Free Monarchy by Nicola Erasmus Page B

Third on blah, blah, blah. It’s perfect” Gwen said.
     
    “We can still get somebody to do this, you know?” Elsie said.
     
    “It will mean much more if we do it ourselves.   Google for a few pictures of roses, would you?”
     
    It took Gwen a few days to give Elsie a crash course on everything about the Internet. The King formally dismissed Dame Margaret in a letter the same day she lifted her hand to Gwen and with her departure a whole lot of her rules left too. It didn’t take much for Gwen to convince the King to purchase a computer for the palace but once the machine arrived they couldn’t get him away from it.   So, he ordered them each a laptop instead.  
     
    There were only three days to go before the living funeral and with everything that had happened they didn’t get around to much planning.
     
    “ Your Highnesses?” Grace peeked into the room.
     
    “Morning Grace” they chimed.
     
    “We have a few things on the agenda for today. May I read you your schedule?”
     
    “Please do” Gwen said without looking up, cutting out squares from woven handmade paper.
     
    “There’s a dental appointment for Princess Elsie at 10. The dentist will come to see you in your chamber and then there’s your weekly tea with the Duchess of Nat…”
     
    “Could you cancel the tea, Grace?” Elsie asked.
     
    “Don’t” Gwen stopped her.
     
    “I don’t think it’s a good idea after last week’s…”
     
    “I know this is a bit short notice Grace, but can you please sent a flower arrangement over to the Duchess with a card telling her something like, ‘I feel deeply regretted by my behavior during our previous meeting. Looking forward to our tea this afternoon.’ Any other responsibilities?”
     
    Grace blushed. “The Duke of Doorn has invited Princess Guinevere to dinner.”
     
    “Who the hell is that?” Gwen asked Elsie.
     
    “He's only the most handsome nobleman in the country. He wants to court you” Elsie said excited.
     
    “Court me? Please send him a pair of my panties and a card saying that I would regrettably have to decline his invitation and that he is more than welcome to dream on.”
     
    “Seriously?” Grace asked carefully.
     
    “No, damn it” Gwen laughed. “Just decline. Tell him I am currently too busy with an important project.”
     
    “It’s the Duke of Doorn, Gwen” Elsie sneered through her teeth when Grace had left.
     
    “Elsie, I don’t know the guy.”
     
    “Then get to know him.”
     
    Gwen sighed and looked up at the ceiling. “Oh, alright, I’ll arrange a date after the ball. I need to get this done first.   So, we have the flowers, the food, invites should be ready by tomorrow.   We still need to see the stylist about our gowns…”
     
    Sir Windsbury entered carrying a tray with a pot of tea and two cups.
     
    “You’ll make sure the staff’s all set on Saturday” Gwen asked him as he placed the tray on the table next to the bed.
     
    “I can’t” he said and poured them tea.
     
    “What do you mean you can’t?”
     
    “It’s my night off” he answered.
     
    “You can’t have Saturday night off. I need all hands on deck for this” Gwen said horrified.
     
    “I arranged it with the King some time ago already.   I have an important event to attend.”
     
    “Argh, I don’t believe this. Probably the most important event of my life and the one person I absolutely need to be here has something more important to do.”
     
    “I’m sure the staff will be more than capable of controlling themselves” he shrugged. “You’re just stressed. Drink your tea and relax.”
     
    “Gee, thanks doc. Will you at least be available to help with the preparations during the day?”
     
    “I only took the night off, so yes” he left the room cursing under his breath.
     
    “It’s almost ten. Mind if I close the door while the dentist is here?” Elsie emptied her cup in one gulp.
     
    “Scared I’ll hear you cry like a baby”