"Princess time to get up," yelled Cynthia from the hall.
For the past week it has been like this Cynthia wakes me at six, get dressed, eat breakfast, and then head up to mom's chambers. All of that takes two hours with Cynthia's help but an hour by myself so I have a chance to read by myself for at least half an hour. Before the half hour was up Cynthia burst through the door first looking pissed until she seen me dressed and reading.
"Oh I thought you were... erm... doing something else... because you were taking a bit to respond." I don't know why but it took me a little bit to understand. It possibly took me awhile to comprehend because I was reading legends of the Ice Dragon and the Sword of all Races. Though it might just be little kid stories.
"Cynthia if I were doing that wouldn't you think you would hear me. I mean your room is right next to mine."
"I guess that's true but you never struck me as the kind of person to read."
"That's what you get for assuming that I was your typical princess loving makeup and everything. Call me crazy but I want to stay at camp learn how to fish, hunt, and anything else they do. I absolutely hate these dresses and wear camp clothes." Cynthia left camp many years ago to avoid a marriage that would have brought her proposed husband and true love in war. So instead of a civil war she ran away because she can't stand on how camps forces marriages. For everything going on I feel like Cynthia's story might become my own.
"You may say that now princess but your wants will change as you grow older. I used to say I would love to be part of royalty. Now I don't want to be it because watching you grow up every year seems to add a thousand pounds to your shoulders."
I couldn't help but start tearing up. Out of all people to understand me is my maid and not my mother. Then the tears really came down. How can my mother not notice all the pressure I'm under, but my maid notices it. She grabbed me and whispered, "She'll notice soon just you wait." She let go of me and we went to the dining room and ate.
After we ate Cynthia went off to do her other duties and I went to mother's chamber. Before I got to the top of the tower and mother was heading out already.
"Why the rush mother?"
"Waldus called an emergency meeting. I just sent a messenger to your room to tell you to take the day off. Stating you're here you might as well come and join me."
We both started down the stairwell and in such a hurry we passed our normal secret entrance. We took a couple right turns and then we were there. When we entered the counseling room, so far we only had Waldus, Xercee, and us. We were missing Malus and Caol but we sort of started without them because the queen was getting impatient.
"Orc's caught whiff of the King's proposal to get rid of the current treaty," Waldus claimed.
"So what was the emergency then," questioned Xercee.
How can he not understand what it could mean. There's many things it could possibly mean for instance, they may want to court me. They could get denied rights and declare war on us. Malus and Caol burst right through the door. "Sorry... we're... late," struggled Caol.
"Sit," sighed Waldus. He went through what was barely stated before they arrived.
"Xercee what do you mean you don't understand the issue if orcs learn we aren't giving them the same rights as the wizards and dwarves. They would declare war on us because they aren't treated the exact same, if we give them those rights warlocks will declare war," exclaimed Caol. Or worse we could have an out right war upon everyone.
"So why not make peace with everyone and forget about the Six Empire War. It happened a hundred years ago!" I finally had enough with Xercee that I looked at mother. When she finally noticed she nodded signaling me to speak my mind.
"Xercee," I started sweetly. "If they understood what we're doing with the wizards and dwarves, they would want the same treatment. Also if we accepted them they would try to use us, mostly me, for our wealth to make their empire better."
"I suppose princess but why can't we forgive and forget?"
Before I could reply mother said, "Otherwise history will repeat itself."
He sat there with no response because he knew the Queen put him in his place. Though I'm still wondering on how we're going to stop it. We sat there in silence as if pondering the same question. Caol broke the silence, "So how are we going to deal with this?"
Xercee looked like he wanted to answer but didn't because he knew it would be shot down in a heartbeat. Mother asked, "Do we know the name of the orc that heard about the treaty?"
"We don't know nor do we know who let it slip," claimed Waldus.
My gut was telling me it must've been Xercee stating he kept on trying to defend them. The only way to maybe find out who it is by torturing everyone who knew about the treaty till one confesses. I mean that is probably the best we could do even though most of us have our first suspect. If it isn't him I'm afraid to find out.
"Until further notice keep this quiet and know this if one of you is the rat expect no mercy. Now dismissed," exclaimed the Queen. I couldn't help but feel a little threatened by the Queen. I mean I know I'm not the rat but I still can't help but feel fearful.
After our lovely meeting this morning I can't help but worry who leaked the new. Plus on how long they have been working got the orcs. Or even who else might be spies in this gods forsaken castle. Mother has let me off early because she thought the meeting from this morning was enough. Though she did tell me I did a good job keeping a cool head while Xercee spewed his nonsense to everyone. I couldn't help but have a gut feeling that I can't trust anyone besides mother and Cynthia.
I couldn't help but wonder is this what father wants another war to wipe out our neighboring empires. Then he could be ruler of all empires letting corruption sink into his skin. I don't know what his intentions are but I know I should watch my back when I'm around him. I contemplated all of this while Cynthia recounted her days as a young maiden at camp.
"Rose did you hear anything," asked Cynthia. She startled me out of my train of thought.
"N-no I'm sorry I got lost thinking about stuff." Cynthia's entire mood seemed to shift like I was the only thing that matters at this moment.
"Rose you know you can trust me. I have been here for you since you were knee high to a grasshopper."
She's right she has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Though I want to tell her a little nagging part in my head keeps saying no. Battling myself about trusting her or not hurt me because if I have to debate whether or not to trust someone that means things are getting serious.
"Your Highness, if you wish not to tell me I understand, but as your care taker you have me worried and feel like you should tell the Queen about troubles. At least you can relieve some of your stress."
Given the situation and the position of power I hold, I should confess in someone I trust.
"Cynthia," I sighed.
She tilted her head with such speed and enthusiasm, she whispered, "Yes my child." I was stunned when she said that. Then again I have been a part of her life for many years and I feel like a daughter to her. I told her everything that happened today after her and I had split to do our daily things till supper time.
I told her about the Queen's threat to everyone in the room. I even told her about my number one suspect being Xercee. She sat there pondering on what happened all day. It was like she was trying to look into the future. She reopened her eyes with a droopy look. Her eyes changed from a beautiful ocean blue to a stormy gray as if she aged when she closed her eyes. It's like she seen the future and from looking she overall aged.
"Rose never assume just one person."
With that she left the room to let me ponder on what she means.