Chapter 26

Amelia never thought about the possibility of one day losing her grandmother. It was true death waited for no one and these days many people were dying young but she hoped her grandmother would stay with her longer. Losing her mother was already hard enough.

"Your grandfather used to say I am a witch who could not die. If only that were true I would have put a curse on him long ago."

Margaret stared at Amelia after she had no reactions to her words and was most likely thinking about death. "Do you want to go out and have some fun today? I heard there is a festival in a town near my home. It would do you some good to have some fun before the coming days become hectic."

Amelia didn't feel like going to the festival as she had more important things to worry about. "I should really focus-"

"Amelia, although I wish for you to become queen, I don't wish for you to only think of the throne. I can tell you are hiding dark circles under your eyes. You cannot sleep and fighting the people here will not help you. Take a break to cleanse your mind and have fun for once. I've been in your position when I have taken days to have fun for granted. Now, look at me."

"I don't want you to become more depressed than you already are. There is nothing you can hide from me, child. I want you to know I would never be ashamed if you give up wanting to become queen or throw away everything to come to live with me. I will protect you." Margaret wanted to be the person she needed when she was in Amelia's position. Someone to be her safety net when she wanted to run away.

"I know grandmother. Should I pack a bag to sleep over at your home?" Amelia changed her mind.

After their conversation about death, it might be good if they spent more time together. Her grandmother doesn't visit the castle too often and Amelia normally didn't have the time to stop by her home. When her mother died she wished she had spent more time with her to make up for the time she would lose. The same thing should not repeat itself with Margaret.

They both needed time with each other as Margaret said death didn't care if you are young or old. It could be Margaret mourning the loss of Amelia.

"I have many clothes for you at my home. I can't help buying for you when I see them in the shops. No need to worry about clothes for your maid and guard. I will have something for them. Let us go before someone stops us," Margaret stood up on her own. "It's a shame the tea and snacks are going to waste."

"Everyone, come take what you want," Amelia called out to Gina, Cyrus, and her grandmother's people. There was no reason it should all go to waste when there are others here who can eat if they wanted to.

Everyone returned to where Amelia and Margaret were to thank them for the snacks.

"Walk ahead with me, child. They'll catch up with us," Margaret held her hand out for Amelia to take.

Inside the castle, they were safe from any outsiders who wanted to hurt royalty. It was the people on the inside of the castle you have to keep an eye on. Thankfully, those people knew not to attack two royals in broad daylight.

"I won't have to tell my father about this trip. He won't notice me or he would use this opportunity to plot behind my back. You are right, grandmother. I do need to have a day of fun. All I do is bicker or anticipate my father's actions. What a sad life. I should get double the carnival food to cheer myself up," Amelia held up two fingers attempting to convince Margaret to buy her more food than she needed.

"Fine, fine. I will buy you more food when we get there. You are looking too thin in some areas. Are you not going to dinner to avoid Annabelle? My advice is never let anyone feel they can chase you away. Show up for breakfast and dinner on time regardless of who is seated at the table. Ignore them if they get on your nerves. Sometimes our silence is more effective than speaking."

"You should write a book, grandmother. There are many people out there who would love to hear your advice," said Amelia.

"I'm afraid they wouldn't be able to handle my vast amount of knowledge. Plus, you can lead a cow to water but you cannot make it drink. I have shared my advice to my peers and young girls like yourself but in the end, they have chosen their status above everything else only to learn the consequences."

"However, one young lady has surprised me. I'm sure you heard the gossip of the duke who kicked his wife out when his little mistress got pregnant," Margaret whispered so no one eavesdropping would hear.

"Yes, I have," Amelia nodded her head. She didn't like the way the man had all his wife's things thrown out for everyone to see. A private separation would have been better than embarrassing the woman further.

"She recently came to me for advice. Granted what was being said about her, she is quite entertaining. She told me she gave everything to her marriage and was left with nothing. She felt like dying with nowhere to go but I told her if she's going to die take her husband with her," Margaret chuckled thinking of the gossip she recently heard about the same woman.

"I never expected she would marry the duke's brother who hates him. I heard the duke was so angry he had a stroke. Can you imagine how the family dinners will be? Hell truly has no fury like a woman scorned."

Amelia wasn't expecting the twist of the woman to marry the duke's brother. "I hope every time he sees her face he gets a stroke."