Emelyn’s opinion didn’t change. She was still a bit upset with the wedding, yet she knew she couldn’t complain about it. Being a drama queen with a mission she made herself wasn’t a great idea. Yet Anastasia’s offer about getting some tea and gossip made her relax a bit, as the maid thought of how exhausted she might be. To be honest, the young princess didn’t really get any sleep. Even though the sheets were as soft as silk and that there weren’t any sounds at night, her mind was running. 

She wasn’t getting used to it. All that business with the royals, the sudden return well cared for. In good hands, not really, but Emelyn knew that they’d gladly shield their new Queen for their reputation. It’s not like the Kordanian empire had a heart anyways. They’d just bother pretending they do.  

“Sarah” walked in her chambers and opened her closet, rummaging through her clothes. How did they find such an incredible amount of clothing in less than a day? She couldn’t know. Maybe they planned it even before she came, yet she could never be sure. The young princess could never be sure of anything with them. 

Her eyes stopped on a lavender dress with small flowers, offering a casual diversity of patterns as it looked soft and comfortable. She smiled at herself and changed herself, slipping the new floral dress on herself. The soon-to-be-queen adjusted her hair and quickly headed to the salon, her heels knocking on the ground. Was there a time for the meeting? No. Was Anastasia an impatient person? It didn’t look like it.  

It has been a few meetings that her personal amid offered to her, and she did get a bit annoyed. Why did she want to talk with her so bad? Was she suspicious about Emelyn’s intentions? Well, she should, but at the same time not really since it’s mostly concerning Edward. Yet she thought she wasn’t acting in an odd manner, as she never enlightened Anastasia’s doubt.  

Emelyn stopped at the door and knocked three times, peeking her head out of the opening, to notice Anastasia sitting there with two cups of tea and a teapot. Seeking Her Majesty coming, her handmaiden nodded and signaled her to come over, gesturing to the couch next to her. So that’s what she did. Anastasia smiled brightly and cleared her throat, giving her a small wave. 

“Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you had a great rest now that it is thirteen o’clock, two hours after the wedding. Also, I brought a few sandwiches if ever Your Highness is hungry and want some. Anyways, is there anyone you would like to speak to me about, a preference?” Her maid spoke as she looked at her softly, tilting her head to the side. 

Suddenly, Emelyn had the gut feeling she was being tested. Yet she knew she couldn’t overthink it just like this. The young girl wasn’t tested twenty-four seven, as they wouldn’t shoot all their attention to her. Well, almost.  Edward was the priority, but the servants wanted to make sure she was feeling welcome in the palace and that everything went well. After a while of silence, Emelyn sat down and looked over at her maid, her eyes fluttering a bit. 

“Oh, not necessarily, thank you Anastasia. I'll warn you; I might get a bit distracted, but I’m only getting used to all this royal process. I haven’t gotten the tricks and the direct manners, I apologize dearly.” 

Anastasia smiled warmly and raised the teacup, filling Emelyn’s cup with tea. She took her own cup and took a sip, sighing softly. The young maid then looked back at “Sarah” with an endearing gaze, nodding her head. The soon-to-be-queen felt a bit bad for lying about this, yet she didn’t know what she could have said or done differently. She wasn't used to it and was exhausted, right.  

Yet all those royal manners, she knew them. The ways you should act and the language you speak as well. Telling it right away to Anastasia would have been climbing up her doubts about her identity. She would have wondered if she came from somewhere else, another kingdom wanting their lands, being a traitor. That would have been possible, since, in a way, Emelyn was going to betray Kordania.  

She shot her gaze to the floor as Anastasia shifted in her sheet, opening her mouth to speak. The young princess waited for an answer, but her maid didn’t say a single thing. She closed her mouth and remained silent, looking away. Visibly, she stopped herself from saying something she then considers inappropriate for the situation. Anastasia cleared her throat and looked right into Emelyn’s eyes, arching her brows suspiciously. 

“Your Highness, are you feeling alright? If your throat is feeling a bit sore, you don't have to keep drinking this tea, you know. I would never oblige you to do anything...Yet as I always say, tea is the cure for anything. It always helps you calm down...” 

Emelyn shivered as Anastasia spoke in an enchanting voice, and she couldn’t help but look away. Her tea felt sour, and she clicked her tongue, shaking her head. Her handmaiden was making her feel uncomfortable, and she wondered if that was what she wanted. Her eyes shined with mischief as he lips curled in a smile, staring right at Emelyn. 

Obviously, she wanted to get a reaction out of it. The young princess couldn’t pretend she didn’t see in her game; she was tested. Determined to keep her composure and prove Anastasia wrong, the soon-to-be-queen sat still and took a cup of tea, keeping a straight face. She knew that she had to act like a queen, so that’s what she did. A queen would never flinch- instead, she’d remain indifferent and be perfect at al costs. 

Yet perfection was Emelyn’s contrary. And everybody else’s as well. So, she did her best, the best of all the best she could do. But it’s not easy when your personal maid doesn’t flinch as well, smirking at you. Did Anastasia really want to test her like that? Maybe not, maybe it’s simply Edward’s business, so he’ll see if he can keep up his reputation with one single hazel-eyed girl. 

None of them spoke. Rather then answering her maid’s question, the woman ignored her completely, indifferently, as if what she said didn’t have any value to her. None. As if she was superior. Well, that was technically right. 

“Yes, I’m alright Anastasia, thank you for asking. Quit those filthy lies and fake acts, I want you to be honest here; why did you call me here? Do you really want to speak about my wellbeing or is there something special you want to discuss with me? Emelyn asked with a rude tone as the corner of her lips twitched, wrinkling her nose. She joined her hands together as she waited for the maid’s reaction, skeptic. 

As she expected, Anastasia was caught off guard. Her eyes widened and the maid spit on her tea, as it splashed her fit.  Her expression grew guilty as she wiped the corner of her mouth with a napkin, waving her hand along the spots wet by the tea. Anastasia cleared her throat and clenched her jaw with anger, taking a deep breath. The handmaiden then looked at Her Grace indifferently, but her eyes were telling Emelyn that she was fuming from the inside. 

“Alright, if you say so, Your Grace, I won’t lie to you. I’ve been wondering how you felt about the wedding with His Majesty Edward Meyer, as you seemed to hesitate. I'll be warning you; you’ll have to make choices you may regret just to please the royal family along with your people.” Anastasia spoke in a calm tone as she settled her cup of tea on the table, leaning down on the couch. 

Emelyn couldn’t help but feel a bit amused by the situation. Anastasia’s reaction was confusing, but also priceless. It was funny to see her pass from an arrogant snob to a furious indifferent. The soon-to-be-queen saw right through her, and she tried to contain her amusement by pursing her lips, frowning slightly. 

“Oh, I do not really care, see. I accepted this offer because I seeked the option of a better future, nothing else. Anastasia, I hope you’re not too sheepish and that I don’t have feelings for Edward. And never will that happen, and I know my rights. I’ll be able to fit in.” 

“I’m slightly unsure about this, Your Highness. You might want a want to success and wealth-just like everyone else- but you must play by the rules. You follow the string of life and hope that it won’t stretch and let you down, which shouldn’t happen. Yet if it does, well you’re screwed” 

Emelyn paused for a second and tilted her head to the side, blinking a few times. Her maid’s behavior was confusing her, truly. Anastasi was getting wistful, making a lesson about life. Deep down in her heart, she knew she was right, but her pride stopped her from admitting it to herself. The young princess felt a small pain in her heart, and she knew she wasn’t supposed to be saying something right now. Yet she wanted to, but she knew that wasn’t the moment.  

Anastasia watched her watch and looked back at Her Grace, making a weird wincing face. She stood up and waved at Emelyn, before stopping to lean down at her ear. The woman glared at her but remained silent, sitting on the couch as she took a sip of tea. 

“By the way, Your Highness, I saw the OBMO in your Chambers, opened at John Meyer’s page. If ever you’re planning to modify your future by betraying Edward, don’t even think about it. I won’t be your ally in this, whatever you would be doing.” 

Emelyn froze in shocks and nearly choked, swallowing hard. She looked at her maid as she walked away, and she sighed softly, feeling a bit stupid. Earlier then, she told herself that if she wouldn’t be falling asleep on the book and placed it in her night table, it should be fine. Yet she didn’t worry any more than that. She now knew that she should have since Anastasia figured her out. The young princess couldn’t tell anyone about it, yet she considered it. Doubts. Betrayal. Lies. All this mess she was making was based on revenge, as she wouldn’t let anyone-nor her maid stop her from doing so. 

Emelyn won’t try, she’ll success, make him fall in love with her then tear him apart. And hopefully she wouldn’t be falling in love with him along the way. In any ways, Edward is her enemy with all the awful things he did to Mayain...Loving him isn’t even an option...That’s impossible...right?