'Sometimes we have to sacrifice our youths in order to let people live.'
Tulia Byrne has been a Queen for longer than she could remember. Her story begins so carefree and so full of love and yet by the end of it you'll be wondering if you even know...
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The preparations for Greer's wedding were well underway, pink clouds were painted over a blue sky on the back wall of the hall and golden sun rays were hanging from the ceiling. It was a grand affair, Tulia was in awe at the magnificence of it all. The wedding was fit for a Queen.
Tulia and Greer had become fast friends over the past few weeks with Greer graciously inviting the Irish Queen to her wedding. Growing up Tulia did not have many female friends as they would never truly be themselves around her but being with Mary and her ladies was a breath of fresh air.
"When I was younger I would have died for a wedding like this." Lola commented, her sapphire eyes casting themselves around the room, never staying still as there was just too much to look at.
"It's spectacular. Befitting its spectacular bride." Mary smiled, noticing Greer's unbothered facial expression.
"Truthfully I would've preferred something simpler." Greer sighed, looking around the room at the expensive decorations.
"For your sake or for Leith's?" Kenna snarked, watching as the blonde sighed and rolled her eyes at her.
"Who is Leith?" Tulia enquired, looking at the other girls in confusion.
"Greer's lover." Kenna answered quickly, earning a soft smack from Lola.
"He isn't my lover." Greer remarked, looking towards Kenna with annoyance. "We just held a special connection."
"Were you in love with him?" Tulia smiled, her smile dropped when Greer cast her eyes to the floor in sadness. "I'm sorry, that wasn't fair of me to ask." Greer shook her head dismissively and spoke again.
"Marrying Aloysius is enough, without flaunting all of this in his face."
"Is this Castleroy's doing?" Lola questioned, wondering if the older man was trying to rub salt in Leith's already very open wound.
"Goodness no, it's my mother." Greer objected, looking at the girls with an awkward expression which caused the others to laugh. Tulia had never met Greer's mother but talking with her gave her enough information to know that the woman could be quite overbearing and was very proud of her family and the wealth it was going to marry into.
Their conversation was broken by the pattering of feet as a young girl, no older than ten, came running into the hall straight for Greer. The nanny behind her made many futile attempts to stop the girl but it was too late.
"It's alright." Greer smiled, hugging the young girl closer to her as she wrapped her arms around her waste. "This is Gemma, Aloysius' youngest. His children are here for the wedding."
"Now they are your children." Kenna jibed in a very insulting manner. Tulia hadn't known the girl very long but she had already decided that Kenna was her least favourite of Mary's ladies. She did not dislike her but she didn't necessarily get along with her either. The young girl speaks to Greer is a hushed tone, asking her a question politely.
