3 The king is dead

Chapter 3 The king is dead After Prince Edward had left, Tom stayed in front of the mirror, admiring his reflection.

But as the minutes ticked by, he began to worry. "Where's the prince gone?" he wondered. "What happens if they find me here?" At last the door opened, to let in a richly dressed girl with flaming red hair, who curtsied to him. Tom trembled before her.

"What's the matter, my lord?" asked the girl. "I'm not my lord," said Tom. "I'm Tom Canty- a pauper." The girl laughed. "What tricks are you playing on your sister?" she asked. "My sister?" gasped Tom. "Are you Princess Elizabeth?"

Tom instantly fell to his knees. Elizabeth came over to him, a worried frown on her face. "What is it, my lord?" she asked. "Don't call me that!" cried Tom, whimpering. "I told you- I'm Tom Canty. I'm a pauper, not a prince."

Elizabeth hurried from the room. In no time, a whisper was racing around the palace- "The prince has lost his mind!" Tom ran and hid behind a chair. "They'll come and get me now," he thought, terror-struck. "They'll hang me for sure."

When the door opened again, a grandly dressed noble entered the room. He bowed to Tom and beckoned to him. "Come, nephew," he said. "Your father would like to see you." Helplessly, Tom followed him. Servants bowed to him along the way and Tom tried to bow back.