concealed

chapter two: idyllic

Lydia:

A zephyr was all it took for me to wake up. I believe even senses like these are cerebral. Not emotional. Not physical. They are cerebral only if you allow them to be. If royalty has ever taught me a thing, it is to conceal your feelings. Don't ever let people know what you're feeling because they will take advantage of it. They always have. 

I slip out of my sheets and prepare myself to get through another normal day. At least, I hope it will be normal. Once I'm ready for the day, I head downstairs and see Raven cooking breakfast. I greet her good morning and we eat breakfast in silence. When we're done with breakfast, we head out the door and make a quick stop at the shop to transfer the flower orders for the Palace. I just wish I wouldn't have to even come across Nicholas. However, I am very excited to witness the reunion between Raven and Nestor. A car from the Palace was waiting for us right outside the shop. We head towards the Palace and I pray it's going to be another normal day.

"Oh. My. God." is what Raven says right after we enter the Palace.

It is beautiful. The interiors are so well designed. It reminded me of Hiraeth but I pushed the thought away as soon as it came to my mind. The last thing I needed was to be thinking about Hiraeth right now. Life is very difficult as it is. We are standing at the main entrance of the Palace so I signal for the helpers to enter and start marking it for decoration. We are shown the royal diner and royal hall. This work can be done exactly in two days and that's exactly how much time we have. Fortunately enough, we run into Nestor.

"Hello, ladies," he says.

"Hello, Nestor," we respond in unison.

We make small talk and I immediately leave after that. Not only because I have work to do but because I could clearly make out the look Nestor was giving me. Signaling me to stop being such a pathetic third-wheel. Evicting the matchmaker, I see. Unfortunately enough, I see Nicholas heading toward my way. Luckily, he didn't notice me. I turn the other way and almost stumble into someone.

"Lydia, is it?" the lady asks. She seems like a housekeeper.

"Yes, how may I help you?"

"Oh dear, the Queen was asking for you herself. I assume you know your way to her chamber," she says. She looks in a hurry.

"Yes, I do. Thank you."

She nods and scurries over to the royal kitchen. So, the thing is... I don't really know the Palace yet. This means I don't know where the Queen's chamber is either. I'm just hoping I find the way. I make a few turns and almost knock down a vase but someone catches it. I look up to see the one and only. Nicholas. I blinked a few times hoping it would be a figment and his figure would fade away. But it didn't.

"What are you trying to do?" he seethes.

The look in his eyes made very clear what he thought I was doing.

"The Queen has called me into her chamber. I don't know why. So if you're thinking I'm roaming around the Palace trying to steal something, drop it." I seethe back.

"Well, Ms. Hazelwood, isn't that a very crude way to talk to someone you just met for the second time? Especially the future King of Meraki," he shoots back, mocking me.

"Well, future King, considering how you speak to people and judge them, you're not very fit to be one, are you?"

His eyes appear very serious, suddenly.

"I'll escort you to the Queen's chamber and if I find out she didn't ask for you, you'll face very serious consequences. I mean it."

"Okay. Lead the way."