Alice nodded to her butler in a form of saying goodbye and thanks after he seated her. Once he left she exhaled softly, knowing she was seated not only at a table, but at a battleground as well. She greeted her father and mother softly and waited as a maid placed food in front of her. She had barely taken two bites when her father started on the dreaded topic.
"Darling Alessandra, it comes to my attention that you haven't been looking over any of the bachelors your mother has picked out for you. You best be starting soon, so we can approve of who shall be attending your honorary ball." The man spoke deeply and looked at his daughter with strict eyes. Alice sighed and looked at the King. "I have no interest in marriage Father. We have been over this." She murmured and kept her eyes on her food. King Edward slammed his hand on the table. "Alessandra!" Queen Charlotte looked at him and frowned. "Dear, calm down." But the King wouldn't have any of it. "No, we have been calm too long! She must take action and choose a suitable man to marry. I want another heir, thus needing her to be with child. Either she chooses or I choose for her!"
Alice jumped and looked at her father with wide teary eyes. He never yelled at her, talked sternly, yes, but never yelled. She sniffled and stood from the table, excusing herself and walking quickly from the room. She went the only place she felt free; the gardens. She took solace in the gazebo and curled in on herself in her dress.
Back in the room, Queen Charlotte tried to calm her king down and the maids scurried back into the kitchen. "It seems the Master yelled at the young Mistress... She looked rather distraught. She even ran away." One whispered to the others.