Gene watches the sun rise with a beautiful orange hue that slowly spreads across the sky. She couldn't sleep all night, so she thought she might as well enjoy the sunrise. It could be her last for all she knows.
All night, she was expecting someone to come to her room at any moment and drag her to her execution. She has no idea why the king was so angry. She can't even wrap her head around the chaotic dinner last night.
After the king stormed into the dining hall, Prince Brandt tried to calm him down and then pulled him away. The rest of the royal family and Gene just sat there for a few minutes in shocked silence. Seeing that nobody could eat anymore, the queen just told everyone to retire to their rooms for the night.
Gene was hoping that the prince would come see her later to explain what happened, but he didn't.
'Being in the dark about something that concerns your life or death is the worst feeling.'
She stands in front of the large window until the sun erases all hints of the night. It is going to be another glorious summer day.
"Good morning, my lady," Veda greets her. Gene didn't even hear her come in.
"Good morning, Veda."
The maid eyes her for a moment. Gene reckons that she probably looks like a ghost.
"Did you have a bad night of sleep, my lady?"
"You can say that again."
Veda looks at her, puzzled. "Did you have a bad night of sleep?" she repeats.
Gene laughs. "That's not what I… yes, I couldn't sleep last night."
"I will make sure to prepare a tonic for you after breakfast, my lady."
"Thank you," Gene says, grateful that Veda is here with her.
"You should start getting ready, though. The queen has requested you have breakfast with her."
'Oh God, I swear this world is not good for my health. I feel like I am going to have a heart attack soon.'
***
THE TALL MAID DASHES through the stone path, guiding Gene to one of the gardens to meet the queen. She struggles in her sundress to keep up with her. Suddenly, the woman halts and Gene almost crashes into her. She bows and then leaves.
'Not very friendly.'
Gene takes a few steps as the large trees reveal a beautiful table by a pond, garnished with all kinds of food.
"Good morning, Lady Holmen," the queen starts. "I thought it would be nice to have breakfast out here."
"Your Majesty," Gene greets her. "Indeed, it would be a shame not to enjoy this weather."
"Please." The queen motions to the chair to her right.
As soon as she takes a seat, a servant pours her some tea. The smell of cinnamon overwhelms her nose instantly.
The queen doesn't say anything for what seems like ages. All Gene can hear is the faint movement of the water close by and them sipping their tea. She is nervous to bring up the subject she is about to.
'I need to ask her. I just need to do it.'
"Your Majesty, may I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Gene looks at the servant standing at the other end of the table. "Privately, if I may," she adds.
The queen dismisses the maid and sets her cup of tea on the saucer. "What is this about, Lady Holmen?"
Gene swallows hard, losing all the courage she had just seconds ago. "I, this..." she takes a deep breath. "It might sound strange, but are you… from a different world?" Gene asks, the last part barely audible.
The queen's eyes widen, then she looks around. "How did you know? Are you?" she asks, leaning in closer.
Gene nods in confirmation.
A wide smile spreads across the queen's face. "Oh, this is great," she exclaims, taking Gene's hands in hers. "I have been living here for almost thirty years. Where are you from?"
"I don't know if we are from the same world, but I am from a country called Hungary."
"Oh wow, I think we are." She smiles. "I am from Egypt. What year was it there before you came?"
"Really? I always wanted to visit the Pyramids." Gene can't contain her excitement. "It was 2020. What about you?"
"1978."
The two of them talk for hours about their old lives and how the queen was all alone when she got here, since the previous queen had already passed away. Gene finds the conversation filling her heart with a lot of emotions, the strongest one being a feeling of kinship toward Queen Ylva or Hanan, her name from their world.
"I will help you in any way I can," Ylva declares. "Also, I think my son cares for Siv."
A hint of hurt crosses Gene's chest, but she has no time to ponder the feeling as she remembers the king's face from the night before.
"Does the king hate me?"
Ylva pauses for a moment. "I will be honest with you, he does not want you and Brandt to marry."
"Why? Did I do anything? Or Siv before me?"
"It is your family. The duke was never involved in politics so he never gave his support to the king, even when he needed it." Ylva shrugs. "His lack of ambition and involvement has brought House Holmen to new lows. The king feels that as the future queen of Pyama, Brandt's bride should have political leverage."
Gene's eyes travel to her hands, trying to soak in everything she has just told her. The queen startles her when she puts her hands on each side of her face.
"But it is your destiny, Siv. You are the future queen of Pyama." Ylva smiles. "Let's just make sure the king is on your side too." Gene smiles back at her. "By the way, I am just going to call you Siv. It makes life easier when you get used to your new name." The queen chuckles.
"I really don't know how to thank you. With you being here, I feel like I have a greater chance to survive this place."
"Of course you will survive, and once you get used to it, you will realize that it is actually quite a beautiful world," Ylva adds, "You got this, dear."
'Yes, I got this.'
*********
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