In the Shadows~zayn au~Completed ✅EDITING

~Chapter 33: Diplomatic Matters~

Hello guys!!!! I am TERRIBLY sorry about how long this took for another update.

1. Zayn quit the band. I mean, come on. We're all a bit shaken.

2. I've had a lot of problems come up and I haven't been able to actually get the words out. It's hard to write when emotional upheavals are occurring daily.

Anyway, enough whining from me. I know that things might be difficult since Zayn is no longer in the band and that makes this weird to read, but I can't very well change the main character, now can I? Regardless of his status or what he's doing, I think we can all agree that he's a big part of what made the band successful and most of us still love him.

This Zayn isn't going to leave you, though. I'm going to finish this, dang-it! I have so much that I've written already, future scenes that I can't wait for you guys to read! Bear with me!

Also ALERT ALERT!! I've been told everyone is getting anxious for some "action" between these two. It's getting there! Patience grasshoppers! xoxo

Now back to the story! HUGE update!

In the previous chapter: Breaking from his grasp, she looked down and said, "Yes, I am glad we've come to this point of mutual realization." She sounded stilted, but she was fighting the side of herself that told her to stay right there with him. Turning, she all but fled to her quarters belowdecks.

But she couldn't flee herself, for the problem was within. What was she going to do?

That evening, when she'd gotten her emotions under control, she emerged out on deck and marveled at how the weather had changed. The breeze blew warm air across her and she felt fresher for it. An early spring was a good omen. She looked out on the water, a new favorite pastime, even though the night was ink black a span out from the ship.

"Evening, Princess." The Ambassador came to join her. "How are you feeling?"

"I am well," she supplied, knowing he wasn't actually asking after her health, "and I would like to apologize for my behavior earlier."

"Do as you see fit."

"I know that I am not quite as adept at hiding my emotions as I pretend to be," she confessed. "I can be a little... prideful at times as well. With these things at the forefront of my mind, I want you to know that I am entirely committed to furthering the success of our mission. I will do what is necessary to train, but I request that we hold a level mutual respect as we work toward this. I will work hard and I am not impervious to constructive analysis."

"I believe that is amenable," Zayn commented.

"I can agree to this," Louis chimed in, walking up.

"Listening in is considered rude in every nation as far as I know," Kalysta chided, stepping back to include him in the conversation.

"When it involves me as well, then I would say I should be allowed to listen, no?" He wasn't apologetic at all. As she was getting more and more used to his personality he irritated her a bit less.

"How long until we reach Cheshire?" she asked, trying to move the discussion along.

"We'll be there midday tomorrow," Louis answered. "We'll leave almost immediately from Vitonen to reach Quintus."

"Will we be staying somewhere tomorrow evening?"

"Yes, there is a town we'll reach by then." Zayn took a turn answering this time. "We can't appear before the King looking bedraggled and weary. He'll set great precedence on our appearance."