Izzy shifted her weight uncomfortably in the carriage as she sat across the couple in front of her. Alexander and Annie had their hands intertwined and sitting too closely for public observation. Annie grinned devilishly at Izzy but Izzy somehow remained composed without any emotions that could deceive her. She was too busy thinking of King John words.
He loved her. As she kept replaying the conversation, she couldn’t help but let her curiosity roam. A sinful thought came into mind as she wondered again about her mysterious father who had never been identified. Could it be possible that King John was her father? He didn’t mention a love affair and Izzy immediately shook her head at such a thought.
Annie continued grinning although she was getting irritated by Izzy’s idleness. Was the girl blind or did her father drill the warning into her? Either way, she was not yet satisfied. She wanted an emotion, any sign that showed jealousy. She would not fail.
“Tell me what the town is like?” Annie spoke up, looking up to see Alex’s face. He looked down at her and she managed to blush slightly. She took this opportunity and tilted her head so she could peck his lips.
Alex backed away quickly, quite alarmed and cleared his throat. He nervously glanced at Izzy and Timothy and then looked back at Annie.
“Um, it is a wonderful place. I am sure you will love it,” he muttered, feeling his face burn. He was too ashamed to look up at Izzy’s face. Anyone who saw her face would think she did not care but Alex knew Izzy and he saw the flash in her eyes before she turned away to look out the window.
“Are there any stores where they sell jewels?” Annie asked, hinting what she wanted but when she looked back at him, she saw his eyes on Izzy. Anger and jealousy raged in her but she composed herself before she lost control. Instead she slid her fingers through his which caught his attention back to her.
“Oh yes,” he replied with a smile. “Our town has the best jewels anyone could find. I am sure you will be satisfied with the selection.”
“Our town,” she repeated with a small smile. “I cannot wait.”
“We are here,” Timothy said, cutting off their moment. Annie looked at him and scowled but replaced it with a pleasant smile before Alex turned to his friend.
“Is that so? I am getting a little cramped in here,” Alex said. “Come along now, Annie. It is time for you to meet the people.”
“The people? I was looking forward to shopping around,” Annie said surprised.
“Well you will but there will be flocks of people around you, wanting your attention,” Timothy said with a laugh. Annie frowned and sighed, putting on her best face.
“Why of course. It is my duty as your fiancée to embrace my future people,” she replied before looking at Izzy for a response but she sat in the same position and expression as she had this whole journey.
“Then let us get to it,” Alex smiled excitedly. It had been a while since he visited the town and he knew he would not have much time after the wedding because of his duty as king.
The carriage gradually came to a stop and the doors were opened by the guards. Izzy instantly snapped out of her trance and sat up straight. She looked around the carriage and felt Timothy’s reassuring hands on her thigh, soothing her. Izzy caught Alex’s eyes briefly flashed with annoyance.
“I shall go first,” Izzy spoke, getting out of the carriage first. Suddenly she was met with hundreds of faces looking towards her way with large smiles on their faces.
“Isabelle, Isabelle!” they cried, smiling at her with excitement. Izzy nodded to them in reply and stepped to her right to let the remainder of the passengers to exit. Timothy came next where another excitement chatter rose especially amongst the younger ladies who shouted his name the loudest. The guard who had first opened the door rose his hand and the people all settled down.
I present to you, Prince Alexander and his fiancée, Princess Anastasia!” he announced in a loud voice. The crowded cheered even louder as Prince Alexander stepped out of the carriage and Izzy couldn’t help but let a smile cross her face. The people loved their prince and she was reminded why she was doing her duty. It was for the people.
Next, Annie stepped out of the carriage and the cheer was still lively although not as loud as Alex’s had been. There were many whispers amongst the crowd as they finally took in their soon-to-be queen.
Jealous high class ladies stood at the side, gossiping about the princess although there was not much they could say about her. Annie was beautiful and none of the ladies could find something imperfect about her as they whispered.
The crowd began to disperse as they were told by the guard to get back to what they were doing.
“Shall we go look around?” Alex smiled politely. He took out his hand for her to hold and led her down the pathway of the markets. The main center winded through the town, stretching at least a mile.
“I want to look at the jewels,” Annie said, hinting yet again at her desire. Alex simply nodded but scowled inside at her impatience. He still thought of her as a friend but even the meaning began to slip as he began to see the other side of her.
“This way,” Timothy said, ushering the couple towards one of the markets. Izzy stayed close to Alex’s side, her eyes scanning the crowd, letting the adrenaline help her stay alert. Although she knew for sure that he would was not in danger at the town’s market, she couldn’t take any risks.
As soon as they were led to the market stand where most of the high class ladies were shopping, Annie instantly blended in with the rest of the greedy girls. Alex let her go, thankful for the little time he got without her pressed by his side.
“You don’t look very happy there, mate,” Timothy chuckled to his right. Alex rolled his eyes and continued to stare forward, crossing his arms.
“Just doing my job,” Alex said lowly. Timothy looked skeptic but let it slide. He knew Alex more than anyone else and knew he had been putting on a facade about the whole wedding. He knew his friend fancied Izzy.
“Isabelle,” a voice called out. The three turned their heads to set their eyes upon an elderly woman around the age of retirement with white hair she chose to grow out. It suited her well and helped bring out her light but powerful blue eyes that held wisdom.
“Edith,” they all greeted her in unison.
“My, my, my. If it isn’t the whole gang,” she exclaimed, coming at a talking range. She hugged Izzy tightly and gave the two men a good little punch. “You two have grown up as respectable men you have,” she grinned at them.
“Glad to know you are doing well yourself,” Alex replied with a genuine smile that had seemed to become absent these days.
“What brings you here, Edith?” Timothy asked. Edith slapped him in the head which got Timothy defensive. “Ow, what was that for?” Even though Timothy was the king’s strongest man, he was seen as a little boy in Edith’s eyes. She had practically raised all three of them including Zachariah since their birth but had retired five years ago when her age began to catch up to her. Still, she was a strong woman, proud of her age.
“You have no right to ask me why I’m here. I live here, boy,” Edith scolded and Timothy grinned like a little boy.
“I was only asking,” he said innocently which earned him another smack in the head. Izzy couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. It was as if everything was back to normal. Alex caught her eyes and grinned at her which made her scowl. How could he act so normal after what had happened between them?
Izzy suddenly felt a sharp pain in the head as she saw Edith’s hand behind her head. “Child, no matter how you dress, you are still a lady and ladies don’t scowl at men,” Edith chided, clicking her tongue disapprovingly.
“I’ve been gone for what, five years, and the only one with proper etiquette is Alexander? I’m appalled,” Edith gasped before laughing. Timothy and Izzy exchanged looks before turning back at Edith.
“I missed you, Edith,” Alex said truthfully. It was nice to soak in a little bit of the past. The memories began to flood into his mind, warming him about their childhood.
“Now that is what I want to hear but you, my boy, I have not seen all these years. I only see Isabelle once in a while. You all ought to bring Zachariah with you and visit my cottage soon,” Edith warned and they all nodded, afraid of what she would do if they disagreed. “Actually that boy is trouble so I guess we would have to meet someplace where he won’t get into a big mess.”
They all laughed at the memories of Zachariah’s accidents back at the palace. “How is the king?” Edith asked suddenly. The memory of the conversation flashed in Izzy’s head again. Edith took care of them since birth. Izzy wondered if Edith knew more of her mother. They must have worked together to take care of Alex as Edith took care of Alex since birth. She had never thought of asking Edith anything about her mother and now the possibilities grew.
“He is doing well,” Alex answered. “He will be glad to know you are taking care of yourself well.”
“You go tell him I’m doing just well,” Edith smiled. “I’m just surprised Zachariah is not yet expelled out of the palace.” Another fit of laughter filled the air and all their stresses were momentarily forgotten.
“What is going on?” a voice intruded the laughter. Alex sobered up before seeing Annie with a handful of jewels. He was right to more money than he could spend himself in a day.
“This is Edith, my old caretaker,” Alex introduced but Annie only held a disgusted face.
“Do not call me old child,” Edith grunted before smacking him in the head.
“What are you doing, you old woman?” Annie gasped before taking Alex’s hand. “Isabelle, aren’t you going to arrest her or something?” she said in a commanding voice.
Izzy was surprised at her name coming out of Annie’s mouth and never fully recovered from her shock.
“Annie, honey, this is Edith. She’s not going to get arrested,” Alex laughed lightly, trying to ease the tension. Edith only took one glance at Annie and then at Izzy.
“My child, the world is going to end,” she rolled her eyes, directing her comment to Izzy. Izzy tried not to laugh and managed to hide her stifle of laughter that dared to escape.
“I am sorry to cut our meeting so short but I am afraid we need to hurry and get back to the palace soon,” Alex said apologetically. “Come visit us soon, Edith.”
“I will so don’t get so shocked when I do,” she mumbled.
“Good bye Edith,” Timothy smiled as he turned around to pay the owner of the market all that he had for the jewels.
“Edith, may I ask you a question?” Izzy finally asked. She couldn’t hold in the question any longer.
“Yes my child, anything.”
“What do you remember about my mother?” Izzy asked, holding her breath. She was scared what Edith might say. Was she a good person like King John had said?
Edith looked at Izzy in shock but recovered quickly. “Marissa…” she mumbled. “Has no one told you anything of your mother? Did they really not tell you anything about her? Oh, those wicked people,” Edith ranted. “Your mother was the most beautiful lady I have ever seen. She was good natured and hard working. Very good at taking care of young Alex over there,” she laughed. “She was able to get him to shut up.”
“She seems like a wonderful person,” Izzy sighed, wanting to hear more.
“She was,” Edith agreed. “She was also very literate. She wrote in that little leather diary of hers whenever she could. She showed it to me before but I barely knew I how to read!”
“A diary? My mother?” Izzy said shocked. “Where is this diary now?” The excitement grew as she thought of all the information she could get by reading her mother’s own handwriting.
“They never cleaned out her belongings after Marissa passed away, God bless her soul, but I think Marge, her friend, might still have it,” Edith answered. Izzy thought back to Marge, the librarian, and she suddenly felt hope for the first time in ages. This was one step closer to finding who she really was.