Everyone in the palace was busy with preparation for Prince Zod's arrival. The maidens had to set up his room in the best way possible while the guards had to arrange themselves for their shifts. The place was as busy as a bee.
The Queen and the king were in the palace giving some orders to the guards and maidens how they were expected to run the palace during Prince Zod's stay.
"Xenia, you will be in charge of Prince Zod during his stay here and Chloe, you will be in charge of his food only." The Queen directed.
"Yes, your majesty." They answered, bowed their heads and left.
Outside the palace, Chloe pulled Xenia and said, "Don't think you are superior to me just because you were asked to take care of Prince Zod."
Xenia turned to her and with a confused look on her face she asked, "Do you want to switch places?"
Chloe hissed at her and left.
Xenia hasn't been the same ever since Lucas and the Prince left. Each day passes and she thinks about Lucas but the annoying part was she didn't know if he was thinking about her at all. It would be so stupid if she was the only one missing him like crazy.
"Xenia." she heard a voice call and when she turned, she saw Kim, one of the guards.
"Hi, Kim." she answered in a low tone.
"Is everything okay?" he asked.
She quickly put on a fake smile and said, "Yeah, everything is perfect."
"Well, I just want to let you know that you can confide in me. I know you are interested in Lucas and since he isn't here, I..."
"What?" her eyes opened in shock.
Kim laughed. "I don't need you to prove me wrong because I know you'd lie about it. I just want you to know that you can confide in me if you need anything."
"Um, thanks."
He winked at her before leaving.
Xenia was shocked. Does it mean her attitude around Lucas was obvious? She made sure to hide it, how did he find out about it? If Kim knows about it, does everyone know too? What about Lucas? She thought.
"I must be over thinking this." she pats her face with her hand trying to ignore the fact that she was a little flustered.
"Everyone! The Prince is here!" a loud voice said and everyone ran to welcome him.
Xenia wasn't excited about Prince Zod's arrival in the palace and anyone could see it boldly written on her face.
"Xenia, shouldn't you be attending to the Prince?" the Queen asked her and she quickly ran to attend to him.
Prince Zod got down from his horse and saw the maidens and the guards already stationed to welcome him. He looked around and was astonished at what they did to the palace.
"You are welcome, your highness." The Queen walked up to him and greeted him.
"I was wondering who would welcome me since your husband is mute." he answered.
Those words pissed her off but she hid it in her smile. "As the beloveth wife of the man you just called mute, I have decided to take the responsibility of both the King and the Queen. I ask that you enjoy your stay here and whatsoever you need, you can ask me about it."
"I need to take permission from you?" Prince Zod asked. The Queen was about to reply but the Prince caught her off. "I don't need to take permission for anything. I do whatever it is I want, when I want and how I want."
Queen Elise was getting annoyed and was about to flare up, Xenia noticed it and quickly went to take charge of the situation.
"Greetings your highness, I don't mean to jump into this but I will say you are a little bit rude to her majesty. She stayed up all night trying to make sure that all things are well prepared for your arrival. Don't you think this insult is too much?"
Prince Zod looked at her from head to toe and asked with rage in his voice, "And who the hell do you think you are to challenge me?"
"My name is Xenia, your highness and this is not a challenge. I have no idea how you rule your kingdom but this is Havilla and here we rule in love, loyalty and respect for all. Please, do not see this as a challenge or as being rude but take this as an appeal and kindly enjoy your stay here. I will be in charge of you while you are here and if you need anything, you can ask me. I will suggest a bath and a nice meal right now seeing you came from far away."
Prince Zod was surprised to say the least. He saw that she had no fear and she was outspoken not in a rude way but in a nicely manner. He had no choice but to succumb. "Take me to my room."
Xenia bowed her head and took the Prince to his room. "This will be your room, let me know if you need anything." she was about to leave when he held her hand.
"Aren't you going to help me get undressed? Isn't it part of your duty?" he asked her. Xenia was about to speak but he shunned her. "You are scared, aren't you?"
"Not at all. I will do that." she got closer to him and helped him take off his robe. Anytime Xenia looked up at him, she saw his eyes already looking at her. It made her fidget a little bit.
Calm down Xenia! Just imagine you are helping Lucas take of his own dress. She told herself and that made her calm. She left some little clothes on him so she won't get to see what she wasn't supposed to see. "I will get the towel." she left to get his towel in the bathroom unknown to her that she was being followed. She got the towel and was about to leave when she saw him in the bathroom standing at the door.
Xenia felt her heart race. She was scared and she knew it. She needed to act strong, if he knew she was fidgeting, he could use that against her so she muster up the courage went closer to him and gave him the towel. "Is there anything you need?" she asked.
Prince Zod pulled her close and looked deeply into her eyes trying to see if she was scared but Xenia wasn't scared. "Are you scared of me?"
"No." she answered.
"Are you scared of this?" he tried to loss her but she used that moment to go under his armpit and leave the bathroom.
"I will take my leave now." she bowed her head and left without waiting for his approval.
Prince Zod was amazed. Let's see how far you are going to keep running. He smirked.
He got into the bathtub, had his shower and came out only to find someone else with food in her hands. He was shocked because he wasn't expecting anyone. "And you are?"
Chloe dropped the tray with food in it and set it on the table. "I am Chloe and I am in charge of your food."
"What about the other maiden?"
"Xenia?"
"I think that's her name?"
"I don't know. My duty is to serve you and not watch over other maidens."
Prince Zod noticed the disgust ok her face when she talked about Xenia and he picked from it and came up with the conclusion that they weren't close.
"I see you are a lot better than her." he moved closer to her, stroke her hair and pulled her close. "Would you like to prove it?" he asked her with a smile on his face.