The Sisters Of The Court

Chapter 58: Alice

I watch as Auntie Victoria gets buried.  George V stands with his wife and children. Scarlett stands next to me as we are in the front, since auntie Victoria raised us. I took my children but only Alexander joined me. Nicholas is too fragile and the rest are too young. I sadly look at her coffin getting laid in the ground. The funeral ends and I go back to the palace that I'm staying at. I let my tears fall as I think about George's funeral, how he is alone in the cold ground, all alone.

I stare out the carriage window as I arrive back to the palace I'm staying at, brings back so many memories of when we were children. Running around the halls, Alix, Scarlett, and I. So young so care free, so ignorant of what is to come in the future. I sit outside and drink my tea as Nickie's governess comes with him. She bows politely as Nicholas smiles widely, "Mama!" He exclaims rapping his small around around me. I mange to put on a smile, "My love you are getting so big" I tell him. "I know mama! I'm turning 6 years old!" He giggles as I pet him.

My little baby, not too long ago I remember the day I had him, the joy he brought to me, to his father. I hold back tears as I stoke my sons cheek, the most beautiful boy on this world. Why must all the good people suffer? Why did that horrid curse have to go to him? He is so precious and joyful and good, seeing my baby suffer kills me every time. So far two attack has affected him. But it gets difficult every time, the doctors don't help much. Nicholas tells me about his day before I see Miss Evelyn come up to me quickly. "Your imperial highness, um- there is a situation" she says frantically. "What situation?" I ask her.

She looks at me, "I- we- I- can't find Victoria" she says. My eyes widen as I stand up. "What?!" Holding my baby boy close. "We can't find her anywhere, we looked all over for her" she says. "What do you mean Cant find her! She has been here all day!" I shout as she flinches. I hand Nickie to his governess as I help search for my daughter. What kind of incompetent governess is this? Loosing a child? My child! The daughter of my husband? His little baby girl?

We run around the palace searching for my baby Victoria. Misplacing things, calling her name, the staff helping until I see Nickies governess come out with Scarlett's son, little George holding my little girl. "Your imperial highness, it's seems that the little grand duchess was taken by her 5 year old cousin" she says looking down at them. Little Victoria laughs as George as he smiles at her. "What's all of this?" Scarlett comes back looking- messy. "Your son stole my daughter apparently" I say monotonously. "Georgie it's time to give her back to her mama" Miss Wright says to the boy.

He frowns as he holds my darling closer, "No" he says stomping his foot. Miss Wright looks surprised, as am I but I don't show it. "George, Victoria is tired and needs to go to bed" I tell him as my patience starts to run low, Scarlett has spoiled him again to a disobedient little boy. "She can sleep with me!" He says. Scarlett looks at him, "Duckie, let her go" she says sternly. "No!" He says angrily, "Victoria can be with me!" He says.

"Duckie, let Vicky go or else no more fun for you" Scarlett says catching his attention as Miss Wright takes the advantage and takes Victoria away from him, angering the little boy as tears for in his angry eyes, about to spill down his red cheeks. "This is unfair!" He throws a tantrum. "Take her to her nursery" I tell the governess as Victoria waves goodbye to George, "Bye Duckie"

Scarlett walks off with her son as I go back to the garden. I sit back down and shut my eyes as I massage my temples before breaking down. Why is living life so much more painful everyday? Why did he have to go? why couldn't it have been me? I go to the balcony and light myself a cigarette. I shut my eyes, imagining that I am somewhere else.

***

I sit doing needlework as I feel hands on my shoulders. "working hard today my love?" I feel his hot breath against my ear. A smile that I can not help appears onto my lips as I respond to him, "Not too hard" while still keeping my attention on the needlework. He lets go of me and walks to face me, "Come on Alice, don't you wish to spend time with me? Your husband!" he pouts. 

I look up and laugh "Alright my love" and put my things aside as i stand up as he takes my hand. "Are we going to another adventure?" I ask him. He smiles mischievously, "Of course" 

***

The memory fades away as it always does. I open my eyes and feel tears strea, down my face. The same questions repeat themselves in my mind. I keep smoking to try and calm myself down but nothing works as tear after tear prickles down my face. Crying turns into sobbing as I crumble down to the ground letting my greif out. I cry and I cry until I notice the sky getting dark.