The Queen

Chapter 12

By the time I get out of the room, the hallways are beginning to quiet down, people organizing and getting ready to sleep. I silently walk towards the kitchen, looking at the night-filled windows.

When I get near, I hear some chatter and the sound of dishes slightly touching. I open the door and immediately catch the attention of the servants who were cleaning.

"My Queen! Is there something you need?" one of them says, motioning to the others to silence and pay attention.

"Sorry to bother, but is there any dinner left?" I asked genuinely sorry to bother them at this hour.

"Of course, Your Majesty! We could also make you tea, would you like that?" another one offered, guiding me to a chair and placing a dining mat in front of me.

"I would love that," I replied, with a kind smile "with some honey, please." I quickly added, looking at how they moved around the kitchen with the excitement of feeding their Queen.

I went to grab my phone from my pocket but noticed that it wasn't there. Maybe I left it at my room or office, making a mental note to look for it after dinner.

A plate of fresh mashed potatoes and some steak was placed in front of me. Later on, they added the chamomile tea, informing how it helps with sleep, and a small bell.

I reply with a 'thank you' and quietly dig into the food.

Before I can say anything, they quickly exit the room, leaving me alone once again. I wanted to call for them to even sit with me but went against it. After a couple of bites, my appetite was gone as well as the bit of strength left for the day.

Shaking the bell, I disappear through the door.

I quickly got to the bedroom hallway, seeing how Maya and Owen were not by my door anymore. The hallways were a bit dark, the main light source coming from the moonlight. However, before I got to my room, I saw a tall figure leaning into the hallway balcony railing, as in deep thought. I recognized who it was right away and decided to enter my room right away.

I won't let him disrespect me or even talk to me anymore. I won't ever accept being spoken to like the way he did.

***

My alarm rings and I turn it off on the second. The sun is radiant and the blue sky is starting to get its morning intensity. I get up, knowing that I have the morning horse ride with Levi.

I quickly wash my face and change into my horse riding clothes, deciding against showering since I sweat a lot while riding. Once I'm changed, I walk towards my vanity, in search of a ponytail band.

I open the first vanity drawer: not there.

The second drawer: not there

The third drawer: not there.

"I literally had a new packet, where the fuck do these things disappear?" I mutter to myself, annoyed that I don't find a stupid band.

I went towards my nightstand, getting the annoying hair out of my face, but something else caught my attention. An old-looking paper stared back at me with one edge beneath the lamp.

With furrowed eyebrows, I took it in my hands, thinking that maybe Louis left a note yesterday but this is a different paper than the ones he usually uses.

The edges are clearly burned and it has a brownish stain. I turn it around but find nothing written on it.

Huh?