When Rachel heard say that, she froze like she'd been scalded with boiling water.
— What… What did you just say? — she asked slowly.
I flinched when she looked at like she was going to sizzle with it.
— I… I an…» I swallowed uncertainly, «Camille is better for you than .
— …
Rachel didn't even move. But she didn't have to say anything to be angry. Very angry. And if it were any other person in my position, he'd be a ss.
I knew that, and I expected the sa fate for myself. For a few seconds the girl was silent and looked at strangely. Then I decided to call out to her:
— R-Rachel…?
She rose from her seat at lightning speed and was soon beside .
— Who told you such nonsense? — She growled.
— I…» I looked away. «I think so myself.
But Rachel didn't believe . Suddenly she grabbed my chin and made look her right in the eyes.
— Tell ! — She was like an order. «Did that bitch do sothing to you again?
I was silent.
The scene I'd witnessed in my office was still in my head. I had no idea how Rachel really felt about her. And at the sa ti… I didn't want to seem awkward complaining about anyone. Especially since the previous incident with Camille had already been resolved: I didn't see the point in bringing it up again.
— There's nothing wrong with ,» I sighed, «I just think Camille is more suited to this role.
— What do you an?
— The Imperial palace… It's entirely in her elent, unlike .
— …
Rachel was very surprised by my thoughts. I didn't know whether her gaze was dominated by anger or resentnt. In any case, though I tried to negotiate with her, the girl wasn't even going to consider my offer in any way.
Instead, she suddenly pulled to her and kissed . source-at-MVLeMpYr
My eyes widened in surprise.
All the servants in the imperial dining room stared at us with no small amount of shock at what was happening. In my mind I imagined that this would be the hottest topic of discussion among the maids in the coming days.
My cheeks flushed themselves: Rachel had done this in such a crowded place. And she didn't even ask!
Not knowing how long our kiss had lasted, Rachel didn't let out of her arms for a while. Then, finally pulling away, she said softly:
— You're my queen.
— Wh-what…? — I was stunned.
— And I don't want any other queen.
— …
— If you ever talk about that again, I'll be very angry.
You could tell by the look on her face that it was true. And before I knew it, the girl had grabbed my hand and was taking with her.
I was stunned when I asked her again a few seconds later:
— W-where… Where are we going?
— A date.
— What?» I was even more surprised, «At this hour?
— I can do anything I want in this country, anyti I want.
Her words sounded like an inescapable truth that I had to accept. I was silent as Rachel led out for a walk in the imperial garden, which looked more like a maze. This was the first ti I'd been here since I'd entered the palace.
And it wasn't by accident.
Simply because I saw no pleasure in a stroll: one in which you are guarded like an animal on a leash.
The place turned out to be as beautiful as rumors of it had reached . There were a variety of plants and flowers growing everywhere, all arranged in an exquisite architectural composition. A real fairy-tale garden.
And in the anti, I couldn't help but ntion this point to Rachel.
— Where is Maxie? — I asked, — Am I allowed to leave the palace without guards?
She snorted.
— When I'm around, you don't need it.
— I see.
We strolled along the greenhouse, and during that ti I felt as if I were outdoors for the first ti in a hundred years. The fresh air was pleasantly blowing on my face, which was nothing like the usual draft from the window.
Watching , Rachel asked:
— Do you like it?
I nodded.
— You… This is the first ti you've smiled like that in a while.
After the girl noticed that, I was involuntarily embarrassed. Co to think of it, I really didn't have much reason to be happy. If there were any at all, of course.
In fact, what I missed most in the world was the Archduke's holand. My father and the servants who had been kind to since I was a child. I wondered how they were doing.
Once again I noticed that it was as if Rachel could read my mind. As I thought about ho, she imdiately asked:
— Do you miss your old life?
I didn't deny it.
— Of course,» I said, «I haven't seen my father in a long ti.
Rachel said quietly.
— Do you love him that much…?
— He's my dad,» I wondered. «How can you not love your parents?
But, considering Rachel's relationship to the Duke of Cassius, I probably shouldn't have said that. But it was too late to take it back.
The girl sighed.
— Just let it go,» she said suddenly.
— What?
— You'll have a new family soon. So… You'd better let go of the past.
I frowned. «New family» ans…? I even wondered what it would be like. And would I be able to be happy in it?
After a short walk, we sat down on the wide swing in the garden, and I wanted to put Rachel's head on my shoulder. Probably because I'd just co to terms with it all.
There hasn't been any more news since my father's last visit. Does this an there's really nothing to stop the wedding? And would I really have to be queen…
I sighed heavily on Rachel's shoulder, feeling like a rabbit-who had fallen into a trap and just accepted its fate.
Rachel put her arm around and pulled against her. We looked up at the blue sky together.
— Don't worry,» she whispered to , «And in a year, and in two years, and years from now… Everything will be okay.
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