Ch3-Her Imperial Majesty

CHAPTER THREE Her Imperial Majesty "Thanks for your help, Josef," said Annie. "Yeah, thanks a lot," said Jack. "You're very welcome," said Josef. "I hope you will enjoy yourselves at the party." "We will," said Annie. "Bye."

As the coachman climbed back into his carriage, Annie turned to Jack. "This is so cool!" she said. Not really, thought Jack. He didn't know how he was supposed to act with Her Imperial Majesty whatever-the-rest-of-her-name-was! His hands felt clammy. "What do we do when we meet her? What do we say?" he asked. "We just watch what other people do," said Annie, "and we copy them. Come on." Jack and Annie walked over to the sweeping stairway. They started up the steps, following the other party guests. The women all wore glittering jewels and gowns with giant hoopskirts. The men wore wigs with white curls flowing down over the

collars of their long coats. All the clothes were made of silk and satin and velvet in rich colors and patterns. "Oh, brother," said Jack. "What?" said Annie. "There's that kid who yelled at me," Jack said. The small boy from the blue coach was standing at the top of the stairs. He wore a lilaccolored coat with gold braid. A tiny sword hung from his side. "A sword?" said Jack. "That's ridiculous. He can't be more than four or five years old." The boy turned and caught sight of Jack and Annie. A big smile crossed his round face. He waved at them.

"He's cute," said Annie. She waved back. "Not really," said Jack. A man grabbed the boy's hand and pulled him into the palace. "And he thought I looked funny," said Jack. "How's my wig now?" Annie giggled. "It's crooked again," she said. "And your ears are poking out. Hold on." Jack and Annie stopped on the stairs. Annie grabbed both sides of Jack's wig and gave it a good yank. "Move along, children. You're holding up the line!" a woman behind them said.

Annie picked up her hoopskirt, and she and Jack hurried up the stairs. At the top, Jack pulled their invitation out of his pocket again. He led Annie into the palace and showed the invitation to a guard in a red uniform. "Follow the line through the lantern room and into the Great Rosa Room," the guard said. Jack saw a line of party guests walking slowly through a candlelit room. He and Annie quickly joined the line. The room was filled with sounds of whispering and the rustling of silk. A young girl in a white dress with red roses was standing near Jack and Annie. When the line moved, Jack waited for the girl to go ahead.

The girl smiled. "I'm not in line," she said in a soft voice. "I'm waiting for my brother." Jack nodded, and he and Annie stepped forward. Jack craned his neck to get a better view inside the Great Rosa Room. He couldn't see Her Imperial Majesty yet, but he could see part of the fancy room with its red velvet chairs and gold-trimmed, glossy white walls. Another guest entered the Great Rosa Room, and Jack and Annie took a step closer to the door. Now Jack could see Her Imperial Majesty. She was a tall, plump woman dressed in a blue silk gown with ruffles. To Jack's surprise, the little kid with the sword was sitting on her lap! A long row of older children stood behind her.