Looking for the Queen

"Sign it and leave."

"Can… can I have an explanation first?"

The handsome and regal man, behind the wooden desk, looked up from the pile of documents in his hands.

He sighed and soon a frown appeared on his forehead as he felt a headache approaching. He lowered his pen as he stretched his hand while his long marble fingers on his other hand started tapping on the desk at a rhythmic pace.

Counting the seconds and watching the clock hands move. Little by little, he controlled his breathing and managed the pain in his temple.

However, after ten or more taps, only the sound of his fingers gave answers to the useless question.

To prolong what he deemed as inevitable was futile, but that woman in front of him tried to find time to plead for an explanation.

'How useless.' he thought.

To describe her, beautiful was usually the word to come out. He had heard it from the servants and other employees, even from the nobles and ladies from the court, but he couldn't relate it to her at all.

What he could see was a woman with eyes lingering on the floor, with a veil covering half of her face and fingers gripping her lackluster gray dress. A dull and cowardly woman was what he saw.

He inspected her again with contempt in the eyes, as she couldn't help but shiver when the tapping on the desk suddenly stopped.

"You don't deserve an explanation," he looked at her with mockery. Undisguised as always.

However, just as he was about to repeat his order and end the useless conversation, she moved her head up to see him for the first time. Her bright blue eyes pleaded at him, and even if his cold and detached gaze showed nothing but scorn and indifference, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pity, and a minimum of interest.

That gaze was unexpected, as not many could stand the harsh look of that man. He was the mighty Crown Prince of the Arion Kingdom, Ilian Lark, after all. And, not only his birthright had gained him the title of the most respected man in the country.

Thus, after seen her unwavering eyes, he decided to give in to her request, only once.

"In the account of our time together, I will tell you…" He smirked. "Your dear father is a traitor and is waiting for his execution, if you want to follow him, I don't care, if not… sign it and leave, now."

He saw her widen her beautiful eyes, the clear blue color with a peculiar glint, showing surprise, but not fear, nor sadness. It was strange, the news could destroy the life of any young noblewoman like her, but she didn't seem that concerned.

He thought that she had learned how to suppress her emotions and expressions like the other ladies of the court. Though he won't know as his memories of her were so little that even if they had stayed in the same mansion for so long, her expressions were as unfamiliar as the first time they met.

He waited to see what she will do next, but she only lowered her face again. The nervous grip on her dress, the anxious bit on her colorless lips, and the uninteresting silence returned.

The little sparkle that made him speak and share a few of his words died down as quickly as it appeared.

"I understand," she said in a tone that can't be other than resignation.

He smirked and showed the documents on his hands the attention they should have in the first place.

Three little steps from that woman and the movement of a pen were all he needed to hear to know that he was now free again.

There was nothing more to spare for that woman. However… she wasn't finished.

****

Thirteen years ago, a gorgeous six years old little girl with blonde golden locks and sapphire eyes went to her first royal ball in the Capital of Airon. The expectancy and hope had let her imagine all kinds of beautiful scenarios. Princess and princes with beautiful faces and gorgeous clothes filled her fantasies all the way while in the carriage. Then as they reached the magnificent stairs and entered the hall, all her illusions were transferred to the magnificent view before her.

In the shiny Royal Palace, the chandeliers resonated with the sound of the orchestra, the beautiful long dresses, and the careful steps of the dancers illuminated the hall with their twirls and turns. All of them laughing and smiling. All of them in joy.

Angela's sapphire blue eyes were attracted to everything, from the glistening cups to the overjoyed laughs, even the gentle smiles and respectful bows to request for a dance. So happy, so beautiful.

"She is so lovely, Duke Monde," a beautiful woman with a gentle smile and sweet perfume gave Angela a pat on her cheek.

Some ladies were surrounding her and attending to her every request, even laughing with their fans at her joking comments.

Angela knew she was someone important, even with her six years. She made a little reverence with her wide blue dress, then a careful smile, not too wide, not too gentle, just enough to pass as a smile. Those were her teacher's words.

"She is our pride, Your Highness," the man guiding Angela was her father. The infamous Duke of Monde, tall and handsome, but with a hidden intention in his eyes that the ladies couldn't help but adore. "She will be a beautiful bride in the future, I can assure you that."

The regal woman before them smiled again and nodded, but then she signaled for a young boy to approach. Angela turned slightly, only enough to see the side face of the young boy.

Suddenly, as if a picture from her princess book jumped out, she saw a beautiful young Prince appearing. Even if he was young with still delicate features, and dark hair, and green eyes, he was handsome. There was an air around him that could drag any pair of eyes to him, and Angela was no exception.

He smiled at her and stepped forward to take her hand. That moment, when he bowed and kissed her tiny glove, that was all it needed to happen for the fate of both of them to entangle.

Angela Yves, the girl with golden locks and sapphire eyes, met for the first time the Crown Prince of the Kingdom. Once, she met Ilian once, and her heart stopped belonging to her.

However, that one day also initiated the tragedy of her following days. From that moment she was no longer the free and happy child with princess stories for bedtime, nor dreams of a smile. From then on, Angela was educated to understand the duties of the Crown Princess position and the Queen's responsibilities that she would carry in the future.

Her tutors were strictly giving her lessons day after day without rest to help her understand her future husband's duties. She was told that when the time came, she had to provide responsible advice to his ears. Even if she has to entice him to it. She was a little girl, and it was hard to understand, but later when she grew old, and her beauty and figure were taking shape. The innocent lessons changed to the ways of seducing a man.

She understood the meaning behind those words then. They were a careful message from her father. He would never let her shame the family and his title, but more than anything, he was telling her that she was meant to be a tool in his game of power, to control the Crown Prince of Airon and the future King.