One in a million (Prequel to 'Bad Blood')

Chapter 14: Smiles

Cassandra's POV

I entered the living room and noticed Alden and Louisa at the dining table. They smiled at me. "Hey," They said simultaneously. "How was it?"

"It was ok," I went to sit down at the table. "You were right though," I sighed. "It did help me to get to know him better."

They both smiled more. "See," Louisa then reached for my hands. "He's a really great guy and that's why he got to be the one to serve you."

I smiled before kissing her hands. "Thank you."

"Of course."

Right then, Carl and James entered to serve us dinner. While they were doing so, I noticed the stew. The stew James and I had been making together. And I couldn't help but smile.

"You're happy?" Alden spotted.

I looked at him. "It's a really great stew," I motioned to it, as if they didn't know what stew was... "I love it."

They nodded before we all started eating.

After dinner, Louisa and Alden headed straight to bed as Louisa was growing tired. It seemed she was getting more tired easily.

Carl and James came to the table to clean it up. And I got up. And I helped them. I helped them clean up the table. I helped them bring it all back to the kitchen. And I helped them wash those dishes and dry them.

"Thank you, Your Highness," Carl bowed. "You didn't have to."

"I know," I smiled. "But I wanted to."

Carl smiled too while I noticed James smile even more in the corner of my eyes. "Goodnight, Your Highness." He bowed before he left.

I looked at James. "Why that big smile?"

He shook his head while crossing his arms. "You're amazing," He smiled. "That's all."

I looked down and felt my cheeks redden.

"Shall I bring you to your room, Your Highness?"

Without looking at him, I nodded. 

We walked towards my room. On our way over there, nothing was said. We walked in a calm and relatively slow pace.

When we arrived, he stopped at the door. "Here we are," He smiled. "Goodnight, Your Highness." He bowed before walking away, to his room.

"James?" I said to which he stopped and turned around. I smiled then. "Thank you, for today. I really enjoyed it."

He smiled too then. "So did I."

I smiled a bit. "Goodnight, James."

"Goodnight, Your Highness." He bowed again before walking away.

I entered my room and let out a deep sigh. I got out of my clothes before going to bed. I laid down and took my diary.

--

Maybe James isn't as bad as I first thought. It's true I didn't like the way he felt, or rather the way he made me feel. But now I do. I get it, I understand him. And somehow it's as if he understands me too.

--

I sighed as I closed my diary and put it aside again. I smiled and closed my eyes, and I drifted off to sleep.

_______________________________

Third person's POV

James hummed on his way back to his room. He felt good, he felt great actually. Today had been a very good day, and a very fun one too.

It's funny how his view on the Southern Queen had changed within a day. Yesterday he was convinced that she hated him, that she thought of him as filth. But after today, he was sure. He was sure she was a good human, he was sure she enjoyed his company too.

He arrived at his father and brother's room. He entered.

"James," Carl was surprised, he didn't expect to see him. "Is everything alright?" He asked, already fearing for a repetition of last night.

"Yes, dad," He smiled. "Everything's alright," He sat down on a chair. "Everything's really good actually."

Carl raised an eyebrow before looking at Chandler, who also seemed confused. "James," Carl walked to his son and sat at the table with him. "What happened?"

James looked at his father. "I'm just happy, dad," He sighed. "You were right, both of you," He said as he smiled at Chandler too. "Queen Cassandra is indeed very nice, she showed me that today. She treated me fairly and even helped me without complaining about it like you'd expect a ruler to do."

"I told you." Chandler exclaimed, smiling afterwards.

"Yes, little brother," James smiled at Chandler. "You were right."

"Don't forget that," Chandler smiled before laying down in his bed again. He yawned. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." James and Carl said simultaneously.

James then looked at Carl. "I'm happy I listened to you two," He nodded. "I do feel very honored to serve her."

"I'm happy you're feeling respected, son," Carl smiled proudly at his son. He put his hand on James's and squeezed it gently. "It warms my heart."

James smiled at his dad. "I love you, dad, and I really appreciate everything you're doing for me and Chandler," He smiled even more. "You're the best father anyone can wish for."

Carl smiled but looked down. "I try," He nodded. Hearing things like that, always got to him. And James knew. James knew that since his mother had passed away, his father was carrying a big burden. "I try." Carl repeated.

"You're doing amazing," James got up to kiss his father's head. "I love you."

"I love you too, son."

James nodded before going to the door of the room. "Goodnight."

Carl smiled. "Goodnight."

James then left and let out a deep sigh again. He shook his head before heading to his own room. His room was located a few doors away from Carl and Chandler's room. He didn't mind not sleeping in the same room as them, as he enjoyed having that tiny room to be completely his.

He entered his room and, when he closed the door, he let out a very deep breath. He felt really good. He felt uplifted, as if he was walking on clouds. He felt powerful, as if he could do anything.

What was this feeling? 

James shrugged and undressed himself to then lay down in his bed. He put his arms behind his head and smiled while looking up at the ceiling.

She's truly amazing.

He let out one last deep breath before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.