Gene brings another empty spoon to her mouth, pretending to eat her soup. Her throat refuses to swallow any food. Her eyes keep traveling to the far right of the table, where Prince Brandt is smiling and enjoying a conversation with the princess. He hasn't looked her way once. She looks away and fixes the soup in front of her, trying to ignore the sharp pain in her chest.
'This is a turn of events I did not expect. I mean with all that talk about my destiny and what not, you would think that it was a done deal. I knew I couldn't trust that asshole.'
She looks at the man sitting next to her, he hasn't stopped talking about Vanta since they sat down. She is grateful for the minister being her escort, though. She is glad she doesn't have to say anything, just an encouraging smile from time to time is enough to keep Lord Beck going.
After dinner, everyone is guided back to the ballroom, where a few musicians are playing some light music and the servants are offering drinks.
Gene just wants to leave, to take off her dress, wear something comfortable, and go to bed.
"Would you like something to drink, Lady Holmen?" the minister asks.
"I would love to."
He disappears with a nod and she welcomes the absence of his voice for the first time this evening.
Like a magnet, Brandt draws her eyes to him again. He and the princess are surrounded by a few other guests, exchanging pleasantries. She feels so out of place.
"I think if you frown any longer, your brows will be stuck like that forever."
Gene jerks her head to the source of the comment and finds Princess Bodil wearing an amused smile.
She has the same eye color as her brother but the shape is a bit bigger. Her dark brown hair is cascading down her shoulders, and her porcelain skin is smooth and flawless. She is truly beautiful.
"Your Highness." Gene curtsies.
"Please, Lady Siv, I hate formalities. Call me by my name."
"Yes, Princess Bodil."
"My mother is worried about you so she sent me to see how you were."
Gene's eyes automatically move to the throne where the queen is sitting. She gives her a gentle smile that makes her feel even more pathetic.
"There is no need to worry." Gene looks away quickly, her voice a little harsher than she expected.
The princess sighs.
"Please don't hate my brother," she starts. "There is so much pressure on him since he is the crown prince."
'I don't even think I can hate him. Even if I wanted to, I am sure Siv's heart wouldn't let me.'
"Oh no," Bodil says with annoyance. "He found me."
"Who?" Gene asks, searching the crowd.
"If I have to hear one more thing about Vanta tonight, I will have to cut my ears off."
Gene looks at the princess, shocked for a moment, then she bursts out laughing. Bodil joins her right away.
"Do you want to escape?" Gene asks with tears in her eyes.
"Yes please."
They immediately head for the nearest door and leave the ballroom. The princess grabs Gene's wrist and they start sprinting toward the garden, their giggles echoing in the hallway.
Gene's blisters remind her that they are still there, but she doesn't stop until they are in front of one of the ponds.
"Is this not much better than that stuffy ballroom?" the princess asks as she swirls.
"Indeed." Gene takes a step closer to the pond and a sharp pain shoots from her foot, making her hiss.
"Are you alright?" Bodil frowns.
"Would it be inappropriate if I took off my shoes?"
Bodil blinks at her a few times then smiles. "It is just the two of us here, Lady Siv. I don't mind the slightest."
"Thank you."
Gene sits on the grass and pushes the tight and uncomfortable shoes off her feet. She lets out a sigh of relief.
"Oh my, are those blisters?"
"Mrs. Gustavson is the culprit."
Bodil chuckles. "I have been there so I feel your pain." She grimaces. "I can ask the royal healer to make you an ointment. It helped me a lot when I had her as a teacher."
"That would be great, thank you."
The princess sits next to Gene and also takes off her shoes. They are silent for a while, just staring at the stars and letting the sounds of cicadas, the dancing water, and the light breeze play a symphony of natural music.
"I wish I had the freedom to do things like this; taking my shoes off and walking barefoot, enjoying the night, just small things that are evidence of being free to do whatever you want."
Gene studies Bodil's face in the dim lights of the garden. The princess looks sad. Gene understands how she feels. Whether it is because of being a royal and living to everyone's expectations, or living in depression preventing you from doing what you want. Lack of freedom is always suffocating, whatever the reason is.
"I apologize." Bodil laughs sheepishly. "I was supposed to lift your mood, but I am speaking of a gloomy subject."
"Not at all, I understand what you mean." Gene smiles at her. "How about we sneak out occasionally and enjoy walking on the grass with bare feet?"
Bodil laughs. "Really?" she squeals. "I would love that, it could be our little secret."
"Yes." Their laughs slowly die to silence again. "You know, you just have to find something you really enjoy doing, it will really help you get through the tough times."
'That was Love Game for me. As silly as it sounds, the game really helped me go through some depressing times.'
"Thank you, Lady Siv. Surprisingly, I really enjoyed speaking with you."
"Surprisingly?"
'Ouch.'
"Sorry, I don't mean any offense," Bodil says quickly. "It's just that I always observed you from afar and you seemed too reserved to speak to anyone and thus no one ever approached you," she rambles. "I was wrong though, you are quite pleasant to be around."
"Well, I'm glad we have cleared that misunderstanding." Gene laughs.
"Also, just to let you know, I am rooting for you to become crown princess." She takes Gene's hand in hers. "I always wanted a sister," she adds as her hazel eyes sparkle.
'Aww, her words warm my heart. She is so sweet I just want to hug her.'
"What is going on here?"
Both Bodil and Gene look behind them, startled. They find Prince Brandt standing with a frown on his face and the princess of Vanta hanging tightly to his arm.
'Great, it's the happy couple.'
*********
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