The Good News II.

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Chapter 16.

I stayed in my room all day reading the books I found in the shelves. The culture of the Aerendia was a little different from ours. I would need time to adjust to it. Some of their ceremonies, I looked forward to enjoying them. They sounded fun.

Liza sat on the couch all day, making an embroidery on my handkerchief. She makes the best in the whole of Thule. My mother was going to miss her for it.

At the thought of my mother, j began to wonder if they miss me at home. How were they doing? Did they even survive this? The queen may be lying to me.

If there was anything I learnt from my older brother, was lack of trust. He never trusted anyone and such there was no expectation or heartbreak.

I was a little different from him. I trusted but only a few people. The queen was still a stranger to me and I could not place my trust in her.

I stood up from the seat and dropped the book I was reading on the table in the room.

When I looked through the window, I noticed that the sun was beginning to go down. It would soon be time for me to start preparing for the dinner.

I was going to be introduced to the rest of family members. Liza asked earlier if I was anxious and my answer was no. It seemed different right now. Many questions ran through my mind. Will they be sweet and friendly like the queen mother or a deceptive and pretender like the king?

"My lady," Liza interrupted my thoughts. I turned to her and she continued. "The palace seems quiet."

"It has been these way ever since I came," I replied, shifting my gaze to the window. Aerendia had the best weather so did my father said. He was right. The plants were very greenish and yielded more fruits. The land was blessed.

"I heard that the grand queen fell ill this morning," she told me.

"What?" I left the window to meet her. Liza was good at getting the last news. I was surprised that she could manage it at this palace as well. "They have a grand queen?"

"So I was told," She continued to work on her cloth. "They said she is the king's grandmother."

"Really? Poor woman, she got ill," I placed my left palm on my chest. I did not like when old people get sick. The pain might be too much for their bodies. "And I was not informed?"

"You are not part of the family yet," Liza reminded me of my status in the family. She was right but I was guest now. The future daughter in law and I deserve to know. "Stand up and get dress now."

"To where?" she looked up.

"We are going to pay our respect," I said, walking to my closet. It was half opened. I took a blue dress and placed it on the bed. "I shall wear this for the evening. As for the dinner, I will go with the red gown."

"As you wish, my lady," Liza stopped what she was doing. Just when she was about to take the dress on the bed, a someone knocked on the door. She looked at me with a hope that I might know who was on the door. I shook my head and asked her to get it.

Liza opened the door and found a young maid dressed in a black and white gown. She was average in height. Her long black lashes blinked when her eyes behold me.

The girl went on her knees and greeted "Good day, your highness. It's an honor to finally meet you."

"Yes, it is but there is no need for you to kneel down," I told her. She got up from the floor with her eyes in the floor. She showed so much respect that I wondered if she wanted something. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, your highness," The girl replied.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Emily, your chief of maids," She introduced herself with a smile.

A chief of maids? I turned to Liza to see if she had an idea what that means.

"My lady, she is one of your maids," Liza explained. "You are going to be the queen of Aerendia. You need them so she is in charge."

"Who assign you the role?" I asked the girl.

"The queen mother," she looked up briefly and her eyes went down again.

I nodded and went back to the red gown "You welcome, Emily. Feel free and look up more often. I prefer looking into people's eyes while they talk," I informed. "We are going to invite the grand queen. I heard she is sick. Now that you are here, you will help me select a gift for her."

"Did you informed the queen mother?" her eyes were suddenly alert when I turned. She seemed worried that we were going to visit the grand queen.

"Do I need her permission for it?" I ran a hand on my red gown. It was beautifully embodied with stones. I loved the Tailor's work here.

"Forgive me, your highness. But it is necessary you get permission before going," She said.

"Then, I shall ask permission from the king," I stepped into my changing room and they followed. "Get me ready, quickly."

At once, they began and in less than seven minutes, I was ready to go and meet the king. If he did not give permission to see the grand queen, I will go to the queen mother.

Liza asked why I was going to the king first instead of the queen mother. I had no idea too.