The King's Daughter (High Born Book 1) Read Free Page B

step closer to me. “England needs the alliance with Spain to carry on, Princess.”
    “I will never be your bride. You have not asked my father because you know my father will never accept. Spain needs our soldiers for the troubles they are having with the Italians and the French,” Prince Antonio’s face turns sour and I know I’m right. I may be new to court, and just a Princess but I like to know as much about politics as I can. Especially when I could be used as a tool for a peace treaty or to gain something on either end. Antonio does not say anything and marches away with his guards quickly following.
    “Are you ok Grace?” Jane asks me.
    “Yes,” I assure them all. “Antonio seems to think he is already a King and thinks he can order me and my father around.”
    “Are you going to tell the King?” Catherine asks.
    “I do not know,” I answer as we begin to walk back to the castle. As much as Antonio annoyed me, I do not want to run to my father with every little problem I have.
    “What about your mother? Or Prince George?” Jane asks. “You have to tell someone.”
    During our walk back to the castle I think about telling a member of my family about Antonio. Back and forth my mind wonders until I make a decision. As we enter the castle, I turn to face my Ladies, “I have decided to tell my mother.”
    My mother seems the right person to tell. George would be furious and I do not want to bother him.
    “I am pleased,” Jane smiles.
    Now that the jousting has ended, I know that my mother will be in her private quarters, freshening up before dinner. Once I get close to her door, my guards hang back a little as I knock. One of her Ladies answers, Lady Victoria, and she smiles widely when she sees me.
    “Princess Grace,” she welcomes me into my mother’s chambers. “It is lovely to see you.”
    “And you too Lady Victoria,” I greet politely. “I hope my mother is not giving you too much work,” I joke with her.
    “No Grace, of course not,” Lady Victoria quietly laughs as I enter.
    “Grace?” My mother frowns in concern.
    “Can I talk to you privately?” I ask, looking around at my mother’s Ladies. All six of them.
    “Of course,” My mother accepts, nodding her head to her Ladies and they all walk out the chambers one by one. My mother motions for me to sit beside her and she places her hand on my knee and looks to me. “What did you need to talk about my darling?”
    “I went for a walk in the castle gardens with my Ladies, and Prince Antonio approached us,” I begin.
    “Yes, I had heard he arrived. A few of my Ladies have reported how much he adores himself,” My mother grumbles. “What did he say to you?”
    “He wanted me to go back to Spain with him, and when I replied that I would need to ask father, he told me I would not need his permission if I were his bride,” I do not have to wait long for my mother to anger and become the Queen that people fear.
    My mother shouts, “He shall regret speaking to you like that my darling. I will tell your father, he needs to know.”
    “I did not want to bother father,” I add, trying to calm her.
    “He will want to hear about this,” she continues to pace and I sit and watch.
    She curses Antonio and him daring to go behind hers and my father’s back. When she finally calms, she caresses her hand over the top of my head, smoothing my hair, “Your father and I have big plans for you Gracey and Antonio is not part of that, don’t you worry.”

After breakfast the next morning, I want some fresh air and decide a walk in the garden is just what I need. I let my Ladies know of my plans and that I would like to go alone. Once they have made me promise that I will take a guard, I go on my way towards the gardens. Ten minutes into my walk, I spot a bench amongst the flowers and trees. The birds are chirping and the sun is shining, it would be a shame not to take a seat and appreciate it all.  I smile to the guard as I sit down and