Zadhea let out a deep breath.
Looking into Evelyn's eyes, she requested, "Can you please share their story with me? I want to know the key points."
"Of course, I can." Evelyn nodded her head without hesitation. "But for what may I ask?"
Zadhea's lips curved up to a smile. "The more you know about your enemy, the more you become succeed."
The gentle breeze brushed past Evelyn's golden hair, making it a bit messy. She adjusted her gloves and floor length blue dress before speaking.
"The female lead is Dreva. She isn't a noble girl. She belongs to a poor family. Poor kids rarely got chances to attend colleges where noble children studied. Actually, colleges are only important for a single reason."
Zadhea was somehow surprised. "For one reason? What's that?"
"To get to know eachother. To recognize talented people. Royalties meet other royalties from different countries. Their connections as well as the knowledge about one another will be increased because of that. As for poor people who get scholarship, their future will be smooth as well. Noble people invite them to serve them to solve matters outside and inside their castles. Got it?"
"Oh that's how it is." Zadhea vigorously nodded her head. "Now I can understand Queen Margaret's intention. She wants me to get close to that stinky prince."
"Oh!" Evelyn exclaimed. "Poor you. I know who you want to avoid the most."
"The main roles." They said in unison before burst into laughter. The atmosphere became cheerful and warm.
After a while, Zadhea wiped the tears which were hanging on the corners of her eyes before saying, "Please continue your story."
Evelyn gave her a nod and resumed, "Dreva got bullied by bunch of mean girls. Similar to highschool movies' incidents, right?" She gave her a wink.
Zadhea blinked and meekly nodded. She also got bullied by some girls. Nevertheless, she didn't want Evelyn to know about it. So she silently listened.
"Heidith happened to be there. As the male lead, he saved the female lead like a hero saving a damsel in the distress."
"You meant a beauty?"
"I swear I felt like she was a little white lotus. I dunno why. But I couldn't help thinking like that. So damsel in the distress is more suitable."
Zadhea shook her head. "You are thinking too much. Authors won't definitely let their female leaders become bad. They are the most kind hearted, gentle human beings in the whole story. Am I correct?"
"Kind of..." Evelyn didn't fully agree.
"What happened next? Did they fall in love?"
"Yeah. As time passed, they became closer and closer. The villainess supported them by trying to destroy the female lead."
"Typical novels' plots." Zadhea let out a yawn. "Let me guess what happened after that. The main leads got married and male lead became female lead's hero in the heart by throwing the villainess out to roam around the roads, begging as a punishment."
"Wow! Roughly, that's what exactly happened." Evelyn was surprised. "Seems like you remembered our conversation that day."
Zadhea sincerely shook her head. "I can't remember a single detail. I just guessed. It's not hard to guess, not at all."
"Hmm. Do you want to do the same as her?"
"Of course not." Zadhea blurted out. "I won't be an obstacle to their beautiful love story. I don't want to become a beggar. I just want to die honourably, okay?"
"What's the difference? Anyways, no matter what, I'll stay by your side."
"Thanks, Evie." Zadhea stated from the bottom of her heart.
-------
The moment Zadhea entered her chamber, she took a bath and changed into her night clothes before lying on the bed.
She took a painting which was placed under her soft pillow.
The painting showed the figure of a middle aged woman. She was smiling warmly and kindly.
Zadhea was afraid of losing her memories that belonged to her past. Especially, she was scared of forgetting her mom's face. It was one of the reasons she wanted to learn how to draw. The other reason was, she felt sympathy towards Mario.
It took her eight years to complete that painting.
Firstly, she draw a rough sketch and over the time, she added colours to the painting. She finished drawing it when she was thirteen.
Gently stroking the painting, she whispered, "Don't worry, mom. I'll come back to you soon. Wait a bit longer."
Then she slowly closed her eyes to sleep while her warm tears drenched the soft pillow.
Knock
Knock
Her sleep was interrupted by sudden knock on the door. Alerted, Zadhea quickly got up and questioned in a cold tone, "Who's there?"
Her maids knew that she would sleep at such an hour. It was closer to midnight. Everyone must be sleeping. Then who was trying to hold her up from getting her sleep?
Ugh! So annoying!
"Little warrior, it's me." A deep male voice sounded from the other side.
"Father!?" Zadhea was stupefied. She quickly climbed down her comfortable bed and opened the door with a slight click. "What's the matter?"
King Edwin patted his daughter's red head. They both had same red colour similar to the shade of red wine. His wife's hair was dark black.
"Be good and follow me. There's someone I want you to meet. Let's keep it a secret from your mother. Or else, she will kill both of us."
Zadhea chuckled at his words. "It must be something unladylike. Right, father?" She asked, still smiling.
King Edwin also chuckled like a teenage boy. "Aye aye, princess. It's a new master. He's quite young but so talented, worthy of being your teacher."
"Quite young?" Zadhea raised an eyebrow. "How old is he?"
"Seventeen."
"Seventeen! Just seventeen?!"
Only two years older than her. What could she expect from a teenager?
King Edwin grinned widely. "Don't underestimate him. He's a living example for 'Age is just a number.' thingy."
Zadhea let out a 'Hmph!'
"But father, why did you choose a young man?" She couldn't understand his ulterior motive.
"To avoid suspicion of course."
His reply satisfied her.
"You meant... You want him to attend to the same college as me?"
"Exactly. You guys can train during midnight when everyone is sleeping. That way, no one will find out your secret. You won't also miss your regular training sessions. Isn't it a great idea?"
"Yeah!" Zadhea exclaimed, excited. "Wonderful! I love to be his student. No objections."
She wanted to tell that her father was the best but she dared not to. She still had to distant herself from him so that he won't be too sad in the future.
Shoot! She forgot to ask Evelyn what happened to her parents after their precious daughter became a beggar. She really wanted to know. But she forgot to ask as usual.
Maybe... She was scared to learn the truth.
Fifteen years of spending time with her parents, Zadhea couldn't help falling in love with them. Hence, she wanted them to be happy even if she wouldn't be there for longer.
She knew that her mother scolded her every time only for her sake. She wanted her daughter to live a happy life as a king's wife. She didn't want her to endure hardships.
But she acted kind of cold in front of them as she didn't have another options.
"Girl, meet the guy first." Said the king, his eyes sparkling with a smile.
After climbing down the stairs, they soon arrived at the royal garden and stopped in front of a gigantic water fountain.
"What is his family background?" Zadhea asked, her gaze falling on the water fountain. It was beautifully made with marbles and lightened with huge candles below the fountain. So eye-catching.
"Greetings to your Highness, Princess Zadhea. I'm Lucas Ferdinand. The one and only son of the duke and duchess Ferdinand." A cheerful, young male voice sounded nearby.
"I hope you found answers about my family background."
A/N:
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