D 3 (Edited Version)

‘Why is he here?’ My mind entered a state of confusion for a little while, wondering why a very important person could be out in the open so freely, without any guards or servants with him. ‘Is he not aware that he could be killed at any moment?’ I thought to myself as a switch flipped off inside my mind. The ‘protect mode’ was flipped on and I was ready to grab His Highness and drag him to safety, to my carriage and ride off into the insides of the palace to keep him safe. I was about to stand up and do what I had in my brain but I felt a hand grab my left arm that’s on the table.

                I looked down and it was Drew, he has a frown in his face; his brows knotted together and his eyes held the stare of a warning— sharp and a bit deadly. He’s grip on my arm tightened the longer I remained in the position of standing up. I slowly sat down again and his grip loosened together with it. Once I was completely seated, his hand retreated to his side and our drinks came. The waitress didn’t noticed the presence of His Highness at first but once she recognized the Crown Prince, she immediately bowed down and got to her knees, begging for forgiveness, for being such a rude human being to His Highness.

                Thinking that the Crown Prince would go ballistic and order his servants to behead the poor waitress in front of everyone inside the café, and go with the lines of, “This should serve as a warning and a reminder of where your place is.” And just storm out of the café. With just the thought of it, I unknowingly clenched my fists until they turn white. Even Drew noticed this and got a hold of my hands to comfort me, he even smiled at me— that reassuring smile he would always give me when he comes into my office. I smiled back. ‘The reassuring a relative gives in this times really helps. It also double the impact since I never experienced this as Reine. I was always the strong ones, never has a weakness— and so, no one asked if I was okay.’

                I took three deep breaths in order to calm my nerves, to not get mad or angry to the Crown Prince since he hasn’t done anything yet. When I opened my eyes again, I saw that His Highness was kneeling down, holding a hand to the poor girl still bowing down. The Crown Prince gave the waitress a calming smile as he said, “Please, no need to bow down so low to me. I understand that you must tend to your customers first. Besides, I’m just also a normal customer of this café. So please, get up. We don’t want your clothes to get dirty too since you still have work to do.” His Highness then grabbed the girl’s right hand and helped her get up. He still has that calming smile on his face as he strode off into one of the tables, the one in the far corner of the café, close to a small bookshelf. He took a book and read it, still, with a smile as the owner himself, tended to the Crown Prince’s needs.

                “Is that really him? Like, the real him? And not some decoy or a double?” I turned to Drew and asked him those questions, still in full confusion and disbelief. Drew already told me about His Highness, everything from his birth to his relationship with me. It was a shocking information when he told me that. But, no memory of him was in Frielle’s mind so I have no idea, so I assumed that he could be one of those tyrant royals the books always describes. And that was a big mistake of an assumption, a big lie.

                “This boy is just pure light energy, miraculous, glowing of hope. I now support him with my whole body and faith. He is a perfect fit for the throne… he’s a cute ball of—“ A tap was felt on my right hand. Swimming up from my inner monologue of praising the Crown Prince, almost to the point of simping for him but was interrupted by Drew. He called my attention that it is time to go home, that our survey is already enough to decide for the best solution. I finished my tea and stood up after Drew laid the payment together with the tip for the waitress at the table, pinned down by his cup of coffee. Before exiting the establishment, I saw how the girl’s face lit up upon seeing our payment and tip for her.

                The owner also exited us from the door and handed me a piece of paper. Thinking that it was a business card— perhaps— I said thank you and strode off with Drew by my side. I didn’t paid much attention to the piece of paper, until Drew inquired about it. We were inside the carriage that was waiting for us, driven by Nikos. We’re on our way home and the sun is almost setting down.

                “Hey, what did the owner gave you?” he motioned to my pocket where I put the paper.

                “Oh this? A business card I guess? He may have assumed that we are couples or strangers looking for a business to invest with. I didn’t really looked at it.”

                “Let me see. If it is really a business card, then we can also invest in his business to help.”

                “Oh yeah, that can also be one of the solutions.” I exclaimed upon realization, with an index finger raised.

                “If only we have the enough funds.”

                ‘Well, that got my hopes up.’ Dejected with the solution being impossible to implement, I handed him the paper and he read it. He wore a face of confusion: a brow raised, lips in a thin line as he tilted his head to the right just a tiny bit. ‘What could be in that paper?’

                “What? What’s in there?” instead of answering, he just handed me the paper as he covered his mouth now agape. Now I’m confused, what could get him like this? He turned his head down and shake it left to right, multiple times, as if in disbelief. I looked at the paper and was too, shocked with what I heard.

                ‘I know it’s you Frielle. I’ll make a visit after two days. I missed you so much.’ – U.R.T.

                The note was ominous, but I know who wrote it because of the initials. At that time, I don’t know what to feel. It felt like ice were flowing in my veins, so cold that it hurts, so cold that it made me go pale. My eyes grew wider and wider, as well as my mouth went agape— as the realization dawns on me. My mind just went blank like a white board— nothing in it. My heart beats so fast, it felt like I went on a marathon. My sweats in beads of cold bullets drifting down my forehead as we near the Fortess Estate.

                Trying to compose myself, I slapped both cheeks to bring me back to reality, just hard enough to snap me out of my trance and I blinked multiple times to ensure that I am indeed back to reality. ‘It’s okay Frielle, you have time. He’ll pay a visit after two days, you can plan, and you have time to plan.’ I reminded myself; looking at Drew, he’s still in a deep thinking, probably having an inner monologue.

                The carriage door opened and Nikos helped me get down, as Drew stayed a second more inside before going out, still in his deep thinking. We were welcomed with a ‘Welcome home’ from a few staff led by Yuri. Nikos followed behind us as another staff took care of the carriage and put the horses in the stable. Those horses also did so many things, and so me, Nikos, Drew and everyone else. A sleep is much needed, maybe it can also help me think calmly about the message. Sleep can also help me digest all of the information we collected.

                But before that, office first.

                Drew and I entered my office as I requested for a snack and tea before going to bed. Yuri and Nikos bowed down and proceeded with my request whilst Drew plopped down on one of the long couches. He was limp as he laid down, one foot down and he was emitting the sounds of a tired man from a long day of work. A couple deep sighs came from him as he mustered the energy to sit up properly, I stopped him though.

                “You know you can rest first. We did a lot of walking today. And we still have a lot of things to do tomorrow. Not to mention, you have a shop to manage too.” I reminded him as I gave him a light pat on the shoulder. He said a long no, protesting that he should help me with all of his best.

                “No, I promised to help in any way I can. I have a trusted Store Manager, he can handle it.” He said with a bit of slur with his words, clearly tired and has a big want to sleep. I slightly giggled, he’s acting like a child wanting to stay up late for a tv show.

                “But for real, you should go to sleep. I’ll just arrange a few papers and I’ll be done too.” Reassuring him might work, thinking to myself as I saw him got up and release a deep and big yawn.

                ‘He’s really like a child when he’s sleepy.’ I giggled more at the thought and waved him goodnight as he exited my office. Seating to my chair, I was faced with another pile of letters, all from different families wishing me a good health and some delayed ‘get well soon’ cards for the incident few weeks ago. I wanted to sort them out, I was itching to sort them out since I don’t like having leftover works for tomorrow as they would just be a hindrance or a nuisance to my schedule— but, just like Drew— I’m out of energy. Back when I was Reine, walking all day long is nothing but, Frielle’s body is another thing.

                ‘Looks like I also have to add training in my schedule to build my strength, stamina and all. I won’t be able to do my duties as a duchess if I don’t have the enough energy.’ I sighed to myself upon the realization that another thing will be added to what I have to do.

                As if on cue, Yuri came in with a tray of a light snacks and tea— just in time when I wanted it the most. It’s a rose tea with a light dash of honey and three spoon of milk. When poured into the cup, the fragrance wafted through the air like swirls of pastel colors, tempting me more into drinking it. As if there were hands in the fragrance, holding and guiding my hand into holding the cup and putting the tip of the cup into my mouth. As light sniff and I can feel myself calming down and relaxing from the busy and tiring day. The snack was just a simple jam filled biscuit.

                ‘How cute, its heart shaped.’

                While I was enjoying my tea, the thought of the person name U.R.T. came into my mind and the piece of paper given to me back in the café.

                “I almost forgot, we’re going to have a visitor.” I said to myself. Yuri caught of this and seemed confused at first but immediately bowed down and said, “I will start the preparations as soon as possible.” I thanked her for the instant response but I gave her the full detail of the visit.

                “No need to rush, he’ll visit after two days so, we have time to prepare. Besides, he’s just my cousin and he likes things casual. It would be highly likely that he would request a tea with me rather than an extravagant banquet. He’s not a person who uses formalities and such with a close relative. All I wish is that keep everything clean and spotless as always— and you never fail me to that— I must give you compliment.”

                “Thank you Your Grace, you’re to kind. But, may I ask, who is this person?”

                “Oh, just the Crown Prince.” I said casually as I finished my tea. And by that statement, Yuri ceased to function. She went on full shock: eyes wide, mouth agape and just completely frozen. After some seconds, she’s able to recollect and compose herself, she clarified what I said.

                “Th— the Crown Prince, Your Grace? His Highness will visit you after two days?”

                “Yes. Don’t worry much about it or stress too much, you’ll go old fast. Besides, just follow what I said earlier and we’ll be just fine. Oh, also— prepare Darjeeling tea and a chocolate mint cake from Drew’s shop. We’ll be great with that so, don’t sweat too much. Relax, we’ll be fine.”

                “I—If you say so, Your Grace.” Yuri replied, still with hesitation and still very surprised by our visitor. Trying my best to reassure her, I gave her a calming smile— the most calming smile I can muster as she takes the tea cup as I have finished my light snack before bed. I have not much to do but to put the piece of paper in a drawer, secured in a little envelope and with the name of the author of the message.

                With that, I exited the office and got straight to my room for a well- deserved rest. After changing to a simple cotton night gown, I plopped down the mattress, savoring the softness and comfortableness of the bed. It felt like arms were wrapping around me, lulling me to sleep as my eyelids felt heavy and my breathing became steady. Becoming alone with my thoughts, the cogs in my mind began turning again even though it should be resting.

                Still formulating schedules for the upcoming days and trying to finds the best and most efficient solution to the dukedom’s problems, I slowly drifted to sleep with a final thought.

                ‘I’ll just leave tomorrow’s problems to tomorrow’s me. I really need to rest. Moreover, we have two days to prepare. U.R.T: the Crown Prince. Uriel Rajah Tranvesky, my cousin whom I never really met officially nor in any gathering. Why would he suddenly visit me? Also, how did he recognize me? Drew and I were sure to be discreet as much as we can.’

                ‘Oh well, never underestimate a royal. They are worthy of the title ‘royal’ for a reason. I’ll just go to sleep, for real this time.’

                With a final yawn, I was off to dreamland.