Chapter 20 The Queen

The first warm sunshine of the morning shone on my face. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then slowly opened them.

The other side of the bed was empty. He was gone, again, just like the first night.

Leon always left without my knowing it.

No good morning greetings, no goodbye kiss. I felt sad and lost, and the smell of him still lingered on the other side of the bed.

I moved my body to the position where Leon had slept last night, and my face was pressed against the silk sheet. A faint smell of grass filled my nose. I imagined touching Leon’s cheek and kissing his lips.

Oh, what was happening to me? Why was I so sad about him? I felt like my heart and body had left with him. At that moment, a voice outside interrupted my thoughts.

“Miss Emily, are you up?” A maid’s cautious voice sounded from outside the door.

“Oh, yes! I’m getting up!” I sat up to answer the voice outside the door.

“Can you come in and serve me now?” The maid asked again.

I cleared my throat and tidied my unkempt hair a little. After taking two deep breaths, I calmed down my slightly sad mood from earlier. “Okay, please come in!” I said calmly.

Two maids pushed open the door and entered. I looked up. It was the first time for my maids, Gina and Lucy, to serve me. I didn’t know why, but when I saw Lucy, my mouth involuntarily curved into a smile.

It seemed that Lucy made me feel more comfortable than ever. When she saw me, she also smiled. Lucy looked so cute with the freckles on her cheeks.

“Miss Emily, Prince Leon asked us to serve you!” Lucy came to my bed, holding a new lavender dress in her hands.

“Did Prince Leon tell you where he went this morning?” I blurted out, even though I knew I might not get an answer from the maid. I just really wanted to know about Leon. It seemed that as long as anyone knew Leon, I would try to ask them where he had gone.

God, I must be going crazy! Even Shirley seemed to be influenced by my emotions and became a little fidgety.

“I don’t know, Miss Emily!” Lucy whispered in response.

“If you don’t even know where Prince Leon went, then we certainly won’t know!” Gina maintained her old-fashioned demeanor while combing my hair. She inadvertently caught a glimpse of the lost expression on my face in the mirror and added, “Normally, Prince Leon visits the barracks before dawn. It’s been his habit for many years.”

“So, he should be in the barracks now, right?” My eyes sparkled with joy. “When will he come back?”

“Usually, Prince Leon returns to the court during lunchtime,” Gina said. “I can help you put on the pearl necklace.”

“I don’t want to wear that necklace,” I replied, picking up the green pendant necklace from the dresser.

“Please help me put on this one instead.” This green pendant necklace was a gift from my mother, and I wanted to wear it all the time. Its presence helped me remember my memories.

“But this necklace is a gift from the Queen,” Gina protested.

“If you refuse to wear it, Queen Catherine may punish us. She has invited you to breakfast, and if you wear this necklace, she will be pleased.” I corrected some grammar errors and made the sentences clearer.

Lucy whispered a reminder to Emily, “The queen doesn’t like being rejected!” However, Gina stared at Lucy, causing her to immediately bend down and put on Emily’s shoes without saying a word.

Emily contemplated for a moment before deciding to put the green pendant necklace back on the dresser. Gina then helped her put on a pearl necklace, with each full pearl shining brightly.

As Emily looked at herself in the mirror, she appeared to be a noble woman with heavy makeup, making her look more mature. However, this was not the real her.

She reminded herself that this was the court and she needed to get used to everything here. Emily comforted herself, believing that she would gradually improve.

Upon entering the dining room, Emily saw Leon’s mother, Queen Catherine, sitting at the table waiting for her. As soon as the queen saw her, she smiled and said, “You look beautiful, Emily! Come here!”

I sat to the left of Queen Catherine, and the maid set the table for me, placing a large breakfast in front of me.

“Come on, I hope you enjoy these dishes!” Queen Catherine was in a very cheerful mood, and her crown shone with golden light. The queen had purple eyes like Leon, and time had not left any obvious marks on her face, except for a few wrinkles that appeared around her eyes when she smiled.

The queen’s every move was dignified and proper, and she ate without making any noise. I tried to be as dignified and careful as possible when eating, fearing that any incorrect behavior would lead to the queen’s dissatisfaction.

“Oh, Emily! Please make yourself at home, especially in front of me,” Queen Catherine said, looking at me. “Your eyes tell me that you don’t seem too happy. Are these dishes not to your liking?”

“No, your highness. These dishes are delicious! Thank you for inviting me to dinner! I feel honored!” I thanked Queen Catherine, and she nodded her head slightly.

“So, it’s emotional issues that are bothering you?” Queen Catherine put down her utensils and looked at me seriously. “Tell me, dear. Is this about Leon? Don’t try to hide it from me. As an experienced person, I can easily see your thoughts in your eyes. Come on, tell me what’s going on!”

I swallowed the last bite of food in my mouth and thought for a few seconds. Should I tell Queen Catherine the secret hidden in my heart?

Did she deserve my trust?