Chapter 2 Not What I Expected

Evangeline was in shock. Some…thing wanted a princess, wanted her. She couldn’t help it but blurted out “Why don’t you just give them Theodora then.”. In her mind it would be the perfect solution, everyone would get what they wanted. In fact, her life would probably be better all round without her annoying sister.

Dr Grawffe snorted but was quickly silenced by a look from the king. “That was discussed, but she was found to be …unsuitable.”, said Sir Crowley. She looked at her father in shock, he really had considered it. It had been a joke on her part. “Why wasn’t she right Father, was it that she’s too young or too independent?” Evangeline asked. “There is only one reason my dear, and that is she is not the heir.” answered Sir Crowley.

This actually made sense to Evangeline, it was not as there was anything mystical about being heir. You were just firstborn, but sometimes she felt a connection to the realm. A feeling of pride, duty. It didn’t happen often, however as she got older it happened more. Perhaps it was just her accepting that she would be queen one day.

Her father, seeing she was lost in thought cleared his throat to get her attention. “ My dear, you are old enough to have a say in this matter. The beings have agreed to a meeting with you to explain things, whys and wherefore’s. If we agree to this trade…”. “What do you mean trade? I thought they were not taking no for an answer”, interrupted Evangeline.

Sir Crowley answered “They will not take no from us, but it is possible that you will be so unfit for the position that they will change their minds.” He continued “ and as for trade.., well their technology is well ahead of ours in most ways. In some cases hundreds of years ahead. Their ships, aircraft and what they call energy sources.”.

Dr Grawffe added “They use a process called fusion to produce electricity. The physics are beyond us, our best minds can barely understand the basic maths. But can you imagine a aircraft, capable of flying around the world without stop, or a warship that doesn’t burn oil. Of cities supplied power from a machine the size of a double decker bus.”. The king gestured to the two men to stop, “Enough, let her think for a minute”, he commanded.

“It does sound fantastic indeed, a world changer..the Albion Empire could rule the world.” said Evangeline in a small voice “but only if I say yes and they find me acceptable.”. She couldn’t think of any reason they would not accept her but if they were non-human then they could have other reasons.

“If things are as you say and I have no real choice then meet we must.”, she stated “when does this take place and where”. Sir Crowley said “we have been given a days grace, so today being Monday, we must meet Wednesday afternoon at three o’clock.”. Her father asked “have they told you where they will come through this time? Because we must keep the general population in the dark.” “They have your majesty, they plan to open a doorway here, on palace grounds”, added Dr Grawffe.

There was lots to think about in that sentence thought Evangeline, open a doorway? Come through? It would have been fascinating if she wasn’t so frightened. She tried not to show her feelings as the king and the two doctors made plans for Wednesdays meeting. The prime minister had been summoned to the palace and was on his way now that a decision had been made.

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Telling her father she would like to retire now as she had much to consider, she said good night to her father and the doctors. As she was leaving her father advised “not a word to Theodora, she is too young, your mother knows most of what we discussed but not all.”. Bowing to her fathers wishes Evangeline quickly went to her bedroom.

Her maid helped her change for the night, not being invasive but just helpful in a diffident manner. Declining the offered late night snack Evangeline lay in her bed, mind racing. So many questions, so few answers. The next day would be difficult, to keep the secrets and to act normal until Wednesday. She made a note to ask father to send Dr Grawffe for more details.

It was long but sleep finally took her.

Tuesday came, as Tuesdays usually do. Mostly a nothing much of a day, like a Thursday but less important.

Evangeline’s days usually were planned out to a T, but her father had sent a note saying that today was hers. He had let her various tutors know as well. A meeting with Dr Grawffe was set for early afternoon but until then….freedom.

Dressing up to impress had never been her passion, not like Theodoras constant changing and primping. She preferred simple clothes that wore well, looked good and were fit for the task at hand. So that was how she looked today, presentable but no hint of fluff showing.

She stopped by the massive kitchen to eat breakfast, a very busy place indeed. At least 8 chefs talking, cooking, planning…arguing, dozens of aides, bussers , maids, housekeepers, butlers, under-butlers, all keeping busy. With nearly two hundred staff, visitors snd the royal family, the kitchen was the heart of Brewsterling palace.

A soul-chef was tasked to keep an eye for any of the royals that might stop by. He of course noticed Evangeline and had her seated in a nook in a moment. A maid brought tea as he enquired of her wants and then quickly went to prepare her order. Poached eggs on light buttered toast arrived in a minute or two and she ate while reading the Times.

The paper was still going on about the scandal. She wondered if it would ever end, it didn’t look like it ever would. Going on and on about Selma, how poorly she treated Arthur. Her previous affairs, marriages, peccadilloes. The way they portrayed her, as an evil witch who wormed her way into the royal family. “It didn’t say much about uncles morals.”, she muttered to herself.

A smaller article caught her attention, the summer Olympic Games would be held in Garminder. The Garmin chancellor, a Mr Schickel , was going off about how these games would be the biggest and best. How the aryan Garmin team would win all the gold medals. How the city of Berlin was a shining example to the rest of the world.

Evangeline knew better to believe any of that. Her father had many meetings about the Garmind threat, what they could do to counter him, if he starting a war. She sighed. A passing maid took that to show she was done and, after asking, whisked her dishes away, along with the offensive newspaper.

Leaving the kitchens Evangeline was not sure what she really wanted to do now. She enjoyed hands on activities and was torn between visiting their massive garage with all the wonderful motor cars. Or going to their private library and look up some of the things she remembered from the last evenings meeting. Skara Brae….she mused on that. Yes off to the library.

There was still hours until her meeting with Dr Grawffe and, with the help of the head librarian, had pulled several books on Skara Brae, physics and the possibility of other dimensions.

They looked very thick, more doorstop than book but she was determined. At least the history of the Fariff islands had pictures. The Pictish island chain was wild and beautiful, but looked very cold indeed. After perusing that book for an hour, she turned to the book of theoretical physics….and closed it soon after. That poor cat.

The books on other dimensions were either densely mathematical or fairy tales, neither very helpful. Unless you wanted to find a fairy ring, dance naked in it and eat mushrooms. No thank you, she thought.

Thanking the librarian for his help, replacing the books on the shelf, and receiving a small lecture of how important it was to let him do that.

She headed for her fathers office for the promised meeting with Dr Grawffe. Being early was as much a fault as being late but she couldn’t wait any longer. She had to know more.