30

Alexander was sitting on his throne and I sat on my own. It was a little smaller but not by much and with less decoration.

He kept his word when he said I no longer will be able to roam around on my own and that I must always be by his side.

Every second of the day I am by him. Whether it be a meeting, ball, or just sitting in his office while he does paperwork.

I don't know what happened to Bethany, but I know she is still alive. Alexander goes to see her every other day. That's the only time when I am alone. I stay in our bedroom for the time until he comes to get me.

"Alexander, please. Can I go to the garden?" I asked delicately.

"I have to finish this paperwork, so not right now," he said focused on the papers in his hand.

"Can I go by myself?"

"Elise, we have already gone over this," he sighed and continued with paperwork.

"But Alexander, please I will have the guards," I begged.

"I left guards with you last time as well and look what happened," Alexander said finally looking up with that icy glare, silently telling me to drop the subject.

"Yes, but..."

"No Elise, now drop it," he said sharply.

I just sat there reading a new book from the library. It was a book about the life of a peasant woman who went to war and overthrew the dangerous tyrants who ruled over the kingdom. It was a fantasy that I could never see as a reality, not because of her gender, but because of the power the royals held.

"What is it you're reading?" Alexander asked and I looked up to see he was done with his paperwork and looking at me.

"It's called 'The Justifications Of A Peasant'," I told him as I didn't think he was interested in it.

"Tell me what it is about,"

"A peasant overthrows a powerful family only using her wit and intelligence," I said.

"And your take on it?" He asked with his head tilted to the side but his eyes looked at me with curiosity and something I couldn't place.

"What do you mean?"

"When you read a book, your own opinions will fill your mind. Do you agree with the protagonist or do you feel they are more problematic than what is needed to solve a solution?"

"I believe that this woman did these things to better her life, to make a change for the greater good of the people," I said.

"I have read that book and I can say with strong belief that your opinion will change when you finish. Now, I believe you wanted to head to the gardens," Alexander said and held out his arm for me to take."

I took his arm and we walked to the large gardens together. Three guards followed behind us a few feet away.

I loved the garden the most out of all the places to go in the castle. I can guarantee Alexander knows this as I always ask to go there.

This is where I relax and smell the roses. I sometimes make flower crowns with the children. I learned that workers who have children work here as well when they turn around seven. Most girls work in the gardens while the boys in the stables.

"Your majesty, may I have a moment?" I heard one of the servants say.

They whispered to Alexander before giving him a letter. I saw Alexander become furious looking as if he was going to kill that poor servant on the spot after reading it.

"Elise, lets go,"

"But Alexander, we just," I said as I stood up and walked up next to him.

"I know but we have unexpected visitors on their way,"