Elen was holding a black royal robe. It was the one Alexander wore on their wedding day. All the memories on that day came gushing in. A nostalgic smile flashed across her face as she thought about it.
She inhaled his toxic scent from the robe and all she could think about was him. Her mind drifted to that morning where they both almost made love together. Wow! They had not even spent a month with each other and she was now head over heels in love with him but only her knew he didn't feel that way towards her. He's just carrying out his husbandly duties and she appreciates it, that at least he cares for her. Even if he cannot give her his heart now, it didn't mean he wouldn't do it later! She just had to be optimistic and let him open up to her. When that step is done, it wouldn't be difficult to make him fall for her. She hadn't been in a relationship but she knew one thing, 'never to be clingy'. She had to give him space for some time, she'll always stay beside him but he also needs some fresh air too and maybe he might start to feel something when she's away from him for some time, just like what she's feeling now.
Wait, does it mean she's going to woo him to fall for her? She thought and let out a soft chuckle. That's going to be absolutely fun and maybe when he falls for her, they can get married again. A wedding were both parties would be happy. Her eyes were gleaming with excitement. She had just found the most interesting job on earth, 'wooing her husband'. It was also going to be a lot of hard work because Alex is like a hard nut to crack. But no matter how hard a nut is, it would still open when you try harder right? And Alexander is no exception. He's that hard nut, and for her to open it. She's going to keep on trying till she finds a way to make it crack open.
She held his robe tighter and hugged it as if not wanting to let go, truth was that she didn't want to let go. She wanted to stay that way till the sun shines bright.
"Alexander, I miss you so much. It's only been yesterday you left but I feel you've gone for like forever. I miss you so much, please come home soon." She said as she hugged his robe even tighter.
She felt the urge to hug him in person. She missed him so bad and all she wanted to do that moment was to hold him like never before. But she had to endure for a few more days, when he's back and better she would hold him without any more restrictions.
It hurts her so bad that she isn't able to relieve his pain and is always reminiscing through his past. It was just too much for her heart to handle. But she needs to be strong. She needs to stay strong for her husband. She should stay strong to help him.
Her hands were still tightly wrapped round his coat and it just made her feel warm and peaceful. Embracing his coat gave her a relaxing feeling and all negative thoughts just disappeared. All she was thinking of at that time was him. Him alone.
"I miss you so much Alex." She said as she lay on the bed with the robe still placed on her body.
"I miss you." She uttered one last time before she fell into a deep slumber.
...
It was morning and the sun's horizon peeked through the windows. The bright light shone on Elen's face and she creased her brows before her eyes fluttered open.
She had never slept so peaceful. If holding her husband's clothes whilst he's away felt like this, then she's willing to do it everytime he's away.
Thankfully, she didn't get anymore of those her nightmares and it made her sigh in utter relief.
She stretched on the bed before standing up to take her bath. Her bath was already prepared and she ordered for Flora to be called.
"Yes, your highness." Flora said.
"I want to take my bath now." Elen said and she nodded. Her attitude towards every woman in the palace had changed after her dream last night. She just couldn't bring herself to trust any woman, even the maids who deemed to be harmless. Well, you never can tell who to trust and that's why she wouldn't take any chances. She wouldn't act recklessly and make the mistake of trusting anyone. Truth be told, she doesn't even trust her sister-in-laws anymore and she really felt guilty about it. There's really nothing she can do. She just needed to stay on alert and not lose her guard.
Flora on the other hand found the princess's behavior a little bit strange. She was acting a bit cold and wary. She wanted to ask if everything was alright but she knew it was not in her position to ask such matters. Her job is to serve the princess and that's why she refrained from asking anything.
****
"Did you find anything regarding this matter?" Alexander asked a man, he was a tall figure but his face was not clearly seen because a hood covered his face.
"I had instructed some of my men to find out about it but they got nothing. I don't think he was involved in this. Beowulf must have used someone we don't know about yet." The tall and huge man spoke.
"Atticus, I'm sure I must have made myself clear the last time. I told you to figure out this yourself! Why did you send those unreliable men of yours?!" Alexander said with a glaring gaze.
"Geez, what's wrong? Don't call my men unreliable! I tried my best though." The man retorted and what he got was another glare he had never seen before.
He chuckled inwardly before he spoke. "Fine, fine. I'll go dig further into this matter okay? Now stop acting like you want to kill. I don't want to be your sacrificial lamb when you're angry!" The man said but Alexander just glanced at him for a fleeting moment before he turned his head towards the window.
"And I want you to bring me the answers before dusk tomorrow. I'll be leaving the day after." He explained.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You don't have to command me. I'm not that annoying General of yours. What's his name?... Ahh! Robert!" He said as he gave a satisfying smile.
"Just do what I instructed of you. Beowulf must pay." He said in a calm voice.
"I heard you the first time, there's no need to repeat it." He said, clearly frustrated but the living stone wasn't bothered by his words and just spoke further.
"Where's Bruce? I haven't seen him in a long while." He said and a mischievous smile carved on Atticus' face.
"Since when did you start thinking of Bruce?" He asked, mischief clear in his voice, but Alexander didn't say a word and just turned his head back, facing the window. It was as if he got his answers.
"Sigh...will you stop ignoring me already!" Atticus said.
"Get out!" Alexander coldly said and without further teasing, Atticus moved hastily out of the room. He still had other things to sort out so he had to leave even if he loved teasing Alexander.
'Gosh! He tells me to go on a mission and he still acts cold towards me! When did I even become his servant?!! Well, I'm doing all of this for the princess's safety else, that asshole wouldn't even see my shadow!' He complained inwardly.
....
A maid was seen standing in front of Elen. It looked like she was trembling out of fear. Elen didn't mean to scare them but her nightmare had been bothering her and she couldn't help but feel a strange cold feeling envelope her.
"What is it?" She said, her voice was unusually cold.
"Princess Linda and Princess Gwen are waiting outside your chambers. They came to visit." The maid said, her face was fixed on the floor without averting her gaze from it.
Elen was trying to avoid them for a few more days. She didn't want them to see her in this condition. She wanted to be able to recollect herself and go back to her normal self but how could she do that when they already came visiting. She couldn't possibly refuse them too! So she let out the deep breath she was holding in and nodded at the maid to let them in but the naive maid didn't get the message and asked again, clearly selecting her choice of words.
"I'm sorry your highness but do you want me to let them in or tell them you'll meet them in a short moment?" The maid asked, straightforward as ever and Elen just sighed. Gosh, these people are really unbelievable....
"Let them in." Was what she simply said and the maid nodded and hastily left her chambers.
"Your highness', she said you can both come in." The maid said and Linda smiled meaningfully while Gwen just glanced at the maid.
A soft knock echoed in the room and Elen whipped her head towards the door. A smile carved on her face as she stood up. It wasn't a genuine smile though but she had to keep her cool and stay calm in front of them. 'They're your sister-in-laws for goodness sake! They wouldn't harm you!' The voice in her head told her and she decided to listen to that voice for now. It wouldn't hurt to let them in, besides they're guards standing outside her room.
Well, who would have thought that she would feel wary of the two women who made her stay here in this kingdom less boring? Who would have thought?
She flung the door open and what she saw made the guilt in her heart intensify. Their smiling faces popped in her head. They were grinning wide and looked like they were really happy to see her.
"Good morning your highness." Linda teased with a grin.
"Haha. Stop flattering me, you, just call me by my name. You're just like an older sister." Elen said and Gwen pouted like a little child causing Elen to crease her brows. Huh? Did she say something wrong? What's with the expression?!
"You really think we're old. Do we look that old? We might be the same age you know!" Gwen said and Elen sighed before she chuckled at her statement.
"No, no, not at all. I would never think of the two, most stunning ladies in the whole world as old!" She said and the three chuckled.
"Please do come in. Don't mind my rudeness." She said and they both smiled.
"It's okay."
Elen led them to a couch in her room and the three sat there.
"Would you mind having breakfast with me?" Elen asked and they nodded unhesitatingly. That was the main reason Elen liked them both, they were true people and would never pretend for the sake of impressing others, and this thought made her heart ache with guilt.
"We would love to. You're our beloved brother's wife after all. Why should we refuse you?" Gwen stated and Elen just gave her a warm smile.
There was already food served on the table in her chambers. Elen had asked the maid that she'd love to eat alone in her room, so the maid unhesitatingly served her in her chambers. It was a good thing after all because these ladies came and she couldn't possibly eat without inviting them to join her too.
There were no spoons because it was a local dish, so they had to use their hands. Elen kind of felt bad for them because this was their delicacy back in her kingdom. She didn't know if they'll love it. She only instructed the maids to cook this for her because she was missing home.
"I'm sorry, I had asked the maids to cook this for me. It's actually a local dish back in my kingdom. I don't know if you guys will love it. But if you don't want it, please don't force yourself to eat it just for me. I can ask the maids to prepare another food for you both." She said. It was because the dish looked like worms but they were not worms actually, they were spices on top and many fishes and meats.
Linda gave a soft chuckle and placed her hands on Elen's. "It's okay. This is not actually my first time taking this and I must admit I love it. This is my second time taking this dish, so there's no need to be worried. Gwen is also fine with it, right Gwen?" She asked and without waiting for her response she just said a simple "See."
Gwen and Elen on the other hand were taken aback with what Linda had just said. T-this was not her first time? Elen was sure that they do not eat this kind of foods in this kingdom so this was actually a shock to her.
"This is not your first time?"
"This is not your first time?" Gwen and Elen simultaneously said, and it was then Linda realized the words she just spouted out.
'Oh no! What have I done?! I just spilled the beans!!'
"Err...Uhm...we should eat. The food is getting cold." She said and Elen turned her head towards her food but Gwen looked like she wasn't going to give you easily on this. This might be something she could use to her advantage in the future when blackmailing her sister. She grinned devilishly at her sister and Linda knew what that look meant. It means 'Spill the beans or I just leave here and tell father about this.'
"Elen dear, did you know that princess's are not allowed to leave this Kingdom? So this is actually a shock to me that Linda here, ate this dish once. As far as I can remember, we've never cooked anything like this." Gwen said and Elen raised her head to look at Linda and a meaningful gaze was fixed on her eyes.
"Yeah, speaking of that too. Where did you take it the first time?" Elen asked while still chewing her food. She didn't mind that she was eating unladylike because the two people in front of her had already become more than sister-in-laws to her.
Linda averted her gaze and hesitantly chewed up the food and Elen quickly realized she didn't want to talk about it but Gwen being Gwen didn't back out. She would let her spill the beans today.
"Linda, Elen asked a question." Gwen said but Linda secretly glared at her. 'Just let me be Gwen! Why do you always want to know everything happening in my life?!' Linda screamed in her head.
"It's okay Gwen. If she doesn't want to talk about it then I don't mind. Maybe it's personal." Elen said but Gwen was still adamant.
"No Elen! This is not personal. If father finds out about this, then we both are in trouble. If she doesn't tell us now, how do we get ourselves out of the situation when there's trouble." Gwen said and Elen nodded as she looked at Linda with a probing gaze.
....