A Royal Love Triangle

Five

Reina is in the royal kitchen, one of her many hobbies is baking and she doesn't see it as a heart wrenching chore, it's something she enjoys doing. There is little flour on her face while she works; she walks over to the large table with a napkin to properly clean them before setting the freshly baked bread and biscuits.

She is humming a song unconsciously as she parades the wide kitchen, tip toeing and allowing her to swirl in circles and match the tune coming from her mouth.

The princess, Constance was going to have some noble friends coming over and this was being prepared for her visiting friends. It is a surprise that Reina's mother allowed her to take such work especially when she labelled her as the clumsy one.

Princess Constance in one of the royal servants is afraid to work with after her mother, her sharp tongue, her hands that would smack you if you talked longer than you should have. And yet still, she’s here—doing bidding for that same princess—how satisfying.

A knock on the door shifts her attention and Reina turns to it, she is not ready to head over to open it and she is hoping whoever is behind it would go away.

Prince Andrew! Reina says in shock as the napkin falls, her hits hits he baking table.

Andrew enters into the kitchen after he caught the whiff of something delicious, it reminds him of a time where he was younger and would sneak into the kitchen for some ginger bread and chocolate cake.

"I guess the aroma comes from here, lovely." He says and Reina blushes but takes it off her face too. She should play harder.

He walks over to her and picks the napkin from the floor; he collects her hands and places it into her palm while she stares at him like he's the best thing that has ever happened to her. Andre smiles, he has probably see the admiration in her eyes, like every other servant girl he has charmed.

She realizes how focused she is on his appearance, so she mildly clears her throat and takes a step back.

Anything I can help with? Andrew asks as he looks around the kitchen and Reina looks at him with wide eyes.

"Nothing, your highness. I'm just waiting for the snacks to bake for a little more time and then, that would be all." She says.

"I see." You seemed to be having fun as you did it. Andrew says walking over to the large table and accessing everything she is doing, ones that she has done too.

May I ask how long you've been watching? Reina asks.

"So long that I could tell baking makes you happy. " He answers and Reina’s face heats up again.

"Yes, it is a hobby." She says.

What are your hobbies...if I may ask? Reina stutters, she wants to carry on with the conversation without crossing the line. She has disrespected him enough at that time on the river.

"Yes, you may." Andrew says, it is almost lie he can tell that she is standing on the edge.

“Horse riding, if you don't mind going with me one day.” Andrew says and he shocks her again with that invite...what would the servants and royals even say if they caught her doing so.

"I've never rode a horse before, I'm afraid I might flop. Reina replies."

"You can ride with me." Andrew replies.

We can go after you have cooked the pastries, if you would like to make that day today? He politely asks.

Ride with you! I'm afraid if...Reina tries to say. She tried to get out of it with making it seem like she cannot ride but then he insisted that they should be on the same horse!?

"I'm prince of Castidan." And I make my own decisions, if I wish to ride with you on the outskirts then who can put an asunder. Andrew says and truly he does sound like the title especially at such tune in which he carried his voice.

Reina thinks about for a moment.

"Sure, I would love to." She says before twirling and putting off the flames. She grabs a napkin to remove the pans out of the furnace, but Andrew steps forward and helps her out.

He takes the napkin from her and pulls the pan one after the other. Reina watches him help and she is as awestruck by how handsome and gentle he was with her. The simple thought of being is wife made her feel fulfilled, of course that felt like a dream that would never come true, but she was here for an opportunity that would change her life.

Oh, where did she begin all this thinking with marriage ideas. Has she really forgotten their status—love between a servant and prince. Sounds like a fairytale they read to princesses.

Andrew places all the freshly baked snacks to the neat table and turns to her.

So, are you ready to go with me? He asks.

"I'm ready if you're ready." She replies with a chuckle and he allows her to head out first before he follows, just like a gentleman.

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One of the feelings Reina would never forget was the feeling of Andrew's hand on her waist, another gentle yet strong touch as he carried her into the horse and climbed after her. Her head rested on his chest and she stole a glance from him where his breath mixed with hers.

She didn’t think being so close to a man would really make her feel so hot and yet different. Reina didn’t know what it was but she hoped it certainly lead to gold and riches.

"Here, you hold unto the reins like this." Andrew says as both his hands surround her and he leads her to the tough reins.

Reina listens to him and holds unto the reins like he says. “His huge hands cascades over her smaller ones as he kicks the horse and they begin to move steadily.” Slow and steady, it is still okay as long as they were not running through the landscapes where she would have to be really close to him.

It sounded like perfect idea since she wanted to bond with him but she wanted to take it slow and not look like a gold digger. And as if heavens did the opposite of her prayer. The horse kicks in and they begin to run around the landscape covered with grasses, they ride so far that the castle looks smaller from where they are.

Andrew gets off the horse and helps her down, his hands roam her waist again and she blushes at the closeness in which they are.

She straightens her gown and faces the horse whose head she pats carefully, appearing to look like someone who cares about animals. It’s all in the act.

"So beautiful." Andrew says.

"Yes, it is." Reina answers.

"I'm talking about you, Reina."

Reina freezes when she hears it, she looks at him and tries to hide the blush growing on her face. He caught her here; she really didn’t expect that compliment.

"Thank you." She quietly replies.

"I bet I'm not the first person to tell you that. Andrew says."

"You are right." I've heard it all my life.” She answers and decides to speak the truth, a little truth would not hurt anyone.

"And why do you not seem very happy about it? He asks."

"What is a pretty face without a good background? Reina replies."

So what is it that would complete your world? Andrew asks as he fixes his hand into his pocket, his light cream shirt moving with zephyr.

Why do you want to know? She asks with nervousness.

What if I can give it you? Andrew asks.

"I'm not sure." Reina says and turns away from him.

Reina? Andrew calls her back but she stands still against the soft wind.

How are you so sure that I cannot give you what you want? He asks walking closer to her.

"It not something simple." She answers choosing not to face him as she speaks.

Reina? He holds her arm and she turns to face him.

"A good life, one where I do not have to clean or worry about tomorrow. A secured living is what I search for the most and it is the only thing that will complete me." She answers.

Can you give me that? She asks.

"Only if you give me what I search for too." Andrew replies.

What is it? Reina asks with nervousness again. There is something off about him all of a sudden.

"Your body, I will be the one to decide what you do with your body. Andrew replies"

What do you mean? Reina takes a step behind her in fear; this isn’t how prince charming was supposed to act. None of anything she has read spoke of anything like this.

Andrew walks closer and grabs her waist to him; I want you to be mine, everything about you to be mine. His breath clashes with hers and he forces her to look him in the eye.