"So how's your mother?" The Queen asked Sabrina as they walked side to side in the compound of the castle.
"She's good. She was very happy when I was asked to marry the prince, she wanted to come with me but she's very busy at the moment." Sabrina explained with a smile. "I'm missing her already."
"Awwn, there's no need for that. You have me already. Okay?" Sabrina nodded giddily. "If you need anything, anything at all, just tell me okay?"
"Yes mother."
"That's correct." The Queen beamed.
They walked in silence, reveling in the cool atmosphere. Ariel cleared her throat before speaking. "Ermm, so about Luciano,"
Sabrina raised her brows at her in confusion. "Luciano?"
"Yes dearie, I want to apologize for his beha-"
"There's no need for that mother. It's okay, I understand." She placed her hand on Ariel's shoulder giving her a warm smile.
"It's just... He wasn't like that before, I feel-"
"Mother," Sabrina called and stopped walking, placing her two hands on the Queen's shoulders. "I understand well, okay? He'll change. I'm sure he would."
"Thank you darling. This is what I need, somebody like you who would give me assurance, rest of mind, just what I need." The Queen smiled. Sabrina nodded before she continued walking, with the Queen beside her.
"He's just getting worse each day."
"Worse?" Sabrina raised her brows at the Queen.
"Yeah, he doesn't listen to anyone again. Nothing even his father, he's just getting stubborn."
Sabrina lets out a small laugh, smiling her way through.
"I mean it! He doesn't listen to anyone again! Ever since that slave began working for him."
Sabrina snapped her head to look at the Queen in confusion. "Slave? What slave?"
"Oh? You don't know about her." The Queen took a deep breath before revealing. "He chose one of the Narvas' to be his personal slave and ever since then, he doesn't listen to anyone. Even when I warned him about her, about what they did to us, he did not even listen or heed to my advice of choosing a new maid."
"Hmmm, who's this special slave if I may ask?"
"You would see her- Oh! Remember that stupid maid from yesterday at the dinner." The Queen asked, staring at her with eyes open.
"Ohh, the one who stood still staring at me?" Sabrina asked, her face already scrunching in irritation.
"Yeah, that's her. That's the stupid slave who made my son change." The Queen stared into space, her face contorted in a frown.
"Well, bad for her cause Sabrina is here. I would put her stupid games to a stop. Nobody messes with me or what belongs to me."
"That's right. Now that you're here you can help me deal with her, right?"
"Yes mother. You can trust me on this one."
"That's good." The Queen smiled at her. "You give me more reasons to like you."
"Sure mother." Sabrina answered, returning the smile. "Now, if you would excuse me I would like to return to my room."
"Sure, darling."
She took a bow before turning around and walking to the castle.
As she walked into the hallway leading to her room after climbing the stairs, she smirked and chuckled evilly. Nothing is going to come in her way not even a helpless slave.
If killing her would get her out of her way, she would delightfully do it.
*
*
Nikolai moved around his room whistling to an unending song. He moved to the door, opened it and exited the room. He walked into the hallway and down the stairs whistling his way through.
He was happy. Guess why?
He finally got to know that beautiful maiden's name. He had seen her walking around the palace today, so he use the opportunity to ask a slave around for her name.
Since then, her name has been ringing in his head, forming a sweet melody.
Today has really been a good day for him.
He walked down the stairs and out of the castle to spend a good time, taking a walk round the castle. As he was about to turn to the way leading to the training ground, he suddenly bumped into someone making the person stumble.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry."
The maid bent down to pick up her equipment which had fallen down.
His brows raised immediately when he realized that it's the beautiful maid he couldn't stop thinking about, Gwendolyn.
He bent down immediately and assisted her in picking her cleaning equipment.
She froze immediately, staring up at him in shock. She couldn't believe her eyes. How could a royal help a slave? A common detested slave. This is beyond normal in her eyes.
Nikolai handed the equipment to her, offering her a warm smile. "Hey beautiful."
Gwendolyn tucked her hair behind her ear smiling shyly before replying. "Hi."
"Sorry I bumped into you, I didn't realize I was walking real fast." He apologized, making Gwen widen her eyes in surprise.
"No! No! It's alright. I was the one who wasn't looking well." She scratched her head nervously shifting from one foot to the other. She had never held a conversation with a royal. Talk more of one apologizing to her. She really can't believe this.
"Uhm okay. So what's your name beautiful?" Nikolai asked. He sure knows her name, but he really wants the conversation to keep going and this is the only way to achieve that.
"Uhm, I.... It's... Sorry... I'm.... I... Sorry I have to go." She stuttered helplessly before scurrying out of there before she embarrassed herself more than ever.
Nikolai chuckled, staring at her retreating figure. She was definitely shy.
Well, he's gonna see her again and he will surely hold a longer conversation.
He turned around and continued his walk whistling all through.
*
*
Luciano walked into the hallway leading to his father's chambers with two of his personal guards behind him.
He opened the door to his father's room and stepped inside without knocking.
Axel looked up from the scroll he was writing on to stair at his son. "How have you suddenly forgotten how to knock Luciano?"
"We need to talk."
"Talk? About what?" Axel asked, setting the scroll aside and relaxing on the chair.
Luciano stared at his father intently before answering in a cold voice. "About Sabrina."