The joker and the Queen

*knock, knock,* the soft sound of the knock on the door woke Reyna up, squinting her eyes from the light coming in through the window, she groaned and sat up.

Walking to the door and opening it, a petite female stood with her head bowed "good morning princess", she greeted

Sighing and rolling her eyes "it's you Lydia, what is it?" she asked moving away from the door to get into her robe, and sipping a cup of water, gargling it up and spitting it out in the sink of the bathroom.

Lydia, the maid, who's also Reyna's right hand maid, walked in "the Queen asked me to get you prepared" she spoke, her voice sounding more relaxed than minutes ago

"and what is the occasion that i have to be woken up?"

Reyna asked, sitting back on her bed with crossed arms, her face looking brighter,-she had poured water on her face.

"You'll be escorting her to town, i think" Lydia shrugged preparing the bath, before she packed out series of dresses for the princess to pick from, which usually ends up with Lydia choosing a dress for her instead

Taking off her night gown, she stepped into the bath, the warm water soothing her skin, Lydia helped wash her hair, while she bathes herself- she prefers bathing herself- staying in there for a while , they came out.

Getting into a new robe, Reyna sat down for Lydia to dry her hair, she sighed multiple times seeking Lydia's attention. "My lady?" Lydia called out looking at Reyna in the mirror "is there a problem?"

"well, do you think i'll see him today?" Reyna asked, her eye filled with hope, whilst Lydia's was filled with pity.

"oh my lady, you know you'll eventually get married off to a prince right?."

"I know, I know, forget i asked that" waving her hands dismissing the topic.

"But you'll definitely see him, only if her majesty goes through Myus" Lydia added, clipping Reyna's hair as she was done styling it.

Her brown hair was loosely tied up, strands fell to the side of her face and at the back. it was simple yet beautiful. Lydia picked a red dress, it was slightly off shouldered, the sleeves were net like which reached her elbows, it held her body to her lower abdomen before spreading out freely. it suits her white skin so much. Lydia was smiling while Reyna was doubtfully staring at the dress

"I don't like it" she judgingly said looking at the mirror

"why not?, it looks good on you... and i heard men are attracted to the color red so... maybe you can attract a certain someone" she teasingly said, wiggling her brows and Reyna flushed, her cheek turning red, before clearing her throat and wore and shoes, then headed down for breakfast.

"Good morning My lady" the servants greeted as she strode down the hall to the dining room.

"Good morning father, morning mother" She greeted sweetly to her parents, who lovingly smiled at her "you look amazing dear" her father complimented her and she thanked him and took her seat beside him.

"So mother, where are you taking us to?" she asked placing a piece of sliced boiled eggs in her mouth.

Queen Hera , her mother looked up at her "Duke Donald's palace in Everton" She said wiping her mouth as she was done eating.

Reyna's face brightened, definitely not because of where they were heading but where they'd pass through to get there "we are going through Myus?!" she asked, the eagerness written all over her voice

Hera raised her brows in shock at her daughter's behavior, she nodded in confirmation "is there a problem?"

"No, no, not at all!" Reyna gained her composure and continued to eat. Her father and mother looked at each other with questioning looks -strange- they both thought.

Reyna ran upstairs looking for Lydia and found her in her room cleaning up "My lady?, why are you running, you're in heels, you could fall" Lydia warned all in one breath, while bringing Reyna some water, who shook her head refusing it.

"we... are going to Everton!!" she happily informed Lydia who smiled widely understanding the princess's excitement.

"your carriage will go through Myus" she stated.

"Yes!" Reyna squealed holding Lydia's hands "i'll see him today, its been so long" she said.

The daughter and mother duo got into the carriage, the coach closing the door after them and rides towards Everton.

it was going to be a two-hour-plus ride due to the bad road and it has gotten worse as it's been raining heavily for a few days now. Reyna's excitement reduced ever since they started their journey not wanting her mother to suspect her for any reason, while she was hatching a plan to make them take a stop in the town Myus.

Hera stared outside the window then at her daughter who seemed to be lost in her own world "Reyna" she called with a smile when Reyna turned she continued "you were very happy to go to Everton earlier during breakfast, is there someone you want to see?, or is it one of Donald's son you're suddenly interested in?"

"what? no mother, i always told you i don't like them ever" Reyna squeezed her face in disgust. Those men are treacherous and they knew it. she just wonders why all the girls would swoon around them like flies and get dazed, they were not that good looking honestly!.

"I see..." Hera nodded "so why were you so happy then?"

Reyna froze at the question, her palms became sweaty, she was a really bad liar "well it's been a... a while and i loved visiting the towns market and the... carnivals" she lied, swallowing the lump in her throat.

Hera had a doubtful look, if she loved it so much why didn't she just say so "oh, you didn't tell me you liked local celebrations".

Obviously she doesn't but what can she say "yes i do mother" she replied. It's always crowded and Reyna was not one to be around such kind of crowds. But she kept to her lies, which her mother believed.

An hour later, the road got bumpier than it was, as they were already in the small town of Myus, Reyna had an eye out for the certain man she was looking for, he was mostly dressed in a sort of ragged garment, a servant to one of the small nobles living around there. She always will find him at the market's gates and soon enough, she spotted him. Her heart raced.

"Mother, i'm hungry. can we make a stop to buy something here?" she asked looking outside the window eagerly waiting to step out. Hera was puzzled, hungry?, now?, didn't they just have breakfast "Reyna c'mon, we're almost there, we'll eat once we arrive"

Colours draining from Reyna's face "but mother...ah!" she yelled -it was a shriek- The carriage was hit, making Reyna hit her head and they stopped.

"oh, lord Reyna, i always told you to keep your head inside the carriage" Hera said rubbing Reyna's head "Lucas?,what's wrong?" she called out the coachman

"your majesty, the tires got burst" He said, opening the door for them to step out.

Reyna lightened up, and internally happy for their mishap. Her eyes darted left and right looking for him again, and when she found him, she smiled. unbeknownst to her too, he was looking at her before he looked away to not seem disrespectful. only to raise his head again and their eyes met. Reyna quickly looked away breathing heavily. what is this feeling?.