Gene throws her head back and closes her eyes. It's another gorgeous day. She takes another deep breath and lets the sun soak in. The past couple of weeks have been pure bliss. She has never felt this happy in her life… lives.
'Does finding myself in a twenty one year-old girl's body count as a second life?'
Brandt has been extremely sweet to her. Just thinking about him makes her heart rejoice. He is definitely main-character material, she thought, straight out of a historical romance. They have been spending so much time together that she has gotten quite used to him.
On the other hand, Captain Erling has been a real annoyance. She glances at the stiff woman in her uniform, standing by the glass doors. She looks like a stone statue. She is so strict and stern all the time, and she takes her job very seriously. Not that Gene thinks that's a flaw, but she couldn't understand why she is on high alert while they are on the veranda.
Gene sighs.
"What's gotten my love sighing like that?" Brandt's voice comes from behind before he hugs her.
A smile instantly lights Gene's face and she leans back into his chest.
"You're late," she complains. "I am having tea with the queen and Bodil so I can only stay for a few minutes." He tightens his arms around her.
"I am so sorry sweetheart, I had to deal with a situation." He sounds exasperated so she turns to face him. He looks drained.
"What's wrong?"
"Just some small attacks in a few towns in the East. People from that region are very difficult to deal with." He sighs. "I just spent the last three hours speaking with their commissioner." He flops his head on her shoulder and she embraces him.
'Aww, my poor baby is always working so hard.'
Unfortunately, Erling has to interrupt their cute intimate moment. She clears her throat, which gets both our attention.
"My lady, it is time for tea with the queen," she announces in her monotonous voice.
'She is supposed to be my bodyguard, not my secretary, damn it.' She presses her lips together in annoyance and pulls away from the prince.
"I will see you at dinner then," he says, squeezing her arm.
"Don't overwork yourself, dear."
"I think your embrace just gave me a boost of energy." He winks at her, which makes a giggle escape her lips.
'God, he's so adorable.'
Queen Ylva and Bodil are already seated by the pond when Gene arrives. She greets them both before joining them at the beautifully decorated table.
"You know, Siv, you are always late these days. Maybe you are spending too much time with my brother."
Gene feels a blush creep up her face. "I…" she starts but notices both Bodil and Ylva's amused faces. "Are you teasing me?" she accuses. They both burst out laughing.
"Only two more weeks till the Autumn Gathering," Ylva says suggestively.
"I still don't know what the event is about."
Every time Brandt tried to explain it to her, something ended up happening. Granted, it was mostly them kissing, but it was still 'something'.
"It celebrates the start of a new cycle with the new season," Bodil starts. "People usually clean their houses, get rid of old things and buy new clothes. Farmers plant the first seeds too."
"There is also a festival on the fifth day of autumn, people from around town gather together and share food and drinks," Ylva adds after taking another sip of her tea. "It is the only day of the year when we join our people and celebrate with them."
'Wow, royals celebrating with commoners. Rulers back home could learn a thing or two from this world.'
"It sounds great."
"It is." Bodil's eyes sparkle. "There is usually music and dancing too."
"I am looking forward to it, then."
"So, how is Lady Erling?" Bodil whispers after a few moments of silence.
Gene throws the woman standing by the maids a look and sighs.
"I can't even use the bathroom without her waiting closely outside the door," she tells them. "I miss walking alone in the garden. I am being watched from the moment I open my eyes in the morning till I go to sleep at night."
"Well, if going for a walk is all you want, I am sure we can help with that," the queen says with a mischievous grin.
"Really?" Gene moves closer to her, excited.
"Bodil dear, why don't you start a conversation with Lady Erling? I am sure you can think of something." Bodil nods with a smile. "As for us, let's take a few steps out of her view after Bodil gets her attention."
The princess moves right away. She walks to the captain and engages her in conversation immediately. Gene can tell that Erling is uncomfortable, but she would never ignore a royal.
As soon as she starts talking to Bodil, the queen and Gene stand. They hurry to hide behind one of the big trees where Erling can't see them.
"Enjoy your walk, dear." Ylva motions for her to walk away. A big smile splits Gene's face in two.
"Thank you for your help," she says before rushing away.
It is silly, but being able to walk alone feels liberating. Like walking barefoot under the stars, this is one of the things that might be difficult to do in the palace, as Bodil said that night. Gene makes a mental note to sneak out and do that again soon.
Surprisingly, she finds that she remembers the exact path to where the king's hidden place is. After a few more steps through the thinning trees, she comes out to the large open circle.
It is breathtaking.
Last time she was here, she didn't get the chance to look at the flowers. So, she walks to the center. There are so many colors. Gene wished she knew the names of the flowers, but she was never interested in gardening or botany.
As she advances through the hundreds of blossoms, she notices that there is an opening in the middle of it all.
'What is a sole grave doing here?'
"Eerika." She reads the name written on it.
It is the only thing written on the small tombstone, no family name, no dates, or anything else. Just the first name.
'Strange.'
It has to be someone related to the king since he's the only one who comes here. And from the fresh flowers bunched up on the grave, it is probably someone dear to him. Gene guesses that it might be his late mother.
Suddenly, she hears shuffling between the trees. Her heart almost stops.
'I should get out of here, I don't think the king would appreciate me snooping around this place.'
She pushes to her feet quickly and starts speeding back toward the palace.
For some reason, she can't shake the feeling that someone is following her. She looks behind her, but there is no one. When she turns back, her eyes fall on a shadow a few feet ahead of her.
Gene yelps and, in her panic, stumbles back and falls.
As the shadow steps closer and a few sun rays reach his face, she realizes that it's a man, wearing a long black robe. A very scary looking man. When her eyes meet his, a cold chill runs down her spine. The ice-blue color of his eyes is so light, they almost look freakishly transparent.
"Who are you?" Gene finally finds her voice.
He takes another threatening step closer to her. "The last person you will ever see." His deep voice resonates through the trees.
It feels like everything around them has stopped. There is no sound, no movement, no air. Gene can't even hear her heartbeat.
*********
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