Under the table

Andrea's phone rang just after she sent a message to Leo and was about to scold him but she saw it was her mother, Queen Amelia, who's calling. Queen Amelia was the only princess of City B and later she became the Queen of City D as well. Brought up by a large number of nannies and servants, Amelia wanted to raise her own children as a hands-on mother. Her marriage to King Stephen William was a strategic alliance and she felt really lucky. He was handsome and perfect for her. She just blended completely into his lifestyle and his Family. Her mother-in-law, Crown Princess of City D, Her Royal Highness was a formidable person with a great personality, that it didn't allow for other personalities to stand around her and Amelia was happy to do so but the trauma of losing Andrea, when she was five years old, had got a huge shock that she became emotionless like a dead person walking. But after finding Andrea after 15 years, she was really happy.

Andrea picked up the phone, her mother called her to invite the couple for dinner to celebrate their quarter anniversary. She knew this marriage meant nothing to Andrea and there is no meaning of celebrating it still called them over to the Royal Manor for a celebratory dinner.

Andrea politely accepted the invite. She wasn't thrilled that it was called a 'celebratory dinner' but was happy to be spending some time with her family.

After talking to her mother she stretched her hair when she thought that she had to inform Leo about it, for her going a mile while walking is better than talking to Leo. Reluctantly, Andrea texted Leo

'AT 5 pm we have to be at the Royal Manor'.

Within a few seconds Leo texted her back.

'I know Her Royal Highness called...'

Texting was the best way for them to communicate. If Leo had phoned Andrea, she'd have never answered him...and if she phoned him (who are we kidding); she will never call him...Never ever!!!

Thanks to technology, texting was made for people like Leo and Andrea.

---

A tall man in his twenties, black hairs with a cold attitude came out from the car which had just parked in front of Smith's Manor. Leo came back home as he was passing by the dining table, his eyes fell on the crumpled card and the gift which he had quietly left there in the mornings was still on the dining table. He wasn't surprised. He knew that Andrea would've told the servants to leave it there till he saw it.

He went to his room to change into something more appropriate as he was going for a get-together at his in-laws. He settled on a smart-casual look, white long-sleeved shirt (sleeves rolled up a bit), and a black waistcoat. He checked out his reflection in the mirror, a smile crept up in his face, his brown eyes were incredibly spectacular and thought out loud,

'You still got it, Leo. Nobody would even guess what turmoil your life is. So, the saying is true once a royal.. always a royal !!'

He smirked to himself and then mumbled softly, 'Once a dashing prince... Always a dashing prince!!'

He looked out of the window and saw that Andrea had already seated in the car. He ran down the stairs to the car through a garden which was beautifully decorated with different types of flowers, while approaching the car he secretly hoped in his mind that Andrea wouldn't start another war of words with him. Fortunately, she didn't, the entire drive to the Royal Manor was quiet.

Leo found himself glancing towards Andrea while she was unaware of his action. Her kohl-black hairs flowed over her shoulders, jelly-like lips which were so tempting that anyone wants to taste at least for once, innocence reflected in her blue eyes. Her black dress emphasized her perfect curves, her flawless skin made it look more extravagant. Leo couldn't help himself from admiring her. He really wanted to compliment her but thought better of it.

Andrea, on the other hand, was busy staring out the window of her side. She was avoiding looking at Leo, if she had to look at him then that would be extremely uncomfortable for both of them.

-----

It was exactly 5 o'clock when they reached the Royal Manor. Queen Amelia, Prince David, and Her Royal Highness welcomed them warmly. The trio then wished the couple for their anniversary.

Andrea couldn't take it any longer and finally blurt out, "It's only 3 months- I don't see what's the big deal...I wish you all would just stop fussing over it!"

All were hurt by hearing her remark, especially Leo. Her Royal Highness was not happy with her behavior. She took Andrea's hand in her own and started walking the front door which leads to the huge verandah and then she turns left and enter into a room which was so neat, by a mere look at the painting which was hanging on the sidewall one's carve for touching it, she locked the room and then calmly; in a soft tone, the old lady began to explain Andrea her grandchild.

"When a young couple marries for them every day is worth celebrating but they couldn't celebrate every day, could they, not right". Andrea nodded but she clearly wasn't interested even a bit in the conversation but as she is her grandmother she had to bear the so-called lectures about how to behave like a good couple, her highness continued

"In the first year of their marriage a couple often celebrates the 3 months and then 6 month anniversary it's normal. It is sort of an achievement that they spend everyday blissfully living with each other...". Andrea remained mute and she was annoyed inside.

Soon thereafter someone knocked at the door, the old lady stopped talking and both of them looked at the door at the same time, her Highness mouth twitched by disturbance still she crossed by the Andrea and unlocked the door, a girl with blonde hair, wearing a bright red dress was standing and she was about to knock again but as she saw that door had already opened she hanged the hand downward embarrassingly. She smiles at highness and walked to towards her sister's side, she stared at her for a few seconds and then said

"Andrea, You know what's the big deal...the big deal is; You are married to one of the hottest men in City K, D and A !!! For you, every day should be a celebration!!!"

Andrea just rolled her eyes. A sound came from behind the area where Andrea was standing with her back facing the door, no one saw that a guy with a gloomy face was still executing a powerful aura around him and before Leo could decide what to say, three words just fell out of his mouth, "Thank you, Princess Becca".

Andrea turned around and shot him a venomous look. Becca noticed it and took advantage of the opportunity as she moved really close to Leo and whispered, "pleasure is all mine, Leo..." then she pecked him on the cheek

"Congrats for surviving 3 months" looking in Andrea's direction. Andrea was turned red in anger.

Now there was only one thing Andrea could do - change the subject. She turned to her mother and asked: "Where's Dad..".

Amelia answered, "King is in a meeting...he asked us to carry on without him". Andrea nodded.

They all went to the dining area, where the dining table was filled with different varieties of food. The Royals took their seats. Her Highness sat in her chair at the head of the table. To her right was Prince David...to her left was Amelia. Andrea sat on the king's chair which was on the other end of the table. To her right was Becca and to her left was Leo. Since David and Leo sat next to each other, they started talking and were busy in their conversation.

Andrea couldn't talk to her mother or grandmother as they were quite far from her. So, she decided to talk to Becca, who was the closest to her but Becca was busy with something else. She was trying to reach for something under the table with her foot. Nobody else noticed but Andrea was quite curious as to what's happening under the table. She purposely dropped her fork on the floor and she bent down to get it - what she saw, got her fuming. Becca had removed her shoes and was trying to reach Leo's leg with her toes. Andrea was enraged, she was trying so hard to make Leo's life as painful as possible, but Becca her own sister, who is trying to bring pleasure in his life. Andrea looked at the fork in her hand, smiled and mumbled to herself,

'No way, Becca, no way!!! Am I going to let you play footsie with my dearest husband!!!' and with that, she stabbed the fork into Becca's foot.

"Ouch... Andrea, What is wrong with you!!!" She immediately left the table and limped back to her room.

No one had witnessed what really happened but everyone had a pretty good idea.

-----

After the celebratory dinner, David went to check up on Becca. Although he already knew the answer, he asked anyway, "Becca, tell me what happened under the table...".

"Shut up David, just stay out of it" was her prompt response.

"No, Becca you stay out of it. Stay out of their lives! Andrea and Leo are now married..why are you going in between?"

"David, that marriage was just a contract. Andrea will never love Leo! She loves Damien. As long as Andrea hates Leo, I still have a chance. Leo needs a real woman and that's me!!!!" Becca said while smirking at David. He could only shake his head and hope that Becca was not plotting something new.