Queen
Daphne stood at the window in her private chamber staring out to sea when
Adolphina entered the room.
"I
know Mother." Queen Daphne said to Adolphina.
"She
has conceived." Adolphina said as she stood next to her daughter. "What about the man?"
"I
don't know what he will do."
"Will
you allow him to stay if he chooses?"
"If
that is his wish. Were we right in
allowing this to happen?"
"Daphne,
you took the only course available. Our
line must continue."
"But
I feel as if we have deceived them both."
"Skye
will understand my daughter. If the man
chooses to stay he too will understand.
If he chooses to go he will never know.
It had to be done.
The
two stood side by side staring out to sea, both now silent.
*****
Skye
woke finding herself alone and sore.
Why had Paul left her and when?
There was a knock on the door.
Skye pulled the sheet up around her naked body just as Queen Daphne
walked in.
"Good
morning Daughter. Did you sleep
well?"
"Yes."
Skye muttered still reeling from her night's escapade.
"I
thought you and your young man might like to spend the day together."
Skye
was shocked and then confused at this statement from her mother.
"You
get dressed and come join us for breakfast." With that her mother was gone
leaving a very surprised Skye. ‘Did
Mother know about last night?’ ‘Was she giving her blessing?’
Skye
quickly dressed and hurried to join them for breakfast. Skye was the last to arrive finding the
others seated around the table.
"My
granddaughter is late this morning.
Could something have kept you awake last night?" Queen Mother
Adolphina smiled but did not look at Skye.
Skye
only blushed as she looked down at her plate.
‘They know!’ Skye thought
to herself.
"Mr.
Simmons, I would be interested in hearing your opinion on a new trade agreement
we are considering. Would you like to
join me in my study?" Queen Daphne asked a surprised Gene.
"Your
Majesty. I would be honored to discuss
your agreement with you."
"Andre
wanted to speak to you about your boat Mr. Kulick. I will take you to him."
Queen Mother Adolphina said.
The
four left the table leaving Paul and Skye alone.
"That
was really weird." Said Paul not understanding what just happened.
"If
I didn't know better I would think they wanted us to be alone." Skye told
him.
"Maybe
we should take advantage of this situation." Paul said as he went to her
and took her in his arms.
"I
didn't know what to think when I found you gone this morning." Skye
admitted.
Paul
stepped back from Skye and ran his hand through his hair as he admitted,
"I didn't want your mother to find us."
They
both looked at each other and laughed.
"I
think she knows." Skye told him.
"On
the chance she doesn't, let's get out of here."
They
left together hand in hand unaware that the Queen watched and smiled.