Chapter 33

"Let's not waste another second here Amelia. From the way the guards are lining up, your father must be on his way here. I cannot deal with him today," Margaret held onto Amelia's hand as help getting down the steps leading to where her carriage was parked.

"I have told your father and grandfather to make a pathway easier for our guests who are older and need a better way to get up and down here. They both have the idea that guests should be carried instead," Margaret sighed.

"It seems like father is a complete copy of grandfather. What did he inherit from you?" Amelia wondered.

"My looks. My husband raised Richard closely with all his ideas and beliefs. Do not be so harsh on your father, Amelia. Some of the stupidity he got from his father. Thank you," Margaret said to the coachman when he opened the door of her bigger carriage.

Margaret bought with her a carriage for her to ride in on her own and then one for her servants and guards.

"Did you have this recently built grandmother? I don't remember seeing this one before." Amelia was so used to the white and black carriage Margaret often used but this one was only black.

"Yes. I plan to give it to you soon as your favorite color is black. If it isn't to your taste tell me and I will have another one built." Margaret wanted to start giving Amelia more things to have for herself so she wouldn't need to get permission to take anything from the castle.

She started this by sending Amelia an added allowance to the one given to her by the king. Margaret wanted to know what Amelia used the money for as she had not seen Amelia buy anything new. Maybe she was saving it but Margaret wished Amelia would use it to help on her path to becoming queen.

"A carriage of my own? It's not my birthday. Is something happening that I do not know about grandmother? You have been quite generous with the gifts these days and although I am grateful it is a little suspicious," said Amelia.

"Taking off!" Their coachman yelled followed shortly by the carriage jerking forward as it took off.

"Can't I give my only grandchild gifts? There is nothing else for me to do but sit home and drink tea, listen to gossip the young ladies bring me or send gifts to you. If I had a great-grandchild to pamper I would have some way else of occupying my time."

"Honestly grandmother. You are better off getting a dog faster from me than a child. I would need a husband in my life for me to give you one. Why don't you go and visit some of your relatives? It might be best now that the northerners are here." Amelia wanted Margaret to be far away from this war.

"I have thought about visiting them but I cannot leave you all alone again. It's bad enough I left you in the castle. They have asked me to go live with them but I honestly cannot be around them for too long. I enjoy my peace. Back to the previous topic, is there truly no one you love?" Asked Margaret.

Amelia grew up around a good amount of young men who wouldn't make bad husbands. There had to be at least one of them who intrigued her.

"No. Love appears to be a strong thing so I won't casually say it unless I mean it. I love you grandmother. Can that count?" Amelia grinned, enjoying the sigh leaving Margaret's lips.

Margaret stared at Amelia wondering how much her heart was closed off. "No one has ever swayed your heart?"

"I never said that. There are many young men I thought about but then they open their mouths and kill what I was barely feeling. I have had crushes but they were short-lived and nothing serious. If not for needing an heir to carry on my genes, I would rather be alone." Amelia didn't want to be stressed out about a partner.

Margaret rested her hand on her forehead, suddenly feeling faint. "Honestly child, what on earth am I going to do with you? Everyone you have come across can not be so bad to make you close off your heart."

"Grandmother, you are not one to speak when you have also been around men after grandfather passed away but not one of them has captured your heart. Make you feel love." Amelia flipped the conversation so that Margaret was now in the hot seat.

"Fine, you win this one Amelia. Who am I supposed to get great-grandchildren from? What do you expect me to live for?" Margaret was jealous of hearing others speak of their many great-grandchildren. "Hurry up and find someone you love to give me a grandchild."

Amelia gave up and decided to indulge Margaret with the idea there would be a grandchild soon. "I will as long as all of you stop teasing me about love. Can you believe people are making bets regarding my love life?"

Margaret gasped, pretending to be shocked by it. "How on earth could they do such a thing?"

Amelia stared at Margaret a moment before saying, "You've placed bets, haven't you?"

Margaret looked forward to avoid eye contact with Amelia since she had been caught. "I have never lost any of them. You make me quite a lot of pocket money Amelia."

"Grandmother! Don't you think I deserve some of the profit?" Amelia asked, surprising Margaret.

Margaret chuckled because of the unexpected question. "You sure do child. I will see to it that you receive your fair share. You might be able to buy your own home."

"Good- wait! You've bet that much on me?!" Amelia exclaimed in disbelief. What sort of bets was being made considering her life? Who were the people Margaret was making these bets with for the money to be split enough to buy a home?