I must

As Milo looked down at the little faces surrounding him and Evie, he wondered silently what the rest of his kingdom might look like, if this was the standard of this orphanage. Were there more like it? Had Evie simply chosen to help he poorest of the orphanages?

At her compliment, Milo found himself smirking slightly as he met her eyes. Many people had complimented him before, and he had been called kind before too, but never with such sincerity. It made him stand a little taller. He truly would do whatever he could for the children. Whatever it took, he wanted to help them. And the rest of his people. He was determined to change the fait of his people.

“Miss Mary, will you give me a tour?” He requested. Eager to learn more about the place and the children it sheltered. Perhaps the house looked better elsewhere? Perhaps this was the most run down part, although the outside of the building would suggest otherwise… Perhaps there was some hope?

As Andy heard his words, she felt heat rise to her cheeks.

“Damn her to hell” Andy muttered under her breath, furious with the queen, with the servant for not being more curious, with herself for allowing the queen to reach the letter and with the king for sending such a letter when he knew she was in the queen’s presence. They had all been fools!

She would never read that letter, never know what the king might have said. And what was more, she might lose the king’s favour if the queen confronted him about Andy. And Andy herself would be cut out of her own family like a poison by her own father. She quite honestly did not know what she could do.

“Prepare my horse. I must ride home” She then said to the servant, hitched up her skirts and began walking quickly through the castle to get out. She could not stay here another second. All she could think was that she must tell her father so that they might come up with some plan.

Tears were still blurring her vision as she stormed down the corridors, ignoring the various lords and ladies that tried to speak to her as she went. She had no intention or time for being polite. She had to get home. As she walked, it began to rain outside, little drops smashing against the windows almost rivalling the thunder rolling in over top.