Chapter 177: Toss of the Sea
Music Recommendation: Heaven’s, what an afternoon - John Lunn
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"What do you mean Emily is going west?!"
The Mother Queen disclosed Emily’s intention to voyage to the West to Lady Sophia a week later, whose face displayed a terrified expression, as though something grave had already occurred.
"Sending young unmarried women out of the kingdom alone? I do not approve of this, Mother Queen," Lady Sophia said, shaking her head and carefully setting her teacup on its saucer. "They have little understanding of the outside world, not to mention, the world beyond our borders is unsafe, and one can never predict what might happen."
"I understand your concerns, Sophia, but this is how we can help Emily," the Mother Queen stated, brushing off a bit of dirt from her lap, which she had picked up while in the garden. She continued, "You have seen how deeply she has been affected since that loser Nathaniel callously broke her heart with no mercy or consideration for her feelings. She needs to heal."
"If she truly needs to heal, then what better place is there for her than Versailles, where her family surrounds her?" Lady Sophia raised her eyebrows. "She has me, her brothers, and not to mention, you."
The Mother Queen smiled and remarked, "You might believe that I dislike flattery, but I do appreciate it. Nonetheless, it doesn’t change the fact that Emily needs a change of scenery. Little birdies eventually need to leave the nest to lead their own lives."
Lady Sophia’s eyes narrowed at her mother-in-law. "Just because you may have forgotten what happened many years ago doesn’t mean I have erased it from my memory. Emily was kidnapped, hunted by the same person who took the lives of those other girls. There are nights when I wake up with fear that my children have left their beds and met a tragic fate. And Aiden doesn’t make it one bit easier."
The Mother Queen placed her hand on Lady Sophia’s, saying, "I acknowledge your concern, Sophia, but many years have passed since that incident, and Emily is now a grown woman. We’ve imparted all we could to her, and you should give her the benefit of the doubt that she will be fine." She took a deep breath and continued, "I know you care deeply for her, but I am also aware that you want her to find a life partner and settle down, and now seems to be the right time. Niyasa will be there with her."
"Oh, that menace!" Lady Sophia rolled her eyes and leaned back against the couch she was sitting on. "If we are discussing her meeting eligible suitors, there are some from Versailles whom she hasn’t spoken to yet."