The Annoyer and The Annoyed (I)

Genevieve noticed the switch in the expression of Charlotte who had been so nice to her, just after the intrusion of the voice.

Simultaneously, her eyes turned with Charlotte's to look at the direction of the voice and she saw a male walking in their direction.

He seemed to be in his early twenties, a little pale in comparison to her. From a distance she could see his hair which was a craft of natural brown curls that fell over his face that gave him a breathtaking appearance.

He wore a polite smile on his face which in contrast, seemed annoying to Charlotte. With each long stride he took, he got closer to them.

Who was he? Charlotte asked inwardly. She was sure she had never seen this person here before. 

Other than the king whose face was constantly covered

"Oh, how I have missed you Lottie!" Came Alexander's voice when he arrived before them. However, he was greeted by Charlotte's hard fists on his chest.

"Ouch!!" Alex gave out a cry that made Charlotte roll her eyes at him.

"Stop being dramatic, Alex." she said grumpily, knowing her punch had no effect on himband he was just being deliberate.

The smile on his face widened into a grin and his green eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Why are you here, Alex?" Charlotte asked, annoyed by his disruptive presence between her sweet time with Genevieve. She was about to pluck the fruit for her before he barged in here.

"Lottie, how could you be so heartless?" he cried, "You've been gone for three days…three long days. Do you know how I have missed you?"

Lottie…

Charlotte loved the nickname, but with the way Alexander called her, it made her see the need to quickly get rid of it. It was irky rather than pleasing to her.

"I've been gone for three days, Alex. I didn't die." she reminded him, rolling her eyes.

This was Alexander, who had been working for the king alongside her for many years, yet she couldn't get used to his annoying personality.

"Three days was hell, Lottie! Do you know how I have been dreaming and longing about you….especially when I saw you in my dreams, dancing in my room like an angel, looking so…ouch!!"

He groaned when Charlotte stepped on his toes to prevent him from talking further.

Her face already looked embarrassed…only Alexander could dream such a weird dream.

"Stop making the King's Bride feel scared by your weird imagination." She scolded him in a low voice, inaudible to Genevieve.

Her lips pursed, and her arms were passively aggressively folded.

Alexander, almost forgetting Genevieve's presence while being busy with Charlotte, turned to her, the smile not leaving his face.

"Good morning, Milady." He said in a voice, less annoying.

Alexander caught Genevieve off guard when he bowed at her. Genevieve noticed how both Charlotte and the King's right hand man had bowed at her.

"Good morning," she replied, returning the smile.

"I'm Alexander, Milady. The King's right hand man." he said, "You seem to be in a better condition than yesterday. I never thought you would recover anytime soon."

Charlotte shot a glare at Alexander for phrasing his words that way. 

Nevertheless, he let out a light grin, "but I'm glad you're okay now." 

Charlotte quickly interrupted. "You don't have to get threatened by him, Eve. He's merely an annoying being created only to purposely annoy people."

"Lies, Lottie! I used to help you out with your fishing practice." he said, a more annoying smile surfaced on his face.

"Oh goodness!" Said Charlotte, her teeth almost gritting.

Genevieve noticed how Charlotte looked two years older than him, yet everything he did intimidated and annoyed her.

"So what were you ladies doing for fun? I would like to get involved too." Alexander said.

"You can start by mobbing the ocean if you wish," Charlotte grumpily muttered under her breath.

"I'm sure I prefer the garden more." Responded Alexander.

"We w-were–" Genevieve began politely, only to be cut short by Charlotte.

"We were looking for the suitable black market to sell you to, as you are of no importance to us."

Once again, Alexander dramatically clutched his chest, giving a pained look. "That hurts a lot,"

He continued, "But since I'm here now, why don't we discuss a more suitable place to sell me." He winked at Charlotte, knowing she would get more offended.

Alexander wanted to sit on the next bench closer to them, when Charlotte quickly got hold of his shoulder.

Genevieve was already troubled within, she didn't need her being troubled physically by Alexander which would inevitably occur.

Grabbing hold of him, she turned to Genevieve with a tight smile, "Don't worry Eve, he was just leaving."

Realizing what Charlotte wanted to do, Alexander quickly protested, "Hey, let me go, Lottie! The lady wants me to stay."

Charlotte shook her head hard, "No, I'm sure she doesn't." 

"Eve, I promise I will come back, but first let me get rid of this trouble maker." She turned to Genevieve, an assuring look appearing on her face.

Genevieve nodded peacefully. She didn't protest about Alexander being taken away, because she wanted her to do what she felt was right.

She watched how the lady who seemed to have an extent of strength in her, dragged Alexander away while he continued protesting.

Of course, Genevieve knew that Alexander had more strength in him to pull away from her. Certainly, the right hand man of the king would be very strong. 

But she had the feeling he was doing it to feed his amusement for drama and annoy Charlotte further. She couldn't help the smile that surfaced on her lips watching the both of them.

It suddenly dawned on her that the two most important people in the king's life had been here. One was annoyed and another was the annoyer.

Once they were out of the garden, Genevieve found herself surrounded by loneliness.

The only things around were the butterflies parading on one plant after the other, and the birds that didn't cease their constant chirping.

Amidst all the attractive things that filled the garden, Genevieve suddenly found herself drawn to the fountain which was in the garden, ever alive.

She hesitated for a while, before gently stepping out of the swing. Maybe she could use the little time before Charlotte's arrival to explore the garden.

Slowly, she began stepping towards the fountain and she finally arrived there. The fountain towered her by over forty-five feet and the eagle was a lot larger than she thought.

Her blue eyes were drawn to the large bowl beneath which she could reach. She sat by the bowl, as her hand reached for the water, playing with it. 

It was warm due to the sun and soothing. It suddenly reminded Genevieve of a memory of her childhood, making a satisfied smile appear on her face.