Princess Lea (Part 1) Eng.

Chapter 23

Ned looked at Samuel and Lea standing in the kitchen, not knowing what to say to them. They stared at each other without saying anything. Samuel was standing with his arms crossed and leaning against the counter top, while Lea had her hands in the pockets of her pants. It was one of those moments when they communicated with each other in silence.

– Something urgent came up for her, and I thought we hadn't seen each other in a long time anyway, so I didn't cancel the meeting again – Ned lied.

Lea sat down at the table with Samuel. Samuel placed a mug of tea in front of her and sat down.

– Too bad, she missed such an opportunity to meet the princess - the woman gave Lea a warm smile.

– Who? – Samuel asked as he handed Lea the sugar.

– Well, Ned's fiancée, – the woman said – a shame she missed such an opportunity to meet the princess.

Lea looked at her tea and continued to stir it. Samuel nodded slowly but did not say anything. Lea had stopped listening to the conversation that Ned had been having with her parents. He hadn't told them that she was his fiancée, which surprised her, but did that mean that he had already suspected something? That there might be a connection between her and Samuel? She wasn't sure about that. Feeling her hands start to tremble with nervousness, she got up from the table and headed for the bathroom. She noticed the ring on top of the sink and put it in the cabinet where Ned kept his personal hygiene items. She ran warm water and held her hands underneath. It usually helped her, but today she was having a hard time calming down. She didn't think she'd sat in the bathroom long enough to make Samuel worry about her not coming. He tapped on the bathroom door, she opened the lock and went back to the sink. Samuel walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him.

– What's wrong, little one? – he walked up to her, turned off the faucet and handed her a towel.

– He did not tell them – she chuckled in a sad voice.

– I realized – he nodded – maybe it's better that way.

She looked at him, not knowing what to think.

– I have the opportunity to tell them my version myself – he smiled widely.

– You must be joking – she wiped her hands with a smile – don't even try, not at a time like this.

– Are you ashamed of me? – he raised his eyebrows.

– Very much – she chuckled and tried to hold back the laughter.

He walked over to Lea and gave her a hug. A shiver ran down her spine. She felt his warm breath on the back of her neck, and her heart rate was up. Samuel felt the same, as he smiled as much as he could feel her breathing faster.

– Is there anything wrong? – Ned's mother asked.

– Not really - Ned said as he sipped his tea.

– Samuel is very caring – she began – it's a real honor for our family to get to look after Princess Lea ourselves.

– It's a shame I can't announce it. I'd have so many clients who would be shocked – his father nodded.

Lea came out of the bathroom with Samuel.

– I sincerely apologize, but I am not very well today – she said, standing at the table. I was very pleased to meet you - she added.

– Of course, my dear – the woman replied, getting up from the table – we heard on the radio while we were driving here that you were helping out on the highway, such a good child – she shook her hand – Samuel, take care of our princess – she turned to her son.