The night was long, yet morning came no matter how long Amie closed her eyes. Her maid was quick to draw a bath while she remained in bed, wondering of how to handle her parents. Since Prince Thelmus" failed coronation, she had not met the king. When she went out into the city, only very few knew what she looked like, so she had let the entire situation roll by. Only when she introduced herself as Miss Krain, did many turn to stare and even greet politely. She then only realized that this matter between herself and the king was not over. Still, she had not the mind to tell her parents. She wondered why the king had yet to clarify their relationship. She had thought about it for long and come to the conclusion that there was more to this than she had thought. She was stupid to think getting out of the t.i.tle of King"s bethrothed would be easy."Miss, i"ve drawn you a bath. Come enter while it"s warm." her maid, Beth said. Amie nodded and got up slowly.
She stayed in the water till it cooled, her mind seemed to be somewhere else. Beth returned looking fl.u.s.tered.
"Miss.." she said and Amie frowned.
"Mrs. Grueveir is here... I overheard you and madam last night..." she started to say and amie got up from the watter abruptly.
"Who did she come with?" Amie asked.
"Her son and daughters." Beth answered. To this, Amie smiled softly, Beth could not figure out what her smile meant.
"Dress the part. You are following me to the palace." Amie said and Beth stiffened.
Down in the sitting room, Mrs. Krain sat blank faced, staring at her sister and her three children. She refused to be first to speak, making the children uncomfortable.
"Elaine, you still look beautiful as I remember." Mrs. Grueveir said.
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"You sent me a letter asking permission to come for a chat. Seeing as you have tried time without number to not meet me, I a.s.sume something must be the matter. Speak Gretel." Mrs. Krain went straight tot he point.
"You sound as though you do not wish me here." she frowned.
"I am busy as of late." Mrs. Krain answered.
"Planning your daughter"s marriage to the king? This is a family affair, Elaine. I am not even peeved that you did not inform me of your son"s rise to dukedom and now, your daughter"s betrothal to the King, yet you hold grudges." Mrs. Grueveir said, one could hear dissatisfaction in her voice.
"They say a daughter is like spilt water. What family are you refering to?"
"The Krujurs of course. Ours." Mrs. Grueveir said.
"All Krujurs were killed after their betrayal to the crown. I do not a.s.sociate with that name. It is best if you do the same, sister. The new king will not favour traitors." Mrs. Krian warned coldly. "If it is this, then you have come all this way for nothing. Please return."
"Living so low has turned you unlady-like, Elaine. Chasing away a guest is beyond you."
"Look around Gretel; if this is low, your fall has soured your tastes." Mrs. Krain contered.
"I came because it looked as though our family had seen rise recently and wanted to raise my children to their rightful place."
"You seem to speak in circles sister. As far as my knowledge goes, the Krujurs still remain traitors."
"But the Krains don"t!" Mrs. Grueveir had had enough of reasoning with her sister.
"That is right. Krains. A surname neither you nor your children possess." Mrs. Krain said so softly, one would have missed her words. "Why do you prance into my home and demand what is not yours?"
"Sister..."
"Why do you speak of your children as though one owed them a great debt. Even more, as though we owed them."
"Your family"s glory today is still stemmed from the n.o.ble blood of the Krujurs."
"Then you can march to the palace and demand your share. My son, Duke of Steinhouse gave his family this glory you so greatly demand be extended to you. Since it is of the Krujurs, your son might as well do the same then." Mrs. Krain said.
"You...!" Mrs. Grueveir shot to her feet in anger.
"Aunt, mother does not mean that. She only wishes that you help my brother gain a job and my sister and I enter society, for sake of your sisterly affection." one of Mrs. Grueveir"s daughters spoke. Looking at her taller frame, Mrs. Krain figured she was the older of the two girls.
"Affections?" Mrs. Krain felt her mouth twitch. This little thing. She had seen a lot of them before. White cats. They make you forget that they will grow to become lions. They speak softly and move gracefully, making one think of them cute and harmless, yet inside laid a sinister heart. For some reason, this girl made Mrs. Krain very uncomfortable.
"Your mother and I hold no affection of any sort towards each other. If you wish to integrate into our family to help your prospects, that will not happen. My son decides who is worthy and who is not. Especially when no one else wants you here, only he can change my mind. Sadly, he has travelled for work." Mrs. Krain said.
Just when they were about to respond, a maid arrived and cutseid to Mrs. Krain.
"Madam, the young miss says she is stepping out for a while." she said and they all turned to look towards the door, as though hoping someone will walk through.
"Okay." Mrs Krain said and got up to leave, "I have things to do. It is best you return." she said to her guests and left.
"How dare..." Mrs. Grueveir started to say.
"Mother, let us follow. I woud be sad to not meet cousin while we are here." the eldest daughter said and got up. With her words, they followed after Mrs. Krain who was watching Amie descend the stairs with a frown.
"You won"t tell me where you are going?" she asked and Amie sighed tiredly.
"Cousin." she heard a soft voice call and looked her way. The slightly tanned skin on those she supposed were her cousins as opposed to their mother"s pasty skin, made her wonder how dark their father was. Amie only smiled softly at the one who spoke, but did not respond.
"I must leave, now." she said to no one in particular.
"Unacompanied? Amie..." her mother started to say.
"Beth is coming with me. I understand your concerns, mother. Your concerns you raised yesterday, I will sort it out today." she said as she descended the last step.
"Then you are going to the palace?" Mrs. Krains face said it all, she was glad her daughter could just up and leave for the palace. Amie nodded to those behind her and turned to leave.
"Can I come along, cousin? I am stopping at the swan jewelry." the eldest cousin asked. To this, Amie"s soft smile remained, but a dangerous look crossed her eyes.
"Ronald." Amie called and a skinny man ran in, "Miss." he bowed.
"Send Miss Grueveir to the swan jewelry and be back in time to run your errands." she ordered and the man bowed again in response. Then, she sent them a slight glance, "Safe journey." she said.