A carriage made an immediate stop in front of the palace's door. Gael came out in a rush, ignoring the greetings from the workers, heading straight to the parlour only to find Rowan.
"Where is father? And what is this I hear?"
"What ever it is you've heard is right" His brother sat comfortably, legs crossed, enjoying the castle's dilemma. It had been a very dull week and Reina showing up just made his day, he chuckled remembering the slap, she wasn't as fragile as he remembered. "She's settling in, you'll meet her soon" He continued knowing all too well that it was pissing his brother off, as Reina's return may just jeopardize his chances of being King.
Gael looked ahead and walked towards Reina's room. He stood by the door for minutes. Lydia came up with a food tray and saw Gael standing by the princess's door.
"Is she asleep?" Gael asked noticing her presence.
"She was taking her bath when I went to get her food" Her voice low. She hated this man and his brothers so much.
Gael stepped aside so she could go in. Knocking on the door, Lydia walked in, looking back to see no one behind her. Did he just leave? He's good at walking quietly.
"My lady?" She called out when she didn't find her in the room. Checking the bathroom she still wasn't in there, Lydia almost had a panic attack, not again. She stepped out onto the terrace and Reina was standing there lost in thoughts still in her robe.
"My lady" Lydia called out, snapping her out of her thoughts "Your food is ready" She said, and Reina followed her back into the room "Did the prince come to speak with you?"
Reina pulled her brows confused and then shooked her head.
"Odd" Lyda muttered to herself
"Why?" Reina asked "And which of them?"
"Prince Gael," Lydia said setting the plates down, she opened them slightly so the food would cool off a bit. "I found him standing outside your door, seemed hesitant to knock I guess"
Reina nodded knowing exactly why Gael would come to see her. He must've felt threatened by her arrival.
Getting a spoonful of rice, she filled her mouth, it does feel like she hadn't eaten in a long while.
Lydia stood staring with tears in her eyes that were threatening to stream out. Reina looked up wondering why she was just standing there and saw her quickly wipe her cheeks "What's wrong?" she asked
Lydia only shook her head "May I help with your hair?"
"Sure," Reina said with her mouth full, she had only wrapped a towel around her head when she finished bathing.
Lydia got behind her on top of the bed and took the towel off, rubbing the hair in sections, and combing it, she found a lot of tangled ends and brushed them out. Pouring a generous amount of oil on her hair, she did a deep massage on Reina's scalp.
At this moment Reina was drowsy and was done eating, Lydia adjusted herself so Reina could lay on her lap. Lydia parted her hair in half and braided both sides so she could undo them later into curls. Slowly lifting Reina's head off her lap, she got up and placed a pillow under her head, covering her up.
"I'm so glad you are home my lady" She whispered before leaving and quietly closing the door.
She almost screamed when she found Gael standing there again.
"Is she rested?" He asked looking into Lydia's soul.
"She's as sleep" Lydia said stepping away from him. He was the only Prince that had never laid his hands on her, he only watches or walks away when his brothers were being jerks, but she was still very much afraid of him, he had this cold aura emitting from him that felt like he could swallow or pound on her at any moment. He was the better one, he never complains about petty things, like food, but his brothers do, it's either it was too salty or spicy, either way, they looked for a way to hit someone.
"Let her know I came, and I would like to see her when she awakens," He said and walked away.
Lydia drew a heavy breath, her heart was heavy, and she had a lot of fear of what was coming, they were going to make it hard for Reina to live here and she knew it. Especially Gael, who at this moment was bothered by her presence. It was now a competition between heirs -May the best heir win- And with the corrupt King and the corrupt council member, Reina had little to no chance of winning as she had no one strong enough to back her up.
"Lydia?" A voice cut through her thoughts, and that was when she realized she had walked into the courtyard, looking around she saw Ares walking toward her.
"How is the princess?" He asked when he got closer
"She's doing fine, she slept off"
"How did she... did you know she was still... alive?" He asked trying to make it sound less tragic.
Lydia glared at him, grimacing at the thought of what the princess must have gone through, she probably escaped death more times than she could count. "It also came as a shock to me when I saw her"
"What if she really is an imposter?"
That was the stupidest thing Lydia has heard all day, she glared at him internally hoping the princess doesn't have any remnant feelings for this man
"I still wonder how you ended up as a general when you think this way. you're so stupid to think like that!"
"Think about it, Lydia. It had been months and she shows up with all her limbs in place with little to no injuries"
"Do you hear yourself Ares?! Do you expect her to be crippled?"
"You know what I meant" He started, looking up at Reina's room window "She might never be queen" He said.
Lydia had enough, she sneered and walked away. Ares went after her "Think it through Lydia, she won't be except if she is willing to marry Prince Gael, which I know she isn't"
"Just shut up okay!" She snapped, yelling out, and drawing attention towards them. Clearing her throat, she sighed "Listen, I am aware of the situation at hand, but it is her rightful place, and I don't think her parents will stand by watching their child suffer in their absence."
"I am not denying the fact that she is the first heir to the throne, but her chances are still very slim. She's... a... woman... who is about to fight a man who is also technically an heir as well for a throne. In this day and time, a woman isn't even supposed to lead" He paused, studying her face and waiting for that slap which he thought he was going to receive but it never came "Especially if this woman has no experience or knowledge whatsoever in leadership"
"Are you done?" Lydia asked crossing her arm.
Ares sighed "In my opinion, she can't lead us. and you shouldn't fill her with hope, that will be shattered"
"Okay," She said, then pushed him aside and left, angrily replaying his words in her head.
Gael also walked away from his hiding place, running his fingers through his hair frustrated.