"I was born on a dark, rainy night, to a lovely noble couple who had been down on their luck," Nadine began her story sarcastically, though it was the truth.
"Oh, dreary details," Lazarus chuckled.
"Yeah, let's not continue with such intensity," she sighed, placing her hands together in her lap. "My father was a baron who had a gambling addiction. His terrible habit cost the family all their money. They lost everything, and by the time I was born, he lived in a shack in the country, near the Walsh River to the south of Mystic. He raised me alone after my mother died during childbirth. By the time I was old enough to be home on my own, I barely saw him. He was never home, and I would often resort to beging in the streets of Mystic for odd jobs."
"How terrible."
"It was life," she continued. "Eventually, the duke before Alexander, approached me and offered me a job at the palace. I've been here since I was about twelve years of age. Although he was strict, I valued the life I had, given that my father was a truly awful individual."
She glanced at Lazarus and took a deep breath. "Not very exciting, as I already mentioned."
"No, it's interesting," he protested.
"Several years ago, I encountered the man who became my fiancé. He was a young knight training for the army. I fell for him quickly, but during his first real battle, he suffered a fatal wound. So, that's really the story of my life."
"When did Alexander become Duke?"
"The former Duke had no children when he died about a year ago, so after deliberation, our king decided to appoint his youngest son to the role. I'm glad. Duke Alexander is much easier to approach than the other man. Things are less uptight in the palace, and since Corina arrived, they've been rather fun. He has become more open with all of us."
Lazarus nodded. "May I hold your hand?" He asked nervously.
"I suppose."
Lazarus took her hand in his and held onto it gently as they walked back to the palace. Neither of them said a word to one another as they entered. Nadine let go once they were inside, as she didn't wish to explain herself if anyone had any questions, but unfortunately for her, as the pair rounded the corner, another couple was headed toward them down the hall.
"Lazzy! Nadine!" As she ran forward to them, Corina excitedly called out. She stopped in front of them with a huge grin over her lips. "Did the two of you have a nice date?"
"It wasn't a date!" Nadine scoffed.
"Are you sure?" Nadine hummed.
Lazarus shrugged and glanced toward the Duke. "Have you heard anything from my mother while we were out?"
"No," Alex sighed. "There haven't been any signs of her."
"I wish I knew where she went," Lazarus replied.
"Who cares?!" Corina inquired, folding her arms against her chest. "She's probably having fun right now or just went home."
"Corina! You need to watch how you talk about Mother," the prince gasped. "She's still your mother, even though she lied to you."
"I don't care!" Corina glared at her brother for a moment and then ran off, disappearing down the long halls.
"Great," Alex groaned. "Perhaps I should go after her."
As Alexander began to walk past Nadine, he felt her hand on his forearm. He stopped to look down at her.
"Give her some time, your grace."
Alexander nodded. "You're right."
Corina ran around the corner and continued forward until she made it to her chambers. She shut the door and locked it behind her. She stood with her back against the door. She caught her breath, then slumped her shoulders. "I can't believe all this," she whispered to herself. "I do care about Mama, but she's not a good mother!"
Corina told herself that, but she still loved her mother. She couldn't stop caring for the woman who spent so many years caring for her, even though the lie was severe. She frowned, then flopped onto her bed, her blue eyes staring over the patterns on the ceiling.
As she lay there in silence, alone with her thoughts, the princess imagined the worst possible scenarios in her head. She thought of her mother getting kidnapped or, even worse, killed or made to participate in a crime. She closed her eyes and held a few tears over the thoughts.
Her hand moved to clutch the fabric over her heart. It hurt for her mother's sake. She hoped the woman who raised her was fine. Maybe she just needed time to herself to think about what she had done? Corina hoped for a straightforward explanation.
Corina had fallen asleep at one point. A loud knock on her door startled her awake. When she managed to crawl off the bed and walk over to open the door, she saw Nadine on the other side.
"Are you feeling better?" Nadine asked.
Corina rubbed her eyes. She nodded. "I took a nap. I think it helped."
"It's time for dinner," Nadine informed her. "Would you like my help getting ready?"
Corina shook her head. "No, it's okay. I'll head down in a moment. I'll just freshen up a bit, but thank you."
"Alright," Nadine said, then left the room.
Corina stretched her arms and shut the door. She freshened herself up and combed through her long hair, then left the room. She made her way down the hallway and spotted Alexander about to enter the private dining room, to which only the royals of Luminairea and Crystalia were invited. Alexander also extended an invitation to Nadine, who consistently dined with the nobles as she had a noble background and was quite loyal to the kingdom.
"Are you feeling better?" Alexander stopped to speak to his partner. "I was concerned when you ran off, but I didn't want to intrude."
"I would've welcomed your intrusion," Corina replied. "And yes, I feel much better, thank you."
Alexander smiled in response. "I shall remember next time."
Corina nodded and placed her hand in his. He led her into the dining room. The two took a seat next to each other, near the table's head. Unlike the usual mealtime, since the King of Luminairea was present in the palace, he would be seated at the head of the table instead of Alexander. The highest-ranking noble present at meals always guaranteed the particular seat.
"We're early," Corina giggled as she looked into Alexander's eyes. "I'm usually late to everything."
"Maybe you're now a new Corina?" He suggested with a smirk. "I usually try to get here before the others arrive."
She shook her head. "No. Never."
Alexander reached under the table to grab her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers as he gazed into her beautiful, azure eyes. "I love your eyes," he whispered. "I could stare into them for an eternity."
Corina blushed. She enjoyed the compliments he would give her. It made her chest swell with affection for him. "T-Thank you."
"And your long golden hair," he continued. "It's so soft. I could run my fingers through it forever."
"Tell me more!" She hummed softly as a smile spread across her lips.
"You're soft, fair skin," he said. "I could stroke your cheeks all the time. I want to touch every inch of it," he added in a low, seductive whisper. "I could never tire of feeling your body."
"Alex!" She said it in an embarrassed tone. "T-That's inappropriate."
"Is it? Did I upset you?"
"No," she protested. "I'm just worried about hearing it."
Alexander smirked and leaned over to quickly kiss her cheek. "I'll touch you all night at our wedding. I won't stop unless you tell me to. I want to make you feel so good, Corina."
"Stop being all lovey in the dining room," Nadine joked as she walked in to take a seat.
Corina lowered her gaze. Corina sighed, realizing there was an audience for the words Alexander had spoken to her. She couldn't believe her father and his parents, as well as Nadine and her brother, all overheard the last part of Alexander's statement about her body.
She wished she could crawl under the table to hide.