Letting our secrets be

Queen Charlotte was suspecting me and that's why she sent the servants away but I was not going to let her label me a traitor. After all, we all have our secrets. Secrets we never want anyone to find out about.

"Well, I'm sure you know something about whoever it was that left the palace last night. Don't deny it, Nardin, I can see it in your eyes." Queen Charlotte said.

Feeling pressure I had to look for a way to get out of this without getting my freaking ex-boyfriend into the picture. "Yes. It was me, but I was only following your son." I said.

"What? Your husband?" King Albert asked in surprise. "Why would you be following your husband at that time of the night?" King Albert continued.

At that time queen Charlotte's heart was starting to beat fast and I could feel the tension rise within her.

"That's because he never tells me where he goes, and I do think prince Liam has...." But before I could finish queen Charlotte interrupted me.

"Oh dear, you must be lonely seeing that you're mostly alone in that room. Don't you ever worry about it, I'll do something to put that to an end." She smiled deceptively.

"You're not letting her speak Charlotte." The king said. "Go on my dear."

"It's nothing, your majesty. I'm just worried about my husband's safety, that's all." I said as my eyes met that of Queen Charlotte. They glared at each other. It was a knowing look.

"Oh, my queen here used to worry about me in our younger days too. Don't worry yourself, Nardin, Liam can protect himself." King Albert said.

"I know he can but I just rea...."

"Enough princess." Queen Charlotte yelled before she finally put on her fake smiles and continued "prince Liam is strong you don't have to worry, okay. Come let's go see him." She sweetly took me away from the King's presence.

As soon as we got into the hallway queen Charlotte stopped and turned to me with her obvious deceptive smile.

"Princess Nardin Eldrago you must wonder why I brought you here." She said.

"No queen Charlotte. I've finally figured you out, I'm sure you brought me here to question me about whoever was hiding in that hood last night." I said.

"Well then give me answers." She replied.

"Not until you tell me how prince Liam killed lady Nina," I said.

Queen Charlotte's eyes widened in surprise and shock but she quickly regained her composure.

"What are you talking about? Who's lady Nina?" She pretended.

I smiled and scoffed "maybe the king will be in the best position to handle this." I said and turned around but queen Charlotte quickly grabbed my arm.

"Wait. I'll explain everything to you but at the right time." She said.

"When is the right time going to be? When he also kills me? In fact, what is your son?" I yelled but queen Charlotte put her middle finger across my lips.

"Please, Keep your voice down." She said.

"You know what? I need my maid." I said.

"Well, I'll appoint one for you then?"

"No. I don't need a new one. I need Irene my maid in my Father's house. She's the only friend I have." I said.

"But what would your parents think of us? You don't need maids to make friends. You'll meet so many other princesses at the festival, you can make friends with all of them."

"I need Irene. Please." I simply said.

"You can't tell her of prince Liam."

"I need Irene by my side Charlotte."

Queen Charlotte sighed "I'll get her at dawn tomorrow but you must promise never to speak of prince Liam to King Albert. If you have any challenges come to me." She said.

"Okay," I responded and walked away leaving her behind but I didn't leave my thoughts behind. I needed Irene because I knew she could help me figure out what prince Liam is.

When I got to my room I was really worried. 'Did I mess things up? Would I have just kept mute and not let my mother-in-law realize I know of her secret about Liam? But if I did she would've painted me a traitor when I know I'm not.' I wondered.

Later that night after I checked out the clothes the maid designed for me I sat at the balcony of prince Liam's room stargazing. I could remember when I was a little girl and my older sister Maya would tell me stories about the stars and I would tell her I wished I was a star. "If I were a star, father would not have to hate me so much." I would say.

"Why do you think that?" She'd ask.

"Because nobody hates stars, they're beautiful and everyone loves them." I'd respond.

"No, not that. I mean why do you think father hates you?"

Maya would always seek ways to cover up our father's hatred towards us but I never believed her stories. Our oldest sister already advised us to learn to live with it and maybe someday when we get married we can live a better life. But am I?

I sat there recalling memories and I didn't even realize it when I slept off. I did not even have my bath and strangely no maid came for it.

In the morning, I woke on in my bed, our bed. I was lying in bed. I don't even know when I left the balcony. I looked out through the window and it was dawn already. "How did I get here?" I muttered.

"Listen, princess Nardin..." Liam spoke and I quickly jerked, I hadn't even realized he was in the room.

He continued "the next time you fall asleep on that balcony I'll make sure I let you freeze to death there."

"You... You... You brought me in?" I asked but my question was met without a response. "Thank you," I said. "Did you also change my dress?" Yes, I slept off in my daily outfit but on waking up I was in my nightgown.

"What I can't?" He asked rudely. "Listen, little princess, I'm your husband and I can take off your clothes anytime." He said.

I think I've never seen this sweet side of him, I'm sure he's just acting rude to cover up that humanity in him.

I wanted to say something else but he interrupted me before even a single word could escape my mouth.

"That's enough talk for today Nardin. Your maid will be here in just a few minutes to prepare you for the devata festival." He said and immediately left the room.

Hmm, so this supposed devil does have a human side after all. I smiled calmly but my smile went bigger when I saw the next person that walked through the door.

"Irene!" I screamed and quickly hurried and hugged her.

"Good morning princess Nardin." She said smiling.

"Irene. I'm so excited to see you." I said.

"I know. Me too, I've been worried about you." She said touching my cheek "your mother sends her regards. She wants you to write her every week so her mind can be at rest."

"Really? Mother wants me to write to her? What if father finds out?" I said surprised.

"He won't." Irene simply said.

"Nardin, queen Charlotte asked me to dress you up. We're leaving for a festival."

"Yes. The devata festival." I said. "But I just woke up."

"Yes I know but one of the maids already told me what I need to know about dressing you every morning as instructed by Queen Charlotte. Come on my princess I'm sure we'll have enough time to discuss after the festival. Right now we need to get you dressed, you woke up late." Irene said and dragged me to the bathroom.

After I had my bath, I put on my dress with the help of Irene and sat in front of the mirror while she styled my hair.

"I've never seen you look this serious before," I said to Irene.

"Well, King Albert and Queen Charlotte gave me strict instructions. Your kingdom is the greatest amongst the five kingdoms and as their only princess, you should be the center of attraction." Irene responded.

"I don't think I want it that way. I'm nervous Irene." I said.

"I know. But you were born a princess and you've always known you'd meet noble men and women someday. I'm sure you're ready Nardin, you just haven't realized it yet." Irene said.

She always knew what to say to give me hope and courage. "Thanks." I said.

"All done." She said and took her hands off my hair.

I got carried away for a moment that I wasn't even looking in the mirror anymore until she was finally done. I looked extremely beautiful.

"I've never looked this beautiful before Irene." I said smiling. I loved my look.

"Well, that's because you've never gone out for festivals in your entire life. The only places you've ever been is to other kingdoms with your father whenever he wants to act all loving and caring."

I smiled. Irene was right. Father would let me visit some friends with him as camouflage so the people will think he is a great king and a proud father.

I was ready to meet king Albert and Queen Charlotte already. "Can we go now?" I asked.

"I need to talk to you now Nardin. This might not seem like the right time but it could be the longest time I'd ever have to spend with you" Irene said in a serious tone. She never sounded like that when whatever she had to say wasn't serious and what does she even mean this could be the longest time she might have to spend with me. Didn't Queen Charlotte bring her here to stay?