"Her majesty,i didn't want to disturb you but someone came to meet you."
"Adeline,i told you many times when it's my nap time,don't accept any visitors."
Adeline looks around and whisper something to the queen.
"The princess?"
"Yes."
"I guess it won't hurt to meet with her. Go and get her."
After few minutes,Ruby came to the room and greeted the queen. The queen was someone very beautiful. Her majestic look was no joke.
"So,i am sure you didn't come here to chit-chat?"
"Yes,actually i wanted to talk to you about the temple."
"Oh. I thought the high priest settled that matter?"
"Yes,he did send me a letter but i wanted you to know that i am a very religious person so i thought maybe you could also permit me to send fund to the temple?"
"Hmm. I guess i can. But girl,this is not the only reason you are sending money to the temple right?" The queen asked while trying to fix her hair.
Ruby looked around before answering her, "Yes,there is another reason."
"And that is?"
"I wanted the support of the temple."
"Very wise decision indeed. You are not some good for nothing princess. If only you weren't born out of a wedlock,i would have made you my daughter. But sadly,you are a princess not some country girl."
"Pardon?"
"I will tell the high priest everything. You can rest assure girl."
"Ah..thank you,her majesty."
"Welcome. You can leave now."
Ruby looked around again before leaving the room. Victor and Amelia was waiting for her anxiously outside. The queen isn't someone to be messed with or someone who can be befriended easily.
"Look Victor. The princess is coming."
"You two are still here?"
"Gosh do you even know how worried we were for you."
"Yeah yeah. Everything went well."
"Really? I thought the queen won't agree."
"It's better not to do anything rash. I heard the saintess has been found."
Amelia covered her mouth from the sudden news, "Isn't it surprising that the saintess has been found suddenly?"
"The temple is already powerful as it is. Now if they have the saintess,then they will be invulnerable."
"Won't it be better for us? We are giving them fund too. They will support us too."
"It's not that easy. There are many people giving the temple money just to have their support. Do you really think they care about us."
"Gosh what's the point of giving money then?"
"Let's not talk here anymore."
On the other hand,the three individuals didn't realise the queen's maid was watching them.
"They left?"
"Yes."
The queen took out some papers and pen to write something, "Here give this to duke Phantom."
"The saintess has been missing for two years. Why do you think she suddenly appeared?"
"I guess the queen must be planning something. She must have been the one to find the saintess. I am pretty sure she controls the saintess too. Also back there,i felt someone's gaze."
"You don't mean?"
"Yeah. It must have been one of queen's maid. Let's not think about it too much."
"Goodness i am getting goosebumps."
...
...
...
"So,you want to start a business?" Darren asked.
"Yeah?" Ruby said with a serious face.
"I am not so sure about it princess."
"Why?"
"First of all,you are a princess. Second,the west palace doesn't have enough fund to do anything profitable. Also you are already giving one/third of your money to the temple."
"I know,Darren. That's why i am trying to earn my own money. That way the king won't have to worry about our palace." Ruby took another sip from her tea. "I hope you won't disagree."
Darren keeps making sound with his pen, "But what if the business fails?"
"I will take care of it,Darren."
Darren didn't question her further as he knew once she sets her mind into something,she will try her best till she gets it.
"I won't stop you. But if you ever need my help,don't hesitate to ask for me."
Ruby clasped her hand,"I will."
Amelia took out another book from the shelf. She had been doing this for an hour now. The reason for doing this was simple,she was trying to learn more about business strategy. Since the day,Ruby told her about doing a business,she started learning more about it so that she can help her master without any worries. But it was not so easy as she thought it would be. Though she knew it won't be that easy,but the difficulty was beyond her imagination.
Ruby looked at the sleepy Amelia. She came to the library to find a horror novel to read just to find a sleepyhead.
"Let's not wake her up." Ruby left the library without waking up the sleepyhead.
On the other hand,Victor was waiting for Ruby. For the past few days,he had been thinking how can he win against Ruby. It is true and impossible to defeat Ruby in chess.
Ruby closed the door behind her,"Oh-ho. You really came prepared today,Victor."
Victor however didn't answer her. He had been meditating for a while now. During his meditation,he doesn't talk with anyone.
"Hurry up with your childish meditation." Ruby yelled trying to draw Victor's attention.
"Ok miss,let's start." His look full of determination.
Ruby smirked,"Don't cry when you lose."
The game continued untill dawn. Victor couldn't win against her no natter how much he tried. Giving up,he left the room early in the morning.
Amelia pull off the curtains,"Miss,wake up."
"Ten minutes,Lia."
"Nope,come now. Your breakfast is going to get cold."
The aroma of the morning breakfast woke Ruby up.
"The chef always make the masterpiece foods." Ruby gulped down her food.
Amelia poured some water,"Eat slowly miss. You don't want to choke."
"I won't." Ruby answered with her mouth full of foods.
The palace life for Ruby was really a blessing.