Chapter 6: A simple cup of water

A week has come to pass and yet they have found no information to put Riona to rest. The queen couldn't believe it. Absolutely no one knew of a the slightest reason as to why the groomer was murdered. Not even a lead to what he might have been involved with.

She leaned back in her chair. Her head hanging back as she massaged her scalp. "You haven't been sleeping well, have you?" queried the Lord who we know couldn't be any other than Vally — the man who literally acts like the shadow of the queen. He had insisted to accompany her throughout her daily activities; which weren't many of course.

She sighed tiredly. "Are the bags under my eyes truly that prominent?"

Vally rested an elbow on the arm of his seat, pouting with a nod. "Very."

"Perhaps I should rest for a while. My mind needs to be refreshed otherwise I'll never finish replying to all these letters."

"That is certainly the first I've ever heard you put work down to go rest, your highness."

"Well before I do, I'll first take a turn towards the kitchen."

Vally leaped from his seat. "I could call for Ulric to bring you something. What would you like? I'll even fetch it myself." Riona laughed, her feet carrying her around her desk towards the door. She reached for the handle and looked back. "Don't be absurd. The short walk will do good for my health." Vally huffed as he followed closely like the guard dog he portrays himself to be.

Riona walked slow, her legs tired and feet sore from working throughout the night. Vally had left last night, though forcing her to promise that she would go to her chambers soon after. She never did... Only once the sun had started greeting the castle with its golden rays had she gone to her room to change her dress, fully knowing that Vally would have noticed if she hadn't.

The kitchens were vibrant and cozy. Perfect for enjoying breakfast in the winter mornings. Cooks chopping and maids rushing with cleaned plates. Clattering of silver goblets and banging of pots. Riona searched for Ulric yet didn't see him anywhere near to supervise the kitchen staff.

A young maiden briefly stopped, her arms piled with raw vegetables ready to be diced. She smiled: "Anything I can get for your highness and my Lord?"

Riona nodded. "A cup of water will do for me." Vance shook his head, linking his hands behind his back as he observed the young maiden set down the basket of onions, potatoes and carrots. She wiped her hands on her dress before picking up a cup and proceeding to fill it with cool water from a jug. The friendly girl handed it to her highness with a curtsy and went on immediately with her job.

Riona drank the water hastily, then set the cup down. "Now I'll go rest."

Vally turned behind her and once again trailed after her. Riona frowned. "No need to escort me. You are free to go and join the other lords in the parlor."

"But what if I don't want to?"

"Don't want to?" She rolled her eyes, "Why not?"

"I find it more important to secure the safety of her royal highness, the one and only mighty queen, Riona."

She halted. Her mind freezing: It had been too long since anyone has said her name... Her lips pulled into a small smile as her eyes stared towards his. "I like that," she whispered for no reason, "You saying my name. Do it more often."

The man was rendered speechless for a good minute or so before he reached his senses and grinned. "Happily." Just like that, they walked beside each other through the halls till they reached her room.

Something had stirred. An emotion that has been locked away — dormant. Was she beginning to like the man? Nonsense, how could she... if her heart still lied in the hands of someone else...

"Are you all right?" asked Vally, pushing open the door to her chamber, allowing her to head inside. She starred into the darkness of the room. "I just need rest. That's all. Thank you," she muttered walking in. Vally felt the urge to ask again, but the door closed with a click. She locked the door and that usually meant she was going to isolate herself again from others.

He sighed, did things truly become this bad?