TALK TO HER

- CAMILLA -

Hel tried to grasp my hands before I could even add a statement. I see nothing but a woman walking alongside me with a calm expression on her face till we return to the palace. She should've noticed right away. It was clearly obvious!

It was deafeningly quiet in the hall. The only sounds you can hear are our footsteps and birds chirping along the corridor. I have no choice, but to release my grip on her. "Are you going to pretend that you didn't hear that?" For far too long, I've harbored a resentment towards Serina. She doesn't change at all, either past or present, she's still the same. I wouldn't mind beating her until she couldn't breathe anymore.

"What? Are you going to tell me that you have feelings for her and I'm the reason why you can't be together?" When I recall that day, anger began to rise in my entire body, as if I had been devoured by some uninvited devil. Helvetica preferred that woman over her fiancé!

Even though I was rejecting my feelings for her at that time, I was still her fiancé! "You should calm down a bit." I chuckle. HOW CAN SHE EVEN TELL ME WHAT TO DO WHEN I'M THIS FURIOUS?! "You heard her! She likes you! How can she even like someone who has a wife already?!" How can someone be so selfish?!

"How can I even compete with someone who was there before you met me? Some of the things we did, you DID it with her first! You spoiled her, but then I came along and your attention began to revolve around me!" If only I have the courage to say those words, but I'm too scared that she might think that I don't trust her enough.

"You know right from the start that she likes you, but you're avoiding it—" I was definitely going to vent more, but her voice made me stop. "That's why I hate eavesdropping. You will never know the truth unless you're curious. Sometimes it's better to stay silent and mind your own business next time." The authority in her cold voice made me freeze for a while. Her gaze was fixed on mine with the word IRRITATION sketched all over her face.

"I just wanted you to—"

"There's no 'I just wanted' when you know about it already. You should've just stated what you felt about her to me instead of listening to someone's privacy." No one can accuse me of being irrational. I know what I've gone through and I can't repeat the same history all over again.

"I do like her at first. Don't get the wrong idea; she's fit to be my maid and I chose her on my own. Her demeanor is effervescent, and her attitude is similar to yours. I, on the other hand, simply perceive her as my MAID. And that is all THERE is to IT. You sounded like I was going to replace you after we heard their conversation. Do I like that kind of person?" I was dumbfounded and couldn't even answer a simple question.

"Well, I'm sorry that you looked at me that WAY. I shouldn't have asked you that question." My hands tried to reach out to her, but I was terrified. She walked away, leaving my knees weak as I slowly sat on the floor. Either past or present, why is there still a misunderstanding?

The more I tried to forget about it, the more the image came back to me. I know this isn't the past, but this is THAT story. On where we just started all over again. My cheeks began to flush with tears. I tried to wipe it all away, but it didn't work. Why am I even crying when I was the one who initially burst out?

I look like a child. It's embarrassing. Whoever can see me in this situation might think that I'm pathetic. "So are you going to mope around and cry?" That soft voice drew my attention, only to find Lithia smiling at me as Vien averted her glance.

"An Empress shouldn't be crying in public. Would you like to come with me?" Back then, Lithia and I were close friends. She was a friend of mine when I was still in my original body until I decided to return home and we lost contact.

Lithia extended her hand as I accepted it. Her warm smile is familiar. It's been a while since I saw those gestures. It's because anytime I move around her, she seems distant, as if she's uncomfortable around me. I feel like she doesn't like me. That's why I decided to create a barrier and limit myself from approaching her.

Our feet stopped at her prepared guest room. The servant opened the door widely as we decided to take our seats. Lithia poured some coffee as Vien sat beside her. Why can't my relationship be like them? "I never wanted to hear your conversation. It's just a coincidence that we're taking a break from training." She placed the cup of coffee in front of me.

"Please drink, Your Majesty." I kept my composure as I took a short sip. "I'd like to apologize on behalf of my sister." She smiles slightly while pouring some coffee into Vien's cup. "You must be having mixed emotions after overhearing such an unnecessary confession coming from her maid." She stared right back at me while her hand was placed on her chin.

"Helvetica grew up outside of this palace. She was brought here because her mother married my father." I was going to say something, but she continued to speak. "It's fine, you don't have to say sorry. It's not your fault. Let's leave the past in the past and concentrate on the present. You know what? When Helvetica first arrived here, she looked at me with a disgusted expression on her face." She chuckles as she pours the coffee into her cup.

"I was curious if I had ever done something to offend her. Is it because of the way I look? Is she frightened of me? Does she hate me? Just thinking of that time makes me laugh."

"After that, she would create troubles for me and even step on my personality. However, as I've become older, I've understood she's doing it for my own good. I was hanging a design at that moment, when I accidentally tripped over the ladder. When that happened, she was there for me, but she chose to remain silent despite her desire to assist me."

"After her maid helped me, she fired her and now her maid is now in my care." I was confused, but still, I wanted to listen. "You might be asking what's the relevance of my story to what I overheard from your conversation. But I just wanted you to know that Helvetica has already proven herself to you."

"She accomplished a great deal that she had never had the opportunity to achieve before. My sister has never looked at someone with such tenderness in her eyes. She may have treated her maid similarly, but it is in no way comparable to how she treated you. For all this time, are you doubting that she might throw you like what she did to others?" I nod slightly as I release a heavy sigh.

"I initially despised your presence because I prefer Devourah as her fiancé. But, since you arrived, things have altered dramatically, with my sister beginning to keep everyone. Did you notice how the workers are still the same as before? It's because you said it's not necessary to throw them away, so she kept them permanently." I just sat quietly, unsure of what to say.

She continued to speak as I started to answer. "She did, and I'm grateful for that." And that's how the conversation started. We were just enjoying our usual conversation until we lost track of time and failed to notice that the sun was setting. As she bid her final sentence, the evening began to set in.

"Devourah likes Serina, but Serina likes my sister. Isn't that right? So you'll have to deal with her maid rather than Hel. That's why I wanted to express my support for both of you this time. Of course, I'm not going to let someone be the reason for your misunderstanding. How about you talk to my sister and I'll talk to Serina? How's that sound?" My lips curve a smile.

I'm not sure how to express my gratitude to her. "Thanks to you, I'm feeling a lot better now. I appreciate your help, Princess Lithia." She smiles once again as she signs me to stand up.

"Vien and my relationship isn't that admirable. We all have flaws and weaknesses, and the best way to cure a problem is to talk about it rather than letting someone sulk. It's not going to help. You need to tell her how you feel, Your Majesty. Be TRUE to her." As I walked out of the room, the courage began to enhance my confidence.

"Wishing you a Goodluck, Lady Camilla."