Chapter 81 Strange visit
A familiar knock sounded on the door as Mira stepped in, her eyes taking in her surroundings.
A small smile crept on her face with recognition. “My lady.” Relief flooded her voice.
“I'm so glad you're okay,” She said in a high-pitched voice as she embraced Isabella, forgetting herself for a quick second.
“Oh my God!” She exclaimed, quickly pulling off as it dawned on her what she had just done. “I'm so sorry, my lady…forgive me…I was…I really was excited.” She spluttered, the words tumbling out of her mouth. Her smile that of embarrassment.
Isabella waved it off. “I can imagine, Mira. It's okay.”
Mira shook her head, her hands positioned in front of her like a child who was being scolded. “His Majesty will have my head when he finds out what I have done.”
Isabella giggled at Mira’s whispers.
“It's good to see you here.” She motioned to the chair behind her for Mira to have a seat.
Mira nodded gratefully, sitting down, her hands placed in front of her. “I had to come check on you, my lady.”
Her voice held sincerity to it, but if Isabella had looked closely, she would have realised that there was a certain sneer to it.
“I'm sorry I haven't come sooner. The reallocation of our roles has had me reeling.”
Isabella nodded, an excited smile creeping up her face. “So, tell me. How has it been, fitting into it? It's a big deal, Mira.”
Mira batted her eyelids shyly. “That's what you think, my lady. But it's hard, especially considering all the things happening now.” She lowered her gaze to the floor.
Isabella nodded understandingly. “I get you, but you have to make the most of it, Mira. You're the head servant.”
A shade of pink appeared on Mira's cheeks, indicating that she was blushing. “That has suddenly risen through a lot of ranks. Leapt actually.” She corrected herself immediately.
Isabella smiled, shaking her head. She couldn't seem to understand why Mira was unhappy about her new position.
“There are a lot of people who would kill to be where you are now.”
“Not under these circumstances.” Mira smarted, her voice a stark contrast to what she said and the expression on her face.
Isabella grunted as she picked up the wool she had been knitting. “It really is nice to have you visit us.”
Mira's eyes rolled for a split second and if you hadn't been staring right at her, you would miss it.
“How's life in the East Wing?” She changed the subject deftly, looking around, as if taking the surroundings in for the first time.
Isabella shrugged, her hands working the needles. “We are allowed to step out. I think that has to count for something.”
Mira hesitated. “I guess it does.”
Both women fell silent, allowing the silence to fill the space as they battled with their individual thoughts.
“How's everyone?” Isabella was the first to break the silence.
“You know, there's something that just does not prepare you for things like this.” She continued, without waiting for an answer from Mira.
Mira shifted in her seat, giving Isabella all her attention. The young queen focused her attention on the clothes with reverent attention.
She looked up, having realised that Mira was waiting for her to speak. “One day you wake up and you realise you're still fighting the things you've been fighting since the beginning of time.
Mira's expression changed into what looked like pity before a cross shadow flashed her face, returning her attention to neutral.
It was clear that she was fighting something.
“...and the guards.” Isabella continued, forcing Mira to concentrate. “It's funny how their allegiance changes with every new big thing that happens.”
She paused swallowing loudly. “I know I sound bitter.” She said with a smile.
“No…no you don't, my lady.” Mira protested, shaking her head vehemently. “I…” She swallowed.
“I honestly think it's an honest emotion right now. I mean, you've just been thrown out…” her eyes widened as she realised her error. “God, I'm so sorry.” She covered her mouth with her palms as she looked everywhere but Isabellas's face.
Isabella smiled. “That's one way to put it, but I understand.” Her lips curled into a disdainful smile. “At least you're being honest.”
Mira shook her head. She wished the ground would just open up and make her disappear.
She'd been trying so hard not to do or say anything that would give her away, and now she'd done just the exact thing.
Isabella hummed as she lay out the cardigan she'd just knitted, a soft longing smile on her face.
“Boredom makes you do a lot of things. I never thought knitting would be one of mine.”
Mira smiled as she ran her hands through the cardigan. “The colours,” she gasped softly, her eyes lighting up. “They're so pretty.”
Isabella blushed. “I agree.” She nodded. “I'm pretty sure Elias will love them.”
Mira nodded with a smile. “I agree too.” The light dimmed from her face, her expression turning into one of concern. “How is he?”
Isabella sighed, worry lines creasing over her forehead. “Taking it better than I would have expected.”
Mira nodded. “I can imagine,” she whispered. “And you?” She asked the one question that had hung in the room since she'd come in.
They'd virtually said everything there was, spoke about the most mundane things except the one thing that mattered; her mental health.
Isabella looked away. “You know, he doesn't ask about Lucien any more.”
Mira rolled her eyes. Trust Isabella to shy away from the topic.
“He knows what's happening, and thinks asking about Lucien would make me cry.”
“You've been crying,” Mira observed loudly
Isabella looked away, biting her lips. “I'm not that weak.” She chuckled.
As she spoke, her mind wandered to the night she'd seen her blood and the fuel.
She could bring it up now with Mira. She'd never spoken about it to anyone. Not even Lucien.
She couldn't speak about it to Lucien. He had a lot on his plate and she was not ready to add to it.
Isabella shrugged. Of what use was there in hiding it? She'd already averted the danger. “There's something I think you should know.”
She opened her mouth to speak when the door opened and Elias bobbed in.
“Mummy!” He squealed, running up to her. From the corner of her eyes, Isabella could see Mira’s eyes flash with disappointment, before returning to their normal expression.
“Hi Mira,” Elias waved before taking Isabellas's palms. “I need to tell you all we did today.”
Isabella forced herself to concentrate on Elias’s excited talk, her mind racing. She had not been hallucinating when Mira had done that.
Her brain was working overtime, with occasional hmms to Elias, with her wondering the best cover-up.
Now that she thought about it, it was all coming together. She'd seen Mira just a few feet away from the scene of the averted accident.
What if…just what if…
She shook her head, shaking the thoughts away. It was all to far fetched. Mira had said she was coming to see her.
“You aren't listening to me, Mommy!” Elias whined.
“My Lady?” Mira called at the same time, both drawing her out of her thoughts. “You were saying something before the young prince came in.”
Mira swallowed. She glanced at Elias apologetically. “Mommy is gonna give you her full attention now. She just needs to finish with Mira okay?”
Elias nodded grudgingly.
She glanced up at Mira. “Was I?” She facepalmed herself. “I can't believe I've forgotten what it was I was about to say.”
Mira nodded, a disappointed expression crossing her face. “I understand, My lady.” She stood up, curtseying.
“Duty calls, doesn't it?” Isabella teased, despite the battles going on in her head.
Mira nodded meekly. “Wish I could stay more to keep you and the young prince company.”
“Oh, come on, Mira.” Isabella waved it off. “You've done enough already for Elias and me.” Her smile was grateful.
Mira nodded one last time as she stepped out, closing the door with a click.
She exhaled in relief, her eyes darting sideways as she took in deep breaths.
For a moment, she'd been scared that she had given herself away. She sighed, opening her eyes as she began to walk back to the palace.
As she walked, she answered the greetings of the staff passing by, well aware of the fingers being pointed at her.
She got to a stop, aware that the road to her quarters would lead to the right. Instead, Mira took a detour, walking left before stopping in front of a huge boulder.
She glanced over her shoulder carefully, knowing that she could not afford to be followed. With one huge swipe, she slid an envelope into the boulder before standing upright.
Convinced that there was no one following her, she began her walk back to her quarters, walking slowly and purposefully, completely unaware of the pair of brown eyes that glared at her from a distance.