Memory of You

Chapter Fifteen: Twenty

"After lunch, I have a half hour meeting with Ryan to give him the files for Charon. I think he'll be good to run the district, since his organizational skills are great and he's worked in the budgeting committee a lot."

Mark led the Queen down a long corridor, as she ran through her schedule for the day. Having dismissed five lords, she had the odious task of replacing them with leaders that wouldn't become corrupted so easily.

"Anyway, after that, I need you to meet me in my room. Okay?" She asked him.

"Sure, but why?" He asked, wondering why she was being so cryptic. Her smile told him nothing.

"You'll see." Alexandra said, as they walked.

Before he could ask any more, the castle seamstress barged in on them.

"Ah, Your Majesty! I've been looking all over for you. It's about time you came in and got fitted, you've been growing like a weed, all the hemlines of your dresses have been getting too short for you. It's embarrassing!" She said, taking hold of Alexandra's arm as she started to lead her away.

"Mrs Baker-" Alexandra started only to be interrupted. Mark watched quietly, amused at how she didn't stand a chance.

"Charlotte, please."

"Charlotte, can't I come in later?" Alexandra tried, hoping to get away. Sending Mark a plea for help, he shrugged and gave her a grin. She didn't have anything important scheduled for the next hour, so it wouldn't hurt to let her go, she had been planning to take a quick nap anyway. The glare he got in return told him she wouldn't be forgiving this in the slightest.

"Nonsense, dear. Each time I ask you to come in, you never do. This time, I'll not hear another word of it. What would your parents think of me if they saw you in these rags!"

"But I like this gown, it's new!" Alexandra protested.

"And too small already! I should have gotten you in for a fitting a while ago! Come on, now!"

Marching a sulking Alexandra away, Mark saw the seamstress turn slightly and give him a wink.

Giving her a thumbs up, he held in his laughter walking in the direction of the kitchen. So far everything was going according to plan.

Pulling out the sheets from his pocket as he opened the kitchen door, he saw Nicholas at the stove, while Sophia and Valek stood waiting for him at the table.

"Here are the lists. Step one has been accomplished. She'll be fitted for her dress, and will probably kill me later on today." He said, waving the papers as he walked over to them. Valek laughed as he heard this.

"Don't worry, dear cousin, your next. You're picking her up from Mrs. Baker's, and taking her to the meeting with the Upper House, before lunch." Mark smirked, as his cousin looked sombre at once.

"I forgot about that...damn!" Valek muttered.

"Okay, so Nicholas you are in charge of the food." Mark said, handing the chef a list. "Sophia, you'll be taking care of the decorations. Valek, you have the invites for tomorrow, and I'm stuck with babysitting." He said finally, having given out all the lists.

"Why the rush?" Nicholas asked him, as he looked over the list. "If we move it to next week, we'd have more time to prepare."

"We could, but it's a small gathering with close friends from the country and families of the Lords and Dukes. Her cousins will be there as well. The longer we take, she'll start to get suspicious." Mark explained. "She hates celebrating her birthday."