Chapter Nine - A new routine

**Ailenna**

A routine was established after the prince's arrival: every week a new event brought together all the royalty to see the advances between me, my sister and Nikco. On other days, we were free to do anything. Or almost anything.

If Nikco had mandatory classes with his father, Mari and I were required to attend certain places. We had to visit orphanages, schools, hospitals, universities, libraries, museums... All this to show our interest in the throne and, of course, to meet people on the street. The Luavynians wanted to see us more than ever now. I also had to give three interviews, but I heard that Mari gave five. Nothing new about the media's preference for her.

The truth was that the people were thirsty to know every detail of this story while the nobility wanted to test each one of us to know who to bet their chips on. I could barely walk fifty meters into the castle without some noble stopping me to chat - and about the most random topics possible. Yesterday, a noble held me for two hours talking about how Luavynian nobles should receive more fruit in their rooms every morning. I managed not to send him to hell, but it was very close.

Anyway, I made time in my schedule for my readings and to continue writing my scientific articles. Some days I could barely touch my books, but other days I could read a chapter or two before bed. Small victories, I would say. It was the way I found to maintain a minimum of control over my life - which, on some days, didn't even seem like it was mine anymore.

I also made time to meet my friends. An afternoon tea here, a walk in the garden there and I missed most of them. As my mother raised me in the South and later I also went to university there, I took advantage of every trip to the castle to talk to these friends from the nobility, who grew up in the castle. However, few seemed to be interested in me, my life and my projects. The conversation always ended up focusing on Nikco and the damn throne.

Stella is the only one who remains genuinely interested in my friendship. She wasn't my best friend by chance. And that's why she invited me to try on her wedding dress. And I came, even though it was one of the most boring things I've ever experienced. If that's not friendship, I don't know what is.

- So, what do you think of blue embroidery on the dress?

- Stella, you hate blue - I comment, without even taking my eyes off the magazine I'm leafing through.

- I do not hate.

- You faked a faint when your mother forced you to wear blue to an event - I laugh, remembering the scene - And now you're going to embroider your wedding dress with blue?

- That would give me the chance to pass out again - she mumbles, smiling.

I sigh and look at her seriously. That fake joke smile didn't fool me. Stella tries to look away, but I pull her face to mine—with the lack of delicacy only best friends can have.

- Hey - I look into your eyes - you know you don't need to get married. Right?

- We all need to get married - she says, rolling her eyes.

- Not out of obligation - I take her hand - It's okay if you give up or postpone the ceremony.

- Why? - she laughs, but there is no happiness in the sound - To wait for your sister? She would never choose me.

The pain in her voice scares me. Stella's feeling for Mari was much more than just sex. I always knew this, but I hoped things had changed in the last few months. That the engagement and a new love had taken her away from that teenage passion. Apparently, no.

- Neither for her nor for anyone other than yourself. By the goddesses, Stella! You are unhappy!

- I was fine until your sister messed with my head last month! - she screams - I love my fiancé. We are good friends. But she...

Stella pauses and closes her eyes. I don't care that she yelled at me, because I see her desperation. I come even closer and rest my forehead against hers, giving her support. And if we hadn't been so close, I wouldn't have heard what she said next.

- My body screams for her, Lenna - she tells me, in a desperate whisper.

I don't respond, I just hug her. Stella is smaller than me, but her heels put us at the same height. She hides her head in my neck and I feel her tears falling. She presses her body to mine tightly and I let her empty the pain, the anger, the fear...

Stella and I are similar physically, much more than Mari and I are. We could be considered sisters, even though she has slightly lighter skin and is shorter. Her face is also more rounded, like a heart. She definitely has more hips than me, which always made it impossible for us to share clothes when we were teenagers.

However, that is not what unites us. Stella feels things like I do: she seems cold and practical, but deep down, she is suffocating from the intensity of her feelings.

Therefore, we know that we need to explode sometimes. And we are always there to pick up the pieces of each other. Like now.

- Thanks - she whispers.

- You're welcome, love. Better?

- A little - she smiles - It's not fair. You should be crying, not me.

My confused look is enough for her to explain.

- You are attracted to a man who has never interested you before and who may be in love with your sister.

It could be funny, if it weren't so real. It's my turn to be tense. I think about what she said and ask the stupidest question of all:

- Do you think he's in love with her?

Stella looks at me seriously. We never lie to each other, even if the truth hurts. Then I prepare myself for the answer I didn't want to hear.

- With all due respect, my friend, but he would be very stupid if he wasn't in love with her - Stella kisses my cheek - You two deserve more than him.

- I agree - I sigh and let my biggest concern slip away - What if I'm in love with him too?

- Then you're stupid - she laughs - But hey, you had to do some wrong choices in life, right?

- Fuck you, Stella - I say, laughing.

- Oh, so chic, Sorah Ailenna.

- Suck me - I tease.

- I prefer your sister - we both laughed, despite the tension - Don't hate me, okay?

- Never, Stella. You are my best friend.

- Forever?

- And always - I confirm - Under the eyes of the King and the Goddesses, my loyalty is yours.

- Under the eyes of the King and the Goddesses, my loyalty is yours - she repeats the oath, without even hesitating.

We both look at the wedding dress photos and know it's not going to happen. Not today. The dresses will have to wait until later.

- How about if we choose the wedding sweets? - she suggests.

- Gods, come on.

Nothing a sweet treat can't solve, right?