She Returned

The whole kingdom watched with bated breath as Gwen recovered and scheduled a second visit to the same elementary school where she got poisoned.

"I really want to fix their memory of my visit. I don't want them to have a trauma about it all their lives. Kids could remember something for the rest of their lives. I want to show them that I can be there and be ok."

When Samantha heard about this, she lashed at Rainier, "Are you insane? Why will you let her go back there?"

"She wants to do it. And I understand her reason. When she decides to do something, she doesn't change her mind. If I lock her in my palace, she'll try to break the wall. But don't worry, I'll be there with her."

So, instead of only being visited by their queen, the students of that elementary school got to be visited by the king as well.

The situation was a little awkward and tense. The students seemed to be afraid to do something wrong, unlike her first visit where they were all more expressive. This time, it seemed like if they spoke too loud or they moved too much, Queen Gwen would be poisoned and vomit blood all over again.

"Why are you all so quiet?" she asked. "I'm still the same Gwen, and yes, somebody tried to hurt me, but you didn't do it. Also, I'm all healed now! And I'm here to have lunch with all of you again!"

"But what if someone hurts you again?" a little girl asked.

"Your majesty!" her homeroom teacher said in a low tone to the little girl. "Say Your Majesty, Cecilia!"

"It's alright. Don't worry about it. Cecilia, I swear I'm going to fine this time. Let's go to the cafeteria and have lunch together."

Gwen offered her hand, and Cecilia reached for it. Hand-in-hand, Gwen returned to the cafeteria with the whole school, with Rainier beside her. This time, Sally was the one who prepared Gwen's meal. She took a separate portion from the food and tea, then placed it on the food tray herself. She wiped everything clean with a disinfectant first, then tasted all the food to test whether it was poisoned.

Gwen had requested the menu to be exactly the same like the previous visit.

The same students from the third grade sat at the same table with her, and they were all staring at her, as if bracing themselves for another incident.

Gwen took the plastic teacup and smiled at them. "Look, I'm going to drink this. And I'm going to be alright!"

The poison was put on her cup, not in the tea.

Honestly, she was the one who was the most scared of getting it repeated, but she could be a good actress, she hid her feelings, because she was determined to set things right with those kids.

She drank all the tea. Everyone looked at her, as if they were counting until she started vomiting blood.

"Look, I'm really alright! Now, let's start our lunch!"

The kids cheered and clapped their hands. Some even said, "Whew!!! That's scary!"

The lunch was some stir-fried chicken with soup, mashed potatoes, canned plums, and tea. Gwen ate everything as she made small talks with the kids around her. When she's done listening to them at one point, she felt her back was being caressed.

She looked to her right, and saw Rainier smiling at her. He said nothing, but he patted her back.

It was a visit with a happy ending. Nothing bad happened, and the school president from the fifth grade reported to Gwen that the whole school collected money and donated to an orphanage to pray for her recovery.

"You are really awesome! Study well, stay healthy, and reach me at the palace's social media. I hope I can see you all again!"

Then sent her off with waves and happy smiles.

In the car on the way back to the palace, she sagged at the backseat, taking deep breaths.

"Are you alright?" Rainier asked, alarmed.

"Just tired. It's my first event after leaving the hospital."

"Your schedule is empty now. You can have some rest."

"I will."

"But, really. I think you're born to be a queen."

She looked at him.

"Returning to that school was really brave," he said, his tone was full of awe.

"I had to make it right for them."

"You really did."

He was looking at her like he was half amused, and half annoyed of her.

He smiled and pulled her to his side, hugging her.

"At times like this, you should've told me I did a great job," she reprimanded him.

"Good job," he whispered.

She shoved him a little, and he pretended to glare at her.

"I really wanted a sweet partner, but I'm stuck with you!"

"You're indeed stuck with me."

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Even after everything's been said and done, Rainier still hadn't allowed Gwen to have her own cellphone. As she learnt to accept Rainier as he was, she even forgot that she used to use a cellphone. All communications from outside the palace went through Kara's work number, and everything that was related with the palace went through Sally's number.

When Rainier needed to talk to her, he'd call her through the landline, or he'd email her if it was not urgent.

Gwen got used to it.

But it also resulted with Harry Whitfield sending her concerned emails about her health.

Naturally, Rainier read everything. And from her replies, he knew that she wasn't interested in Harry Whitfield. Harry would always suggest for them to meet, but Gwen kept on saying that for the time being, all communications they had related with the charity organization and Cattleya Skincare brand ambassadorship should just be through emails.

Jake thought that the king looked a little smug when he was reading things at his laptop recently. It made him curious, since his expression when he read about his kingdom was usually very serious.

***************************************************

After several times of postponement, Rainier's Equal Trade Law was finally launched in March that year. The top 5 biggest companies in the kingdom was ordered to promote their own rivals that were considered small to middle level businesses. To commemorate that event, there would be a gala dinner with the top 5 conglomerates and 25 small to middle business owners.

Gwen predicted it would be a tense event, since there had to be animosity from the conglomerates. She prepared the event with Mark and Kara.

"I hope nothing bad would happen except some sarcastic comments," Mark said nervously.

"And if there were any sarcastic comments from the conglomerates, I hope the king could control his emotions," Gwen replied.

The three of them stared at each other anxiously. It would be an interesting gala.