Ajax faced the Crown Princess with embarrassment, he truly didn't want any of this to happen. After a few tense minutes of sitting in silence, she spoke.
"This seems like something that would happen in a novel." Her voice was filled with amusement, making the air around them settle a little.
"Indeed. Like, who else but the main character would go looking for a job but end up with a fiancee instead?" Ajax smiled. Xena giggled and nodded,
"That's true. To be honest, when I got the news, I was surprised. Even though I am the Crown Princess, I was born without a soulmate. My parents were devastated, but it turned out to be the result of a curse on my mother. Apparently she had angered a witch when she was young, and now all of my siblings but Vera, don't have soulmates."
Ajax blinked. This was clearly a bomb that he did not expect to be dropped.
"A curse?" He inquired.
"Yes. A curse. To the royal family, to have no soulmate is a disgrace. This is why Vera, even if she is not eligible for the position, is considered a miracle." Xena seemed bitter saying that, and Ajax understood her feelings.
"I understand what you mean, my late Aunt Bella was considered a miracle by my grandparents. She was a demon to all who knew her, but an angel in front of her parents." Ajax sighed, recalling his demonic aunt.
"Vera is the same way! She acts all sweet and innocent, saying 'Sister Xena, can we make flower crowns together?' When in fact, all she wanted to do was mock me in private!" Xena scowled. Before Ajax could say anything else, an elderly maid walked in.
"Your Highness, Madam Riley wishes to speak with you." The maid bowed, informing Xena.
"Thank you. Well, looks like we'll have to postpone our talk for now." Xena said regrettably, as if Ajax would be annoyed at the interruption.
"No no, it's fine. Go see your mother. I'll be fine." Ajax gave her a smile full of understanding. The maid nearly fainted.
"Oh Your Highness, you have found such a pure fiancee!" The old woman cooed, confusing Ajax. Xena only smiled, and got up and left.
"Young Master, I am Mrs. Quil. I'm the Head Maid, so please tell me if you desire anything. Little Silas, your new personal butler, should be here soon." The maid, now known as Mrs. Quil, told Ajax.
Right on cue, a man walked in.
"Oh Silas! Right on time as usual! This is the Young Mistress's fiancee." Mrs. Quil introduced. Ajax waved a hello at the man.
"..."
Mrs. Quil laughed,
"Young Master, don't mind Silas's silence. He's always like that."
Ajax nodded, looking at Silas in interest.
"I'm Ajax, please take care of me."
Mrs. Quil cooed again before taking her leave.
The rest of the day was filled with silence as Ajax waited for Xena. It was only late in the evening when she came back.
"I'm sorry I took so long. Mother wanted to talk to me about the future." Xena apologised.
"It's fine, I had Silas accompany me, right Silas?" Ajax asked the man.
"..."
Ajax nodded,
"See?" He pointed out. Xena let out a laugh.
"You may be one of the only people who can understand Silas!" She giggled, before leaning closer,
"Sister Carly says that he doesn't even speak to his mother." She mock-whispered, as if she was telling a secret.
"Maybe he just has social anxiety?" Ajax offered as an explanation. Xena paused, before letting out another laugh.
"That's always a possibility I suppose." She then turned to her own maid. "Camelia, please go get me and my fiancee some peppermint tea." She ordered. Camelia nodded and bowed, before leaving the room. Xena then turned back to Ajax,
"Is peppermint tea alright?" She asked, as if she didn't just order for it.
"Yep, it's fine." Ajax smiled, and it was the truth. Ajax was quite fond of peppermint tea, but he didn't have it often because he could never find the time to actually settle down and relax.
"That's good. It would be a shame if you didn't like it." She remarked. Xena then picked up a paper that was sitting on the table in front of them, before sighing.
"It seems Sister Ophelia left her fanfiction in the tea room once more."
Ajax blinked, before letting out a laugh.
"Fanfiction? That's a first I suppose."
Xena grimaced,
"It's quite common to run into her papers, usually it's well written, but there are some... unfavourable writings."
Ajax of course knew what she meant.
"Isn't she thirteen? Should she even know about those things?" He asked, grimacing himself.
Xena sighed, "You'd be surprised."