The Queen Has Fired The Governess

 Rex and Rowdy had heard Ivy's howl. It was an emergency alert. They ran to to the garden gates and spied the governess, but did not see the two princesses. "What do you think, Rex? Ivy seems to think there is trouble or she wouldn't have sent out the alarm."

Rex said, "We watch and be quiet. The governess has been acting strange lately. It is our job to protect the two little girls as well as the King and Queen. I remember that there is a maze through the far end of the garden. It goes to the western part of the kingdom. No one is allowed to go there by order of the King. Some people got lost in there and were never seen again. I was part of a canine task force and we never found them, so it's a bad place for sure."

Rowdy said, "What do we do about the governess? What if we are wrong and she is doing nothing wrong? We could get into trouble that way too. I'd say we are in a pickle."

They looked up and could no longer see the governess. "Ruff, we have lost not only the two sisters, but now I can't see that governess. Come on, let's get going. I will go in the direction of the governess and you go to the west. If the girls went in that direction it was the governess's fault. Now use that nose of yours and be quick! Find those girls. I'm going to get the governess back here and take her to the King. I will send out for help from the Watch Dog strays. It shouldn't take long with help from them. They don't have a pedigree, but they are street smart and fast. Okay, get going."

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It was a beautiful day for a stroll in the warm sunshine. The King looked about the lands that had belonged to him and his family for many generations. His father and his father before him had lived here. He ruled his kingdom much differently than his ancestors, however. His ancestors ruled with soldiers and wars. He ruled with kindness and good faith with his servants and the people that farmed his lands. He was a fair landlord and provided his farmers and their children with fair rents of their land and the crops that they raised. The King also thought that it was reasonable to provide medical care for them and their families. He even had a laboratory for the scientists to do experimental studies.

The King smiled when he thought about his two little girls. They soon would be grown up and be part of the Royal social gatherings. He worried about that. Choosing the right husbands for them would be a worry and thinking about them leaving the castle to their own homes left him quite sad. They were so beautiful, but so very different. One of his daughters was so anxious to please and the other quite the opposite. She would be a problem for a husband that's for sure," he chuckled. "But she too, was kind, but stubborn and difficult to train to ways of royal society. Yes, she would or could be a leader in society to say the least."

"Ahh, look at you, your majesty, he chuckled as he saw the Queen's cat sitting in the window surveying her kingdom; occasionally blinking her eyes. His wife  dressed that cat as a queen complete with crown and robes. "You know you are a spoiled cat. My dogs are not spoiled. They are workers and protectors. Just exactly what is it that you do to earn your keep?" He chuckled to himself about how he spoiled his Queen and walked on to check on the stray dogs that he was having trained to help his Great Danes.

As he approached the canine quarters he was immediately alarmed. It was empty! There was not a single dog in the building! He yelled for the trainer and watched as his dog trainer came running towards him. He was out of breath and running as fast as he could. "Your Majesty! The dogs are gone and so are the cats . I think the governess and the two Royal Princesses are in the maze. I am going to ring the alarm. I need help!"

As the Queen was descending the staircase to the dining room she heard the alarm. "Oh no! What on earth is wrong? I must find the King!"

She called for the butler and asked him where her daughters were. He replied, "Your Majesty, they have gone for a walk with the governess. They have been gone a good half hour. May I ask what seems to be the trouble?"

"Yes you may! I terminated her employment last evening. She should not be with my daughters. Call for the King. My children are in dire danger!"