The Royal Spare (COMPLETED)

11-Of Goodbyes And Hellos

"Your Highness!" Lady Cora gasped and ran to hug Princess Maiena. "Thank God!" She croaked. She looked like she was about to cry.

She was obviously relieved to see Princess Maiena emerge from the door that connected to the Queen's room. She knew there were secret passages from there but didn't know where they are exactly since access to that particular room was exclusive to the royal family, myself, my brother Gali, our father and occasionally Sir Eduardo for cleaning. It was sort of a shrine to the late Queen Maristella that the King, the Crown Prince and the Princess could visit privately anytime they wanted.

I escorted the Princess up to the adjoining door to make sure she got back safe.

"It's alright, Cora. I'm alright." The Princess hugged her friend back. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you where I was. I just planned to paint but one thing led to another and I was out of the palace."

"Out of the palace!" Lady Cora pulled away from the Princess and stared at her face to make sure she actually heard what she heard. The expression of utter shock still glued on her face. "Like outside the gates?"

"Yes."

"Oh good lord! What if something happened to you? What if you were abducted or assaulted? Or worse... What if Sir Aidan found out?! We'd be dead! Sir Gali and I and the guards! We'd all be dead!"

I chuckled as I watched the young noble rant while clearly unaware that I was standing just a few feet away from them behind the partially opened door.

Princess Maiena laughed heartily at what her friend said. Her laughter made me smile. It truly is a magical sound that tickles my heart and makes me laugh with her especially when she breaks into those wheezing hysterics that sound like she was having an asthma attack during a fit of giggles.

"Relax, Cora. First of all, we need to set your concept of scary and dangerous straight. Second, I was perfectly safe and protected. Besides, I am no damsel in distress. No one can touch me without having to fight me within an inch of their life first." The Princess said.

It's true. She had thorough training in shooting, sword fighting, Taekwondo, and Jiu Jitsu as an added security measure to herself in case she was ever caught in a situation where she had to fight alone. It was our job that never happens.

"Also..." She shrugged. "Aidan was with me." She grinned and I took that as my cue to step forward to reveal myself.

Lady Cora's face could not be whiter than that moment as she gaped at me then the Princess then back at me. I smiled at her and bowed my head slightly.

She stepped back and held her chest like she was about to have a heart attack. Princess Maiena giggled as she helped her friend to sit on the chair nearby.

"Cora, you're overreacting." She snickered.

"I don't understand. What is happening? Am I dreaming? Has my anxiety been too much that I'm imagining what I'm seeing right now?" She rambled in disbelief.

"It's all real, Cora, and I will tell you all about it over tea. Could you please have Sir Eduardo prepare some for us in the drawing room? I'll just take a quick shower and get dressed then I'll join you there." The Princess told her. "Thank you."

Lady Cora looked at us and somehow pulled herself together. She stood up and curtsied. "Of course, Your Highness." She said then left.

I stood there for a few seconds just quietly staring at the Princess. What exactly do I do? We have just rediscovered our old but somehow different friendship. We have just turned our relationship around a complete 360 in less than twelve hours. And we were about to say goodbye to the happiest four hours that we have shared together. So far.