HIS FUTURE QUEEN

MEET HIM AGAIN

CHAPTER 6

ELIK

“Where to, your highness?” Saul asked me as soon as we slid through the back of the car. His formality still irritated me a lot, but we were back in Giorginia, and more and more people could hear us-- so I let it pass.

“The Queen asked me to attend the tea ceremony offered for the students. I think it's the perfect time to meet them. Tomorrow is the start of the interview. It would be better to meet them now than after the interview since there would be hearts crushed after tomorrow.” Those who would not be chosen would be sent home immediately.

The tour was done when the meeting with the board concluded. I could have met the students earlier to excuse myself for the two hours of activity with the Queen, but I was held by the board longer than expected. Now I would be stuck in another two hours while the tea meeting with the Queen progressed.

In a few minutes, we arrived at the palace grounds, and I went directly to my office. I still had time—no need for me to stand and welcome them when they arrived. The Queen and the Duke’s presence was enough.

*

KLAUD

The scene in the hospital garden was momentarily forgotten as the service cars halted at the receiving area of the PALACE. I firmly placed the ghost at the back of my mind. Anyway, it might be my mind playing tricks on me.

I looked around and found that the PALACE itself was not so huge. It was smaller than the one in the UK but still great. The 200-plus-year-old building was well maintained. The walls and columns were shining on their own. On closer look, tiny bits of jewel-like thing was embedded in the stone itself.

Cool, I whispered my admiration. I haven't seen anything like it back home.

As we progressed toward the inside of the PALACE, what I expected from the old castles and palaces, for instance, smelling like old books, dark and hulky with heavy curtains, chipping paints, cracked walls, old and heavy pieces of types of furniture, and a lot more, never unfolded in my eyes.

Instead, the PALACE was lavishly decorated but had that lighter feel. The interior couldn’t be described as entirely modern, but it was a combination of the old and new, blended in such a way that it created a whole new personality. On top of that, the smell of lavender and honey hung heavy in the air. It was invigorating. I really should ask where they were making those fragrances. It smelled big bucks to me.

I looked up and adored the high ceilings ornate with expensive chandeliers, and the wall displayed several paintings of the throne successions, especially that of the sitting royal family.

I stood in front of one of the huge paintings and saw the five-member family of the current kingdom ruler in their formal and official attire. Beginning with the Queen in her white lace and embroidered gown with her red band hanging on her shoulder down to her waist and her beautiful crown, the Duke in his official uniform, a black coat with a red band and hanging in his coat were medals of honor. The two princesses, just like the Queen, wore a white gown with the same red band; their tiaras rested on their heads, which I think were made of diamonds, would make anyone wish to become a princess like them. They were perfect examples of majestic beauty.

And lastly, the Prince. It was the first time I saw an image of him as it was kept away from social media. He looked so much like the Duke, especially in his uniform. They were like the young and old. Oh, but the Duke was not so old, looking like a man in his thirties that seemed frozen in time. He still looked dashing in his mid-forties, I guess? However, the prince standing beside him and at the back of the ladies'… looked stellar.

His deep-set of ocean blue eyes were mesmerizing, his face chiseled perfectly, and his physique could only be envied by men his age, and women would surely drool over him. He has an air around him that was only worn by people like him, a royal.

However, aside from the fact that he looked so much like his dad, whose pictures I’ve seen on the orientation pamphlet given to us…he still looked weirdly familiar, as if I had seen him before, not just in pictures but in person.

Ever since I stepped into this kingdom, my brain has not been normal. My heart was heavy as the thoughts in my mind. Why did I turn weirdo after landing in this place?

As I kept looking at the handsome Prince, it slowly dawned on me…that quaint smile, the tall figure, the majestic aura of the man, in all my life I have never been attracted to a man…other than the nerdy assh0le in the cafeteria.

I tried to picture him with a beard and grandfather's eyeglasses…I gasped for air...it was him.

Oh my, freaking s**t–

If I could just run away from this place…I would.

Now, I busted my future, and I had just offended a royal who happened to be the one who would grant me access to the fulfillment of my dreams.

What did I call him out loud?

‘Impolite nerd,’ the two words quickly rolled into my mind, not to mention that I told him to 'go to hell,' remembering my improper reaction sent chills down my spine. I was heading straight to my doom, by the looks of it.

I had to pray hard tonight for the Prince not to remember me. That would be my only hope.

My sharp tongue could ruin everything for me…

I was so disappointed with myself, I wanted to cry a river, but Peter’s voice broke into my morbid thoughts about my future.

“Let’s go, they opened the reception area, and the Queen and the Duke were there. Let us fall in line,” Peter said excitedly. I wished I could share his excitement, but I couldn’t.

I kept my eyes on the floor to hide the horrified look in my eyes and to prevent my friends from reading what was in my mind. Shattered dreams? I guess it was too early for that, but I feel terrible. Should I apologize?

We stood in line with the rest of the students. I saw the Queen and the Duke, nodding and shaking hands with the students, smiling adorably. They looked so majestic as they should be. The posture, the gestures…ah, even the blind would know they were royal creatures–they have blue blood in their bodies, not the red ones the commoners have.

Of course, the blue color of blood was a myth. The veins that appeared in their flawless, white, and luminous skin made it look blue, more of an optical illusion because most royals have immaculate fair skins, just like the royals before us.

I was relieved that only the Queen and the Duke were here to welcome us. However, my good feeling was short-lived because with only two students before me until it was time to extend courtesy…the handsome Prince decided to join the receiving panel.

My pair of hands started to shake and sweat as I caught a pair of blue optics intently glaring at me. All the more, the tension in my poor heart was too much to handle. He was looking at me, which meant he remembered me.

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat when it was my time to greet the Queen, who genuinely smiled at me.

“Good afternoon, your majesty,” I greeted her with a tension-filled voice.

She didn’t say a word but slowly and slightly bowed her head, and her smile grew. It surprised me when she extended a hand, initiating a handshake. We were told not to touch the royals unless they initiated the gesture, and she did. However, instead of feeling overwhelmed with joy, my heart and mind were overwhelmed with embarrassment.

The Duke was not there when it was my turn since someone approached him to make a call. He had excused himself and turned his back. In his place, the Prince was the one who stood with the Queen.

I swallowed the thick liquid in my throat before I greeted the Prince.

“G-good afternoon, your majesty,” I shakily uttered as I curtsied, my breathing hitched, waiting for a response. I wished he wouldn’t remember me.

“Good afternoon, Ms. McLennon,” was how he greeted me back. He got my name on the nametag with no smile on his lips. He was so cold, but his gaze at me penetrated even my smallest bone. He did not extend his hand, so I bowed my head and moved slowly away from him.

I bit my lower lips and walked away. The rapid beat of my heart resonated in my ears, deafening to me. And his gaze? I could still feel it behind me, even though I was walking away from him.

God! How about my future now? Would he reject my scholarship grant tomorrow? Did I blow my chances of being accepted into the scholarship program? I blinked back, the tears forming in the rims of my eyes. Suddenly, I lost interest in the most awaited PALACE tour.

“Hey, why do you look so sad?” Mia asked. “What happened?”

‘Hell happened. I am doomed.’ I would like to say, but I kept my lips sealed shut.

“Are you feeling alright? You’ve been so quiet since you queued to meet the royal family.”

“I-i…I am alright,” I tried so hard not to stutter, but to no avail. I was disheartened.

“No, Klaud. This is not normal. Did anyone offend you?” He asked in a stiff voice.

I shook my head repeatedly. “No one offended me. I offended one of them,” I whispered. I didn’t know if my voice was audible.

But they did hear me. “You what?” they chorused. A mix of confusion and worry was evident in their eyes.

“The Prince. He was the same man I bumped into at the cafeteria back home,” I responded under my breath. I decided to tell them what was bothering me.

“Oh, Gee…” was all they said. They both look back to where the royals were still receiving the other students. They looked at the Prince and heaved a long sigh...sad sigh. They knew it wasn't looking good for me.

I swallowed hard. I fully understand why he didn’t bend down to help me. It was against their protocol.

I even ignored his effort to communicate with me after the incident: me and my big mouth and my temper.

However...I had no idea then that he was the Prince...hmm, perhaps an apology could wipe out the impression he might have on me?