CHAPTER 4

“Fine, take a seat if it’s going to last.”

Neal sat down and she did after she put the flowers in a vase of water.

“Tomorrow go on a date with me.”

“I have never heard of a date before the wedding. You finally have time?”

“Yes, I do have time and I would love to know you better before we tie the knot.”

“Too late for that but I would love to if it means leaving the palace walls.”

“You are getting tired already?”

“Trust me its suffocating.”

“You will get used to it.”

“So where will we be going for the date?”

“That’s a secret.”

“Should I be wearing these clothes again?”

“Don’t worry about that. I will take care of it.”

“Hope you will do. It’s time, wouldn’t want to keep your mother waiting.”

“I heard she likes you.”

“Who can hate me?”

“A lot.”

“Thanks to you,” she said standing up.

Neal joined her and the two went to the queen’s quarters.

“Let’s talk after supper,” she said and they all went to the dining room.

Everyone was there, after the formal greetings she sat on her chair.

The meal was usually enjoyed in total quietness which made it awkward. After some time, they were done. The King was an interesting old man; you couldn’t tell what he was thinking at all. He didn’t say anything but left the hall.

She followed the queen when she left the hall.

“Is everything okay?” she asked her.

“It is, my Queen.”

“You shouldn’t call me that now. You are my daughter and it’s wise to call me mother,” the Queen said.

She was touched, she never had a chance to call anyone mother and yet the most powerful woman was asking her to call her mother. She found tears rolling down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away.

“I didn’t mean to make you cry, if it’s too much you cannot call me that,” the queen said filled with guilt.

“No, it’s not that. I’m just happy that’s all, mother,” she said and found the queen smiling at her.

“I’m glad. I never had any girls so it’s good to have another girl in my family again.”

“I’m glad that I now have a mother,” Talia said feeling very grateful.

To be honest the queen had been very supportive and she had no idea why she was like that especially when she came from humble roots. She would have expected her son to be with someone who fitted him well and not someone like her who only held a high school graduation certificate.

When things were tough, she would give her some pointers which were very helpful. It must have been her idea for Neal to ask her out a day before their wedding.

“I’m tired and need to rest. You two take your time and have some fun together. You will be very busy soon,” she said dismissing them.

They both bided her goodnight and farewell and left her chambers.

“Do you want to take a walk?” he asked.

“Sure, if you have nowhere to be.”

“I don’t, let’s get to know each other well,” he said.

What was there to know about each other anyway? She couldn’t even tell him much more about herself. Even she still couldn’t believe it was real, so why would she go around telling anyone even if it was her future husband.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I’m just thinking that in two days will be married.”

“Is it that shocking?”

“Not anymore, I’m used to it.”

“Are you implying it is ordinary?”

“To be honest, there don’t seem to be anything special being married to a prince. I have always wanted to have freedom but thanks to you I have to be restricted. Why should it be special?”

“I seriously can’t believe you. You should be thankful and praising me for choosing you.”

“That means you have no idea about me your highness. I don’t fawn over people, if you had wanted that kind of attention then you should have picked someone else. I am used to doing things for my own and what you think of me is not who I am.

So, since you decided to marry me then you might as well get used to it because this will be just the beginning. You think you mad it better by pinning me into this? I know exactly what you are doing?”

“I didn’t know you could talk this much.”

“Trust me, I don’t but since you have been ignoring me all this time; I might as well just speak it out. We are still not yet a married couple. I will have to respect you and all that bullshit when we tie the knot but now, I can still be myself so I will say it all,” she said.

“Fine, tell me what’s on your mind and I will listen. I never met a girl who had so many guts to talk like you before.”

“Fine, you love Chloe and yet you didn’t pick her as if to punish her but instead of just talking things out you put me in between and now I have to suffer for both sides which I don’t mind at all; but if you mistreat me and try to play me in your palm as if I’m your puppet I won’t tolerant it at all.

After our wedding I heard we will sleep in the same room and all that. Don’t do things that will disappoint me, I might not be educated but I can make your life a miserable hell,” she told him truthfully.

“I have never seen a consort threatening her husband before. You surely have guts.”

“I do, so talk things out with your girlfriend. I wouldn’t want her near me in the future because I won’t be tolerant of anyone. If you are going to see her in the future, just make sure I don’t get to see it. Remember you made your bed and you should lie in it,” she said looking straight into his eyes.