💫 Delaying the Stars 💫

Chapter 2: The Meeting

The Queen opened both of the doors loudly, announcing her presence. Those at the meeting stood and bowed to show respect for the young girl as she swiftly and quietly walked to her seat, sitting down carefully with a straight back and hands folded onto her lap neatly. She didn't like being perfect like this, no; but she was a queen and needed to prove her dominance.

As everyone else sat down, a silence washed over the room. Why isn't the queen speaking? Was most likely the question on everyone's mind. Her clients shivered with anticipation.. Except Edward. Edward was so laid back not even the queen could scare him, unlike Jiung and Liam who were confused and probably worried out of their minds right now.

For the eternity it was silent, which, it was probably just a minute or so, the queen didn't even blink. She was most likely getting her thoughts together, figuring out what to say first and how to say it without worrying her peers. But to the others in the room, it was almost like she wanted it to be suspenseful; worrying them, even.

The queen finally cleared her throat, smiling.
"I apologize for the unexpected meeting." She apologized to start off with. She wanted everyone to stop worrying about what she was going to say.

"I've called you three here to say.., well, I've noticed you've all been quite distant lately." She sighed, not really understanding how hard it was to confront a queen.

They all nodded like they totally understood what she meant.

In reality, they had no idea. Trust me, you wouldn't either.

The queen was oddly amused at the silence that was filling the room. The idea of being so high on the hierarchy that people were scared to even be in a room that you were in gave you a weird sense of royalty and dominance over the others. But the queen didn't intend on being scary; it was just because she was so royal and dominant. All she wanted to do as a child was to act like the other girls and be a normal kid. She wishes she didn't have to be somewhere different every day, taking pictures and walking across red carpets in big, fluffy, elegant dresses. But, she knew that she had a responsibility, and she wanted to make her parents proud. So, she did what she could to make sure her people knew that they were protected and there was nothing to worry about. But life was hard when you have all this on your mind.

This is exactly why the queen wanted to tell her 'clients' that they could tell her anything. She wanted them to be safe and happy and proud to have such an amazing job and such amazing.. Friends. You aren't really supposed to call your co-workers 'friends' in a castle, but everyone knew it was true. We were all friends. Maybe. I don't know, she doesn't stalk them or something. But from what she saw, they were friends.

Jiung looked around the room nervously, pointless thoughts on his mind.

Liam looked up, trying not to freak out.

And Edward, the 'cool guy' of the group, wasn't phased at all, and rolled his eyes at the others. "Sociopaths.." He mumbled, turning back to the queen.

"I've.. been worried lately." The Queen finally said, sighing. "Relations with other kingdoms have been complicated lately."

"A-Ah." Jiung squinted, wishing he hadn't opened his mouth.

"I don't want you to be intimidated by me." Anastasia smiled warmly.

"Oh no, my queen. He's just a freak." Edward spat, smirking at his own remark.

"I-" The queen was speechless. She honestly was holding back a laugh.

Jiung, in the middle of this foolishness, was bright red and trying not to cry. Liam glanced over at Edward with an annoyed look, feeling back for Jiung. He then smiled warmly at Jiung.

When Jiung looked back, though, his face only reddened more. He smiled fakely and looked down at his lap.

Edwards eyes felt like they were going to roll so far back he would go blind.

Anastasia, avoiding further awkwardness, cleared her throat to gather the attention.

"If anything looks suspicious around our land, contact me immediately. I do not want you to fear anything, but always be cautious when it comes to outsiders. Understood?"

Everyone nods out of fear -- except Edward, of course.

Edward, being the wise guy he is, nodded and coughed a noticeable "Jiung" and whistled casually after like nothing happened.

Anastasia glanced over at Edward.

"Any questions and/or concerns?" She asked, looking around.

Jiung and Liam shake, frantically nodding their head no.

Edward chuckles a bit. "No, thank you, my Queen."

"Something on your mind, Jiung?" Anastasia giggled, smirking.

He shakes his head violently.

"Well, in that case.. You may have noticed it's nearing lunchtime."

A wave of relief washes over the room -- except, you guessed it, Edward. That little prick. "Thank you for the meeting, Queen." Edward smiled innocently.

"You are dismissed." Announced the Queen as she rose from her chair.

Edward gets on his phone and plays.
Jiung got up quickly, and ends up falling clumsily out of his chair.
Liam casually walked out with his arms crossed.

Anastasia giggled as she watches Edward make a disgusted face at Jiung.

Jiung, still completely embarrassed, tries getting up again but hits his head on the table.

Liam walks over to Jiung as he groans and rubs his head.

Edward snickered. "You've got to be kidding me. I've never seen anything more embarrassing. You're even making me blush!"

"Manners, Edward." Anastasia said as she death glared Edward.

"Sorry, my queen." He apologized.

"I'll let it slide this time.." She looked away.

"A-Are you okay?" Liam asked, offering a hand to Jiung.

He looked up at Liam as if he were going to cry and ran out of the room.

"Finally." Spat Edward, relieved he didn't have to see that mess of a human being again. "Sociopath."

"Edward, what did I say?!" Said Anastasia, looking back at Edward.

Liam shoots an annoyed look at Edward, but Edward dodges with his skillfulness in 'I have no interest in what you say at all.'

"Sorry.. Again. I should keep my thoughts to myself." Edward said, but he totally loved saying these things out loud.

"I don't mind your playful teasing and being buddies or whatever, but this rivalry is not acceptable."

"Tell him to stop being a weeb then!" He spat, getting annoyed.

"Edward!"

"Sorry, sorry."

Anastasia got up quickly, bowing her head to them before walking out, her dress bouncing up and down.

Edward sighed, looking at Liam. "What?" He said sternly.

"Why are you being so mean to him?" He asked a little louder than usual from a strange boost of confidence.

"Because gay people disgust me."

"..."

"And you're a servant. Stop wasting time you're not worth."

"You're one yourself." Liam mumbled, walking out of the room.

Edward huffed, shaking his head. "He's lucky I didn't chop off his head."