Despite being caught, an emergency meeting was necessary, and this time, it was outside the palace.
Their first attempt to meet inside the palace was a total failure, so they decided that it was less risky to talk outside the palace, where there was no Princess that would follow them.
Elion and Maya took the same day off--- the only way to make this secret meeting possible.
Just to be on the safe side, they took a longer route on their way to Luppy's crammed apartment, Elion made sure they were not followed.
They were sitting face to face at Luppy's small table.
"We have to get her out, now." Elion suggested. "We cannot stay in the palace any longer. They are already suspicious about us."
"No, to take with us this week would be impossible. Another strike, and I'm out." Maya shook her head. "We have to be very careful. I think it's better to delay our plan, at least for now."
Two opposite strategies were offered in the table. Neither one was right nor wrong.
"No, they are already on us. The longer we are inside, the better they become prepared." Elion suspected. "The faster we get out of here, the better."
"I've been in the palace longer than you," Maya countered. "And as long as we have the Princess' favor, the Queen won't hurt us."
"What's the difference if we delay the mission?" Elion crossed his arms on his chest. "I don't see the advantage."
"The Queen, we must do it when she's occupied…" Maya looked straight at Elion. "…or we will become a snack before we even step outside the palace. And besides," She balled her hands into fists until her knuckles go white. "the Queen has to pay for what she did with Jake."
"Okay, you have a point, let's delay it for now." Elion finally understood the main reason. "But we have to be careful around the Princess this time."
Elion underestimated the Princess. But if he were just to reflect upon himself, he overestimated himself--- his bad acting led to the Princess' suspicion.
"Don't worry, we don't have to wait for that long, this is the perfect date to kidnap Princess Alyssa." Maya grabbed the calendar beside the table and encircled a date on it. "Tighter security, but we will not be their focus, there will be many visitors on that day… we just have to make sure not to make another mistake."
"December Eighteen," Elion pointed at the encircled date. "What's the occasion?"
Maya smirked. "Princess Alyssa's birthday."
"Three weeks. Not that long, not that short, just enough." Elion had to be the Princess' perfect attendant until the date comes.
"But for now, let the Queen bleed from the inside. Let's attack the Queen where it hurts, her daughter." Maya looked at the distant, determined. "Let's make Princess Alyssa know what kind of a monster her mother is."
"How?" Elion was ready to help to this psychological attack.
"Just don't do or say anything, that will help." Maya waved a hand in the air. "Let me handle it."
"Got it." Elion flushed, remembering his still reaction when they were caught. "Let's talk about the other details next time."
"Just so you know," Maya's face went blank. "I hate flowers… and chocolates." She looked away from Elion annoyingly.
The Princess might have pulled some strings so Barn would allow them to have the same day off, with the excuse of having… a date.
"Right. "Elion cleared his throat, he needed to buy some sort of gift for Maya for their proof to the Princess.
The wall clock ticked loudly behind Elion for a few seconds.
"So, this Princess…" Luppy was looking side to side, sitting in the middle of them. "…what is she like?"
Luppy was observing the two silently, waiting for his chance to butt in.
"Human."
"Spoiled."
Elion and Maya said at the same time.
"Of course she's human," Maya threw her hands in the air in frustration. "all zombies are born human. You have to be infected first. And for the Princess, that will happen on her birthday."
"I already know that." Luppy tapped his nose. "What I mean is…. What is she like? Is she as evil as her mother?"
Elion did not know that. He was just beginning to understand the world of the royals.
"She's annoying," Maya thought about it for a second. "but she's not dangerous."
"How about you Eli," Luppy turned to his brother. "how is it working by her side? What do you think of her? Rumor has it she never goes out of the palace. I don't think I've seen her before."
"She's…interesting."
***
"He bought me these." Maya showed her new pair of shoes to Princess Alyssa. "Isn't he sweet?"
A pair of shoes was pretty much the easiest object to get a clearance from the royal guards.
"It's beautiful," Princess Alyssa looked down to Maya's feet. "velvet black." She was not impressed.
Princess Alyssa was sitting at the vanity table, Maya was standing behind her.
Maya was the one who picked the shoes, Elion was only there to pay for it. Well, Elion have not received his payment yet, so Luppy was the one who paid for it.
Maya was brushing the Princess' hair.
Maya was assured by Princess Alyssa that her relationship with Eli was being kept a secret from everybody, and that she will be summoned by the Princess from time to time so she can see Eli without being questioned. It was Princess Alyssa's way of apologizing for suspecting them.
Maya began to braid Princess Alyssa's hair. "Your hair is so silky and soft, Princess."
"Really?" Princess Alyssa touched the side of her hair. "Thank you."
After braiding, Maya tied the end of Princess Alyssa's hair. "There."
"Thank you," Princess Alyssa turned her head on the side, admiring the work. "Barn used to do this for me… and I don't trust Eli to do my hair yet."
Maya smiled tenderly to the Princess, hoping to show her fake sincerity. "I can fix your hair anytime, Princess."
"Sometimes, maybe." Princess Alyssa looked at her through the mirror. "But I can't take too much of your time from Eli. I hope he gets back soon though, curfew's near."
Eli was not on his usual position at the door, he excused himself earlier to get something.
"Thank you, Princess," Maya knelt beside Princess Alyssa. "for saving us from the Queen."
"No, it's okay." Princess Alyssa grabbed Maya in the arm to help her stand on her feet. "It's my fault anyway."
"The punishment is just so severe…I'm just wondering," Maya's brows furrowed. "why the Queen does not allow you to go to some place inside the palace?"
"It's because I'm not one of them…" Princess Alyssa looked at the distant. "…technically.���
"But why? You're the Princess," Maya prodded in. "have you ever thought that maybe, the Queen is afraid that you will discover something?"
"My mother? No," Princess Alyssa walked towards the round table as she fumbled through her hair. "She's just… she just wants to protect me."
"Maybe the Queen is afraid…for you to know the truth." Maya followed the Princess.
"Enough!" Princess Alyssa snapped back to Maya. "enough."
"Princess," Maya bowed her head, smiling. "I did not mean to offend."
"Please," Princess Alyssa slid a huge book in front of her, opening the last page she read. "I need time for myself."
Maya walked backwards towards the corner, smirking. She hit a nerve, just as she intended.
A half an hour had passed when Eli returned to the room, carrying a box on his palm carefully.
Eli walked straight to the Princess, revealing what he was carrying.
A whole strawberry cream cake was placed in front of the Princess.
"What is this?" Alyssa lifted her head to Eli.
"From the kitchen." Eli informed.
Alyssa was sitting on the round table, reading the huge book. "But I did not ask for dessert."
Eli just shrugged and returned to his post.
Words were written on the cake: 'Cheer up!' Signed by a green smiley face at the bottom.
No royal has defended an attendant before, making Alyssa infamous from her bold move.
Alyssa's guilt made her save the attendants on impulse, she was the one who took them in the kitchen after all.
Her reputation became worse than ever before.
But there were two opinions roaming around the palace. While the royals did not agree with her action, undermining their power, the workers--- the guards and the attendants--- were unusually in favor of her. The workers would greet her in the hallway, even other braving themselves and giving her gifts.
The other half of the palace may hate her, but the other half was beginning to favor her.
"Eli, Maya." Princess Alyssa called. "Sit here, help me finish this."
As Alyssa dug through her cake, there was a question, echoing repeatedly at the back of her mind.
'What is the truth mother is afraid for me to know?'
***
It was five years ago.
Alyssa was thirteen.
It was the age to be mischievous, curious, and rebellious.
Alyssa wanted to wander inside the places forbidden for her to enter. She would sneak away from Barn, just to attempt to go.
Forbidden places Kiva was now allowed to enter.
Kiva was adding fire to Alyssa's desire.
"Kekekeke." Kiva placed her hands on her waist, taunting Alyssa. "You're not allowed from here."
"Why not, I'm the Princess." Alyssa took a step to the side.
Kiva followed Alyssa, blocking the entrance from the kitchen. "No, only I can go inside."
"That's unfair Kiva! We used to do everything together!" Princess Alyssa protested. "Move out of the way!"
"No, you're not ready." Kiva whispered to herself.
"Step aside!" Alyssa demanded. "If you're allowed, then I'm allowed too."
"No!" Kiva stood on her ground.
Alyssa pushed Kiva to the side. "I'll do what I want to."
"Wait!" Kiva reached for Alyssa and grabbed a chunk of hair.
Alyssa's head was tugged backwards from the force. "Let. Go."
"No!"
"I said, let go!"
"No!"
An audience were starting to form around them, chefs were peeking from the inside curious from the raised voices, attendants stopped on their tracks whispering to each other. Ziloh was with one of the female attendants--- he too was enjoying the commotion.
Alyssa turned halfway and reached for Kiva's hair. "Let go." She tugged at Kiva's hair.
"No." Kiva grabbed another chunk of Alyssa's hair with her other hand. "Don't you dare take another step!"
"You're asking for it!" Alyssa clawed on Kiva's face.
Kiva did the same.
Two kittens, fighting in the middle of the hallway. No one from the audience dared to stop them. It was their first fight ever since they became best friend.
"What is this all about?" Duke Emil, head of the house of Kundi, forced his way in the crowd.
Duke Emil had olive skin, with bushy brows, and tall nose.
He walked towards the commotion with his lean frame.
The audience dispersed upon seeing the older royal.
Alyssa and Kiva did not notice Duke Emil, standing in the middle of them.
"Stop this at once." Duke Emil tore the two away from each other.
Both had tangled hair.
Alyssa was breathing heavily. But Kiva was not, she was glaring at Alyssa.
"What is the problem in here?" Duke Emil's brows furrowed.
"Ali wants to go inside!" Kiva pointed at the kitchen.
Duke Emil's face softened, he placed a hand on Kiva's shoulder, guiding her far enough so Alyssa won't hear.
Ziloh, disappointment that the fight ended, walked away—together with the female attendant at his side.
Duke Emil talked to Kiva placing both of his hand on her shoulder.
Kiva nodded and peeked at Alyssa.
Alyssa, having caught to be looking at Kiva, snapped her head to the side.
Kiva gave a final nod to Duke Emil and ran away.
"And you Princess," Duke Emil placed a hand on Alyssa's shoulder. "I know how you feel."
Alyssa bit the inside of her mouth.
"Don't worry, I'm on your side." Duke Emil smiled to her. "The Queen and I don't agree with a lot of things, including you being kept in the dark."
"If Kiva is allowed, I should be too."
Kiva's ceremony last year formed an invisible wall between the best friends. Something had change, and Alyssa did not want that change--- she was alone beyond the wall.
Six months after Kiva's ceremony, Kiva did not visit Alyssa at all, making the Princess alone and worried. Kiva visited after, but it was seldom compared than before.
"And I agree, you should have the right to enter." Duke Emil smiled with sadness in his eyes. "If only I had known before what I know now… I would not have agreed to this life." Duke Emil grabbed Alyssa's arm. "When your time to decide comes, I hope you won't regret like me."
"Princess!" Barn ran to Alyssa, panic stricken. "No wonder the room was so quiet while I was folding your clothes. What happened to you?" Barn scanned Alyssa's disheveled appearance.
"Nothing." Alyssa turned her head away from Barn.
"Nothing to worry about, Barn." Duke Emil agreed.
"I'm sorry if the Princess troubled you, Duke Emil." Barn bowed curtly.
"No, the Princess and I were just having a chat."
Barn forced Alyssa's head to bow. "Apologize." Barn whispered.
"I'm sorry." Alyssa mumbled.
"No harm was done. "Duke Emil smiled.
"Please excuse us, Duke Emil." Barn bowed and dragged Alyssa away. "What you have done this time?" Barn asked Alyssa.
"Young Princess!" Duke Emil called Alyssa.
Alyssa turned around.
Duke Emil walked towards her. "The next time you want to know the truth," Duke Emil lowered his voice. "come to me and I'll tell you."
Barn and Alyssa went back to her room.
Barn combed her hair. Alyssa's head was snapping back with every stoke.
Over the years, Alyssa lost interest in going to places forbidden to her.
Over the years, Alyssa learned that the rules were not the problem--- she was the problem.
Over the years, Alyssa's desire to be cured intensified.
Over the years, Alyssa forgot Duke Emil's offer.