Chapter 22- A trip to the forest

Valerie's POV:

I sat opposite Mrs. Bertha with a smile, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort in her presence. She asked, "How are you, dear?"

"I'm fine," I replied, meaning every word.

Mrs. Bertha smiled warmly and said, "That's good." She raised the large napkin covering something on her desk, revealing a delicious array of pastries - flaky croissants, sweet Danish, and fruit-filled tarts. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Wow, Mrs. Bertha! You didn't have to go to so much trouble!"

She chuckled, her eyes twinkling. "It's your break, isn't it? Let's dig in!"

I felt a surge of emotion, my eyes welling up with tears. "Thank you so much, Big Mum."

Mrs. Bertha teased, "Ah, Valerie, you're going to make me cry too!" I laughed, wiping away stray tears, and we began eating. As we savored the pastries, Mrs. Bertha mentioned, "You know, Valerie, you'll be taking on more duties soon. You'll be responsible for Princess Evie's room, not just the prince's suite."

I nodded, my mouth full of croissant.

Just then, a knock on the door broke the cozy atmosphere. The door opened and someone stepped in.

Mrs. Bertha smiled but it didn't quite reach her eye. Curious, I turned to see who it was and my pastry almost fell out of my hands.

Lord Alex stood there in all black, his dark hair tied behind his head, a smirk on his face. I felt a surge of nervousness immediately.

"Big Mum, how have you been?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Mrs. Bertha's cheerfulness seemed forced as she replied, "Alex, long time no see! I'm doing well, thanks for asking."

I sensed there was more to their exchange than met the eye. I tried to leave, but Lord Alex's gaze locked onto mine. "Don't go anywhere, Val. This concerns you."

I hesitated, my heart racing, and sat back down.

He turned back to Mrs. Bertha, his eyes gleaming with determination. "I want Brownie here as my personal maid." He gestured to me.

My heart almost stopped. Why was he calling me Brownie?

Mrs. Bertha's smile remained fixed on her face. "I'm not sure that's possible, Alex."

"Why is that?" he pressed.

Mrs. Bertha sat up straight, her expression firm. "Because Valerie already has a lot on her plate. I can't just remove duties from others and reassign them without a good reason. The Palace needs so much care, especially now that we'll be hosting guests soon."

Lord Alex raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Then who will be assigned to me?"

Mrs. Bertha's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "Ariana will take care of your needs, Alex."

Lord Alex looked unsatisfied, but forced a smile. "Very well."

I watched the exchange, my mind racing with questions. What did Lord Alex want from me? And why did he keep calling me Brownie?

As if reading my thoughts, he turned to me and said, "I would love to have more of your coffee, Brownie." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me feeling uneasy and confused. What did he want from me? Prince Nova's warning to stay away from him lingered in my memory.

I turned to Mrs. Bertha, who had a bright smile returned to her face. "Shall we continue with our meal?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

I looked at her, still trying to process the tension that had just dissipated. Then, I smiled back, knowing we were going to gloss over the uncomfortable exchange.

As we continued eating, I muttered a soft "thank you".

Mrs. Bertha only grunted in response, her eyes flicking to mine for a brief moment before returning to her food.

★★★

Mira's POV:

I sighed as I made my way out of the Library, feeling a pang of loneliness. Prince Cadoc was away at a charity event in another state with Julian, and I missed him terribly. We'd been talking on the phone, but it wasn't the same as having him by my side. He'd promised to return before the King's birthday celebration in a few days, and the Palace was already buzzing with guests arriving for the party.

As I turned a corner, I collided with Xander. He apologized quickly, his eyes darting away from mine. I waved it off, but he seemed nervous, fidgeting with a piece of paper in his hand. Without making eye contact, he handed it to me and hurried away before I could even react.

I unfolded the paper, revealing lopsided, messy writing: "Please meet me tonight after dinner at the forest. Thank you." My curiosity was piqued - what was this about? And why was Xander being so secretive?

When I got to my room, I expected to find it empty, but instead, I was greeted by a familiar sight. Valerie was lying on my bed, reading a magazine, looking perfectly at home. I wasn't surprised, though - I had given her a spare key card to my room, and we often hung out here when we needed some downtime.

I smiled brightly, tucking the paper into my pocket, and joined her on the bed. "Busy, aren't you?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

Valerie looked up and grinned. "The day is boring, what to do?"

I nodded in agreement. "I know, right?"

We chatted for a bit, and then I asked, "Aren't you assigned to any of the new guests?"

Valerie shook her head. "I'm relieved, actually."

"How does it feel like cleaning Prince Nova's room?" I asked, my voice rising with excitement.

Valerie smiled nonchalantly. "It's normal."

I raised an eyebrow. "How normal?"

Valerie grinned and whispered playfully, "Pretty normal."

I asked, my tone playful but curious, "Have you run into him again?" I raised an eyebrow, wondering if she'd had any more encounters with the prince.

Valerie looked startled, then said, "Sometimes... but we haven't spoken much. I'm not sure we can ever be friends." Her voice had an undertone of sadness, and I felt a pang of guilt for asking. I remembered how she'd told me about helping the prince when his bike broke down in Eldrida, and how she'd seemed so nonchalant about it. It seemed like a golden opportunity to me, but Val didn't seem to realize the significance. And now, it seemed like the prince didn't want to get close to her, which was strange, given their history.

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "Never mind that! Do you have a dress for the King's birthday party?"

Valerie's expression changed, and she looked sheepish. "Oh, I forgot I was invited!"

I grinned triumphantly, "Yes, as my bestie!"

She shrugged and went back to her magazine, seemingly not wanting to go to the party at all, but I was definitely going to force her.

Immediately after dinner, I headed to my room and changed into a pair of comfortable pants, a fitted T-shirt, and a lightweight jacket. I then made my way through the north wing, nodding to the guards stationed at the doors. They gave me a brief nod in return, their expressions stern as always.

As I stepped out into the night air, I felt a chill run down my spine. The sky was a deep shade of indigo, with stars twinkling like diamonds scattered across the fabric of the universe. The moon, a silver crescent, cast a gentle glow over the landscape. I could hear the distant hooting of owls and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

I spotted Xander immediately, standing at the entrance of the forest. He wore a black leather jacket, a white T-shirt, and dark jeans, his hair messy and endearing. He held a flashlight in his hand, its beam casting eerie shadows on the trees. When he saw me, he smiled nervously.

"Good evening, Xander," I said, approaching him.

"Good evening, Miss Mira," he replied, his voice low.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why did you tell me to meet you here?"

He looked down, his eyes fixed on the ground. "I have something to tell you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

My curiosity was piqued. "What is it?"

He looked up, his eyes locking onto mine. "Please come with me."

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded. He led me through the forest, the trees growing denser and the path growing narrower. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath our feet were the only sounds we made.

As we walked, the trees grew taller and the canopy overhead grew thicker, casting the forest floor in a soft, ethereal glow. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and wildflowers.

After a few minutes of walking, we emerged into a small clearing. The moon reflected off a small pond in the center, creating a shimmering mirror effect. The surrounding trees were adorned with vines and wildflowers, their petals glowing like tiny stars in the moonlight. The place was breathtakingly beautiful, peaceful, and serene.

I turned to Xander, a smile spreading across my face. "This place is really beautiful."

Xander's cheeks flushed pink, and he smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "I'm glad you like it."  His blush deepened, and he looked away, his eyes fixed on the pond.

"What is it, Xander?" I asked softly. "What did you want to tell me?"

He turned and stood before me, his tall frame looming over mine. I tilted my head back to meet his gaze, my eyes widening in surprise.

"Miss Mira," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "I want you to be my girlfriend," His words were rushed, as if he feared I'd interrupt him. "I promise to make you very happy, I'll grant your every wish, I'll take care of you and protect you." He didn't meet my eyes, his gaze fixed on the ground instead.

I paused, taken aback by his confession. A smile spread across my face. "Xander, I'm 20, and you're 16," I said gently.

He looked up, his eyes shining with determination. "Age doesn't matter," he said, his voice firm.

I chuckled. "That's true, but I don't see you in that way, Xander. You're a good friend, and you've made my stay in the Palace worthwhile. I'll never forget it." His face fell, disappointment etched on his features. But then I added, "Maybe one day we can grab some coffee or go to the park?"

His eyes lit up with hope. "Really?"

I nodded and grinned. "Yes, really."

He beamed, his sadness forgotten. "Then it's a date!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm making me laugh.

"Don't get ahead of yourself," I teased, chuckling.

We then sat by the lake, enjoying the peacefulness of the night, the stars twinkling above us. After that, Xander walked me to my room, a smile still on his face.

"Good night, Miss Mira," he said, his voice soft.

"Good night, Xander," I replied, smiling back at him.

He hesitated, then asked, "Can I have a hug?"

I didn't hesitate, opening my arms to embrace him. He hugged me tightly, his arms warm and comforting.

Valerie's POV:

I sat in the common room with Jude and Julie. Jude who was seated beside me said, "I want to go see my family next week."

Julie snorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "I'm sure Tasha will be thrilled."

I turned to her, curious. "Tasha is his little sister, right?" I asked.

Julie nodded, her eyes rolling. "Yeah, and she told me Jude can be overbearing and she doesn't want him back."

Jude's face reddened, his eyes flashing with defensiveness. "She didn't say that!"

Julie smirked. "She did too!"

I couldn't help but laugh at their banter. They were always bickering about something.

As I watched them, I couldn't help but think about my own family. I had learned that some of the workers' families were living in Calon city, and sometimes they were given long breaks to visit them. I couldn't wait for my own break, I missed my parents so much. I hoped it would be soon, I needed a hug from my mom and dad.

I smiled to myself, imagining the moment I would see them again. It would be a reunion to remember.

Just then, I heard screams of joy coming from the lounge area. I turned curiously, wondering what was happening. Some of the workers, mostly girls, were screaming in happiness, their faces flushed with excitement.

I stood up, along with Jude and Julie, our eyes fixed on the entrance where a small crowd had gathered. That's when I saw him - Lord Alex, still dressed in all black, a smirk on his face.

The girls shouted even more, some calling out "Lord Alex!" I was confused, wondering why they were behaving like this. He was handsome in a dark, brooding way, but that didn't explain the hysteria.

Julie whispered, looking surprised, "What is he doing here?"

Before I or Jude could answer, Lord Alex started walking towards us. Everyone watched, wondering where he was going, and then he stopped in front of me.

My heart skipped a beat as he gazed at me, his eyes piercing and intense. I felt a shiver run down my spine, unsure of what to say or do. The room seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of us in a silent, tense moment.

What did he want? And why was he staring at me like that?

Then he spoke, his voice low and smooth. "I heard your birthday was a month ago."

I blinked, confusion etched on my face. "W-what?"

He smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement, and reached into his pocket. He pulled out a small, wrapped box and took my hand. I felt like I'd been shocked, my heart racing as he held my hand tightly.

"This is my gift to you," he said, his grin widening.

I was frozen, my mind reeling with questions. How did he know it was my birthday? And why was he giving me a gift? I managed to stammer out a question. "How did you know?"

He chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I saw your Epigram account. It wasn't something I could ignore."

I stood there, my hand still in his, feeling like a statue. I couldn't move, couldn't speak. He smiled again and turned away, walking out of the room as suddenly as he had appeared.

The moment he left, the room erupted into murmurs and everyone stared at me in shock and surprise. Rhea spoke up, her voice laced with disdain. "Ariana, I thought you were assigned to Lord Luke. Then why did he...?" She trailed off, her eyes narrowing at me.

Ariana glared at me, her silence deafening. I felt uncomfortable, like I was under a microscope.

Julie whispered in my ear, "Let's get out of here."

I nodded, still feeling dazed, and Jude added, "You have some explaining to do."

I nodded again, following them out of the room, aware of the stares and whispers trailing behind us like a shadow.

When we got outside, I told them everything - Lord Alex's command for me to make Coffee for him and the horror movie. They listened with wide eyes, their faces a picture of surprise.

"That isn't like Lord Alex," Julie said, her voice laced with disbelief. "He doesn't interact with anybody, he just stays on his own and doesn't care about anyone. He's always expressionless and ruthless."

Jude nodded in agreement. "Right? Why this sudden interest in you?"

I shook my head, feeling a sense of unease. "I don't know."

Julie asked, "Have you met him before?"

I replied, "This is my first time meeting him."

Jude rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This is serious."

Julie's expression turned stern. "Regardless, I think you should stay away from him."

I nodded vigorously. "That's exactly what...I thought."

I stopped myself just in time, horror washing over me. I had almost said "Prince Nova"! Jude and Julie didn't seem to notice, but I knew I had to be more careful. Even though Julie knew I still didn't want to blurt it out carelessly.

Jude changed the subject. "Anyway, let's see what's inside the box."

My hands trembled as I opened the box, my breath held in anticipation. Inside, I found a bracelet that took my breath away. It was made of silver, with intricate engravings of trees that was symbolical to Eldrida. And there, nestled among the branches, were tiny bunnies - my favorite animal.

Julie breathed, "This is beautiful."

Jude whistled. "He must have spent a ton on it."

I closed the box, my heart racing. "But I'm not putting it on."

Jude and Julie didn't protest, their faces understanding.

_________

Tomorrow was the king's birthday, and Mira had dragged me to the prestigious boutique, "Elegance & Style", in the heart of Calon city's fashion district, to buy a dress for the grand celebration. The store was a behemoth of luxury, with towering ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and rows upon rows of designer dresses that seemed to stretch on forever. The air was thick with the scent of opulence, and I felt like a small fish in a vast ocean.

As we browsed through the racks, Mira reminded me that the king's birthday party was a grand affair, and I needed a dress that would make a statement. But as I gazed at the price tags, my heart sank. One dress caught my eye, but as I saw the price - 20,000 Calonian Florin - I quickly looked away. That was enough to buy a house!

I sighed and continued browsing, but every dress I liked was equally expensive. Mira had already made her purchase and was chatting with the sales associate, while I was still empty-handed.

Just then, a saleswoman approached me with a bright smile. "Ma'am, have you seen any dress you like?"

I looked embarrassed. "No, I haven't."

She pointed to a sparkly blue dress. "That one is a popular choice. It's a one-of-a-kind design, and the color would look stunning on you."

I glanced at the price tag and blanched. "I was looking for something cheaper."

The woman's eyes shone with recognition. "I see. Please come with me."

She led me to a back section of the store, where the dresses were less extravagant. She presented me with a simple, yet elegant gown. "This dress was worn by a model, but she didn't like it anymore and told us to sell it. It's just 5,000 Calonian Florin."

The dress was a low-quality, pale yellow gown with a bishop sleeve. It was far from my dream dress, but I didn't have a choice. I had to buy it.

After trying on the dress and purchasing it, I joined Mira at the entrance of the store. She looked me up and down, a curious expression on her face. "Have you found a dress you like?"

I nodded, trying to hide my disappointment with the dress I had settled for.

Mira raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even see you try it on."

I smiled. "You'll see me wear it tomorrow."

Bellamy, who had been patiently waiting for us, spoke up. "Shall we go, my lady?"

Mira agreed, and we left the store, the grandeur of the boutique fading behind us. Tomorrow was a big day, the king's birthday celebration looming ahead. I couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring.