The Queen's Court *ON HOLD FOR EDITING*

"M'lady! Please come down!" She whispered, beckoning me with her hand.

I laughed and climbed higher; much to her dismay.

"M'lady!"

From my spot in the trees, I could barely make out her curly hair, yet I could still hear her voice shaking. That just meant that I had to climb higher!

"Relax Crissa!" I laughed. "I only came up here to catch a quick breath of air! It smells like sewage down there!"

She started wringing her hands and pacing.

"M'lady! You must come down! 'Twill your mother say?!"

I groaned and slouched against the bark, hitting my forehead with my hand. Crissa could be such an ass sometimes.

"Is there a problem here?" A deep voice asked. I peered through the branches at the newcomer. His hair was cut in the fashion of a knight, but his green eyes suggested noble birth.

"Hullo down there!" I shouted, tucking my legs under me as not to reveal my undergarments .

"Oi! There's a girl in the tree!" He laughed.

"It would appear so!" I called back.

"What, might I ask, is a young woman as yourself doing in this tree?"

"Escaping that awful headache standing next to you." I head Crissa gasp and I knew she was probably blushing.

"Shall I come up and help you down?" He asked, preparing to climb.

"I do believe I can see myself down, thank you!" I shouted. In one swift jump I was back on the grass, staring at the man in front of me.

He chuckled, revealing two dimples in his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, do I humour you?" I asked, getting rather irritated.

"Well it isn't everyday I find a girl in a tree!" He laughed.

"I will have you know good sir, I am but 5 months away from being 18. Not at all a little girl."

He raised his hands in defense and took a step away.

"My apologies m'lady."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I must be going." I summoned for Crissa to bring me my shoes.

"My I ask the name of the gi-young lady I have had the pleasure of speaking with?" He asked extending his hand.

I took it and curtsied.

"Lady Veronica Jewel. Some call me Roni. You may not." I frowned at him once more before walking off.

"And I am sir Harry! See you around M'lady." He called after me, but I continued walking.
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"Veronica darling! Where have you been?" My mother, Lady Jane of Ardenston, cried, pulling me towards the dressing quarters.

"I went for a walk Mother." I replied, winking at Crissa.

Mother glared at me.

"How dare you go for walk at a time like this?! Queen Antoinette herself has requested our presence in her court!" She squealed.

She shifted through my closet and lifted out my fanciest court apparel.

"But mother, this dress is too formal for a simple court gathering!" I protested, as a few maidservants began tending to me.

"Who said anything about a simple court gathering?! The queen has summoned a few ladies to find a suitor for her son! Prince Jefferson IV!"

Notes