Annalise felt a lot better by the following day. She felt so good that she was looking forward to having breakfast with the queen. Her Majesty was nothing like Annalise expected. She was amiable, and her kind words showed understanding and concern. Annalise had two things to achieve from this meeting.
First was to explain to Her Majesty what had transpired last night. To dispel any rumours or talk about her being engaged to her son. She was certain Prince Louis had already cleared the air concerning this as it was nothing more than a simple misunderstanding. The second item on her agenda, however, was relatively trivial. It concerned the meal which she would share with the queen. Certainly, it would be made by the finest cooks and chefs in the whole of England. This made her very excited.
The coach was ready, and Annalise was seated, waiting patiently for Antoinette. She had her hands neatly folded in her lap. Antoinette soon stepped in and noticed her daughter in high spirits. "Your countenance, though pleasant, makes me rather uneasy."
"Do not be alarmed, mama. I am ready to put this all behind us, so our lives can return to normal." She thrummed the tips of her fingers across her knee.
"Normal?" Antoinette looked confused.
"Yes, mama. The queen should resolve this situation quickly, lest it becomes a scandal."
"Oh, dear child," Antoinette said with unamused laughter. "Although you are not yet betrothed to the prince, we are still yet to find you a husband."
"Mama." Annalise whined, "I do not want any more matches. Despite all the gentlemen I have entertained, I have not felt any connection." She said sincerely.
Antoinette replied. "Ma chérie. You are simply not open-minded enough."
Annalise felt deflated, as though the wind had been knocked out of her sails. "You still see the world through the lenses of a child. You are a grown woman now. This is what I have been preparing you for your entire life."
She refused to accept that marriage was not her only purpose in life. She wanted more. Annalise pondered on this for the entire trip, and when Antoinette said, "Finally, we have arrived." She looked out the window hopelessly as her crushed feelings weighed heavy upon her shoulders.
"Your Majesty, Lady Beacroft and Miss Annalise Beacroft have arrived." The footman who guided them into the palace announced.
"Ah yes, let them in." The queen said.
"Good morning, your majesty," Antoinette said as they both dropped into a curtsy.
"You may rise." Said the queen. "How are you feeling, my dear?"
"Much better now, thanks to your grace," Annalise said politely, and the queen smiled.
"Such a charming young lady." Said the queen. "Join me for breakfast, will you?"
Antoinette and Annalise followed her into a large dining area where the crown princess Amelia was already seated. As soon as they all exchanged their greetings and pleasantries, five chairs were drawn by footmen positioned at specific areas in the room.
The princess returned to her seat while the queen sat at the head of the table. The marchioness and her daughter slid into chairs next to each other, leaving an empty seat next to the crown princess that was yet to be filled. Suddenly, the doors burst open, and the prince walked swiftly inside.
"Your Majesty." He bowed. "My sincerest apologies." He said as he filled the empty seat. "You are late." The queen reprimanded.
"Forgive me, mother." said the prince, without the slightest hint of remorse.
"Very well," The queen decided to move forward, signalling breakfast to be served. Instantly, servers walk in with platters of toast, tea, bacon, and eggs, among other things. It smelled heavenly, and the divine scent crept up and filled Annalise's nostrils. Once everything was set, she dug in, as a proper lady would savouring every bite.
The queen spoke gently. "I invited you all here today to let Miss Beacroft know that my son, who has my full support and blessing, is willing to court her."
Annalise choked back on her meal. She was almost sure she misheard, but the look of astonishment on the faces of Crown Princess Amelia and Prince Louis told her she heard right. Antoinette, however, did not seem so surprised. It was almost like she knew beforehand.
"I do?" Prince Louis said in a low voice, convinced there was a kind of confusion somewhere.
"Yes, you do." The queen responded, refusing to be fazed by any objections.
"Mother, can we discuss this in private?" The ghastly look of horror on Prince Louis's face was followed by instant apprehension.
"No, we most certainly can not!" I have waited six years for this conversation with you IN PRIVATE, but you always avoid it. You took the next available ship to France last time I brought it up. No more Louis! It is time you settled down. You have a duty to the people."
This was no trivial matter, of course, but Annalise failed to see how the settling down of the prince had anything to do with her. The reason she came here was the complete opposite of what was playing out in front of
her. She sought for any rumours about them to be quelled, not intensified, yet her own mother said nothing.
"With all due respect, your majesty, I have no intention to court your son, let alone marry him."
"The fact that you do not wish to makes you perfectly suitable. It shows you are not consumed by power or interested in the crown, and you have always struck me as the fairest and most beautiful of the Beacroft girls."
"But, your majesty," Annalise started to protest but was cut off by her Antoinette.
"This is good ma chérie." The marchioness said.
She cried. "But I do not wish to marry him."
"Neither do I." echoed the prince.
"I do not wish to settle down with him or anyone else, mama. I wish to explore new places, see the world, study my plants."
Antoinette was furious. "Enough! Arretêz tout de suite cette sottise Annalise! And get those foolish thoughts out of your head. It is not a woman's place to do all that but what is expected of her is to get married, settle down, and build a family. That is what you would do, and that is all it can ever be." Antoinette commanded, and Annalise felt the tears well up inside her. All her dreams would be nothing more than dreams. Now the sun was up, she must awaken from them.
"But surely, mother, Louis deserves a say on whom he wishes to pursue or not." The crown princess, a lady of few words, finally spoke, coming to her brother's aide.
"Do not support him, Amelia. Thank all that is good and holy that you are my firstborn and heir. If it were left to your brother, the entire monarchy would be in danger. He is still a member of this family and has a
sworn duty to the people. With your current situation, I am merely helping him see that."
"Annalise here would make a wonderful bride. She is beautiful, intelligent, and the daughter of a high-ranking nobleman." Hot tears streamed down Annalise's face as her future was decided.
"Also, her parents approve." She smiled at Antoinette, who gave an approving nod. "You young people need to learn to make sacrifices, take up your responsibilities and not be selfish when making decisions for the greater good. With time I hope you both will see that. Now, who wants to try a piece of my favourite orange cake."