Heart of Flax

Shrewd Demeanor

Hii!! So I wanted to post last week, but Archive was down for some reason. And I didn't want my Wattpad and Archive to be ahead or behind in updates so I decided to just post it this week :) but I'm back!

Feel free to stay to the end for a life update and story update :)

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*knock, knock*

The guards outside of Philomena's room announced the guest's titles, and the door opened to reveal the head maid, Dorota, and one of the queen's ladies-in-waiting. With her auburn hair in a bun and her hand on the doorknob, Winifred turned around to look at Philomena, bewildered. While Olive was brushing her soft black hair, Philomena was sitting at her dresser in a pink embroidered dress. And they both looked just as confused as Winifred did.

"Good morrow, my lady; I am Dorota, the head maid of the castle," Dorota stated, looking directly at Philomena and glaring at Winifred to step aside.

Philomena proceeded to get up and swiftly walk to the door.

"Oh, yes, hello! Nice to meet you," Philomena greeted back politely.

"Her Highness has requested your presence at her quarters," Dorota announced matter-of-factly.

But as soon as the three ladies heard her announcement, they did not have a sound response. They all gasped and looked at each other in dread. Philomena tried her best to hide her anxiety, but she could not help it. She had already been avoiding the Queen as soon as she arrived in the castle, and it was not like she and the Queen had reconciled, so why would the Queen be calling Philomena to her room the day after Philomena arrived? Philomena was incredibly skeptical, but prompted by Dorota's shrewd demeanor, Philomena had no choice but to respond.

"I see... Yes, I will head over there right now," Philomena expressed reluctantly. Dorota ignored this, though, and turned around, ready to lead the way for Philomena. Philomena glanced at Wini and Olive with an encouraging look and walked quickly to catch up with Dorota's clanking shoes.

The sound of *click-clack* and *tip-tap* resounded through the wooden hallways filled with embroidered tapestries containing the insignias of the Central Kingdom. The walls were an intimidating height, and the looming feeling did not fail to escape Philomena's awareness.

The three ladies walked in complete silence and when they finally arrived at the Queen's quarters, the guards opened the door without even announcing Philomena's presence. When she followed the two women inside the Queen's Quarters, she was surprised by the grandiose amounts of luxury. It was an extravagance that Philomena had never seen in her—albeit secluded—life before. The copious amounts of gold, diamonds, and rubies present in the room practically felt like a crime to Philomena's poor eyes. Ahh, it's shining so bright. She almost wanted to cover her eyes but held herself back, instead choosing to squint.

"Why hello. Welcome, welcome!" the Queen cheerfully said, and Philomena felt a huge amount of whiplash. Huh? She was glaring at me just yesterday.

The Queen hurriedly rushed her to sit on the velvet couch across from her, and Philomena slowly walked over and sat down, her eyes racing all over the room. Philomena chose to remain completely silent because, not only was she confused, but she was also scared for her life. After all, the Queen had never acted so cheerfully around her before.

"Yes, I see your bewilderment, my dear. I understand that we have had some scuffles in the past," the Queen laughed. "But I think that it is time we became properly acquainted since we will be living in the same castle from now on."

"Oh...I see...um" Philomena continued to avoid eye contact with severe skepticism. Meanwhile, the Queen continued to blabber on about insignificant things. But during one of the Queen's rants, she said something that mattered to Philomena.