to my shock, is exactly how Edward paints me.
"Find Lady Alice, and the newly arrived noble--Lord Andrew. They and this assassin are likely together in a plot against me."
My emerald eyes widen at this fabrication. He knows I would never, ever even dream of committing regicide. The very thought is abominable.
The guard nods, but Edward shoves me forward before he can leave. "First, take her to a cell."
The guard takes me by the wrists, and I gather my dignity, though I am obviously disheveled.
"You cannot do this to me!" I command imperiously. "I am the Queen!"
The guard, shocked, very nearly lets go of me when he realizes he is violating that sacred rule, that the body of an anointed Queen is not to be touched. But he has his instructions, and Edward is already walking away. The King turns his head when I call.
"You gave up your power when you ran away. You are Queen no longer. And soon you shall no longer be my wife."
"How dare you say that. How dare you--" I summon all my queenly rage, and my bright eyes flash. But all for naught. The King is gone, and the only person left is the guard. He is as much a courtier as the rest of us, so his face is composed and he takes me calmly to a cell. I walk just as calmly. I cannot plead with him. I cannot scream, "You cannot believe him! I know you don't believe him!" I merely deny my feelings once again, and walk into my cell, coldly reminding my guard with my every action that I am every inch a Queen, now and forever.
 LadyAlisyn · Thu Jun 11, 2009 @ 02:51am · 1 Comments |
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