Xenia was left alone with the king and queen. The queen walked up to her and helped her up. "Xenia," the queen called.
"Yes, your majesty." She answered with a soft voice. Her mind was praying to the guardians to have mercy on her so she can find favor in the sight of the queen.
"You know that you are my favorite person and I won't ever want to see you get hurt, you know that right?"
"Yes, Your majesty. And that is why I am pleading to you not to let me marry the Prince."
"I know and that's the same reason I want you to understand that right now, my hands are tied. I can't do anything about the prince's request."
Xenia was shocked. "But you have authority over him, why don't you exercise that?"
"I can't because he has an upper hand in this kingdom."
"Is this because of what he did for us?" Xenia asked. "You are willing to trade me for some... "
"Xenia, you will be saving the kingdom if you do this. Think about it."
"There is absolutely nothing to think about your majesty. This is my life we are talking about here. My happiness and you want me to throw that away for... " Xenia sobbed. This wasn't what she was expecting the queen to say. "...If I was your daughter, would you...would you give me up to that monster?" she asked as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Answer me, your majesty! Would you give her up to another man knowing fully well that she has a man that she loves dearly?" The Queen was silent because she knew she wouldn't do such. "You wouldn't, right? So, why are you doing this to me? Because I am not your daughter?"
"Xenia," her majesty called but no other words came.
Xenia wiped her tears and gave a fake smile. "If it pleases her majesty, I would love to retire to my room now." she didn't wait for the queen to respond, she bowed her head and left.
Walking down the alley of the palace, Xenia's tears kept rushing down her cheeks. Some of the maidens that saw her said mean words to her but she didn't pay attention to them. She came out of the palace and was about to go in the direction of her room when Kim rushed to meet her.
Xenia quickly wiped her tears and flashed him a fake smile. "That doesn't work on me and you know that," Kim said and Xenia showed him her sad face. "I heard what happened and I want to say, I am sorry. I hate that bastard so much for laying his hands on you. I wish I was there, I would have..." he should a gesture of strangling something that put a smile on her face.
"You wouldn't be able to do anything. If the Queen can't do anything, you wouldn't be able to do anything either."
"Tell me the Queen didn't permit for you to..." Xenia was silent but the tears weren't, they kept rushing out profusely. "...oh my guardian, I am so sorry Xenia."
She shrugged. "I guess this is what the guardian has for me. A life filled with misery." She wiped her tears. "I would love to go now."
Kim nodded and made way for her to pass through. "Don't be hard on yourself!" he yelled. Xenia turned back and waved at him with a slight smile across her lips.
Kim was about to go to his duty post when he saw Prince Zod walking in the direction Xenia took. "Oh no, you are not." He ran to catch up with him.
🗝🗝🗝
Phoebe was sitting on a swing while Chad was pushing her. Gwen was having a conversation with the Prince and Lucas.
Lucas was thinking of how he was going to get Phoebe to be alone with the Prince without looking suspicious. The plan to play truth or dare couldn't work out but there has to be able to bring these two stubborn heads together. He thought. Then an idea came into his head. "Gwen, can I see you for a bit?" He pulled Gwen up and took her somewhere private. The Prince was shocked to see what had just happened.
What is Lucas planning that he left me out of it? He thought. His eyes were wandering to where they were, trying to see if he could pick up a few words.
Lucas saw that the prince was listening so he stood in front of Gwen with his back facing the prince that way he wouldn't be able to read their lips.
"What do you want to say that we couldn't have said it over there?"
"I was thinking of playing a little game. What do you think will happen if we leave Erik and Phoebe alone for a few minutes? Will they tear each other apart or will they strike up a conversation?" Lucas asked.
Gwen thought about it. "That's a good question and I like the game. Should we try to find out?"
"But first, we need to make a deal."
"A deal?"
Lucas nodded. "Whosoever guess right, will request anything from the other person."
Gwen thought about it. She was a fun person so there was no way she was backing out from an exciting game like this. "OK, deal. "
"Choose then." he folded her arms while watching her choose her answer.
Gwen took a glance at the Prince and Phoebe as she pictured them alone in one place. She imagined how their conversation will be and she saw them fighting after. She shook her head and said, "They will pull each other hair out."
Lucas laughed because he knew there was a tendency of that happening. "Well, I just they will strike up a conversation."
"Let's see who wins then." Gwen said.
They walked up to the prince and took a seat next to him, pretending like nothing happened.
"Do you guys want to tell me why you left me all alone?" The prince asked but no one said anything.
"Chad!" Gwen called before walking up to meet him. "Let's go and get some ice cream."
"But who's going to push me?" Phoebe asked while pouting her lips.
"Eric, can you come and push her while we get us some ice cream?"
"Does she have any idea she's requesting something stupid from a prince?" Prince Edward told Lucas.
"In Havilla, you are the prince but here, you are just an ordinary person so play the role well." Lucas winked at him before joining to meet Gwen and Chad.
"Have fun you two!" Gwen told them.
Phoebe looked at the Prince but later looked away. She tried to push herself but it wasn't as fun as having someone push her. She was sad that Gwen had to ruin the moment. She was about to get down from the swing when the prince came behind her and gave her a slight push.
Phoebe was surprised that she had to turn to see who it was and she was stunned to see the prince's handsome face staring at her.
"Look away or I will stop."
Phoebe smiled at him before looking away as he continue to push her.
It was after a while that the prince realized that Lucas set this up so that he could get closer to her. He smiled at the plan. You got me on this one, Lucas. He thought as he watched Phoebe laugh and scream as he pushed her higher and higher. It brought a smile to his face too and for one thing, he was glad this was going according to plan.