Reiner – Lessons from the Queen

I bet her son is popular too but just in a different way. Without looking her way, I heaved a sigh and decided to just focus on the road ahead. When I drove through the mansion’s gates, I prayed that Reiner wasn’t waiting for me. The evening had been more than pleasant, and I enjoyed myself greatly, the last thing that I needed was a lecture from Reiner on how I should pack up and go home.

When we arrived back to the mansion, Queen had sobered up somewhat. On top of all the qualities that I already admired her for, alcohol tolerance quickly joined the list. It was a great thing that Queen sobered up during our ride because when we walked to the entrance of the mansion, a very stern-

looking Reiner was there waiting for us.

To my surprise, he didn’t say anything to me this time. Perhaps it was because I was with Queen.

Queen was still tipsy and that presented me with the perfect opportunity to leave her with Reiner so that I could make my swift escape.

“She’s a little tipsy so, I’ll leave her to you…” I said as I pushed Queen slightly forward towards Reiner.

Reiner looked down at his mother and then looked straight at me. He didn’t look impressed.

“Where did you take her?” Reiner asked his mother.

I bit my tongue thinking that he probably knew that I wouldn’t tell him where I went just like the last time. That was probably why he decided to ask his mother.

“Girl’s night out. Guys…don’t need to know!” Queen replied followed by a high pitch laugh.

Great. Queen isn’t telling him either.

“Good night, Queen. I better head off to my room now,” I quickly excused myself.

“Wait…” Reiner called after me.

“Let her go,” Queen hissed.

I quickly walked away before Reiner might decide to come after me. Thanks to Queen, I made it safely back to my room without any incident. After taking off my clothes and taking a shower, I reminded myself that I had to thank her for saving my ass back there. I’ll do that tomorrow or the next time that we meet. Talking about tomorrow, I’m signing my job contact already. My very first fulltime job. This is amazing!

…

“Don’t follow her,” Queen hissed with evident annoyance as she grabbed on to her son’s arm.

“Where did you two go?” Reiner demanded to know.

Queen heaved a sigh before looking up at Reiner’s face.

“I took her out for drinks at a bar. That’s all,” Queen said like it was no big deal.

“Natalia’s been coming back late almost every night lately. Do you know where she went?” Reiner asked.

“Hmm…and why would you want to know that?” Queen teased as she narrowed her eyes knowingly at her son.

“Just tell me if you know something,” Reiner muttered.

Queen heaved another sigh at her son’s stubbornness.

“I’m surprised you haven’t tracked her…” Queen said with an amused smile.

“She would get mad if she found out,” Reiner said softly.

“You know, baby. I don’t know why you’re making this so hard for yourself and for Natalia,” Queen said, sounding tired.

Reiner was silent for a moment as if he was deciding what to say to his mother.

“I…still believe that it would be best for her if she goes back home,” he replied honestly.

Queen sighed again before shaking her head from side to side. She held up a hand in front of her face like she couldn’t take it anymore.

“Listen, sweetie. Natalia doesn’t want to go back. She wants to stay here, and she’s been working her ass off to make that happen. I guess she didn’t tell you this and maybe I shouldn’t as well but…Natalia just got a fulltime job. She’s going to start working very soon. In case you haven’t figured it out, that means that she’s going to be on this island for a while whether you like it or not,” Queen said sternly.

Her serious and deeper tone of voice quickly replaced her usual light and carefree tone. The way she spoke and the solemness in her eyes made her look years older than she usually did. For a moment, she looked serious and mature beyond her age.

“She got a job?” Reiner asked cluelessly.

“Yes, she did…” Queen replied firmly with a nod of her head.

“I see…” Reiner murmured.

“Why are you so desperate to push her away?” Queen asked with furrowed brows as she stared up at her son’s face.

“I don’t know. I still think that life would be better for her if she returned from where she came from,”

Reiner said.

Queen could sense some hesitation in his voice, and she smirked.

“King, your father, used to want the same thing for me. If I had did what he wanted and returned back to my old life, where would you be now, I wonder…” Queen said followed by a laugh.

Reiner didn’t quite know how to respond, and Queen didn’t have anymore to say to him. With a disappointed sigh, Queen turned on her heels and starting walking away towards the direction of her bedroom.

“You don’t need to walk me. This old woman can walk herself to her bedroom…” Queen said sarcastically.

“Yes, ma’am,” Reiner said softly as he watched his mother’s back.

After a couple of steps forward, Queen turned around to face her son once more.

“Oh, since you’re my stupid son, I’m going to tell you this. No woman in her right mind would stay on this island because of some job that she got. You keep pushing her away and some tall, hot, buff and hot…I said hot twice…guy will come along and sweep her off her feet. If you can’t even figure out why the hell she’s still here…well, then, maybe you can be King’s son. I don’t need you as my son anymore…” Queen said bitterly before turning on her heels once again.

--To be continued…