Surprise Visit

"Maybe I should have also shared some secrets with Gary." Siv thinks out loud.

'Oh hey, so I'm from a different world and I hear voices.'

"Hah. I think he would probably run for the hills thinking that I am a nutjob." Siv laughs to herself as she walks back to her room. She does notice something peculiar though. Every time she passes a pair of servants, they look at her oddly and whisper to each other. She tries to ignore them but she can't ignore the feeling of dread in her gut.

"Rouva Siv." Princess Helga calls.

"Oh, good day, princess." Siv greets.

"Oh dear, you haven't heard."

"Heard what?"

"Come with me." Helga pulls her from the hand.

"What is happening? You are making me nervous."

"Well, I have something to show you." Helga presses her lips together. "And I don't think you are going to like it." Helga takes her to her room where she has a copy of the newspaper.

"Have a seat." The princess motions to the dark green sofa in her sitting room. "Here, read this."

Siv takes the newspaper from her and starts reading. As soon as she sees the title, she knows exactly what it is about.

***Shock at the Vying Ball.***

Last night at the palace's ballroom, all the guests were surprised when the Duke of Navic finally decided to grace us with his presence. What is even more captivating is his interest in one of the Rouvas. Rouva Siv Holmen, the former fiancee of His Highness and primary candidate to the position of Crown Princess. Although, after the duke is done with her, there might not be any position left for her.

'What the hell?'

It seems the duke has a new admirer, since the Rouva has forgotten all etiquette and danced with him at the Vying Ball. Are we going to see another broken heart left by the young duke? Is she going to withdraw from the Vying, like the mysterious disappearance of former Rouva Vagle? One thing for sure is that we are glad she is not the only choice for our handsome prince.

Siv stares at the page for a few minutes, even after she is done reading. Many thoughts are racing through her mind. Thoughts that she doesn't want to elaborate on. She leaves Helga's room without a word, just walking around. Her feet take her to the garden where she sees Gary walking away. She rushes toward him, anger taking a hold of her. She pushes him and he almost loses balance but catches himself at the last minute. He turns around and looks at her with surprise.

"Did you do this? Was this your plan all along?" She reproaches him.

"Princess, calm down. What are you talking about?

"The ball, the dance, the talk, the article." Her arms dance in the air as if she is motioning to the things she lists.

"Of course not, why would I do that?"

"I don't know, maybe to help your sister win." Siv's words are stumbling out before her mind even registers them. "Maybe for revenge because I killed one of your men. Maybe to toy with me, or with Brandt. I don't know." Her voice is full of emotion.

Gary studies her for a few seconds, she really thinks that he is behind this whole thing. He can see anger and hurt on her face, but the other thing is that he feels hurt as well.

"Well love, I do not think that anything I say will change your mind right now. You seem to believe that I have done all of this. It saddens me that you think I would try to hurt you, but I understand." Gary takes a step back. "So, I will stay away until things cool down and hopefully the right culprit is discovered."

"I think that's a brilliant idea." Siv spits. "You staying away, that is." Gary bows and walks away without adding a single word.

Siv watches his back as he retreats. He is the only person responsible for this. He was the one to approach her at the ball and ask her to dance, even though he knew she couldn't dance with him. He was the one who insisted and this whole rumor is because of that.

'So why, why do I feel this guilty watching him walk away like that?'

When Gary disappears into the palace, Siv notices a few servants standing at a distance. They have witnessed the whole scene with Gary.

'Well shit, there goes tomorrow's headlines; Lovers Quarrel.'

Siv rushes to her room, and spends the rest of the day there. She cannot bring herself to meet anybody's questioning eyes. She also needs to spend some time alone to think.

"Have I lost the Vying? Have I lost Brandt? I sure as hell lost Gary. I was just thinking how much I enjoy talking to him and spending time with him. This really sucks."

Siv barely sleeps at night. She tosses and turns and every time she falls asleep she has a nightmare of some sort. Whether it's her being back in that dark cell, or Colby saying goodbye to her, or Gary walking away from her, or Brandt telling her that he hates her. She just can't sleep peacefully.

The next morning, she is woken by Veda. She informs her that the King has decided to invite all the Rouvas for breakfast.

"Since dinner last time was postponed, His Majesty has decided to change it into breakfast." She adds.

Siv feels tired and sluggish, but she does her best to plaster a smile on her face. She walks toward the dining hall, ignoring the looks and the whispers. She has lost all the respect of the servants. Even the Rouvas give her the same looks.

'Oh, they must really enjoy this right now. Especially that bitch Hella.'

Siv follows her rivals as they are all guided into the dining hall. The king, the queen, Brandt, and Bjarte are all present.

"Welcome, Rouvas." King Ronald greets. "Please, have a seat." He motions to the empty chairs facing the royals.

The Rouvas take their places, and the servants start serving breakfast immediately. Siv looks at Brandt, but he doesn't seem to notice her. The king is avoiding her eyes as well, even Ylva looks at her with disappointment. Siv Feels so small, even though in her opinion, she didn't do anything wrong.

'Why does everything have to go to shit all the time?'

As soon as tea is served, the doors to the dining hall open. An elegant old lady walks in and slams her cane on the floor. The sound echoes in every corner of the room.

"Your Grace?" King Ronald is the first to react, making the queen choke on her tea.

"What in the name of the Blue Fire is this bloody charade?" The old lady spits.