Chapter 2: Distant proximity

10 of the 11 have arrived and settled in. Riona bit her tongue each time she came across one in the halls and flashed them with charming smiles and sweet curtsies. The moment they passed by, she would drop her splendid manners and straighten up to her usual self with the monotone expression.

Ulric was quite busy preparing the castle perfectly for its visitors. The kitchens were ordered to prepare the most scrumptious meals and the maids asked to polish the halls and rooms. The castle felt more lively and buzzing with activity. Guards patrolling, servants rushing, doors being opened and the gardens trimmed for their new admirers.

All happy but one. Opposite to the members of the castle, Riona searched for refuge from the abnormal amount of energy being spread. She would surely develop a headache if she continued to face more people. Her study was now unsafe, for Ulric would chase her out, or others would interrupt her silence. The only other place she could think of was the library.

Yes, the library would provide to be her savior, for no one would surely be wandering between the bookshelves. Not when everyone was bubbling with excitement. She hastily — yet with care not to be seen — strode towards the end of the wing. There she turned towards large heavy doors and her delicate hands pushed one open. Like a mischievous child, she peeked into the hallway, before sliding into the room and pressing the entrance shut.

A breath left her lungs. One she wasn't aware she held. Relief washed over her limbs and they relaxed. The scent of books and ancient knowledge overtook her senses and she travelled with glee forward to her beckoning. Her fingers traced across the spines of novels. Stories of knights and dragons, secret lovers and great tragedies. The woman traveled all the way to the far back of the library. There, no one would search for her.

Her eyes sparkled. Her father forced her to read in her younger years... a fond memory actually though it still came through with hurt. He would read to her after dinner and during the day, she was given a book and asked to read it — to pull knowledge from it. Though she never came to understand the reason. She always read that the princess would end up with a happy ever after and even that was a lie.

She pulled out a heavy book. Book of Flowers, she read. Delicate painted petals scattered the leather cover and inside awaited a burst of colors. "Pretty aren't they?"

Riona slammed the book shut as her eyes shot up to find the source of the voice. There, at the end of the shelf stood the culprit to her fright. Her posture straightened as she frowned. "It is rude to spy."

The man's brows raised. "I'm sure you've done that plenty of times. It would be a lie if you didn't. Everyone has the right to be curious."

"Curiosity killed the cat," she snapped.

"Well lucky for me, is it not, for I am not a cat," he slyly stated with a playful glint.

Riona took in his appearance. Dark hair, tall and darkly dressed. His one eye was bruised or was it more of a scar? Either way, she was not having a closer inspection. "Who are you exactly?" she prompted, squinting her eyes at the stranger.

The man bowed enthusiastically, "Lord Spunky. At your service."

"Your humor is nauseating."

He laughed loudly. "Now you, your highness, are a tough nut to crack. Your reputation proceeds you truly."

She sent him a flat look. "You still did not answer my question."

He sighed giving in to her seriousness, "Lord Vally, sent by Lord Cornell. He is a close friend of mine."

Riona rolled her eyes with a huff, "Was it that challenging to answer? Well, I'm assuming you're the last of the lords to arrive. The head butler will see you to your quarters. Enjoy your day."

He sent a scoff of disbelief as he neared her. "Now don't say this is it. I've travelled all the way to meet a beautiful queen and this is what I receive? A grumpy woman who has lost her humor."

"Who said I had a humor to begin with? You know nothing of me, Lord Vally. Now if you don't mi—"

"I can get to know you," he interrupted, closer than the lady judged the now irksome man to be.

She was now defensive and shoved his chest with her hand before pointing. "You stay put on your place as I will do on mine. Want to know something? I am already not overly fond of you."

He backed up with two palms up in defeat. "Apologies for ruffling your feathers little Angel." Riona was past annoyed now and sent the man a glare as she grumbled, "Cornell will certainly face his consequences. That bastard sent you on purpose didn't he?"

"Of course he did but all for the honest reason of matching you with your true love!" He beamed, fully aware that she was about to burst into flames. And it was true, he complexion did redden. "How kind," she said with a grit.

The queen swiveled on her heel and was about to thunder off before Vally was beside her with an arrogant smirk. "Where to, your highness?" he innocently asked and offered her an arm. The gesture was unappreciated and therefore ignored by Riona as she pointed her chin up and kept her gaze before her. He looked at her. "Oh, I see! Bypassing a friendly gesture is not very ladylike where I come from."

He opened the door as she turned towards him swiftly and her fist grabbing his collar. "I will gladly show you ladylike—"

"Ehem..." someone cleared their throat.

Riona flicked her eyes and met with the displeased scorn of Ulric. She reluctantly loosened her fist and shoved the material back and immediately returned to her straight posture. Vally slightly stepped back a bit pale, though he was quick to find his composure. "Even the queen can't keep her hands off me," he airily chuckled but his jaw was met with a fist a second later.

His back bumped against the doorframe and a hand reached to cup his face in surprise. His eyes now wide and strands of hair dangling over them. Riona breathed heavily, her cheeks burning and her lips sealed tight. He had tugged on the wrong leash and she was sure to put a dog in its place. Ulric sent both of them a glare. "Adults do not behave like brats. Both of you should know better."

The old gentleman reached to help Vally to stand firmly on his feet. The young man dropped his gaze in some sort of shame. "Apologies sir, I'll certainly deem to be more appropriate around her highness in the future."

Riona simply turned away and walked off without a word. In her mind, she had no time for this type of poppycock; especially from a perfectly grown man who is expected to behave like one.

Ulric's focus moved back towards Vally. The old butler stared him up and down, analyzing the new arrival. "You seem familiar. Have we met before?" wondered the butler. Vally pursed his lips in thought before replying, "No, I do not believe so. Perhaps you have seen me when Lord Cornell was chosen to govern the East side?" Ulric shook his head and stared at him a moment longer. Vally stared back with a small smile. The butler slowly started to nod knowingly. Something had clicked in his head and a smile crept to his face. "She is intrigued by you, Lord Vally. She values distant proximity but do dare to break the barrier."

Vally blinked stunned. Had the butler just told him to keep on with what had been doing?