Gundor Hold is decorated with silver and bronze.  Pillars of bronze stretch up to the "heavens".  It's outside exterior of stone and iron give a less indication of what lies inside.  The detailed paintings on the ceiling mirror that of the Sistine Chapel.  Only the royal family has seen the inside.  All of Gundor's profits is used to make the Hold perfect for them.

The group of five, Margaret, Stacey, John, Allen, and the royal guard make their way to the back room.  A large table takes up the majority of space in the room.  Chairs line the edge and seats the royal officer, Edward Westwood, and his lieutenant, Arron Westwood.  Margaret blushes when she sees him.  He had been her crush ever since she was little.

Margaret's aunt, Duchess Elizabeth sits with poise and manner.  Margaret looked up to her aunt as perfect queen material.

Everyone else are just various Dukes and Duchesses of Storovia.  Margaret takes the seat and the head of the table.  She had been to a royal meeting, but had never sat in the king's chair.  John and Stacey stand behind her.  Edward Westwood stands and begins by stating, "We give our condolences to the Quinn family and their loss of not only a great king, but the true suitable ruler of Storovia."  The others nod in agreement, but Margaret grimaces at his comment about her sister.

Elizabeth then stands and adds, "Because of this loss, we have called this meeting to discuss Princess Margaret's suitor and lady-in-waiting before she gets coronated.  Any suggestions for her lady-in-waiting?"

Stacey quickly raises her hand and blurts out, "Me!  I would be the perfect lady-in-waiting.  it was why I spent so much time with her as training so I could be her lady-in-waiting."  Everyone at the table agrees and Stacey is appointed.

"Any suggestions for a suitor?"  Margaret wants so bad to stand and demand to be suited to Arron.  Even as they discuss it, he looks at her with begging expression.  "What about that young man behind her."  A voice chimes in.  They all look behind her and stare directly at John.

John snaps out of his mind and stammers, "I don't think so.  I am just the princess's friend."  Everyone contemplates this.  Margaret gives a look to Arron as if to say, "Please ask if you could be the suitor."

Arron then catches on and says, "I will be her suitor."  Duchess Elizabeth stands and yells, "No!  She is not to be married to a Westwood."  "What's wrong with being a Westwood?" Edward yells back.  they begin to bicker and argue until Margaret finally stands to say, "Stop.  I will be married to whomever I choose."  "Who do you choose then?"  Elizabeth challenges her.  "I choose Arron."

John lets go of his breath and Arron silently screams.  Elizabeth audibly screams and walks out with her guards in tow.  Edward stands and approaches Margaret.  She stands to match him and they bow to each other.  Edward smiles at her and turns to leave, but stops to talk to Arron and say, "Be good to her, son."

Once all the adults leave, Margaret and Arron embrace each other.  "I have been so anxious for this moment."  Margaret says, barely able to keep her excitement in check.  Arron adds, also very excited, "I admire you so much.  I truly want to spend the rest of my life with you."  They nuzzle noses and giggle like little girls.  Stacey rolls her eyes and splits them apart.  "Alright you lovebirds, we should head back to our rooms.  Our separate rooms."

They all laugh and walk through the Hold together. "I guess this meeting is done.  Stacey is my lady-in-waiting, and Arron is my future husband.  Allen!  prepare my carriage for departure tomorrow morning."  Allen runs up and bows to her.

All the kids go to their rooms.  Stacey and Margaret share one and John and Arron share another.

In Stacey and Margaret's they stay up on their cots and talk.  "I just can't believe that I will be married to him."  Margaret blushes.  "You have to keep your emotions in check, though.  You know that the royal council doesn't like when queens get too emotional."  "I know, I'll just be excited in private."  "Again, I find it weird that he is 20 and you're 17.  It doesn't feel right."  "At least it's not as bad as Eleanor and Pierre."  They laugh and continue to talk throughout the night.  

A feeling hangs in the air.  A heavy feeling, of someone lurking behind you, ready to push you off a cliff.  The young kids pay no attention to it, but it haunts all of them.  They are on the brink of something terrible.