Returning Reign

Chapter 24

I finished writing Returning Reign today! As promised, updates will be coming now. Also, do what makes you happy this summer!!

     Thursday comes along and the palace is bustling with an inexplicable energy. We are all preparing for the biggest night of the decade and possibly of our entire lives. The future king of Zemira will choose his bride in two days and the kingdom will be in a frenzy to find out all about her, and planning the next royal wedding.

     Today for work I was assigned to clean Nathaniel's suite. For real this time. As I headed up there with a small group of maids I couldn't help but hope I crossed paths with him today. I feel like I am so desperate for everything to workout perfectly Saturday that I am willing to tell him everything. I need as many allies as possible to get more done.

     To my dismay, Nathaniel's suite was empty and there was no trace of him anywhere. The entire time I dusted counters, folded clothes, and mopped floors my thoughts were consumed by him. His intoxicating cologne and aftershave was nearly overpowering me in his entire suite.

     The thought of him choosing his future wife in front of me makes me feel sick when I have no right to feel that way. We barely know each other, and its not like anything romantic has actually occurred between the two of us.

     The work day is done and as I head to my suite the head maid stops me.

     "Cartia, I would like to let you know that the Royal family has requested that you work on their suites from now on." She smiles proudly at me and congratulates me.

     "Thank you, this is a big honor." Being asked by the royal family to clean their suites means that they liked your work, and they trust you with their privacy, and it is considered a big honor.

     "Congratulations again, I dont want to keep you here for too long so go enjoy the rest of your evening!" The head maid says and then heads off.

     I take a quick shower and put on some comfortable clothes to lounge in for the rest of the evening. My muscles ache from the intense cleaning I have been doing the past few days so I want to take it easy. I suddenly hear a frantic knock on my door and I rush to open it.

     I open the door and I am greeted with Lizzys face. "Lizzy, what's wrong?" I ask her worriedly.

     "I heard Nathaniel is in the library. Go talk to him, I know you were looking for him earlier." She tells me quickly and I nod my head.

     "Thank you Lizzy, you're a lifesaver!" I thank her quickly before I head off. She closes my bedroom door behind me. I am walking so quickly it may be considered jogging but I need to get to Nathaniel.

     I told Lizzy this morning that I thought I was ready to tell him the truth and she agreed with my judgment as well. I reach the large wooden library doors and I am slightly out of breath. I open the doors and peek inside. I see no one.

     "Nathaniel?" I ask out loud as I walk through the aisles of books and they are all unoccupied. I reach the end of the large library and sigh in disappointment. He is not in here.

     The odds of us running into each other before the final ball on Saturday are near impossible. He will be busy choosing a wife, running a kingdom, and working during the day. I am a maid and I cant approach him in front of other people.

     I walk slowly back to my room, my thoughts swirling around in my head. Instead of going back to my room I decide to knock on Lizzys door. I want some company.

     "Was he there?" Lizzy asks as soon as she sees my face.

     "Nope." I say disappointed. I walk into her room and sit down on her bed.

     "Oh no. That cant be good. You probably wont even see him until Saturday." Lizzy says worriedly.

     "Its okay. We have gotten this far with just the two of us." I try to calm both of us down.

     "You're right!" Lizzy tries to convince herself too.

     "Lets watch a movie or something." I suggest to Lizzy as I turn to face the television in her room.

     "That sounds amazing right now." She replies.

Authors Note:

I graduated high school!!!! Thank you all for being patient with the ups and downs that I have had while writing this book. It is my first baby and it definitely had a learning curve. Wishing you all the best!
-xoxo ellie violet