Miss Abigail

My name is Abigail Schulle, I am the daughter of a doctor who cares for a royal family in the southern most kingdom of the country. Not a bad way to live, I am the only child of my fathers, my mother died when I was young and my father has since remarried a woman I can not stand, she is two faced and a jealous woman. There are times I think the only reason she married my father was to get exposure to the royal family.
However I am 16 now and she stays out of my life and business. My father has been trying to teach me medicine by having me be his 'assistant' whenever he is working. Many however find fault with this, saying 'it is as useless to teach a cat how to bark as it is to teach a woman anything but how to raise children.' My father- being a rather wise person simply tells them that I am better for the task than any man could ever be. This infuriates my step mother because she agrees with those pig headed , narrow minded imperialists. My father tried to combat this once by half quoting Proverbs saying-
"Charm may be false and prettiness may be vain..." Before my step mother cut him off with-
"Well that's not a problem because she isn't charming and isn't pretty, you filled her head with medicine which she will never be able to use, she has no real skills- you have ruined her for every man out there. She is hopelessly socially awkward and shy which doesn't do her any favors. She knows nothing of beautifying herself which she desperately needs if she is ever to leave your household." My Father could have killed her where she stood, if this Monarchy allowed divorce he would have gotten one right then and there. I assumed the look on his face said it all- she had gone too far in saying something like that. I was in the other room and heard her words- while my feelings were hurt because there was some truth in them - she was a heartless bitch for saying them. I know I'm not the prettiest girl on the block, I know I am not the social butterfly other girls can be- alright to be perfectly honest I have no friends besides my own father. I really didn't have any other skills other than medicine, I can't sew, I can't cook, if I go on I will never stop. However I am not stupid, I can read and write better than my step mother, I do know medicine nearly as well as my father does. If it wasn't for the imperialist pigs we worked for I might have a chance at using it. But I can't help the fact that I have a head for it.
I can barely stand the corsets I have to wear outside my own room, I am clueless when it comes to makeup, if it wasn't for a maid who went by the name of Amy- who has taken me under her wing a bit- I would never be 'presentable'.

My world however changed a few months after that incident. One morning I wake up and I hear a mob outside. My heart sinks and I quickly get up and get dressed and hurry to the front of the palace to a window looking out over the public square and there is an angry mob trying to break into the palace. I instantly know what's going on- revolution. Amy- the kind maid calls my name out from halfway down the hallway.
"Abigail!"
"Amy!" I call back as we rush toward each other in the hall.
"Abigail- go to your room and pack whatever you can- you and your father have to get out of here and escape. Your step mother knew this revolution was coming and left in the dark of night."
"That two faced bitch would, but you have to escape with us." I  plead.
"No- don't worry about me- my family is in the mob- I am but a humble maid- the mob won't attack me- you and your father however are in grave danger. I convinced my brother that you and your father have no political ties to the Monarchy, all you do is offer medicine- however the leader of this mob wasn't convinced and they are out to kill everyone conceived to have any power to set up a new government."
"Jesus- when did this happen?"
"Not quite an hour ago, I have been looking for you ever since. So what you need to do is dress in the lowliest clothes you have or can find, pack only what you can carry and you and your father need to escape. My brother is in the stables- getting some horses ready- how well do you ride?"
"Sidesaddle- horribly- astride- better."
"Ride however you can and get out of here, I would suggest heading north- they are indifferent to us so you should find some solace there, now go!" She says, giving me a last hug and goodbye. I run as fast as I can to my father's quarters to find him still asleep. I wake him up and tell him what's going on. I have never seen a man move so fast out of bed. He sends me to my room to change and pack what I can. I rip up the top of the mantle above my fireplace and retrieve all the money I have saved up as well as little 'gifts' the children of  this Monarchy gave me from their mother's jewelry box. Granted most of the time they were only out to get me in trouble but the Queen often just ignored this and went back to her Morphine and Cocaine laced chocolates that she ate by the bucket for her 'womanly problems' my father regretted introducing Morphine and Cocaine to the Queen but she kept complaining and these were the only things that 'relieved her suffering'.
But back to the task at hand- I took my most sturdy leather bag and stuffed it with the money- the jewels and a few sets of clothes and a few books- all but one of which were about medicine, along with just few things my mother had passed down to me from her death that had more sentimental value than anything. I put my hair up in a bun and screw make up at this point, I grab my warmest cloak and put on my most comfortable pair of shoes/boots. I meet my father in the hallway who packed in a similar fashion.
We sneak through the palace unnoticed mostly because it was in complete chaos. We find Amy's brother in the stable waiting for us, he gives us a map for up north and directions on how to get there safely. We thank him and ride away, the sun is beginning to rise a bit higher in the sky and we can hear the distant mob behind us getting into the palace. We hear something akin to an explosion and we pause and look to see the wing of the palace where our rooms used to be- in flames. We had gotten out just in time. We shake our heads and turn around and continue to ride north. We reach a small village by late afternoon and have to stop out of exhaustion. We get a small room at an inn and eat a meal in the corner of the inn's restaurant. We put a fake name down for the registry and decide to continue the charade- not knowing if we were still in danger. We decide to change our identities- we become traveling medicine merchants just passing through the area. We go back to our room and take stock in what we have and what our options are. While our world is turned upside down- at least we have each other. We try and get some sleep and leave early in the morning after buying some supplies to go along with our new identity.
We continue this pattern for 2 weeks before we reach the northern kingdom of Kali. We set up a small medicine practice and go from traveling merchant to legitimate physician. My father however then begins to expand my medical horizons by gearing me toward becoming a midwife. He befriends a group of midwives and agrees to teach them more about medicine in general if they will teach us about midwifing. The trade goes well for both of us and soon our practices merge. These women find refreshment in the fact that my father treats them with respect and dignity as opposed to every other doctor they had come into contact with previously. Our practice becomes very successful in the next two years. Soon we hear that the Queen of Kali is now pregnant and since a court official's wife who is close to the Queen just had a child and had used us for the labor and delivery- the Queen called us to serve her in her pregnancy.
I inwardly groaned at this- I didn't want to do this again. In the past year the new government in the south- where we fled from- had made many enemies- Kali- being one of them. So when asked about our past- we always had to lie to keep out of danger.
When we go to the palace we meet with our new employers. To my surprise the Queen is actually very sweet and pleasant, the total polar opposite of my former Queen. This Queen is pregnant for the fourth time in 20 years. Her first pregnancy resulted in a son who was the Crown Prince while the others resulted in miscarriages and one still born. Upon meeting with the royal family, my brief introduction to the Crown Prince, I realized he seemed to be the average royal- arrogant and prideful. Despite having such a nice mother. Oh well, I will only have to deal with this until the baby comes. The Queen however is very easy to get along with. Over the next few months I find I am going to the palace to do 'check ups' a few times a week. The Queen introduces me to many people in her circle of friends as well as various family members. A niece of hers takes an interest in me, or rather pity. She does her best to 'round me out' so to speak. She actually succeeds in teaching me something that resembles class and charm. As thanks to her and the Queen for their kindness, I develop a mineral based makeup for her and the royal family that becomes a booming business in itself seemingly over night. The kingdom of Kali isn't nearly as domineering as the Southern Kingdom was and I am allowed to even have a business status and keep profits provided I pay tax and give tribute to the Kingdom for it. I agree to the terms and as the Queen get's closer to the birth, my father, the head midwife Sue and myself are asked to stay at the palace until the baby comes. I find myself developing a new habit- staying up late and reading into the night in the library. They have the most comfortable reading chairs in there- often no one knows I am there but my father. I simply sit in a chair next to the fire but still have a lone candle lit to read by. The books I read range from science, mathematics and medicine to more modern literature like poetry, novels and fairy-tales.
One day the Queen's niece comes to me and asks in a low voice if I have been reading in the library lately. While I am confused at her inquiry I confess of my latest actions and instead of getting mad she smiles this deliciously mischievous smile. I feel dread, this can't be good.
"Well your secret is out." She starts, my heart sinks and I feel it drop through the floor and I gulp to quench my suddenly very dry throat.
"You have caught the attention of a cousin of mine, Maximus, he saw you had fallen asleep in the library a few days ago when he was going through the palace on one of his nightly tours due to insomnia and has taken an interest in you. He thinks you are mysterious, which let me tell you is one of the hardest things to fake, so congratulations." She says and while I feel a great sense of relief that she really doesn't know THE secret, I still feel some degree of dread at her news. I really had thought that I would always end up an old maid. Watch- he's an ugly cousin who feels he's god's gift to women and it's more of a pity thing again instead of anything like real interest. When she said his name I don't recognize it, of course I am horrible with names, better with faces.
But soon I move on to attending to the Queen, at such a time it would be unthinkable to be devoted to any other cause but the Queen's, she is getting closer- the baby is beginning to move less and her belly- being very large has begun to drop and get firmer like the rind of a melon. She had stopped her court appearances months ago. Now Sue, my father and myself take turns watching over her- making sure she is comfortable and wait for any sign of labor.
On my off shift which was usually at night I continue to spend in the library, undaunted by anyone else who may be in there. Soon however this mystery cousin- Maximus- makes an appearance. He grabs a book I had read a while ago and sits in a chair across from mine and begins to 'read'- aka- trying to look at me beyond the book. When I don't take the bait he resorts to loudly clearing his throat, I can't help a corner of my mouth curling up to a lopsided grin before I give him the satisfaction of looking up and asking him if he is alright. He smiles in victory and assures me he's fine and begins to try and start a conversation with me. After making some light chit chat and confirming each others identity- a maid comes in and takes me away- there is a change in the Queen's condition. I simply say goodbye to Mr. Maximus or Max as he had me refer to him as and swiftly go to the Queen's chambers.
There I find my father and Sue discussing her condition, which at the moment is surprisingly calm. After doing my own set of checks I go to Sue and my father and we all come to the conclusion that it's false labor. However I volunteer to take first watch- provided I go back to the library to bring the book I was reading back. I go back to the library and find Max leaving.
"Is everything well with the Queen?" He asks politely.
"Yes- it will just be a long night, came back to get my book." I say picking up the book off of a table that was near the chair I was sitting in.
"Well I hope all goes well, good night Miss Abigail."
"Goodnight Mr. Maximus." I reply back and begin to head back to the Queen's rooms. I can feel his eyes watching me as my figure becomes smaller in the immense hallway. The feeling is weird and makes my whole body want to shiver.
I go into the Queen's chambers and find she has brought a relative feast into her bedroom. She practically demands for me to eat with her so I stuff my self trying to keep up with her. It's easy to do since she is craving some of my favorite foods right now. A few hours later I find myself in an easy conversation and I mention my latest acquaintance. The Queen chuckles and tells me what I had already figured- not to expect his attention for any more than a few weeks. He bores easily and doesn't have the best reputation. Figures. Soon she is asleep and I sit in a comfortable chair next to the bed reading my book- occasionally looking over to make sure the Queen is still sleeping comfortably. I stand up and stretch and walk around a little, stopping at a window and looking over the grounds and surrounding city. Kali really is beautiful. I take a moment and flashback to my former life. Back when I didn't have to live in fear of being found out, fear that it would be construed as either spying or treason. On either account- death would be a certainty. I shake my head out of the dark thoughts and turn my attention back to my task at hand who is still sleeping soundly. I look back out the window and see dawn beginning. Sue will be here soon, I get a glimpse of myself in the mirror- god I look tired, the dark circles under my eyes are a dead give away. But with the Queen's niece's help my appearance has improved some- my once course and super frizzy black hair is now quite smooth and tame thanks to a conditioning treatment she gave me. My eyebrows which used to resemble briar patch bushes are now groomed and beautifully arched, which now highlight my large deep chocolate brown eyes, Missy- the Queen's niece told me once I looked 'exotic' or whatever, that does come from an indiscriminate bloodline that can't be traced too far back probably. I look back out the windows and see the sun rising- a bright red and orange morning- usually means rain and storms later, which is good- it's been a bit dry lately. Soon Sue comes and relieves me before the Queen even wakes up. I make my way to my room and pass Missy.
"Good morning Abbey." She says in the hallway.
"Good morning Missy." I say before I yawn.
"Still sleepy?" She asks with a small chuckle.
"Haven't been to bed yet- had night duty with the Queen." I explain.
"Oh bless your heart, well go and get some sleep then, don't let me keep you." She says before we continue on our separate ways. I make it to my room and collapse on my bed and I wake up in what I assumed was the late afternoon. It was storming outside. I clean myself up and head back to the Queen who is taking another nap and still doing fine. I catch up with my father who is now on his watch and let him know of my new acquaintance in Max and what the Queen had to say about him. He warns me to be careful and once the baby comes and all is well that we would be moving out of the palace and back to our regular practice and reminds me that we need to continue to lay low, I nod in agreement and we sit in silence for a while.
A week and a half later the Queen really does go into full blown labor. She gives birth to another boy. A week after that when everything goes well- Sue, my father and myself move out and we go back to our normal lives.
However not even three weeks later a familiar face comes through our doors.
"Hello?" I ask- coming out to greet the guest once I heard the door charm going off.
"Hello." I hear in response and I freeze in my tracks- it's none other than Max. I try to get over my initial shock and put on a smile and welcome him to my father's practice.
"So what brings you here? Are you not feeling well?" I ask, looking him over, he certainly looks fine, of course with him he always looks fine but that's besides the point.
"No, no- my health is actually quite good at the moment. I came to ask you for a favor." Max says, leaning against a table.
"Oh?" I ask, raising my eyebrows and crossing my arms.
"Yes- the Queen is hosting a celebration ball in the latest arrival's honor and I was hoping you would accompany me for the event."
"While I appreciate the offer and honored to have received it, I must decline it." I say in apology.
"Why? Did someone else already ask you?" Max asks.
"No-I just feel it's highly inappropriate for me to go- I have not been formally invited and my class distinction would not only make it awkward but I fear my presence would all together not be welcome. I doubt the dignitaries going would like to know they rubbed shoulders with a lowly doctor's daughter."
"That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, I can't begin to tell you how wrong you are." Max counters.
"You think so?" I ask in skepticism.
"I know so- the fact that you didn't receive a formal invitation surprises me greatly, so you can consider my offer as your invitation and you will be more than welcome and I promise you that you would be the farthest thing from awkward. If you want your identity to remain a mystery consider it mysterious. So please come and be my date for the event." He asks- making those big turquoise eyes of his really really hard to say no to, I try to think of other excuses.
"But I have nothing to wear and I don't know when the celebration ball is."
"Don't worry about it. Missy already offered to loan you some dresses to wear and the celebration is in 2 weeks."
"Well that was very sweet of her but I have a good 8 kilo's on her, so the dresses would have to be seriously altered and I'm not worth that kind of trouble."
"Well in that case I must insist that a dress be made for you then and believe me you are worth every effort. So let me put it to you like this- I'm not leaving until you say yes." The grin he used made me feel weak in the knees and before my brain could stop my mouth I found myself finally saying yes, damn it.
Unfortunately I had no appointments that afternoon so I was free to go strait to a dressmaker's shop and Max absolutely insisted on paying for the dress. The fabric HE chose was this beautiful blue and gold silk blend that actually complimented my rather pale skin beautifully. Deep down I knew this kind of attention was special but I knew it wouldn't last for too much longer- because chances are he will get bored with me, especially when I won't give him what I'm sure he's really after. But it is my first and I'm sure only royal ball so part of me is screaming to go for it. Take advantage of this kind offer and live a little for once in my life.
The next two weeks flew by, on doing a check up on the Queen I mentioned that Mr. Maximus invited me to be his date and asked her what she thought about it. She was surprised that I wasn't invited in the first place and assured me that I was indeed welcome to come. She then insisted that she send over a maid or two to do my hair and makeup for the occasion. I graciously accepted her offer and left the palace, but not before bumping into Missy and Max on my way out. Missy was delighted I was coming. Max however just wanted to know when he could pick me up from my house.
Then it was the big day- Missy had sent me some bath salts, perfumes and oils for me to use in the morning and afternoon in preparation for the event. A good two and half hours before I was to be picked up by Max- two attendants came with what looked like large tool boxes. They spent the next two hours and them some working on me. When they were done I could barely recognize myself. For the first time in my life I could say I was beautiful and not feel like I was lying to myself. Granted I felt I was showing WAY too much cleavage but I was assured that if anything I was being modest since I was 'greatly blessed' in that department- is how they put it.
My father gave me the best compliment of the evening- he told me I was just as beautiful as my mother and hung a gold and sapphire necklace that was also my mothers around my neck that matched the dress perfectly. Then as if on cue there was a knock at the door and Max was on the other side. He seemed very pleased at my appearance. He escorted me to the carriage, helped me into it and then got in himself. He looked me over and then unleashed that smile that would make a nun blush.
"Believe it or not but you really do look beautiful tonight." He finally said after what was a few anxious moments for me, wondering what he was really thinking.
"Thank you. I see you dressed to match." I replied, looking him up and down. His blue suit matched the deeper blues of the pattern in my dress.
"I couldn't resist." He replied. We chitchatted on our way to the palace. I could see all sorts of people lining up to get inside. All the women were just as dressed up as I was, if not more which made me feel a little more comfortable. We come to the front door and I don't even have to get in line- we are ushered into the palace and into a grand hall where it felt like hundreds of people moved around in with relative ease- I did however get a few looks from the other girls- sizing me up and looking at whose arm I was holding onto. I was starting to get nervous when Max gave me a glass of champagne and told me not to worry, to keep in mind that I was indeed invited by the Queen herself to be here- so I should believe with my whole heart that I do indeed belong here and to not let anyone intimidate me. I appreciate his encouragement and after becoming accustomed to the environment begin to feel more comfortable, or perhaps that was the champagne.
At any rate I meet up with Missy who looks divine, she might as well have stepped off of a cloud from heaven. She directs my attention to the Crown Prince and his bride to be who were standing just a little ways away. They looked like a pair- they had that same 'everyone is beneath me' look on their faces- if anything they looked annoyed for having to be there as if it was a great inconvenience for both of them, typical if anything. We continue to talk some more before we go to dinner and to my relief I get to sit across from Missy and her fiance and next to Max of course- but we are sitting at the end of the Queens table- I can't imagine what kind of honor that is, but looking around at the other girls and women in the room expressions- I can guess it's a high honor- however I am getting more and more curious glances my way throughout dinner, most of which I did my best to ignore. Max came to my rescue many times in staring down those who were giving me looks that made me uncomfortable, he was even so bold as to hold my hand underneath the table and give me reassuring squeezes whenever I got nervous and a few times would wink at me to really break down the walls I kept trying to put up throughout the night. Every time he would wink I would just smile, roll my eyes and look at him gratefully for trying so hard to make sure I was as comfortable as I could be under the circumstances. After dinner there was dancing of course which I begged Max not to make me do because I SUCK at dancing. However he did insist on taking me around the dance floor just once for a waltz which was easy enough to get the hang of. However the second time we went around the dance floor some strange guy just cut right in and stole me away. While on the inside I was panicking, he seemed nice enough and just simply wanted to get away from his nagging mother. I could sympathize with him and did my best not to trip or step on his feet. But he didn't get far until another gentleman stole me away from him. This one seemed to ooze slime. I stiffened slightly and nearly got hostile when he kept gawking at my cleavage which made me feel horrible, like a lewd object. He didn't get to dance with me for but a moment before the song ended and I quickly left his presence to find Max again. I found Missy first and asked where I could go to wash my hands. When she gave me a curious look I pointed out the man who made me feel like a ton of soap wouldn't wash the slime off of him she gave me a knowing look of disappointment and frustration.
"I'm sorry for that- I'm sure if Max was right there he would have stopped him- that man is a total waste of flesh, notice how every girl worth her salt instinctively flees from him." She pointed out.
"How did he get in here?" I ask.
"Because his father is an old friend of the King, he weasels himself into every social function he can get himself into, but to answer your initial question if you go through these doors here you will find a hallway and on the right you will find the ladies restroom."
"Thanks- I'll be right back." I reply and make my way through the crowd. I wash my hands twice and just as I am drying my hands, in comes the last person I would think to see- my old step mother. She looked like she had tried to undue at least 10 years of age on her face by the kind of makeup she had on. I saw her in the mirror and I froze- if she recognized me- I am ruined. She didn't seem to notice me and instead walked right up to the mirror not half a meter away from me and began to try and readjust her hair which was getting a little more gray. I tried to come out of my trance and leave before she realized who I was, soon I felt I was being dragged to a corner of the room.
"Get your hands off of me!" I whisper in the deepest tone I can when I see whose hand was holding onto my arm- my step mothers.
"What the hell are you doing here?" She asks in a whisper- more worried than mad.
"I should ask you that question." I reply in an angry whisper to match, wrenching my arm from her grasp and fixing her with a hard stare, I look down and see she had a new wedding ring on, showing she obviously moved on quickly.
"Better yet- what's this?" I ask- grasping her left hand and holding it up. She looks at the ring and back at me and for the first time I see real fear in her eyes. She stumbles and stammers before finding her bearings.
"And I should ask you why you were sitting at the Queen's table." She finally counters.
"Oh no, I won't give any answers until you give me some- first- why didn't you at least give my father and I a heads up that the Southern Monarchy was crumbling and instead left us to wake up to an angry mob who burned at least half the palace. My father and I barely escaped with our lives no thanks to you, but looks like you have 'survived' and done quite well for yourself." I say motioning to her ring again.
"Likewise." She says motioning to my dress. We both come to a stale mate of angry looks. I am trying to think of how to get out of this- if anyone were to find us like this- inquiries would start and everything would be undone, but considering her reactions to my own inquiries it seems she had just as much to loose as I did, if not more.
"So how about we make a deal- we both pretend we don't know each other and go on with our lives. Let's leave this room the same way we came in- perfect strangers who hopefully will never see each other again." I say in an effort to get out of the situation. My step mother is pleasantly surprised at this deal and we shake on it, comfortable with the new arrangement. We leave the bathroom and I quickly walk away from her to find Max again. I find him standing against a wall- drinking champagne and scanning the room. He smiles when he sees me.
"Where have you been?" He asks.
"The restroom, I had to wash my hands from the slime a certain Mr. Caleb left on them." I went on to explain exactly what transpired between us and Max's eyes got wide and began searching for the offender and looked like he would give him more than a piece of his mind, if not hand him his own head.
"Don't worry about it, as long as I'm with you I don't think he will be a problem." I say moving closer to Max and feeling more at ease as I do so.
"You want to get some fresh air?" He asks.
"Yes please." I say and take his arm as we head out to a balcony where other couples have taken refuge. I breathe in the night air deeply and relish the sweet smell of spring- so many flowers bloom this time of year. I feel Max's gaze on me again and for the first time I am flattered and appreciate the attention and actually relish it a bit. But I still need to remember while all of this is nice- it will be fleeting.
After our breather we go back inside and the rest of the evening is a bit of a blur of color and faces that I know full well I shouldn't meet again. But other than meeting my ex-step mother and the panic of that experience, the evening seemed to come from so many of those fairy-tales I read.
Before I knew it I was back in the carriage with Max and for some reason both of us seemed to have caught giggle fits, we couldn't stop laughing- best of all- I can't remember why we were laughing. I just know I got home sooner than I wanted.
"Thank you Max for a wonderful evening, I'm glad you didn't let me say no."
"You're welcome..." Max hesitated before he said anything else. I wondered what he wanted to say but fear outweighed curiosity.
"Goodnight Max." I say rather quickly before Max can finish his comment. The look on his face gave a hint toward disappointment but he didn't give into it.
"Goodnight Abbey." Max says a bit reluctantly and he watches as I walk up to my door and step inside. I can't resist from looking out at Max as I close the door behind me, I give him one last smile as I softly shut the door. I breathe a big sigh of relief as I turn around and lean against the door. The house is dark except for a few candles lit on a stand by the door. I take my cloak off and hang it up, I take one of the lit candles and blow out the others and head to my room. Once inside I light all the candles and begin to try and peel off my dress. I don't think I could have imagined the relief I felt when I got that dress and corset off. I got ready for bed and blew out the candles. I collapsed into bed and my mind played the night over and over again in my head. I came to the conclusion that my ex-step mother really did have more to loose by exposing me than to gain, but she was still a devious, dangerous person. I hoped rather than believed she would keep her end of the bargain. However the person my mind kept going back to was Max, everything from the exact color of his dark blonde hair to the sultry quality his voice can take on sometimes to the softness of his hands when he would hold mine from time to time to the insanely good cologne he was wearing. I drift off to sleep with the last image in my mind of Max giving me one of those smiles that makes my heart slow down and speed up at the same time while rendering my knees to jelly.
I wake up the next morning with the worst headache- most likely something akin to a hangover. I hear a knock at the door.
"Yes?" I groan.
"Are you decent?" I hear my father ask. I furrow my brows and crack open an eye, I look down and realize that I'm not.
"No." I answer back.
"Well please put something on, we need to talk." He replies in a serious tone.
"Damn." I curse under my breath as I roll out of bed and put a robe on. I open the door and see my father looking rather serious.
"This can't be good." I say- inviting him in the room.
"It seems you made quite the impression last night." He starts off with while taking a seat at my desk.
"I did my best not to." I reply, sitting down on my bed across from him.
"It seems you caught the attention of every eligible bachelor in Kali and beyond, I have no less that 2 dozen letters of interest and intent on my desk this morning alone. It seems they had gotten our address from someone, I assume Missy most likely."
"That...wouldn't surprise me if they did get it from her but I find that the fact of there being no less than 2 dozen letters of interest and intent a bit unbelievable, if not a very ugly lie."
"I will let you read them yourself if you like. But indeed there are honestly no less than 2 dozen letters. So my question is- how did you achieve it?"
"Achieve what?" I ask- rubbing my temples in attempt to stave off my headache.
"To capture so much interest when we agreed to lie low and not attract attention."
"Please believe me it was not intended, I only danced a half dozen times with at most 8 different partners but mostly it was with Max- wait- did one of the letters come from him?"
"No- I did not receive a letter from him- but should I have?"
"No, no, never mind. But did you by any chance receive one from a Lord Christophe?"
"Yes I do believe I did."
"Junior or Senior?" I ask.
"Junior I do believe."  He answers.
"Well that is a problem because he and I have too much in common." I say a bit cryptically.
"How so?" My father asks, intrigued.
"He and I have the same step mother." I reply, I see the color drain from my fathers features and he gulps hard, fear and terror grip his features.
"Did you actually see her there?" He asks.
"I did, there was a very quiet confrontation between us in the ladies restroom, we agreed to pretend not to know each other for the fear either of us would be found out. I have good reason to believe she has more to loose than we do, she has since remarried and goes by a completely different name- Lady Clarice Christophe- she married Lord Christophe Sr. almost two years ago, interesting timing is it not? Seems she is up to her usual tricks but I doubt we will have problems since I know we can prove that she should still be legally married to you still but under the circumstances I don't think I would be wrong in saying good riddance to bad rubbish." I could see the relief in my father as I talked.
"So you don't feel we are in danger?" My father asks- making sure I was certain.
"While I never feel we completely out of danger- I do feel rather comfortable with the arrangement but I still feel we need to be careful."
"Agreed. Well, what would you like me to do about the other letters?" He asks.
"Let me read them before you answer them. I can't believe you got that many though, it's just ridiculous, I really did try to be invisible, although standing next to Mr. Maximus- anyone would get attention."
"I see, well get dressed and come out and read the letters then."
"Yes Father- I will be right out." I say as he leaves me be. I fall back into bed an rub my eyes. There is no way there are that many letters, there is just no way. What on earth have I gotten myself into?