Royal Pain || z.m. [Book 2]

•sixteen•

"Oh goodness! I completely forgot." Queen Trisha sighed as she brought her hand to her forehead and shook her head. "I've been so busy grieving over Yaser's death that I'm slacking in my duties of being the queen. Please send a bouquet of various flowers of the best kind complied into one Amelia."

"Yes your Highness." Amelia bowed and walked away clicking her heels.

As Genevieve walked into the large sitting room, she was confused as to what occasion the family had missed. The princess took a seat beside her mother-in-law on the sofa and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Mother, are you alright?"

"Hm?" the queen turned to Genevieve. "Yes I'm fine Genevieve." she weakly smiled.

"Who's the bouquet for?"

"Seems as if we've all been occupied mourning about the late king." she dryly laughed. "Haven't you heard? Wellington has also lost their king."

"King Alexander?" Genevieve asked in shock.

"Yes." Trisha sighed. "Took his own life. Tragic, really."

"Oh."

"But that only means young Aria has now taken the throne. They're mourning but well as celebrating too." the queen smiled.

Hearing about Princess Aria now being a queen only made Genevieve's heart sink deeper. She was sure Aria would rule her kingdom and make a great ruler, but she wasn't able to digest the fact just yet. The princess was somewhat terrified for the poor citizens of Wellington since she knew very well Aria wasn't such a great person.

"Are you okay Genevieve?" Trisha placed a hand on the princess'.

Genevieve snapped out of her thoughts. She quickly nodded and assured her, "Yes, I'm fine."

"How is Zayn?"

"He's managing." Genevieve bit her lip. "He's much better than before though."

"That's good." the queen let out a heavy sigh. "He's never been through something like this. He's experiencing the loss of someone very close to him for the first time. Well there was also the loss of your mother. Sadly my son always loses the people he didn't get to spend much time with, since he was gone for fifteen years."

"I know Mother. But don't worry, I'm taking care of him." she squeezed her hand. "Like he always has."

"Thank you darling." Trisha held the side of the princess' face and leaned in close to plant a kiss on her forehead.

**

Genevieve was in her bedroom reading a novel when her phone rang. She grabbed for her cell phone and her eyes widened when she read the name on the screen. It read Aria. A sense of hatred but also fear engulfed the princess. Hatred because she had slept with her husband, Zayn and fear because she was now the queen on her city and in a way more powerful than Genevieve.

"H- hello?"

"Hello Genevieve." Aria's poised voice rung through the speaker. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, I guess. Thank you for asking. How about yourself? I heard about your uncle, I'm sorry."

"Absolutely wonderful! You must've heard I am now the queen of Wellington? And yes it is a shame, isn't it?"

Aria's crude attitude towards the late king's death made Genevieve frown. But then again it was the Aria she was speaking with. "I have. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

Genevieve was absolutely confused as to why Aria was calling her again. She didn't want to deal with her again or anymore for that fact. She only continued to ruin her life but this time the princess made sure she wouldn't fall into her trap.