Chapter 9:

She sobbed wiping her snout_what if Jocelyn did leave on purpose?

"How long has she been like that?" Meryl asked her brother fIrom the window, she came a day after her

"The only thing I find disconcerting is that she doesn't eat or sleep"_but feeds those darned ducks, he thought.

"Well, someone must bring her back to her senses" Meryl declared angrily.

"It's only the tenth day," He said promptly_I don't think I can bear to see her beat herself up like this but she has a point.

"The same attitude that got your daughter to act the way she does"

Meryl was Henry's sister, less a countess, who won the heart of an old wealthy widower, to save her precious reputation as there was no fortune or nobles eligible enough to suit her.

She had brown hair and green eyes, a pointed nose and thin lips, wore a stylish white dress with extra fabric at the hem of her sleeves, dangling on her bodice was a clean-cut diamante jewel.

And the only aunt weary of Jocelyn's tantrums, she taught her how to act like a lady, but couldn't command the least respect from her, or for anyone else. She hated to say that she was failed instructor, the thought made her cheeks bloom,

She was relieved not to discover her presence anywhere but felt even worse for the queen pulling herself apart, she was heady from guilt and relief.

She huffed in submission and fanned herself. "Precious Lord, Irene has always been a drama queen but she thinks you passed it on"

"It's not time for a buzz, Meryl, the least you can do is cheer her up"_at least do it for me, for I'm not keen on heart to heart talks.

He was hesitant to move yet he had this brewing impulse to step outside into the lonely sanctuary and hold her close.

"Swallow your pride dearie, I warned you that Jocelyn could not be bridled but did you listen?" He said in a hasty tone "She is the least you can do"

She snorted "Faugh! I tried my very best, she is inconsolable" She gave herself a few whiffs of her fan even though her conscience thwarted her, she groaned and flipped her fan shut and finally gave in.

His eyes narrowed when she walked to the pond and crouched beside her on the bench and Irene did not stir an inch in her arrival.

She said something to her and Irene finally got up from her bench with her assistance and he retreated when they made their way through the stony steps into the castle.

"At least take solace in the guards searching for her"

"Please Meryl," Irene said to her sister in law, amassing a difficulty to walk on her own for she did not eat and was left restless at night.

"I just don't want to see that pond again" Her eyes lowered.

"If it keeps you upbeat then so be it"

Meryl said with recourse helping her to some tea in the dinner table and cornbread. She placed a fork in front of her and Irene rubbed her forehead circling it.

"I can't eat" Her stomach was in knots and she felt nauseous, in a deliberate attempt, she reached down to take her tea to look into the contents with a solemn look and dropped it.

"Cheer up, lovely" Meryl said catching on to her uncertainty and was quite worried herself and took off Irene's black shawl, folded it and set it over her chair.

"We never know these things, what more is there to figure out if it doesn't open itself? As long as you're the queen of this kingdom, a little fuss won't stop you from performing your duties neither will it solve anything...so take your time" She raised her cup to her tea.

...

Jocelyn cried out alarming Angelica and she dropped the garland she was knitting on her chair, going over to the window to investigate peering over and under for anything that would cultivate fear and found nothing.

"Are you daft?" She asked turning around and pulled up her hair."Look at me, I'm hideous" She sobbed.

Angelica's expression shrank as she realized that Jocelyn was indeed in fright of her moppy hair.

"I need a makeover, being kidnapped is one thing but this I will not stand" She huffed taking a brush, it hung on her tangled hair and she was starting to have breakouts, her pale skin was starting to develop a tan from being under the sun. No one in Azaelyon would treat her like this. How I long to leave this wretched place!. She cried.

"Do you need help, princess?" She pleaded lacing her fingers together.

Jocelyn jeered at her and then picked up on her tinge of irony. She fidgeted.

"As I matter of fact, yes" She stumped her foot pacing around and trying to take the brush out "I am in dire need...of grooming, ouch" She held out the brush with her broken hair and whimpered.

Angelica shook her head and picked up a comb and fetched a bowl to dip her hair in and straightened it out scrubbing and spewing oil on her scalp then washed it out and dried her hair.

Jocelyn pulled out her hair and idled on the seat in front of the new mirror set up again, she swivelled while her hair was brushed and styled up to perfection and Angelica slipped a blue pin into her hair. "Voila"

She tapped the sides and straightened. "I'd say you have a gift"

She held her brush humbly "With that much hair on your crown, I had a blast"

Jocelyn stared at her fingers and then looked up in realization at why it had to be about Lucinda. "I want to make a point" She whispered.

Angelica winced leaning over and knotting her hair "A point, about what?"

She rolled her eyes and shuddered putting herself at ease. "Lucinda was right, I need to see her"

Angelica laughed clapping her hands and staggering to a wall then sighed. "Why?"

She stiffened "It's absolutely none of your business"

"Don't be that way" She flipped her hand

"I just think it's no time to hold a grudge and pull silly catfights"

"That's quite mature of you princess but, what point are you trying to make?"

"Exactly"