Three

The aroma of freshly baked croissant woke Alice from her nab. After she had finished reading the letter, she decided it was best for her to take a nap and get her mind off unnecessary matters. She took a peek at the wall clock above her and realized that she had actually lost count of the time.

It was already past dinner, and according to her assumption, desert should be served at that particular time. She wondered why her grandmother is yet to send for her when on a normal, she would have blast Alice’s head with reasons why she should never miss any of the food gathering, even if she is alone.

Alice made her way to the adjoined bathroom in her room and cleaned her face. She then used a clean white towel to dab on the face before she changed into a pair of t-shirt and a mummy jeans before she headed for the dining area.

The house was awfully silent unlike every other day that the first thing she will see is the maids running to run an urgent errand for her grandmother or the sound of some music which Alicehad labeled as sorrowful.

She sat at the dinning getting the attention of the chief maid who hurriedly moved to serve her. “What about the duchess?”Alice asked. Her grandmother still goes by the title duchess and as she was told, it will only be passed to her when she marries a duke. Fair enough, she has no intention of inheriting the title so she never made any effort.

“The duchess had left the house after receiving a call from the queen herself” The man whispered slowly. For all her life she has been with the few set of people, the rest used to either one way or the other annoys the duchess making them lose their job.

She nodded her head in affirmation before she dug into her food. If the queen has really called her grandmother, then they surely up to no good. It was said in an article which she had once come across that, when the queen invites you into her chamber then you have a lot of information to give.

But seeing how her grandmother had anticipated getting her married to one of the princes, then no doubt more than enough information about her will be given out and is likely to end up in the news. Alice finished her food that night and she decided to head to the living room to watch a movie or two while she waits for the returns of the duchess.

She turned to the television to the news channel and the only news been broadcasted at that moment is the return of one of the princes. For the whole twenty five years of her life, she never set eyes on any one of the princes, maybe during their childhood times, but since then she don’t know of how they look like and yet everyone is expecting her to marry one of them.

Soon the sound of a car parking was heard outside and she stood up to show her respect to her grandmother. “Welcome your highness” Alice greeted as she dropped the cat she had adopted recently.

Of course her grandmother was against her adopting the cat but she paid no heed to her words. When she brought the cat in, she was warned by her grandmother to always keep the cat out of her sights. The duchess took a seat sighing, from the looks on her face, you could tell that she s tired and worn out. “Thank you, Alice.” The duchess uttered as the maid offered her a tea.

“It has been decided that the princes will have a peek of your biography which I had provided the queen with today and one of them will be given the chance to marry you.”The duchess explained and Alice felt the bile in her stomach rising.

She is no goods that will be sold that way and even if it is that way, she deserves to be given a choice too. Who knows if she might not like the prince who would pick her, then what would have happened? And the only way for her to find out is by asking. “What if I don’t like the prince that chooses me?” her face held no emotions as she asked the question, just as her grandmother.

“Then you have no choice but to do as I want. I won’t let you go away like your father did. He left me all alone and you were a month old.” The duchess rambled on and on about how her only martins left her.

Alice made her face into a scowl; if her father left them then it has nothing to do with them. He must have his reasons for that so there is no way she would stay and someone will blame her for that. “But we have spoken about this countless time, him leaving has nothing to do with me. And I am mature enough to know what is good for me granny.” Alice regretted when she let the word granny out of her mouth.

The duchess scoff. “Of course, your father ran away to the state and you have developed the tongue of those there. Indeed it runs in the blood but not on my watch Alice, I will make sure to bend you right.” The duchess vowed before she exited the living room with the help of her personal maid.

Alice sat back on the couch feeling a burden in her heart. Her grandmother will always be blaming her for her father’s misfortune which should never be right. She believes each and every one has a different habit and ways of life entitled to them, so no one shoukd be blamed for ones mistake.

She also took her leave to her room not forgetting to take her poor cat that had curled up into a ball. Tomorrow she will make a difference.