Gene is silent the whole way to the palace. Her mind is preoccupied with what happened at the portal. There is also a ball in her throat that no matter how much she swallows, isn't going down.
'Let's go over what that woman's… voice said earlier, if the whole thing was real of course:
I can't go back home.
I have to become queen.
I can change the fact that I will be executed.
The current queen is also from a different world.
The queen will help me.'
Gene could imagine walking up to the queen and asking about the world she was from only to be executed for insulting her.
She sighs.
She never even considered the option of staying here. If it is true that she can avoid being killed, it wouldn't be too bad. She knew that she wouldn't miss the life she used to have. It was pathetic enough. Her mother wouldn't miss her either.
She looks over at her companion who has his eyes closed and his arms folded over his chest.
She would have to marry the prince. The thought makes her blush. He is a fine specimen, she wouldn't mind. Now that she thinks about it, he is supposed to be this horrible, rude, picky, short tempered, womanizer, cold man. But all she has seen so far is gentle, funny, and caring.
There are too many inconsistencies with the game, but she knows that she still can't trust Brandt.
'Is this even a game? That voice did not sound like a voice-over or an NPR.'
She sighs again.
"You have been sighing since we sat in this carriage." The prince startles her. "What is bothering you so much?" His eyes are holding hers. She stares back at him for a moment.
'What am I supposed to tell him?'
"I am just nervous to go to the capital and stay at the palace."
"There is no reason to be nervous. You are my fiancée, everyone knows that, and nobody would dare upset you in any way." Gene nods at his words absentmindedly.
When they arrive at the palace, they are welcomed by a sea of guards and servants.
"Your Highness, welcome back." A tall and lean man bows to the prince. He looks to be in his late thirties.
"Thank you Shelby. You have met my fiancée before." Brandt motions to Gene.
"Yes, Your Highness." The man turns to her and bows. "Lady Holmen, it is a pleasure to see you again."
Gene freezes for a moment. Obviously, she has no idea who this man is. But she can't really speak of the memory loss situation. Last time she did, the duchess almost broke her wrist.
'Maybe the prince doesn't want anyone to know as well.'
"Likewise." She gives him the sweetest smile she can manage, regardless of her nervousness.
"Lord Benson is my assistant," Brandt adds.
Gene just smiles and nods at the information. The prince guides her inside the palace and her jaw falls open. It is straight out of a history book or a tourism magazine with images of the Louvre before it became a museum.
There is gold everywhere, whether it is the precious metal or just the color of the paint, it sparkles in every corner. Lavish chandeliers hang from the high ceiling and beautiful rugs cover parts of the marble floor. She is speechless.
"Please show the lady to her room," the prince orders. "Why don't you freshen up and get ready for dinner?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
Veda and Gene follow the servant to her room. Her body and her mind are both so tired, she wishes she could just go to bed.
But no. She has to take a quick bath, do her hair and makeup—which takes way too long, wear a dinner dress—which also takes too long, and join the prince for dinner.
'Maybe my complaints sound like ones of a rich brat with irrelevant problems right now, but I am just tired.'
As Veda finishes the last touch ups, they hear a knock on the door. A young maid enters.
"My lady, I am to show you to the sitting room."
Gene follows the servant through the large hallways of the palace. They pass by so many doors and descend a few flats of stairs. They finally arrive in front of a double wooden door that two guards open for her.
For some odd and foolish reason, Gene expected that she would be having dinner with the prince only. Imagine her surprise when she finds three other people sitting in the room with him.
The prince immediately walks to her when he sees her. He takes her left hand and gives it a gentle kiss. Then, he guides her to where the others are.
To say they are surprised is an understatement. The boy who was sitting next to the prince pushes to his feet as they approach. He can't be older than fifteen.
"Mother," Brandt starts and Gene almost forgets how to breathe. "I have invited Lady Holmen to stay with us at the palace until your birthday ball."
Gene looks at the gorgeous woman sitting with her hands resting on her lap. She looks back at her and flashes the most gentle smile Gene has ever seen.
'The queen.'
"Your Majesty." She curtsies. "It is an honor to be in your presence."
"I apologize for my impulsive son," she says looking at the prince. "We would have prepared for your arrival, had I known."
"I will keep that in mind next time, Mother," he comments with a wink to the queen. She chuckles at the action. "This is my younger sister, Bodil," he continues. "And my little brother, Bjarte."
Gene greets them both and they return her smile.
"Well then, shall we move to the dining hall?" The queen stands. "His Majesty will not be joining us tonight," she adds as she starts walking toward the doors.
Dinner is very pleasant. The prince and his family seem very close to each other, joking and telling stories.
Gene would have loved to have siblings, she is sure she wouldn't have been as lonely if she had a sister or a brother.
The queen also seems like a loving mother. She remembers when her mom used to be like that when she was a kid, but it all changed after her father left.
Suddenly, the doors fly open, which startles everyone. An older man appears, Gene can tell from his clothes that he's the king.
"What is the meaning of this?" His livid eyes fall on Gene as he asks.
Her body trembles involuntarily, she swallows hard but she feels that ball from earlier back in her throat.
'Shit, what did I do now?'
*********
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