Concealed Monarch

chapter 7

    When our eyes connect he just grins from ear to ear.  Even though I don't really have a problem with him, it annoys me to see him grinning when he knows I am suffering.  I put my head down so I could wait for my food. As I am waiting I realize that his sister must know Prince Luca on a personal level, Hmm... interesting.  

When I finally get interrupted from my train of thoughts from servants serving the food I look up to see all the girls chatting amongst each other. I notice that I am the only one silent and reserved.  I look to Maxwell and see him conversing with Rishika. They laugh enthusiastically about nothing. If you were a complete stranger you would think they knew each other for a long time but in all honesty they undoubtedly just met.

   I look over at Elizabeth to see her conversing with the king probably because she thinks she can gain brownie points. The king just nods and smiles taking a sip of wine with every sentence that comes out of her voice. I can't help but giggle quietly.  The Peruvian girl Azuela looks at me with confusion making me feel like I am crazy.  

 After feeling totally awkward I decide to focus on the flowing conversation going on amongst everyone at the ground table.  All I can hear is jumbled up conversations. So I choose to speak up. " So Maxwell how long are you deciding to be stay here in the palace."

Everyone gasps and looks up at me for interrupting everyone's conversation including the kings. The king looks between me and Maxwell probably wondering why I could have known his name.

" Do you guys happen to know each other?" The king asks quizzically.

" Yes your majesty we most certainly do. We met at the ceremony of the picking." I say with Maxwell nodding. 

" Oh. Moving on. Maxwell how long is your stay here anyways I also have to question?"

" Well Luca has asked me to stay for the whole event but I certainly can't do that when I have my own responsibilities in Ireland. So I will be here for a couple weeks at a time, so I can check on my businesses and work." He says going back to eating.

 " How long have you and Prince Luca known each other!?!?!" Elizabeth basically screams before Maxwell could even put another bite in his mouth. He groans quietly and look dead head at Elizabeth.

" I have know Luca for many years since we were little 4 year-olds. Our parents have been friends for years, so inevitably I also became good friends with Luca. We even went to the same school at one point." He says with a jolly smile.

   " Well that must mean that your sister knows him as well then?" I put my question in knowing I was stirring the pot." He drops his fork as he stumbles to spill any words from his mouth.  I look towards Alana his sister to see her face in a state of panic. I pondered if the prince even knew if the young girl Alana was even a participant. Yes he might of know our names but he didn't actually know who we were yet, and that's his fault, for not meeting us traditionally.

" Yes, my sister does know him, but they haven't seen each other in like 5 years. So she doesn't really know him that well." he smirks knowing he was able to evade the question without a sweat.

" Actually Gisselle I have a question of my own. How do you feel about getting picked when you never really wanted to in the first place." He grins, but I don't let up because I am going to win this war.

" Well Maxwell I actually never wanted to participate, because I thought I would never be fit for the role of being queen.  But when they called my name up it was utter surprise. I believe I am absolutely blessed with these circumstances." I say lying straight through my teeth. I look to see Elizabeth and Maxwell looking at me with utter confusion. 

  Sad to say but Elizabeth knows me really well but then she doesn't at the same time. I think she could tell that I was lying but I wasn't 100% sure because Elizabeth is Elizabeth. Maxwell on the other hand knew I was lying  primarily based on our first conversation. I spoke that night about my distaste for the picking and how awful the whole situation was for the prince and the girl he would marry.

  " Wow Gisselle what an amazing story. I glad that you are able to participate in this whole event and push past those worries you had in the beginning that lead you worry in the fist place. Everyone cheers to Gisselle!" The king smiles raising his glass amongst everyone, and obviously oblivious to my lies . It was a good thing too, because I wanted to get eliminated not executed. 

 "Thank you, your majesty." I smile fakely while holding  putting a hand over my chest showing my fake gratitude. I look over to Maxwell and smile deviously and take a sip of my red wine. 

When we were finally excused I again scurry out of the dinning hall so Maxwell wouldn't be able to catch me. I honestly did have to hurry out of there because he was already to caught up in talking with Rishika. 

  I open my bedroom door only to be surprised with little Easton sitting on my bed swinging his legs since his feet couldn't touch the floor.

 " Hey  El!" Easton yells jumping off my bed to hug me. Even though we have only know each other for like two days I have been able to grow really close to this little boy and he will be the only person I miss from here."

"Hey Easton. Do you need something." I ask wondering why he was in my room.

" Actually you do. Prince Luca wanted me to give you this letter." I gently take it from him. 

" I also wanted to remind you that we have a date for tomorrow." He blushes while twisting his foot on the ground. 

" Of course I remembered! How could I forget something that I am so excited for." I can't help but smile. He looks up at me smiles. After he tells me what time to be in the kitchen he leaves.  I go to open the letter only to  start laughing at the content in this letter. I knew at that moment that this was specifically for me. It only intrigued me ever so more.