Queen's Adviser

Chapter 52

*Zelene's P.O.V*

Arriving at the shopping center, I aimlessly walk around for a while. I'm not really sure where they are or what they are doing here so I have no way of narrowing my search down at all. All I do know is that they are still somewhere here so this is the best I can do.

The crowd is zero help as well, as I'm constantly nervous they walked right by me and neither of us had a clue, as I'm sure they would stop if they did. Well I wouldn't put it past her Majesty to see me and continue walking. It has felt like she has been avoiding me since I arrived and became her adviser but it could just be everything going on that has kept us apart too.

That is what was going through my mind when I nearly finished my first lap of this shopping center and spot two familiar old men sitting bent over a table. They aren't hard to spot either as people look at them curiously but from a safe distance away, like being too close will cause you to die unexpectedly. It's a silly fear because both these men are harmless to anyone not looking for a fight and believe me, they know who is looking for a fight!

"Gentlemen!" I greet as I casually walk up to them, ignoring the people giving me worried looks and especially the people giving me excited looks, like they are expecting some altercation to happen. The crowd just loves to act like they aren't the ones that created this empty space themselves!

Getting close to the two old men, I smirk seeing them in deep concentration over a game of chess. Where and how they always seem to find a board to play on whenever they are together always will baffle me but it's the least of my concerns. I can't help but smirk either as I get close and they both just point me wordlessly into the shop, without even a glance my way.

"Thank you!" I tell them as I place a hand on Lady Euphemia's personal guard's shoulder and bend down to peck his check. I smirk, seeing the slightest blush on his cheek from the affection. It's always so much fun making this big old softy break character like that.

"Bishop G-5, you win in 4..." I whisper into his ear before standing back up. I mean, if I'm going to embarrass him like that, I might as well help him win. The slight grunt and eye roll from Duchess Grey's guard after he does the move isn't lost on me though and I struggle to hide my laugh at his frustration. He might have won if I didn't interfere but oh well.

I am curious what he and the Duchess are doing here though. I don't necessarily mean WHAT they are doing here either, but what they are doing HERE. Alfred usually knows if she is around the Lady so him not knowing or informing me is strange and has me wondering how she did it. Was it Lady Euphemia's doing?

When I enter and see them together, talking in a hushed whisper, and go quiet after hearing the bell of the door and seeing it is me entering, my suspicion that Lady Euphemia had a part in keeping the Duchess's presence a secret is almost confirmed.

"First Grey, and now you. So may I assume my husband is next then?" Lady Euphemia asks in a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

"I can't say. I'm honestly not sure where he is but yes, I used him to find you here." I tell her, taking in the shop I just entered and the child in Duchess Grey's arms? No, wait... is that her majesty? If so, why is she using a pacifier right now?

"Is that..." I start to ask before being shushed by both of them. Surprised that they both do it, I immediately stop talking.

"Yes. And she is asleep so speak softer. We also are keeping who we are a secret so try not to be so formal or stay quiet. We just want to be shoppers with money to spend and not our normal roles so if you blow our cover, we both will be very angry." Lady Euphemia tells me quite seriously.

"Why..." I start to ask before being cut off again.

"We don't have time to explain everything to you. Not right now at least. You both need to be gone before she wakes up so she has no idea of any of this and that is very soon. If you want to help, catch yourself up on what is happening and Grey will answer your many questions on your way out of here." Lady Euphemia tells me, not bothering to wait to see what I decide before going back to her quiet discussion with Duchess Grey. When I get closer to listen in, I'm surprised by the details!

"I know she doesn't need them. I know she doesn't want them right now either. At least she will never admit to it but what if she does want them one day? Wouldn't it be better to get them now? Are you saying you can't afford to spend your money on them, just in case?" Lady Euphemia says quite heatedly to the Duchess, who only scuffs at her.

"You know I could easily buy every package in the store and it would barely make a dent. That isn't the point! The pullups alone will scare her enough. If she found the diapers, she would immediately return home without another word and you know it to be true! We are already pushing her too far with everything else and we need to take a step back!" Duchess Grey says just as fiercely before taking a breath and continuing.

"Look, I'm not saying no. I agree they are very cute and it wouldn't hurt to have them, just in case. I miss seeing her waddling up to me for a change just as much as you do. She isn't a baby anymore though, and she has to be eased into this. Yes, she sometimes acts like a child. She doesn't act like a baby who can't make the potty and needs diapers though. She doesn't even act like she needs the trainers or pullups we are already getting her so what I am suggesting is we start with those and see how she does before getting these. You know those are going to be hard enough for her to accept as is and I have no idea how you got her to be so accepting of the trainers she is currently in! That itself is a miracle!!" Duchess Grey says, patting her Majesty's bottom as she does so.

"I told her it was for the riding later. Which was and is still true. I just didn't expect it to cause all this..." Lady Euphemia says, waving her hand in gesture to her majesty's current circumstances.

"Well from experience of just trying to pick out a dress or a particular hairstyle for her, I'm sure you agree it's never easy with her. Now imagine those... Even if she needed them, you know she would never agree. If you really want them, then buy them Euphemia. But keep them far from her and well hidden. If she finds even a single one and you ruin this for me because of your rush to have absolutely everything imaginable already ready, I will literally kill you!" Duchess Grey threatens and it startles all of us because we all believe her!

It also startles me because what in the world are they talking about!? I realized her Majesty acted with a bit of child-like tendencies but diapers? Pullups? She's using a pacifier right now AND wearing trainers!? What in the world did I miss while they were shopping here!?