Returning Reign

Chapter 21

Hope you are all doing good during these scary times :)

"Of course, what else would I do other than sneaking into a heavily guarded royal ball?" I joke around and get a deep chuckle out of him. The sound brings a smile to my face.

"There's no need for you to call it sneaking in anymore because the crown prince has invited you personally," Nathaniel pretends to hand me an invitation and I pretend to grab it.

By this point we have already arrived at the large gates that lead to the lord's house. Our horses dont even get to halt because the staff immediately recognize the crown prince and they open the gates quickly.

"Thank you," Nathaniel thanks the workers in his prince voice. Distant, formal, yet polite. We make it to the front and we both get off our horses. Awaiting for us is the lord and his wife at the front steps.

"I hope it wasnt too cold on your way over here Prince Nathaniel," the lady tries to start a casual conversation with Nathaniel. I cant help but feel awkward, I am not supposed to be here.

"Its a lovely winter day, I enjoy the scenery." Nathaniel waves off the ladys polite concern. He is not the same way with them as he is with me. The walls surrounding him are up, and there is no grin or smirk on his face. I dont know Prince Nathaniel, only Nathaniel Raze.

"We have warm tea inside so that we can drink it during our discussion," the lord tells Nathaniel and we follow them inside the mansion. The mansion is large, much larger than my home, but not nearly as big as the Zemiran palace.

"The ladies can discuss out here while we talk in my office," the lord suggests to Nathaniel. Nathaniel looks over at me to see if I am okay with that. I give him a tight smile and nod my head.

I guess he doesn't want women to be involved with these affairs. It irks me to think that he probably doesnt think his wife is able to be part of these matters. It would be different if she chose not to. I dont think that's the matter when a flash of disappointment crosses her face before she recovers quickly with a pleasant smile.

Appearances are everything.

We are left in a room full of pastel yellow and white decor. The white leather couches with pastel yellow curtains and various decor littered around the room. It was slightly crowded but seemed lived in, unlike the palace.

"Take a seat sweetie," I do as she says and sit directly across from her. I can feel my cheeks are probably pink from the cold but the rest of my body is warm.

"What is your name? I do not recognize you," the lady asks as she pours tea into two teacups. What am I supposed to say? I cant say I'm a maid because Nathaniel told me to keep this between us.

"I am Cartia Reed," I tell her vaguely. Sticking to a mix of my old and my real name.

"I believe I do not know of the Reed family, are they new lords? Zemira is always expanding."

"You could say something like that," I go along with the idea she provided. We drink our tea and have brain numbing small talk. After an hour of what feels like torture Nathaniel and the lord come out of the office. I try not to jump too eagerly out of my sitting position.

"Thank you for your visit prince," the lord and lady curtsey to Nathaniel as we step out of the house.

"Your hospitality is appreciated," Nathaniel nods and we leave. We mount our horses and leave the property. 

"If you would have left me there for ten more seconds I would have spontaneously combusted," I tell Nathaniel of the awkward small talk.

"Sorry I just have to check in with all the lords and ladies every couple of months to make sure their villages are doing fine," Nathaniel explains to me.

"Well apparently I am lady Cartia Reed," I tell Nathaniel. He chuckles out at my fake title.

"My lady, where would you like us to spend the rest of the day?" he asks in a fake foreign accent.

"Lets go to the book shop," I tell him and he nods in agreement.

"Where else would I have expected you to choose," he says sarcastically.

"What? You want to go ball gown shopping instead?" I suggest evilly even though I dont enjoy shopping as well. 

He visibly shudders, "I am good with the book shop. I actually have some books I want to buy," we are making our way to the small village.

"What types of books would prince Nathaniel read?" I ask him. He ponders over the question.

"Books about history, war strategies, foreign cultures and languages," he lists off.

"What would Nathaniel read?" I ask him and he looks surprised. He knows I have caught on to his two personalities, the moody cold prince, and the sweet playful man.

"I dont know," he seems surprised that he doesnt even know who he is.

"Well let me tell you, I have quite a list of recommendations from all types of genres." I tell him.

"Im all ears," he says. We have arrived in the same village I was at when I first arrived in this realm. The outside of the book shop looks exactly the same. We get off our horses and walk in together. The shop is empty except for the old man I talked to the first day I got here.

The last time he saw me I was a lost girl, he didnt even catch my name. But, I remember his. Ben. He led me to the palace, and for that I am forever thankful. Does he remember me? And does he remember the question I made? I asked him about a forbidden Zemiran topic. My parents.

The bell rings lightly when we step inside and he turns to look at us. He sees Nathaniel first and he scrambles to stand up from his wooden rocking chair. He had been peacefully reading before seeing us.

"Hello Prince Nathaniel," Ben bows in respect. "I did not know you were coming, its so lovely to have you and your guest-" Ben stops his words once his eyes meet mine. The kind old man looks like hes seen a ghost.

"Is everything alright?" Nathaniel looks at Ben and then at me. I swallow harshly full of anxiety.

Oh no.

Authors Note:
I adjusted how the rest of the story will go and let me tell you, you're in for a treat!! I love the vision I have for the end and I know you will love it!

-xoxo Ellie Violet

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