The Hidden Secret

Chapter 6

The next day Cordelia and Tessa, once again, set outside after lunch. Cordelia had managed to set up a time with Zen in the little meet that they had the previous day. When Tessa learned about this earlier in the morning, she was felt everything but happiness run through her. For some reason, she couldn't get herself to trust the young fellow. She wasn't sure why she felt the way she did. He hadn't done anything wrong, as far as she knew.

She wanted to play it safe and went as far as having one of the apprentice to the royal secretary gather information about him. Surely, there wasn't much he had to offer. Even so, Tessa couldn't rest easy. There was something about him that she didn't trust. So when the Princess announced that they were to walk around with him later in the afternoon, she felt her mood sour.

She couldn't understand why Cordelia wanted to get acquainted with a commoner. She was to marry Prince Cooper and there was nothing that she could do or say that would change that. As far as Tessa was aware, the two were comfortable with each other to the point where one could argue that they were in love. So the idea of Cordelia getting excited and showing interest in a commoner, ultimately breaking a legal bond, confused Tessa.

"Say, Princess," She said as they walked towards Zen's Aunt's jewelry shop. "Why is it that you are looking this forward to meet someone like Zen?"

"Whatever do you mean, Tessa?" The Princess asked. She was genuinely confused.

"Are you interested in him?" Tessa's question halted Cordelia in her tracks with wide innocent eyes.

"Of course, not!" She exclaimed, her pitch higher than usual. "What gave you that idea? I am an engaged woman! My heart belongs to someone else, someone I trust." Tessa's head hung, embarrassed. Out of all the reactions she was used to, this one was relatively new to her; defensive. She had never seen the Princess react the way she did.

"Forgive me, Princess. I was just curious since you've been really excited to meet him." Cordelia shook her head and continued walking. Her mood was ruined without any questions and Tessa could sense it. She silently followed Cordelia, regretting to be blunt.

As they walked, Cordelia couldn't help but think of what Tessa had asked. Was she really that excited to meet a young man who wasn't Prince Cooper? No, of course not! She was merely excited at the thought of meeting someone, a new friend. Someone who wasn't obliged to be with her. Someone who didn't know the horrors of isolation that she had been through.

Living in a Palace all her life, the only thing Cordelia befriended were books. She had learned to not trust many. Her servants and maids who used to be around her as a child never considered her as her friend. As a child, she didn't know any better. She considered them as her friends, having read about the idea of friends in books. The only problem was that they treated her as a royal child.

They all wore fake smiles and laughed fake laughs to comfort her. She eventually learned to not trust them; they did always end up telling the Queen about her dirty little secrets. The only person she truly ever trusted was Tessa, and occasionally her brother, but other than them, she was all alone. She felt like a prisoner trapped in the Palace. It felt less like home and more as a solitary confinement.

Her intentions towards Zen were pure. She desired his friendship and nothing else. Besides, friendship was all she could offer to anyone. The fact that Tessa had suspected that there could be any other intention other than friendship, surprised and amazed her. On some levels, she almost felt betrayed.

"We're here." Cordelia heard Tessa mumble as the two stopped before the long line leading inside the shop. There was no doubt that the two had come at a busy hour. Everyone was waiting to buy their precious stones. Cordelia wasn't the least bit surprised. She knew a worthy stone when she saw one and the one that she picked for Tessa was the most worthy one. However, the thought of that stone, that ruby, it made Cordelia sigh heavily. The little child in her felt the need to yank the ruby from Tessa's neck. She didn't deserve it in the end. The child in Cordelia thought. Cordelia quickly dismissed that thought. It was rather rude to think of such a thing.

Without another thought, Cordelia and Tessa walked into the shop. Zen, his aunt and another two young men were helping customers with their demands. Zen was the one who saw Cordelia and when he did, he quickly pulled one of the other two men in his place, yelling a thank you over his shoulder before jumping over the counter and walking towards Cordelia. "Behave Zen!" His Aunt screamed from the back.

A few of their customers chuckled as they watched Zen walk over to Cordelia. They couldn't help but stare at the young maiden for a few seconds. It was a known fact that the Princess was beautiful. Everyone in the Kingdom knew and agreed with it, even though they had not met her personally. Cordelia wasn't faced by their stares. A few of them took the liberty to stare at Tessa too. However, unlike Cordelia, Tessa wasn't used to the attention. All her life she had hidden her face and only shown it when it was needed. The only person who had ever looked at her with a beauty interest was Prince James. He had seen what Tessa tried to hide all her life. He was the first one to ever call her beautiful, for she indeed was a beauty.

Lowering her head and turning away from the crowd, she politely acknowledged Zen, swallowing her pride. She had already made the Princess upset and she'd do everything in her way to not upset her any further.

"Afternoon Zen."

"Hello Miss Dalia, Miss Tessa." He greeted with a happy smile. "Shall we go?"