Chapter 23: Favorite Cousin (II).

Chapter 23: Favorite Cousin (II).

Elizabeth's POV

Victoria and I finally held down the fort, completing it in all of its glory. It had fortifying pillow walls, a blanket hammock and Victoria told me that she would be preparing my favorite snacks.

I couldn't contain my smile and excitement feeling like a child once more, I had once hoped that one day my grandfather from my past life would do this with me.

"So your highness, do you love it?" (Victoria) asks me, placing a hand on her waist looking so tired.

"..." My personal maid was turning into the only mother figure I will ever have.

Instead of answering her I hurriedly hugged her leg with no warning and stayed like that for a few seconds before feeling a hand going through my hair.

"I think that's a yes." she chuckles leaving me a bit flustered not being able to tell her I was really thankful for preparing this for my guest when time was running out.

I would be afraid if I had nothing special planned, other's disappointment would rather haunt me of guilt.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

"Your highness, apologies for intruding." A voice came through the door, soon it opened revealing a maid doing a curtsy giving a surprised look once she saw the awesome pillow fort we have made.

"Oh-" she looks at the both of us and smiles nervously. "L-Lovely fort pillow, but I just came to inform you that your guest has arrived. Lady Melrose Neyemar is waiting around the guest room of the castle."

I nodded in reply, "We'll be there to welcome her properly."

I walk out of my room, the dozen guards following behind. There was even the captain of the guard, keeping his stature straight and proudly greeting me.

"Your highness, it is good to see you well." The captain of the guard tells me and I smile. Tobias, who has loved unicorns and horses, was well even after the recent assassination attack on me.

"Captain Tobias, goodmorning." I tell him and all of the guards salute behind him. Their armors rattled for a moment before Victoria stood by my side looking unimpressed.

"Captain, Tobias." (Victoria) mutters out and Captain Tobias lowers his head in respect.

"Former general, good morning to you as well." (Captain Tobias) salutes once more before they both see eye to eye their conversation turning into a whisper.

"The girl, keep her safe."

"You have no need to tell me, general."

"Former general," She corrects him waving a hand. "A slip of the tongue, you were correct on the first so I will let you off."

...

Melrose has indeed arrived to visit on time and even has brought me gifts. My cousin was trying to carry so many things at once in her hands, I couldn't help but quickly run towards her in hopes that if I trip or fall I would be able to help.

"Whoah..." she mutters out, peaking at the side of her gifts that was taller than her. It nearly formed a mountain, I balanced her things and motioned Victoria to help carry her gifts.

"Hello, Melrose." I told her while I helped carry some of her gifts down, some of it was light and it made me wonder what is inside of these.

"Your highness!" (Melrose) greets me with a happy expression on her face and I did a proper curtsy to greet my cousin. "I couldn't help but get too excited that I bought every gift I could think of to say thank you for inviting me here."

I blink in response feeling a bit shy to see someone giving me their gifts personally. Usually, it would just pile on when it came to my birthday- or any occasion that was in need of giving me a gift but... other than Victoria I have never received anyone's gift personally and certainly this many from one person.

"While it was unneeded... I am grateful for your consideration of me." I stare at her gifts that she was holding looking rather heavy. I observed Melrose and her state of expression, I wondered if this was some other plan of getting me to butter up to her.

"However, why didn't you let any of the servants help you carry them? I'm sure it was heavy." I tell her and she giggles revealing a set of perfect white teeth.

"Then you wouldn't receive them from me properly! And- actually my servants are not here, they're still getting the rest of my gifts for you, your highness." (Melrose)

Wait... the rest of the gifts?

"Pardon?"

So these were not the only ones?

Melrose continued to giggle, enjoying the baffled expression on my face.

"Urgh… hah… just a few more lads!" I hear a few groans of struggle behind her and see about a dozen servants carrying huge pretty colored wrapped gifts.

Rattle... rattle...

"..." I was stunned, for one gift was so huge that they needed to tow it inside. I glanced at Melrose who was nervous arranging the gifts. Her hand fidgets around, playing with her thumb staring at me like a little lamb in distress.

"Um... I'm not sure if this was excessive but- I did find some gifts that any noble lady would probably need- um... I had some worries knowing her highness has most likely everything." (Melrose) laughs softly, walking towards me while giving a few more beautifully wrapped boxes.

"So... um... is her highness liking the surprise?" she asked and I didn't know what to say.

I turned to Victoria asking for her guidance, the expression on my face showed it all that I needed help and she was coughing.

"Ahem... her highness, your cousin has given you many gifts. What should you say?" She leans over to me, feeling a hand behind my back as if telling me to do something.

"..." I bit my lip looking at Melrose who seemed like she was close to crying if I didn't say anything good.

I sighed not giving her the proper response for gratitude. "Thank you."

"!" (Melrose) stops, her eyes glittering before holding my hand. "You're welcome, favorite cousin of mine!"

I do not know if she's being scripted by her father, the Duke of Erhenzig that planned to assassinate me. The assassins have never left my memory, and the danger that comes with inviting someone potentially a threat into my home.

"..." I shouldn't be careless and remember I have invited the daughter of my enemy into my home.

"Indeed, why don't I show you my room while my personal maid organizes all of your gifts and makes sure that they'll all... safe." I glanced at her, giving a hint of the message in my words.

Check for any traces of poison, weapons, and even people inside of her huge gifts.

Any boxes that are able to fit the human body.

Victoria nods at my order, yet I feel worried for anything in here that might be able to hurt her.

"Oh! Your room! Let's go, I'm rather excited to see her highness' room." (Melrose) tells me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yes, I have prepared something for you that you may like." I motion my goodbye to Victoria knowing that she would find me later once her job is done so I'll be depending on my bodyguards that will be accompanying us into my chambers.