Chapter 34

"I miss coming this way," Amelia looked out the window at the townspeople going about their day. Some occasionally looked at the carriage passing by which they knew someone of great importance must be in.

Margaret's carriages all carried the Blackwell symbol which was a dragon. Though she did not like living in the castle she was still a former queen and continued to follow customs.

"If only we could stop and join everyone," said Amelia.

She always enjoyed being around the townspeople since she trusted them more than the people in the castle. The townspeople were always welcoming of royalty. Each time she came to visit them she thought about giving up the life she had to be carefree and do whatever she wanted.

Margaret would support her to the end of time. However, the reason Amelia wanted the throne was to give the people here a better life. She wouldn't involve the people in unnecessary war or increase their taxes when the rich were free from it. She heard their complaints but could do nothing.

'Useless,' she sat back in her seat.

Still, she was trying her best to increase the power she had in the kingdom by getting things for her own that the castle had no hand in.

When Margaret invited her to leave the castle what changed her decision wasn't about having fun but there was something she needed to check up on. Something very useless for her future and by going with Margaret no one would suspect anything.

"We'll have enough time to spend with the townspeople after we have settled in at my home. It's been a while since you have visited and I want you to see the changes I've made. Keep in mind that when I pass away I will give this house to you to do what you wish for it. Do not let your father tell you otherwise," said Margaret.

"If not for you, grandmother, I would not have known the list of things my mother left for me."

"Who would she have given them to? Her relatives that had already used up her good name or that trifling son of mine? Richard had the nerve to try to hide what Anne left for you. I should have smacked some sense into him," Margaret smacked the inside of her carriage.

Amelia touched Margaret's other hand to calm her down. "Do not destroy the new carriage."

"I won't. I made it twice as strong just for this reason. Ugh, it hurts," Margaret rubbed her hand.

Amelia chuckled, leaning over to take the hand Margaret hurt into her own to soothe it out. "Please remember that your hands are delicate. I'm indebted to you forever for the things that you do, grandmother. When I become queen, I will turn the castle into a place that will not haunt you."

"Us," said Margaret. "What is causing you not to be getting any rest? You also look thinner than the last I saw you."

"Really? That's a good thing. I'm a little bit chubbier than other girls-"

"I like you with meat on those bones you have," Margaret grabbed Amelia's cheeks to stretch them. "When you fall I wouldn't have to worry about you breaking. Do not become too thin. It is not healthy."

"Yes grandmother," Amelia replied.

"All those girls starving themselves to get male attention because that's what they think beauty standards are. It's ridiculous. I go to lunches and tea parties where the women hold themselves back from eating out in public. Fools surround me. Never be like that Amelia. Please eat something to go back to normal."

"I have been eating, grandmother. It's sleeping I have a problem with but I will get the issue fixed. I can see your house in the distance," Amelia switched the topic.

Margaret sighed putting the issue to rest for now but she was going to get to the bottom of Amelia's insomnia.

"Grandmother, have you heard anything about the land the late duke who lived beside you left behind? Is there anyone who wishes to buy it or has one of his relatives come forward to claim it?" This was the real reason Amelia came to visit Margaret.

She wanted to buy a lot of properties around the kingdom that were important.

"I've seen people passing by to get a good look at it but no one has talked about buying it yet. It is pretty pricey. That old fart did not care for his family so he did not leave anything in his will for them to get. It will be sold," Margaret looked out her window at the land Amelia was talking about.

It was certainly a large estate.

"Why do you ask about it? Do you know someone who wishes to buy it or are you thinking of getting it for yourself?" Margaret turned her attention from the window to Amelia who was staring at the land as they passed by. It looked like Amelia was calculating something.

"I do. I wish to have it before anyone else can try to claim it, grandmother. However, I wish to buy it secretly. Do you think you can find someone to pose as the buyer and have them report to me? I know that it is short notice-"

"Do not underestimate me, child. This is a former queen you are speaking to. There are many strings I can pull to get what I want. To be honest, I was a little worried that you weren't doing much to become queen but I was wrong," Margaret was glad to see Amelia had her own plans.

If Amelia were to buy the land belonging to the late duke she would then become the duchess of the property if she wanted that title. There were many people who once worked for the duke living on the property waiting for it to have a new owner. With this, Amelia would start gathering her own people to use in the future.