A friend in a strange place

"I have a lover? Why is this the first I'm hearing of this?" I asked her.

"Because your father would not allow you to marry him. He is a servant boy at the southeastern palace. Your family's home is close to that area. But it is regrettably quite a far walk from here. His name is Leonard, he was found at the palace as an abandoned baby with no last name, no money. You could not be together, but oh how sweet your love was! It is a secret you told only me." She was so excited she was particularly squirming out of her seat. I took a deep breath to absorb all this new information I have been told.

As I was processing everything it was quite shocking to hear my life was changing to a direction I didn't seem to want, but had no chance but to oblige due to my family. Strangely enough, they haven't come to see me besides waking up now many hours ago.

"Where is my family?" I asked Livian.

She looked down in sadness. "They probably won't be coming. They thought it best to see you gone since you refused their marriage prospects, so they put you in the lowly position of a mistress rather than wait for you to marry to another noble family." I could see her biting her tongue down, obviously not wanting to offend me by revealing her thoughts on my family's actions, but her face could not lie.

"You must work on your facial expressions if you wish to hide your true thoughts better," I replied, trying to change the subject.

"Look at you, just woken up after weeks of sleep without a memory and you still lecture me!" She started to giggle again, and this time, I joined in with her. This was my first laugh in weeks. I am so relieved this lady has come into my life, despite the circumstances surrounding me.

I looked out the window and saw the sun was swiftly setting, I hadn't much time left. I needed to learn more about this person and His Majesty, I had to regain my memories back if I wanted to be able to protect myself again. It appears I have been doing that for some time. What kind of person am I really?

"This man, Leonard, can I meet him again?" I asked her calmly.

She looked down at her tea and paused for a while. She took in a deep breath and softly spoke to me, quieter than a whisper.

"His Majesty has informed me you are not allowed to leave the north-western palace. I am sure you figured out by now that this is as far away from the south-eastern palace as possible where Leonard is. That is no accident. He knows about you both and is furious another has won your heart. You must not make any mention of him, lest you know what His Majesty may do to him." She replied with such seriousness I never knew was possible from her. I understood immediately and didn't ask further. But she continued, "He has a knack for finding you no matter how hard people try to keep you two apart. It won't be long I am sure." She winked at me and we smiled together. This must be some man.

There was a loud knock at the door as my body tensed up in fear. Is His Majesty already here? Did he possibly hear what we were discussing? I doubt it, I could barely hear right next to little Livian.

"Come in!" I shouted, a bit sore. My voice was still recovering from everything and was worn from talking so much with little Livian.

Nurse Nevi entered the room, curtsied, and came to me. She placed in my hand a couple of pills while looking away oddly and handed me my tea.

"Drink these, they are your medicine. Prepare yourself, His Majesty is coming soon for your evening stroll." She said seriously. Her sweet demeanor seemed to be hallowed out compared to what she was earlier today. I took the pills and swallowed them, bitter in my mouth. A small round one dissolved rather quickly though, and I grew suspicious, I put down my tea. I must be careful around here. I couldn't forget that.

"Please Lady Viola, allow me to help you prepare for His Majesty tonight," She responded, returning to her more serious demeanor. I nodded as the nurse took her leave seeing I took my medication.

Little Livian pulled my straight hair up with a black clip and brushed it beautifully. She then pulled off my yellow nightgown I had been wearing all day as I hadn't left my room or had the need to dress. Carefully, she placed my petticoats on and put on a simple but elegant ocean blue dress. It didn't require many adjustments or support, making it an ideal choice for recovery. I smiled at her thoughtfulness and allowed her to help me dress. She placed some beautiful bright pink gloss on my lips that shined brighter than the gemstones surrounding me.

"What do you think?" She asked me smiling with pride.

"I see why I made you my lady-in-waiting Little Livian," I smiled.

"Little Livian? You remember!" She exclaimed with joy again. I was a bit taken aback by the sudden shift in tone. She is right, when did I start referring to her as little Livian? She was just so cute I saw her as a little sister. I turned back and hugged her, seeing the shocked expression on her face before she embraced me. There was a very sharp knock at the door. She let go while I was a bit upset the moment was already over. I regained my posture and face though.

The door opened without me answering as His Majesty entered the room.

"Lady Viola, you look lovely tonight. Let's go, Lady Livian," He nodded at her as she curtsied and ran off. I followed him to the outside to start our time together.